Category: Writings

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Writings: Success stories…and they start where the money ends

successWhen I dropped by the doctor the other day, I got the chance to look over the magazines in the waiting area, partly because it took an hour for her to get to me, and partly because I thought my appointment was at one (it was at two). This gave me an opportunity to review the success stories that were celebrated in the stories of business magazines, “people” magazines (unlike anyone you or I have ever met), sports magazines, and National Geographic.

Cool ’nuff, except it appears to me the writers (and editors who accept their stories) have never read the Ten Most Important Things According to Brother Ian, one of which says: “The more things you own in the world, the poorer you are. Count your days & hours by the number of hugs, smiles & laughs.”

young-farmer-former-soldier-with-tractor-GroundOperations-326x244So, regardless of what they say in their glossy mags, I’m gonna suggest these are stories of real success, with real people, in the real world around me:

• There are brothers & sisters who have come back from active duty to literally turn swords into ploughshares – there’s a highly successful program that is matching up growing things with folks who have PTSD & other wounds, and the healing begins. Here’s more & here’s a little video about it.

Screen Shot 2014-09-19 at 11.21.12 PM• A good friend of mine was jogging last December and came across a guy assaulting a woman. The guy ran away, and my friend volunteered to testify. Charges were brought, and in a case of “he said, she said,” in which the guy denied doing what he did, the final verdict (guilty) was returned, and the DA indicated my friend’s testimony turned an uncertain result into a sealed deal. It took guts & bravery & courage, and I’m so proud of her.

• A shy mom-friend of mine got two days off from her two jobs, so she could hang with her kids. The brave part? It’s really, really hard for her to talk to bosses & ask for what she really wants & needs. She did it. If you see her tomorrow at the park, she’s the one with the huge smile & the kids who love playing with her.

Screen Shot 2014-09-19 at 11.21.58 PM• Talked to a street singer named Steve two nights ago, here in Victoria, who was wrapping up for the night with I Shall Be Released. I asked him how long he had been playing that evening.

He said for four hours…he hadn’t made enough money as of an hour before, so, as he said, “I got to play for an extra hour – it was awesome!” I asked if he had made enough, and he grinned big & said, “Beats me – I haven’t counted yet!”

• Try this: I got to help two friends – mom & college-aged daughter – move to a new place this week. All their stuff fit in two small-load cars. Keeping it simple – who NEEDS so much stuff? Not them.

• Last one for this week: Another mom-friend had a (nearly) no-cost birthday party for her kids. It took a little talking (she had three other mamas to call, and one papa), but they agreed all the eight & nine year olds coming to the party would bring a present of a certificate/card about something they could do with the birthday kids (their birthday were two years & two days apart, so they have it together, on the same day).  The certs suggested coming over for a Netflix movie, taking a hike along the trail that went to the beach, coming over to the giver’s house to make cupcakes, having a board-game night, even helping babysit the two kids’ two year old cousin. Birthday cake? Everybody cut up fruit & sprinkled nuts & granola & a little whipped cream on it.

Then everyone went outside & played soccer, and yes, the girls beat the boys. None of the adults kept score, but the kids did.

And they declared it the best birthday party ever, and said they wanted to do theirs like that.

There’s success all around…it’s fun to think up ways to make it happen!

Love you & wishing you great success in the coming weeks…

Brother Ian

Writings mktdaf

Writings: Finding your “Blue Mind”

water1You’ve noticed the difference & so have I – it always feels better to be close to the water. What’s involved here? The Huffington Post’s Carolyn Gregoire offers an insightful review of the special connection between H2O and us – here’s more:

Why Being Near The Ocean Can Make You Calmer And More Creative
by Carolyn Gregoire

Since ancient times, humans have assigned healing and transformational properties to water. In early Rome, baths were an important part of cultural life, a place where citizens went to find relaxation and to connect with others in a calming setting. In ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicinal wisdom, and traditional Chinese medicine, the water element is crucial to balancing the body and creating physical harmony. Rivers have long been seen as sacred places, and in a number of different spiritual contexts, water has symbolized rebirth, spiritual cleansing and salvation.

Today, we still turn to water for a sense of calm and clarity. We spend our vacations on the beach or at the lake; get exercise and enjoyment from water sports like surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and swimming; refresh ourselves with long showers and soothing baths, and often build our lives and homes around being near the water.

Our affinity for water is even reflected in the near-universal attraction to the color blue. We’re naturally drawn to aquatic hues — the color blue is overwhelming chosen as the favorite color of people around the world, and marketing research has found that people tend to associate it with qualities like calm, openness, depth and wisdom.

Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist, believes that we all have a “blue mind” — as he puts it, “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment” — that’s triggered when we’re in or near water.

“We are beginning to learn that our brains are hardwired to react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what’s broken,” Nichols writes in Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, published in July. “We have a ‘blue mind’ — and it’s perfectly tailored to make us happy in all sorts of ways that go way beyond relaxing in the surf, listening to the murmur of a stream, or floating quietly in a pool.”

The article continues here.

water2

Writings mktdaf

Whales: Want anchovies? Open up!

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A Bryde’s whale and seagulls feast on anchovies in the Gulf of Thailand, on September 9, 2014.

Bryde’s whales are a baleen medium seized whale with dark grey colour and a white underbelly and live in tropical to temperate waters. An estimated population of 30 to 35 Bryde’s whales are commonly seen along the upper Gulf of Thailand coastlines, between March and October.

The Bryde’s whale is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which prohibits international trade of any parts of the animal. (photo: EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT)

Uncategorized Writings mktdaf

Writings: One year. Cool ’nuff. Carry on….

164249_10200402013985678_21633603_nWell, you’ve been with me for a while now,  so you know the story.

I love it, a year after getting “The World According to Brother Ian” going, that somewhere between 250-400  people check into this blog each day. Some of you write me, occasionally you comment beneath each posting, sometimes you hit  “like” on Facebook, and most days I just post it & you just read it. That seems to be the usual rhythm.

I feel lucky.

There are three pastors, one priest, five nuns, and at least one monk who troll this blog for sermon ideas, essay ideas, and (one said)  jokes.

One of my songs ended up being used at a peace rally, another for a lullaby by a traveling band with a baby, and another has been played at seven different weddings that I know of. I love the idea of everyone singing along.

One teacher friend of mine said she occasionally uses ideas she gets here for story prompts in her language arts class.

Sometimes people write to me and tell me something that’s posted made them cry. Others laugh, think, react, and occasionally drop me a note that I am barking up the wrong tree.

But at the end of the day, it feels good to have this little place that you & I can meet and swap stories. You inspire me day by day with the words and pictures we share.

Thanks for being there… and let’s keep this thing going.

Thank you for your love and support, and as it says in the Ten Most Important Things, thanks for working with me to heal & share.

Blessings, dear heart –

Brother Ian

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Writings mktdaf

Writings: Rumi’s “The Guest House”

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The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

–Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks

Writings mktdaf

Writings: Thich Nhat Hanh, in the face of the beast…makes a recommendation

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I’m a fan of Thay’s, of Steven Goodheart, who shared this poem of Thay’s in a posting, and of showing we believe in peace by showing it – here’s more from Steven:

In light of the terrible violence all around the world, in the Middle East, the Ukraine, and so many places, I thought I would share this poem. It’s called “Recommendation” and was written by my heart teacher Thich Nhat Hanh in 1965 during the Vietnam War, which was ripping his country apart and would only go deeper into violence in the decade ahead.

With his life and teachings, Thay has proved again and again that non-violence does *not* mean non-action, or “idiot compassion,” and that by rejecting violence we *can* skilfully and compassionately deal with even the most difficult issue of life, individually and collectively.

RECOMMENDATION
by Thich Nhat Hanh

Promise me,
promise me this day,
promise me now,
while the sun is overhead
exactly at the zenith,
promise me:

Even as they
strike you down
with a mountain of hatred and violence;
even as they step on you and crush you
like a worm,
even as they dismember and disembowel you,
remember, brother,
remember:
man is not our enemy.

The only thing worthy of you is compassion –
invincible, limitless, unconditional.
Hatred will never let you face
the beast in man.

One day, when you face this beast alone,
with your courage intact, your eyes kind,
untroubled
(even as no one sees them),
out of your smile
will bloom a flower.
And those who love you
will behold you
across ten thousand worlds of birth and dying.

Alone again,
I will go on with bent head,
knowing that love has become eternal.
On the long, rough road,
the sun and the moon
will continue to shine.

Writings mktdaf

Writings: Maybe, from the sun, hey….

The solar age is dawning…and just maybe it’s not a new idea. Here’s Jimmy Stewart in “You Can’t Take It with You” in 1938.

As we work our way to an ideal in life that the things we do are connected with sharing & healing, it feels pretty natural to begin the process of moving away from oil-based energy, which leaves a mess to be cleaned up, in so many ways, to the warmth & light of Brother Sun.

