Maia, 73 in Sept, finally a l o n e to allow peace (at last), Buddhist for over 25 years after the earth fell out from under me. What I've contributed to the world's community is 40 years+ advocating for, working with, service coordination, multi-disabled, primarily Deaf, Deafblind and victim/survivors of DV domestic violence and SA sexual assault (being a survivor myself of both.)
With all this said thank you for your words and sharing. To answer the questions towards the end of how would I address them for myself... EACH question spontaneously was " r e s t " Yep, I GET to do that now, and that's the METTA I can bring to the world, mine as well as everyone else'.... btw, I love that I am also a 'rule breaker'.. always loved giving myself the nickname "Maverick"... yep, survivor ~ my mantra still used after decades of use "Let go. Let be. Be Free", and btw, I BY CHOICE go to bed around 2AM and have my own time for another few hours reading, yes... iPad screen time, people I follow, MSNBC, Jon Stewart (cracks me up!).. Emily Claire Barlow on Pandora while I play solitaire ; )
I also turned one of my 3 bedrooms into a meditation/yoga room I often will sit to meditate by candle light way after 1AM listening to First Nation Flute Music.
And by choice, I stay in bed after waking, even if hours awake to meditate in my dark room, listen to recordings/meditations, self-talk/counsel time (IFS "parts" dialogue, Liz Gilbert's "Letter from Love"... Love, what would have me know?) while I literally embrace my body and soul.
I'm so lucky my 2 little, aging, rescues indulge me beautifully ; )
I'm even beyond a "night owl" and I love that it's by choice and I GET TO DO IT. Also, was married and have 2 grown kids with families too far away to visit.... I divorced, loved another, and have chosen to be alone for the past 25 years. Yep, my vow.......... to r e s t, and cherish the permission I give to myself! Oh, and still ride my bucket list motorcycle (Indian Scout!) ; )
Peace, light, love and mindfulness to you, Maia and community!!
This is interesting. Like you, I chafe at anything that feels like restriction or discipline. Plus, I really don't believe that anything can last forever. For these reasons, I don't make vows. I worry that I'll just break them (and that would harm my sense of integrity)
But as I reflect on your vows, I feel like they come from a deeper place--almost more like sign-posts pointing the way than rules imposed from above. In that way, I have internal vows that have pointed my way for my whole life. I would never break them.
So this makes me wonder: are vows meant to push us outside our comfort zone? To urge us forward and hold us accountable, even in discomfort? Or are they meant to codify and name what we already know to be true?
I know this is just a rephrasing of what you wrote in your article. But somehow, the ideas that you wrote about are showing up in a new way for me. Thank you.
Oh how I have been avoiding all things spiritual, religious, woo-woo, new age, etc. I haven't even really thought about it (which I am beginning to feel drawn to do). I was hesitant, even, to read this post and yet I read on. And I'm glad I did.
Your post resonated. This specific time we are experiencing - politically, socially - has been bringing to mind conspicuous thoughts around what my true values are, and what is worth risking my self, my home, my family, my life for. It's been eye-opening, healing, honest (as best I can) and I'm looking forward to utilizing your post to explore more, and hopefully help me define more. If that makes sense.
The most revolutionary act in this world is to change oneself, for kinder, wiser versions of ourselves and to practice compassion so deeply to oneself that it overflows into the world.
Thank you Maia for reminding us with your vows how an act of revolution is always an internal one. ❤️
Ah yes, Swarnali... thank you for integrating that wisdom. Sometimes I steer away from making too big of a distinction between internal and external, as we live in a world of interdependence and the 'outside' shapes our 'insides.' But yes, I agree, on a fundamental level revolution happens from the inside out ; )
Thanks, Katrina. Sometimes I worry that I use intention and vows a bit too interchangeably and I feel like I still haven't figured a good way to articulate how they are similar and, perhaps, different. I'm glad you see the alignment, it's important!
Thanks, Don! It’s always gratifying to have someone read something so quickly and respond, lol. I’m another note, I’m a little confused why I don’t see any photo with the note that I just shared featuring this post. I wonder if you’re able to see it or if it’s just my device?
Good! Must have been a momentary glitch. Actually I don’t think that’s a Buddha statue… It was a stock photo I got from Substack, but it looks to me like it was taken in Bali and could be a stone statue of Sarasvati, Hindu goddess of learning, arts, and music. But maybe @Swarnali Mukherjee can help us on that…
Your guess about the picture taken in Bali is correct Maia. This statue is of goddess Dewi Sri, also known as "Sri" or "Shri." She is the Hindu goddess of rice and fertility, and is widely worshipped, particularly in Bali and Java. She is the Indian counterpart of goddess Lakshmi in a broader context although there are some ritualistic nuances to their worship that differs across these regions.
thank you, dear Maia. relevant in this moment, helpful to take in your reflections across time.
Maia, 73 in Sept, finally a l o n e to allow peace (at last), Buddhist for over 25 years after the earth fell out from under me. What I've contributed to the world's community is 40 years+ advocating for, working with, service coordination, multi-disabled, primarily Deaf, Deafblind and victim/survivors of DV domestic violence and SA sexual assault (being a survivor myself of both.)
