Where to Rest...

by Ansgar Holmberg 

Where to Rest?

by Ansgar Holmberg, 2005

 

Karma

Sew, Sew Great!!!

This is like starting all over again. Pull out the stitches and start again. "Keep Going!" as Liz says. I forgot my password and I had to start again.

I think one of the things I learned during our sewing weekend, is, firstly, to ask myself: "How can I do this?"Or, what is the first step I need to take?" Then I had to: Listen. I think that slogan "Stop, Look and Listen" works in this situation and probably many others.
My first reaction to the knots was anger and frustration. But when I slowed down and put the knot under the light and really looked deeply at it...I could see that, if I was very careful, gentle actually, I could free the knot.

What I learned is that I can do this with my mind as well by slowing down, really seeing whatever it is and being gentle with myself. Gentleness is important for me.
When I experience something that could be considered a knot of sorts, if I follow the same steps, I think I will become free of whatever it is...I plan to practice with this during this 90 day Ango some of us are doing. I hit a knot today and I am working with it.
I will keep you posted on some of my experiences.

I also want to say how great it was to sew with all of you. Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you. . . do you hear me singing? I am soooooooooo lucky to have such a big sangha that reaches from New York to Chicago.
Thank you also to our patient and skilled sewing teachers who were so encouraging!!!

90 Days less 15 75 Days of Sitting

Please do not forget to practice with a careful mind. Turn towards this sitting with resolve and sit down in stillness. Keep going. Don't give up. Upright, flexible. Straighten your posture, relax, let the thoughts come and go.

Our sewing

My weekend of sewing reverberates with questions:

>Why could I say nothing of the altars in my home?
>What did I find of myself in the crooked patterns of stitches, the lines of folded cloth that do not run straight?
>Why did my needle lose its thread so many times?
>Why was the light never bright enough to see my stiches?

These are my fields, my weeds, my harvest, the roots of the coming spring's growth, the foundation of everything that I do.

 

Starting the Year Pulling Us Together Appreciating a Single Thread.

A Single Thread Sewing Retreat 2006