Here’s Jimmy:

Writings mktdaf

Writings: Pope Francis’ prayer for the courage for peace…

Palestinian & Israeli embrace as the Pope looks on...photo courtesy of the Daily Telegraph.
Palestinian & Israeli embrace as the Pope looks on…photo courtesy of the Daily Telegraph.

Pope Francis prayed for peace in the Middle East alongside Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas  onJune 8th at the Vatican. That this happened is the story….the two leaders in conflict embraced & exchanged a kiss on the cheek at the end of the visit. Here are Francis’ remarks:

Peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than warfare. It calls for the courage to say yes to encounter and no to conflict; yes to dialogue and no to violence; yes to negotiations and no to hostilities; yes to respect for agreements and no to acts of provocation.

All of this takes courage, great strength of spirit. History teaches that our strength alone does not suffice. We need the help of God. We do not renounce our responsibilities, but we do call on God in an act of supreme responsibility before our consciences and before our peoples. More than once we have been on the verge of peace, but the evil one, by varied means, has succeeded in blocking it.

That is why we are here, because we know and believe that we have heard a summons and we must respond. It is the summons to break the spiral of hatred and violence, and to break it by one word alone; the word “brother.” But to be able to utter this word we have to lift our eyes to heaven and acknowledge one another as children of one Father.

Here’s more.

Funnier Writings mktdaf

Funnier: The closer we get, the closer we get

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Saw someone today who asked me if I was happy & was I OK.

I believe this is because a)I was thinking about changing the transmission fluid in the car and that drives me into what most people would describe as a thoughtful, meditative-looking state, or b) I sometimes have BRF, or c) they wanted a donation.

Or all three.

But the truth is (90W transmission fluid aside), I generally like to think I’m pretty content with things around me (if that’s happy), accepting of things I can’t really change (which probably is forbearance more than being happy), or operate from a place of patience & waiting, until I can sort out a problem (which, some days, is mostly for the purpose of avoiding embarrassment).

Or all three.

Deep down, I know that happiness isn’t about things at all. It’s about finding ways to share. Or ways to heal. Or ways to give, forgive, and love.

Or all three.

And yes, that’s the kind of thing I think about, because I believe, deeply, that happiness is already there. Just gotta quit getting in the way of it.

Each day, a little closer, even if it seems it’s still a bit out of reach. Keep smiling, and (you know it) it’ll underline the way you share & heal. You watch.

Glad you’re there on  this path with me. Makes it more fun.

Love you,

Brother Ian

Doing Business Writings mktdaf

Writings: Want to be a good teacher?

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A friend of mine who is practicing to be a teacher asked me (since I’ve worked as a teacher for kind of a long time), “What makes someone a good teacher?”

I believe this: It’s luck. It’s timing. And it’s a belief in sharing and healing. Here’s why.

It’s luck. You have to have a situation, with a bunch of puzzle pieces still on the table: There have to be students. There has to be a certain atmosphere. There has to be a lesson plan, or an agreement not to have a lesson plan. Helps if there’s a need, on the side of the students.  Helps to have a teacher that people listen to. Helps to have something to share, that needs sharing, and that people want. It takes a bunch of things to make all this line up, and it helps if you’re lucky.

It’s timing. The lesson has to have a place to land, and maybe it’s ready, but the students aren’t. Maybe the kids are eager (like the birds above), but the teacher doesn’t have enough bugs for everyone. Maybe the class period is too short. Or too long. Or right after lunch, during naptime. Good timing takes practice, but watch for it & you’ll learn to orchestrate things so it happens more & more often.

And it’s all about sharing & healing. The important part of this, especially for new or young teachers, is getting it that sharing is a two way street. Naturally, we teachers have a lot to give & a desire to give, but it’s critical that we get back. That side of the sharing is harder to measure, impossible to be certain of, but essential to the dynamic. A huge part of learning is giving back to the teacher, and to the members of the class. Gotta happen, because we gotta learn.

And then amazing things happen.

Love you,

Brother Ian

Uncategorized Writings mktdaf

Writings: Thanissaro Bhikkhu: As one world falls apart, you create another one and go there…

401279_2536571215450_1605973455_n“Samsara literally means “wandering-on.”

Many people think of it as the Buddhist name for the place where we currently live — the place we leave when we go to nibbana.

But in the early Buddhist texts, it’s the answer – not to the question, “Where are we?” but to the question, “What are we doing?” Instead of a place, it’s a process: the tendency to keep creating worlds and then moving into them. As one world falls apart, you create another one and go there.

At the same time, you bump into other people who are creating their own worlds, too.

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu

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Writings: Who are YOU in the story?

Can you help? Will you help?
Can you help? Will you help?

