21/12/2018
Sharing savored joys from the desert! Overwintering in La Quinta, CA, a "diamond in the rough" town near Palm Springs. Despite full sun and warmth inviting outward energy, sadhana is in full throttle.
In between indulging in outdoor play (mainly on two wheels), I've especially enjoyed reading "Training in Tenderness" by Dzigar Kongtrul (Forward by Pema Chodron), "Awakening your Ikig*i" (in Japanese, iki (to live) g*i (reason)), translates to joy and purpose) by Ken Mogi, "Waking Up" by Sam Harris, PhD, and "The Living Gita" by SS Satchidananda.
Harris's book is part memoir and part scientific underpinnings of spirituality. He skillfully mingles contemplative wisdom and modern neuroscience, with discernment. His writing is sharp, elegant and compelling. It's the heaviest of the lot - very interesting person and read!
My favorite so far is Kongtrul Rinpoche's "Training in Tenderness". So accessible and sweet. He introduces readers to "tsewa", Tibetan for tenderness, which he characterizes as the essence of all the Buddha's teachings. Joseph Waxman explains in the Editor's Preface that the book reflects key teachings from Rinpoche's June, 2016 Modern Day Bodhisattva Seminar in Vermont, which was subsequently taken around the world. It's totally secular and very accessible - like just the right tincture and dose of dharma to start the day!
Wishing everyone abundant tsewa, ikig*i and lasting joy!