With all this said thank you for your words and sharing. To answer the questions towards the end of how would I address them for myself... EACH question spontaneously was " r e s t " Yep, I GET to do that now, and that's the METTA I can bring to the world, mine as well as everyone else'.... btw, I love that I am also a 'rule breaker'.. always loved giving myself the nickname "Maverick"... yep, survivor ~ my mantra still used after decades of use "Let go. Let be. Be Free", and btw, I BY CHOICE go to bed around 2AM and have my own time for another few hours reading, yes... iPad screen time, people I follow, MSNBC, Jon Stewart (cracks me up!).. Emily Claire Barlow on Pandora while I play solitaire ; )
I also turned one of my 3 bedrooms into a meditation/yoga room I often will sit to meditate by candle light way after 1AM listening to First Nation Flute Music.
And by choice, I stay in bed after waking, even if hours awake to meditate in my dark room, listen to recordings/meditations, self-talk/counsel time (IFS "parts" dialogue, Liz Gilbert's "Letter from Love"... Love, what would have me know?) while I literally embrace my body and soul.
I'm so lucky my 2 little, aging, rescues indulge me beautifully ; )
I'm even beyond a "night owl" and I love that it's by choice and I GET TO DO IT. Also, was married and have 2 grown kids with families too far away to visit.... I divorced, loved another, and have chosen to be alone for the past 25 years. Yep, my vow.......... to r e s t, and cherish the permission I give to myself! Oh, and still ride my bucket list motorcycle (Indian Scout!) ; )
Peace, light, love and mindfulness to you, Maia and community!!
Thank you for sharing your writing, and 'you' 🙏,
This is interesting. Like you, I chafe at anything that feels like restriction or discipline. Plus, I really don't believe that anything can last forever. For these reasons, I don't make vows. I worry that I'll just break them (and that would harm my sense of integrity)
But as I reflect on your vows, I feel like they come from a deeper place--almost more like sign-posts pointing the way than rules imposed from above. In that way, I have internal vows that have pointed my way for my whole life. I would never break them.
So this makes me wonder: are vows meant to push us outside our comfort zone? To urge us forward and hold us accountable, even in discomfort? Or are they meant to codify and name what we already know to be true?
I know this is just a rephrasing of what you wrote in your article. But somehow, the ideas that you wrote about are showing up in a new way for me. Thank you.
Oh how I have been avoiding all things spiritual, religious, woo-woo, new age, etc. I haven't even really thought about it (which I am beginning to feel drawn to do). I was hesitant, even, to read this post and yet I read on. And I'm glad I did.
Your post resonated. This specific time we are experiencing - politically, socially - has been bringing to mind conspicuous thoughts around what my true values are, and what is worth risking my self, my home, my family, my life for. It's been eye-opening, healing, honest (as best I can) and I'm looking forward to utilizing your post to explore more, and hopefully help me define more. If that makes sense.
Thank you. Very much. 🙏
What would we risk everything for... yes... such a rich inquiry, Kathey. I hope this post continues to serve your process. Be well.
Beautiful reminder -thank you!
thank you, Laura!
The most revolutionary act in this world is to change oneself, for kinder, wiser versions of ourselves and to practice compassion so deeply to oneself that it overflows into the world.
Thank you Maia for reminding us with your vows how an act of revolution is always an internal one. ❤️
Ah yes, Swarnali... thank you for integrating that wisdom. Sometimes I steer away from making too big of a distinction between internal and external, as we live in a world of interdependence and the 'outside' shapes our 'insides.' But yes, I agree, on a fundamental level revolution happens from the inside out ; )
Very true Maia, innately wise interpretation of Buddha’s teachings.
Beautiful post, Maia. I love the alignment of intention and vows.
Thanks, Katrina. Sometimes I worry that I use intention and vows a bit too interchangeably and I feel like I still haven't figured a good way to articulate how they are similar and, perhaps, different. I'm glad you see the alignment, it's important!
Yes, there are definitely differences. I liked being reminded that an intention can become a vow, or at least include that element of seriousness.
Oh thank you, that helps!
Deep bow, Maia. This is very timely. All my love, Choro
three bows back, Choro!
These vows you have made to yourself are so beautiful, Maia. Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks, Ryan. Reading this article again so many years after writing it, I realize what a gift I got with those vows, and it continues to give.
As long as discipline comes from a place of love and not scarcity, it works with us rather than against us!
That's a great observation, Jimmy. So true!
I really like this, Maia. Your vows, especially the third one, resonate deeply. I am grateful for you!
Thanks, Don! It’s always gratifying to have someone read something so quickly and respond, lol. I’m another note, I’m a little confused why I don’t see any photo with the note that I just shared featuring this post. I wonder if you’re able to see it or if it’s just my device?
I can see the cover photo of the cement Buddha underneath the note that you left five minutes ago
Good! Must have been a momentary glitch. Actually I don’t think that’s a Buddha statue… It was a stock photo I got from Substack, but it looks to me like it was taken in Bali and could be a stone statue of Sarasvati, Hindu goddess of learning, arts, and music. But maybe @Swarnali Mukherjee can help us on that…
Your guess about the picture taken in Bali is correct Maia. This statue is of goddess Dewi Sri, also known as "Sri" or "Shri." She is the Hindu goddess of rice and fertility, and is widely worshipped, particularly in Bali and Java. She is the Indian counterpart of goddess Lakshmi in a broader context although there are some ritualistic nuances to their worship that differs across these regions.
ah, thank you for this, dear Swarnali!
With pleasure dear one ❤️
I’ll check