Beginner's Heart

Beginner's Heart

tonglen Archives

poetry (again), practice, and beginner’s heart ~

If you know me at all, you know I’m not quite rational about poetry. Of course, poetry isn’t a rational subject. And writers of it tend to not be, either. How could we be? It’s all about stories and metaphor [...]

message in a bottle: imagining a reader ~

Last month I wrote a poem for a funeral reading. The deceased wasn’t a friend — he was my sister’s dear friend’s brother. So writing the poem took some time, as I’ve noted elsewhere. Of course, all poems — most writing [...]

tragedy, great sorrow, and the breath ~

I have nothing to say after a tragedy of this magnitude. My heart hurts — I have to catch my breath, thinking of sending a child or children off to school, and never seeing them again… My mind races: what [...]

the 28th day of Thanksgiving month (vertigo & other blessings) ~

I woke up in the middle of the night to a room awhirl. Seriously awhirl, as in the bed might well have been on a crazed merry-go-round. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant evening. Vertigo and I have [...]

Previous Posts

bees, and going with the flow ~
I've always wanted to keep bees. Perhaps it's my Uncle Russell's fault, although I'm pretty sure that my fascination w/ bees predates Uncle Russell's beekeeping days... More likely it's from reading the French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre as a child. And following bees around. Like I did ants, a

posted 3:44:50pm May. 20, 2013 | read full post »

art festivals & beginner's heart ~
Art festivals rock. Really! Tents of cool trinkets to explore, music, junk food (although really: who considers locally  made chocolate gelato junk?), kids with painted faces... What's not to love? This week is Tulsa's MayFest weekend. An old festival (as these things go), the original MayFest h

posted 6:17:18pm May. 19, 2013 | read full post »

grand-nephews & grace ~
My grand-nephew is a hoot. Named for my younger son, little Noah is funny, drop-dead cute, and tons of fun. A great companion for a Friday adventure. So today, when he arrived w/ his grandmother -- my younger sister -- in tow, I knew fun was walking in the door, too. He made straight for the brea

posted 3:52:24pm May. 17, 2013 | read full post »

days of youth, death, & disconnection ~
I just heard that an old and very dear friend died. It was last year, but I only heard today. Some of you probably knew Larry Megill -- especially those of my local friends. He and my dear dear friend Carrie were Sunday school teachers at All Souls; they also delivered Meals on Wheels. But that i

posted 1:06:43pm May. 16, 2013 | read full post »

three-step practice ~
First, come into the present. Flash on what’s happening with you right now. Be fully aware of your body, its energetic quality. Be aware of your thoughts and emotions. Next, feel your heart, literally placing your hand on your chest if you find that helpful. This is a way of accepting yourself

posted 11:08:52am May. 15, 2013 | read full post »


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