I knew he was nervous. I was pretty sure it was going to be just fine. I had the same surgery years before and had long forgotten the haunting thoughts of them cutting on my eyes, but I could see the worry in his. I understood.
Continue reading Gershwin in the NightTag Archives: Soul
Living in the In-between
Meditation Gathering: December 26, 2025 and January 7, 2026
We came together in the in-between time between this year and next, between Christmas and the day of Epiphany (the day the wise men delivered gifts to the baby Jesus), or on a more personal soul level, living in the mystery and wonder of what is yet unresolved or unknown.
The theme of Living in the In-between is supported with references to the Cloud of Unknowing and Cloud of Forgetting – both from the nearly 700-yr-old Christian text, Cloud of Unknowing – and other contemplative and mindfulness practices.
Part I introduces the theme of our gathering and a brief approach to the practice of meditation.
Part II features more inspirational readings and invitations to meditate together.
Both offerings from Theresa are part of the Community of Light* Meditation Gathering series. In this series, meditation is influenced by the Brahma Viharas heart practices, blending mindfulness and spiritual qualities as practiced in Insight Meditation traditions, and teachings. Participants, meditation time, and sharing are not included in the video.
*Community of Light Meditation Gathering – an offering from Theresa Wyatt Prebilsky. As a virtual gathering, we explore and meditate on themes and practices influenced by a blending of mindfulness and an variety of spiritual teachings. Our through-line is love. Our practice is meditation forward. Our aim is compassion for ourselves and our communities – right here as we gather, extending to all beings.
Pulling the Shade
I am practicing pulling down a compassionate shade between me and my self-criticism.
When “that” old worn-out, familiar thought of being not-enough or too-much barrels into my head, I imagine a shade separating me from the unloving voice of old stories and past regrets.
Imagine my surprise when one day, as I pictured tugging that yellowing cream-colored cracking roller-shade into place, this word was revealed: Magnificent!
I now practice separating from negative thoughts AND saying, “I am magnificent.” Isn’t that a hoot? Is that allowed? Heck, yes it is. It’s about time.-theresa
We don’t get more gold stars for doing it the hardest way.
This morning I decided that I will let myself walk only the flat surfaces of my usual route. Maybe do that twice instead of pushing, huffing, and puffing, and stressing my heart on the steep hill back up. Practice gentle long strides instead of doing it the hardest way – a lesson that keeps calling to me to practice, but merit-thinking is hard to release. So ingrained in me was:
“You have to do it the hardest way for it to count.”
WRONG! Not right thinking.
We don’t get more gold stars for doing it the hardest way. We find well being in listening to the pace of our souls, and body.
I’m headed out now for my longer, gentler walk.
Look Deeply
“Look deeply,” She whispered. “The day is almost done, but there is more – yet a little more beauty for you to enjoy.”
Infusion
These times require me to seek and steep in an infusion of love. A million messages a day invite me to choose compassion or loathing. In a millisecond of scrolling, I am dragged to gutters of rage or the deepest of heartaches.
I can’t deny the algorithms I trigger with every click or like, nor the cumulative effect these choices have on my sensitive soul. But I am certain, if not always willing, that the next Right Action is always compassion for myself and for all beings, closely followed by choosing infusions of love to fortify my heart.
“Our mind is like a garden, and we are the gardener. We can cultivate flowers or weeds. Whatever we plant and water will grow. Every piece of information, every conversation, every image, every sound we take in is a seed. If we are mindful, we can choose which seeds to water – whether they are seeds of joy, peace, and compassion, or seeds of anger, fear, and craving.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Winter Drawings
Two winter drawings I am lucky to have from my Mother, Mary Alice Rogers Wyatt, and her brother, Earl Miles Rogers. Both are in pencil, ink, and chalk.
I thought lovingly of my mother and her brother as I carefully removed their art from the frames to scan. I imagined my grandmother’s pride and joy as she framed and displayed the scenes, side-by-side.
I am committed to keeping them together for as long as I have them. Then, they will fade and crackle into dust of obscurity, leaving an ethereal trail of smiles. I’m okay with that. It is the way.