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wisdom from jodie’s house

there are some things i always read when i stay at my friend jodie’s house and i want to type them up here both so i can see them all the time and so you can experience them as well.

the first is an adaptation from Thich Nhat Hahn’s Five Contemplations for eating in mindfulness:

This food is a gift of the whole universe – the earth, the sky, and much hard work.

May we eat in such a way so as to honor it.

May we transform our unskillful states of mind and learn to eat in moderation.

May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness in people and the planet.

May we accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love.

the second piece is a quote from Vandana Shiva:

i do not allow myself to be overcome by hopelessness, no matter how tough the situation. i believe that if you just do your little bit without thinking of the bigness of what you stand against, if you turn to the enlargement of your own capacities, just that in itself creates new potential.

and i’ve learned from the Bhagavad Gita and other teachings of our culture to detach myself from the results of what i do, because those are not in my hands. the context is not in your control, but your commitment is yours to make, and you can make the deepest commitment with total detachment about where it will take you.

you want it to lead to a better world, and you shape your actions and take full responsibility for them, but then you have detachment. and that combination of deep passion and deep detachment allows me to take on the next challenge because i don’t cripple myself, i don’t tie myself in knots. i function like a free bring. i think getting that freedom is a social duty because i think we owe it to each other not to burden each other with prescription and demands. i think we owe each other a celebration of life and to replace fear and hopelessness with fearlessness and joy.

read the full piece here.