Lasara Firefox Allen, MSW's Blog, page 28

Tonglen Meditation as Self-Healing

Tonglen meditation is a simple practice of transmutation. It's the process of breathing in "dirty" energy, thoughts, or feelings, and releasing them with compassionate non-attachment as pure light.

As opposed to the idea of breathing peace and calm into the body and mind, in tonglen we breathe in pain and suffering (dukkha) and transform it into

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I Love You – A Daily Practice

As you move through your life today, think "I love you" to everything and everyone, ALL THE TIME! Or at least whenever you remember to. Most importantly, think "I LOVE YOU!" when you are feeling sad, angry, separate from another, or from source, or alone. Don't forget that YOU are

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Untitled (vortex i)

I come awake at night these days
My man sprawled sweetly next to me
Rhythmic breathing
almost lulling me
But in the quiet of night
there's something puling me
Awake, awake

I come awake at night
the cars rush by my country home
Rhythmic roaring
nearly pulling me
In this rush of night
there's something lulling me
Awake, awake

Virginia said
a woman should have a room of one's own
This

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18 Rules for Living

Often referred to as "Dalai Lama's 18 rules for living", this piece of writing does not actually originate with the Dalai Lama. Regardless, it's a great piece of writing, with many important reminders. I needed some of them badly today, and thought you might, too. Enjoy. I hope this list provides some sweet upliftment for

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A Poem for Palestine

August, 2007

here,
in this place of unyielding hardship
the soil trembles
with subtle urgency
without moving

bodies quiver
electricity dancing on the surface of
straining skin

restraint
oppression
desire
fear
all held
in abeyance -
a sacred secret
voiced in harsh-edged whispers
in the dark of night
and lost to forgiving winds

here,
trees bend low
branches heavy hanging
with over-ripe fruit
no way to pick the figs
beyond the shadow of the wall

still,roses growdawn kisses sweet-smelling earthwith...

The Wall

The wall coming towards Beit Jala.

Imagine you are sitting in your home. Imagine that when you look out the window, you can see a wall growing close and closer, day by day, straight toward the walls of your home. You know that the larger wall will not correct its course. You know that soon,

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Sixty Years of Temporary – Arroub Refugee Camp, Palestine

Entry to Arroub Camp (Al Arroub).

August, 2007

Yesterday I went to Al Arroub Camp. Remember, you take the bitter with the sweet…

In 1948 the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands began. Palestinians were driven forcibly from the homes their forefathers had built, whole villages were emptied of the Arab population. Villages that had been built of

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