Nambe retreat

The Art Of Developing A Beautiful Mind
The Art Of Developing A Beautiful Mind
The Art Of
Developing A
Beautiful Mind
THE LAST TIME
The last time we had dinner
together in a restaurant
with white table clothes, he
leaned forward
John O’Donohue had been scheduled to give a talk in Canada on March 30, 2008, but he
died unexpectedly in January 4, 2008. This is a copy of the short description John wrote
about the topic he planned to address that night – just as he wrote it:
“The world is not simply there. Everything
and everyone we see, we view
through the lenses of our thoughts. Your
mind is where your thoughts arise and
form. It is not simply with your eyes but
with your mind that you see the world.
So much depends on your mind: How
you see yourself, who you think you
are, how you see others, what you think
the meaning of life is, how you see
death, belief, God, darkness and beauty
is all determined by the style of mind
you have. Your mind is your greatest
treasure.
We become so taken up with the world,
with having and doing more and more
that we come to ignore who we are and
forget what we see the world with. The
most powerful way to change your life is
to change your mind. In this evening’s
talk, we will explore ways of awakening,
enriching and refining your mind. We will
use lecture, conversation, story, poetry
and meditation. When you beautify your
mind, you beautify your world. You learn
to see differently. In what seemed like
dead situations, secret possibilities and
invitations begin to open before you. In
old suffering that held you long paralysed,
you find new keys.
When your mind awakens, your life comes
alive and the creative adventure of your
soul takes off. Passion and compassion
become your new companions. As St.
Iraneus said in the 2nd Century,
“The glory of God
is the human person
fully alive.”
~ John O’Donohune
The Way It Is
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People
wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for
others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die;
and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
~ William Stafford ~
BEINGS ARE NUMBERLESS, I VOW TO FREE THEM; DELUSIONS ARE INEXHAUSTIBLE,
I VOW TO END THEM; DHARMA GATES ARE BOUNDLESS, I VOW TO ENTER THEM;
BUDDHA’S WAY IS UNSURPASSABLE, I VOW TO BECOME IT.
BODHISATTVA VOW
and took my two hands in
his and said,
I’m going to die soon. I want
you to know that.
And I said, I think I do
know.
And he said, what surprises
me is that you don’t.
And I said, I do. And he said,
What?
And I said, Know that you’re
going to die.
And he said, No, I mean
know that you are.
Marie Howe
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