Grateful for You

Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.

Though written in 1992, Leonard Cohen’s counsel is appropriate during our country’s dark period of uncertainty, prejudice, polarization and increasingly frequent random acts of mass murder and gun violence. I found it difficult to even write that last sentence, let alone call out the hard truth of these times. This period in our history is provoking anxiety and maybe even despair for those longing for a world built on a foundation of compassion and kindness.  But if we pay attention, we will notice and embrace the cracks. I feel the warm light shining through each and every time we gather to meditate on Thursday evenings or share dharma on Sunday afternoons, and in the stillness and silence of my personal practice space.  And as Thanksgiving Day approaches, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have you in my life, for the path that binds us and for the connection that we share. I am so fortunate that my journey has allowed me to engage with warm-hearted people like you and I’m grateful to Yoga for Living and Karma Thegsum Chöling - NJ for providing the inviting environment for us to come together in compassionate presence.  I’m confident that we can emanate more light into this world, especially when our hearts join together, and I am committed to the process.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is my wish to grow our community, deepen our connections and bring forth the energy of love.  If you have thoughts about this, please be in touch!  I welcome your creativity, ideas and, most importantly, your friendship. Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!