Hold Hands and Slow Down: Notes and Lessons from Geri Larkin

Faith in Ourselves...and In Each Other.

Prework gives us the grounding we need to step into the experiene of daily holyiness.

Prework comes in two forms: Trusting ourselves, which includes believign that inside of us is a good perosn capable of living a life that is holy, and the practice of gratitude no matter what life brings.

In the end the only person whoe opinion matters is our own. Everyone else is responding to us through thier own karmic screens.

Gratitude

Giving up whinning

Those who perform good deeds
do not experience remorse and woe.
Instead
They are happy now
and they are happy later-
in this world
and the next
they know bliss.

-The Buddha

If we can get past laziness and fear, ethical behavor is deeply gratifying.

Self-Control

Nonopposition

Cultivating Energy
Putting energy into ethical behavoir gives it the fuel it needs to keep burning.

Mindfulness matters the most when it comes to staying clear of confusion. Stay in the moment. Pay attention to what matters. Ignore everything else.

Nonattachment

Practicing what is Difficult

Practicing Truth
There is always something we can do to be helpful in a situation.

The effects of putting effort, energetic effort, into whatever we are diong are enormous. We feel better. We look beyyer. And we can find ourselves doing things we never thought likey because our bodies and minds are staying sharp.

We Have Everything

"I'm happy and grateful, no matter what." Anatta

A surprising benefit of clearheadedness is the abilty to make instant decisions. When we are responding to information unclouded by our own biases, we see instantly what is needed in a situation.

Life Becomes Improv! (Love it!).

Samu Sunim koan: "What is it?"

Adventures and Friendships

"Get over yourself!"

We aren't in charge of anyone else. The Buddha himslef said, don't fix anyone else, just fix yourself:

Whooever would live well,
Long lasting, bringing bliss-
Let him be generous, be calm
And cultivate the doing of good.
By practicing these three...
The wise one lives without regret
His world is infused with happiness.

Live in Peace, Live in Joy.

I said to my soul be still,
and wait without hope
Wait without thought...
So the darkness shall be the light,
and the stillness the dancing. ~ T.S. Elliot

Always Rejoice

Thanks to George for sharing this book with me.