Intention: balance. Balance. People who know me well know that this is a word I sometimes have an indignant aversion toward. To me, balance feels like inherently precarious; like it could be disrupted by a gust of wind, or an ounce more of weight. As a yogi, I think of balance as strength, but also … More Travels, Day 12: Inle Lake
Intention: “Be a Live Water.” This phrase, “Be a Live Water,” comes from a Buddhist story we were told by a Myanmar local. It can be roughly translated as a reminder to remain adaptable and flexible; open to life’s experience; softening, rather than hardening, in the face of fear. How can you be a Live … More Travels, Day 11: Nyaung Shwe Trek
Intention: connection. Cunnek-shun. When I’m in a good space in my life – however that might be defined – connecting with others seems to happen effortlessly and intuitively. In these times, I love sharing my truth with the people in my life who are close to me; love comparing “life notes,” bouncing ideas off one … More Travels, Day 10: Mandalay to Nyaung Shwe
Intention: curiosity and lightheartedness. Lightening up is, ironically, sometimes one of the hardest things for me to do. I spend a lot of my life in a relatively serious mode of inquiry; being honest and open often means to me “baring my vulnerable parts,” which is inherently a little scary. Not to mention, my vulnerable … More Travels, Day 9: Mandalay Day Trips
Intention: presence. Presence. This word to me sounds amorphous and, frankly, a little annoying. How many times have I heard presence touted as the Modus Operandi of all those questing toward “mindful living?” How many times have I rolled my eyes at someone telling me that learning to be Here, Now, will be the key … More Travels, Day 8: Mandalay Monasterys
Intention: calm, reflection. Taking pauses in daily life is often a challenge for me. Pausing feels unproductive; an opportunity for my brain chatter to kick in full force. Sometimes, it feels in the moment that it escalates my anxiety, rather than quelling it! However, pausing is often the only tool that allows me to move … More Travels, Day 7: Bagan to Mandalay
Intention: wellness for both mind and body. From tummy, to feet, to sinuses, to our thoughts! All parts of our body and spirit deserve care and R&R; I’d go so far as to say we have an obligation to carve out time to experience deep and soul-nurturing pleasure. Traveling is admittedly hard on a body … More Travels, Day 6: Bagan
Intention: openness. Openness. To me, this implies peeling off many layers of reactivity and past conditioning, and inviting whatever experiences life may confront me with. I am reminded of a quotation I read recently by Geneen Roth: “Feelings are in the body, reactions are in the head; a reaction is the mental deduction of a … More Travels, Day 4: Yangon Pagodas
Intention: digest food and experiences with ease. In situations where I have a choice, how can I support myself by choosing nourishment — both experiences, and physical nutrients — that is a pleasure for my body and brain and spirit to digest? In situations where I feel discomfort or resistance when attempting to assimilate either … More Travels, Day 3: Yangon Independence Day
Generosity can look like a lot of different things. Heck, the world itself can look like a lot of different things! I became acutely aware of both of the above when zipping up my suitcase in Portland, and making the long trek to Myanmar. It was the furthest I’ve ever been from home — a … More A New Chapter of Generosity
