Practice Loving Kindness

My kids head off for school in a few days, my oldest in his last year..  For all of them it marks the ending of a fun and free summer, and the beginning of routines, structure, and practice.  I’ve always used that end of summer, back to school energy, as a way to re-commit to my own routines and practices.  More than a January new years resolution, autumn reminds me of the things I want to learn, commit to, and put into practice.

Some practices that I have been thinking a lot about lately are; community, inclusivity, tolerance, and kindness.  We use the word community a lot at Hemma, and to us, it’s more than just a marketing catch phrase.  At Hemma, community has always meant inclusivity — creating a space for everyone within our community, not just those within our familiar circles of comfort.

“Community is and must be inclusive. The great enemy of community is exclusivity. Groups that exclude others because they are poor or doubters or divorced or sinners or of some different race or nationality are not communities; they are cliques – actually defensive bastions against community.”  M. Scott Peck

We have seen many examples of hate, intolerance, and exclusion this year, yet even as we may feel disgust towards people who openly express hatred and intolerance, it’s also important for each of us to reflect on the ways in which we may contribute — the small, day-to-day, unkind thoughts and actions we commit when we think no one is watching or listening.  How do we combat these forces within our communities and within ourselves?  For me it is a matter of commitment and practice. Whether it’s big or small the opportunities constantly present themselves.  Hatred and anger, for oneself, or towards another, is not an emotion we can afford to indulge in.

What the world needs now is love sweet love,
Its the only thing that there’s just to little of,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
No, not just for some but for everyone,…  Hal David

Practice loving kindness today.

Teachers like Michael Stone don’t come around very often. He had extensive knowledge of Yoga, Buddhism, Psychotherapy and he blended these into humble teachings that were profound, accessible, and for many people – life changing. He was a teacher, an author, an activist, and family man and he stood in all of these roles with kindness and presence.

We were shocked to learn that on July 13th Michael went into a coma. He was hospitalized over the weekend while his family visited to surround him with their love. A few days later, on July 16th, he was taken off life support and peacefully passed from this world. (Details from his Facebook Page)

This tragic news has been a big shock for us all. Michael has offered a number of workshops and trainings at Hemma over the last two years and we are so grateful for his presence here.  We are grateful to have known him, have learned from him, and feel that the world is a better place because of him. He has inpsired many of us in Victoria, and around the world to wake up; to feel more, to see more, and to be more in the world.

We will be holding a meditation in his honour on Tuesday July 18th at 8pm. At a time when words seem to do so little, we will gather in community to sit. Donations are welcome for the Stone Family. We are sending mountains of love to his wife Carina, his children, the whole Stone family, and communities around the globe feeling this great loss.

Here is the update Carina Stone posted the morning after he passed:

Michael left beautifully and peacefully last night. There was joy and release in his time of transformation.

Unfathomable. Heart opening. Mind grasping for knowing every unknowable.
Deep feelings of peace.

A blue heron landed on our deck
Another at the oceans edge
Three turns of the earth
Always in a moment
His nose
Face of a Buddha
A hand on my shoulder
Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhisvaha
Prajna heart sutra

Thank you for your love and practice
Bowing

May this tragic event be a reminder for all of us to live life more fully. To feel more. To be more. To wake up to the wonder of life that is around us every moment.

Deep bows to you Michael. Your teachings live on.

~ Kelly