Stars in Our Sky #7
Allyn Field, Buddhist teachings.
Our friend, the lay Zen monk Allyn Field, is married to Lianne Moccia (who will be a future Star), a Revere girl Pa has known for over 60 years. When asked to provide a bio, Allyn answered in true Zen fashion:
A biography? The problem is, for what really matters, no one was there! Like the sunset that “took my breath away,” when, as some say, “I died and went to heaven.” But the mundane explanation is that I was born and raised in Connecticut on the grounds of a tuberculosis sanatorium where my father lived as both patient and doctor. He died soon after my 13th birthday. I never saw him that last week. Maybe it would have been hard for him to see me. Maybe they thought it would be hard for me. In any case, I was afraid of my own grief. 14 years later, at a Zen retreat, I finally wept, and discovered something like that sunset: the joy of having known him. Meanwhile, I got an education, toyed with the prospect of medical school, instead became a war protester, a carpenter, a Zen student, a married man with two children. I was ordained a lay Zen monk. Now I am a Zen teacher at Upper Valley Zen Center, a hospital chaplain, an old man, and a grandfather three times over, number four on the way.
Upper Valley Zendo
ZAN and PA: Allyn, tell us what inspires you.
ALLYN: The meeting of day and night.
Sunset on Mount Cardigan
“Kinhin” (walking meditation in the woods) block print
And here is a bit of Allyn’s wisdom in audio form:
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Reading and listening to this post this morning following my own "meditation class", once again I experience the divine synchronicity of life, of reality, of how life works in harmony with all of existence~Toward the ONE! So grateful for this moment. Thank you to you for what you offer to reality. Blessings and peace that surpasses understanding, Mirabai
Thanks for sharing this gem.
I want to pass along one I have encountered.
Mike from Quincy
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Background=
A Psyche Resident had to evaluate 35 patients each day! This would be so stressful and non-therapeutic for patient and clinician. To calm, center, and focus herself before knocking on the door for each patient encounter she developed the "Stop-Breathe-Be" practice below.
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I heard this helpful feature on coping positively with stress on NPR Morning Edition 1/4/24.
For the entire excellent 4 minute piece or transcript go to www.npr.org/morningedition. There are lots of good suggestions like: "don't check cell phone/texts/news /social media too frequently because this often causes negative stress/anxiety/depression.
Best of all was this "reset". Her technique takes seconds anytime, anywhere, for anything. Just say to yourself:
Stop.
Breathe.(take a full, deep breath)
Be. (peaceful...smart...patient... loving - whatever you need )
This is a very simple and effective mantra/affirmation that can help us especially in these troubled times.