Hi Maia, Thanks for this post. I really like the Tree of Contemplative Practices. I looked at your book and saw that Parallax Press was founded by Tich Nhat Hanh; I didn't know that! I just pulled Peace is Every Step off the bookshelf last night to use in some of my current writing. I was lucky enough to meet him in Plum Village years ago.
Hey Jesse! Thanks for taking time to read and leaving a comment. Yes, Parallax Press is a wonderful resource for books and tools on mindfulness. Thay co-founded it with his students at the time, Arnie Kotler and Therese Fitzgerald. Many years ago I worked there, it was a wonderful place to start my mindfulness practice.
Hi Maia, I am so touched by this gorgeous piece. The Tree of Contemplative Practices just blew me away! Your gentleness woven throughout the ideas is so lovely and this quote “The enlightened person is simply the person who isn’t selfish, who sees things as they really are, loves them, and acts out of that love.” is one I have never heard and one I will never forget. Thank you so much for spreading your light!
Thank you for your kind words, Niki! As you know, it's a gift to a writer to hear that a piece has touched someone else's heart and mind in a unique way. Happy we are connected!
Maia, great article. I discovered you through Notes when someone restacked this piece. It really resonated. I look forward to reading more of your work.
I love the Tree of Contemplative Practices! I believe I partake in each limb. My journey has been a long one to find exactly the right practice and teacher for me. My writing is also deeply entwined with my spiritual journey, both as a creative process in fiction and a sharing process in non-fiction. My path has been very solitary, but I'm happy to now be part of a community kirtan group. The singing is so uplifting and a nice way to share in spiritual community. I meditate daily, but struggle with evening meditation. To motivate myself, I'll often say, Just ten minutes. You can do anything for ten minutes!
Anything that has us in the moment, whatever it is, is enlivening. Transcendental Meditation is one of my favorites-“take it as it comes” is the perfect mantra for self-permission.
Thanks for this offering ✨✨I’ve been focussed on stillness which I really struggle with so this has given me so many other options to consider, many of which I already do actually so approaching these with different intentions will be a really interesting exploration :)
Aaah ! What a juicy read for me. This piece has come at just the right time. I sat down only two days ago to take stock of my current practices (movement : daily yoga and creative: daily ‘writing hour’) - it was a great moment to celebrate the ones I’ve embedded into my daily life over the last two years (yoga especially) and to flesh out how I want other practices to become more of a habit too (stillness and loving kindness meditations are calling me !) Your piece sets out beautiful, encouraging advice I will be coming back to. Thank you Maia ! 🧡
Hi Maia, Thanks for this post. I really like the Tree of Contemplative Practices. I looked at your book and saw that Parallax Press was founded by Tich Nhat Hanh; I didn't know that! I just pulled Peace is Every Step off the bookshelf last night to use in some of my current writing. I was lucky enough to meet him in Plum Village years ago.
Hey Jesse! Thanks for taking time to read and leaving a comment. Yes, Parallax Press is a wonderful resource for books and tools on mindfulness. Thay co-founded it with his students at the time, Arnie Kotler and Therese Fitzgerald. Many years ago I worked there, it was a wonderful place to start my mindfulness practice.
Hi Maia, I am so touched by this gorgeous piece. The Tree of Contemplative Practices just blew me away! Your gentleness woven throughout the ideas is so lovely and this quote “The enlightened person is simply the person who isn’t selfish, who sees things as they really are, loves them, and acts out of that love.” is one I have never heard and one I will never forget. Thank you so much for spreading your light!
Thank you for your kind words, Niki! As you know, it's a gift to a writer to hear that a piece has touched someone else's heart and mind in a unique way. Happy we are connected!
It is indeed, I am grateful as well!
Maia, great article. I discovered you through Notes when someone restacked this piece. It really resonated. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you so much, Matthew -- great to have you here!
I love the Tree of Contemplative Practices! I believe I partake in each limb. My journey has been a long one to find exactly the right practice and teacher for me. My writing is also deeply entwined with my spiritual journey, both as a creative process in fiction and a sharing process in non-fiction. My path has been very solitary, but I'm happy to now be part of a community kirtan group. The singing is so uplifting and a nice way to share in spiritual community. I meditate daily, but struggle with evening meditation. To motivate myself, I'll often say, Just ten minutes. You can do anything for ten minutes!
I love that you’ve shared so many.
Anything that has us in the moment, whatever it is, is enlivening. Transcendental Meditation is one of my favorites-“take it as it comes” is the perfect mantra for self-permission.
Oooh I’m excited to read this. Have hit ‘save’ to enjoy it with a cup of coco later 😍
Thanks for this offering ✨✨I’ve been focussed on stillness which I really struggle with so this has given me so many other options to consider, many of which I already do actually so approaching these with different intentions will be a really interesting exploration :)
Thank you for your words and for sharing the image.
excellent.
Aaah ! What a juicy read for me. This piece has come at just the right time. I sat down only two days ago to take stock of my current practices (movement : daily yoga and creative: daily ‘writing hour’) - it was a great moment to celebrate the ones I’ve embedded into my daily life over the last two years (yoga especially) and to flesh out how I want other practices to become more of a habit too (stillness and loving kindness meditations are calling me !) Your piece sets out beautiful, encouraging advice I will be coming back to. Thank you Maia ! 🧡
Wow! A very insightful post there.
grazie