This week, Annie will facilitate.
After our meditation period, we will watch a segment of a video dharma talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) at Google Headquarters in 2011. In this segment, Thay speaks about the gift of attention, the foundation of mindfulness practice. He says:
"To love means to be there for your beloved one. And to be there, for me, is not a good intention, a desire -- it is a practice. In order to be there, you need to breathe in mindfully and bring your mind home to your body. Or you might like or practice walking meditation."
I have lately been reading the writings of French activist and mystic, Simone Weil. About attention, she says:
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity."
One of my beloved poets, Mary Oliver, says in her book Our World:
"Attention without feeling, I began to learn, is only a report. An openness — an empathy — was necessary if the attention was to matter."
After we take in the video of Thay, we will have time to share our reflections on how, why, and when we pay attention. What blocks or distracts our attention? What brings us back to the moment?
I look forward to seeing you then.
with love,
annie.