I have always thought that the story of the Good Samaritan  is cool, in that it suggests it’s a good idea for us to help one another when someone is seriously down & out.

The amazing thing in it, of course, is that the teachers of truth & compassion (the priest & Levite) pass up the chance to help, while the guy you least expect to help steps up.

There are so many angles to the story, hey – is it about the way we label people (and ourselves) and hope that does the job, in deciding who should be helping? How many times have you heard someone (or me) say, “Well, THEY should help.” Maybe, just maybe, we are THEY.

Or are we the busy folk who blow on by? How busy are you now, really?

Maybe we think we’re being prudent when we tell our kids not to get too close to someone on the street….

Maybe can we pop the story ahead a couple of thousand years & discover that we haven’t changed much in all that time. Maybe we have a ballgame to get to, and we can’t help. Maybe we don’t have enough money to share, with someone who has none. Maybe the way we close our eyes to the situation is to watch TV all night. Out of sight, out of mind.

Or…maybe we think up folks who we know need a hand, turn off the TV, and get in motion.

You know who they are, and you know who you are. Time to share & heal. (You knew I was going to say that.)

Barrel on through – they’re waiting for you!

Love you,

Brother Ian

Writings mktdaf

Writings: Memorial Day (US) thoughts, from Arlo….

Arlo
Arlo

Those of you who follow Brother Ian know that we here at the monastary are big fans of Arlo Guthrie, so it was a treat to hear his posting for this American holiday… I love the notion of the “gift of hesitation,” and the idea that we might make the world a better place by waiting, just a moment.

He’s right – it makes all the difference in the world.

Thanks, Arlo, and thanks for helping re-shape the idea of service into something we can all share & celebrate:

From Housatonic, MA – The Church: After three nights of our semi-annual revival, I had a wonderful morning this Memorial Day, which is also the birthday of my beloved Guru, Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati – or more universally known simply as Ma.

We did a simple memorial meditation with about 60 people sitting either on the floor or in chairs – It was back in the saddle again as far as teaching goes (something I haven’t done for a little while).

The basic idea this morning was to honor those who have given their lives in service – whether that service was for a nation or a larger community, whether they passed away on a distant shore or here at home.

For some the sacrifices made by others in the past are not very different from the little sacrifices we can make every day – to make this world a little better place. Every act of kindness is an offering on the alter of our lives. Every moment we sacrifice our instinct to lash out in judgement we bestow on the world the gift of hesitation – every expectation of ourselves and others sacrifices ultimate disappointment and disillusion and substitutes gratitude and thankfulness.

These are little things – but they make all the difference in the world.

Judgements and expectations inevitably lead to anger and sorrow. Giving them up is not a commandment, it’s more like a recipe – you get out of it what you put in to it.

That was essentially the theme of our morning – I think we’ll have to do this again sometime. It was so good to see so many friends from so many different traditions come together and spend a little silent time together… Until next time…

adg

+++++++++++++

Here’s Arlo in the ’80s, with “All Over the World,” and his thoughts about foreign policy, and the president’s appreciation.

And here’s Arlo in July 2012, because sometimes you just gotta keep singing’ & tellin’ stories about this stuff:

Doing Business Writings mktdaf

Writings: Charlie Day’s graduation speech, 2014: Have the courage to fail

Charlie Day, PhD (as of last week)
Charlie Day, PhD (as of last week)

When tv writer & actor Charlie Day was asked to address this year’s grads at his alma mater, Merrimack College, they probably didn’t expect him to say, “I don’t think you should just do what makes you happy. Do what makes you great. Do what’s uncomfortable and scary and hard but pays off in the long run. Be willing to fail. Let yourself fail. Fail in the way and place where you would be proud to fail. Fail and pick yourself up and fail again. Without that struggle, what is your success anyway?”

He puts the spotlight on the rewards of being scrappy.  You can watch it here, or read it here. You’ll like this:

++++++++++++++++++

Good morning, Merrimack. I’d like to thank President Hopey, trustees, faculty, students, parents, and my apologies to all the grandparents in the audience who have absolutely no idea who I am.

You are graduating from an excellent school today. Alumni have gone on to be CEO’s, doctors, politicians, professional athletes, however this year you get to receive wisdom, knowledge and life lessons, from a man who has made a living pretending to eat cat food.

I do however have some qualifications, some insight, because I, like you are becoming today, am a Merrimack College graduate. I know what it took to get here. I was in this very room. I sat in those uncomfortable chairs. I dressed like some sort of medieval pastry chef and I too desperately hoped my hangover would wear off. If you can just make it to brunch you should be alright.

Take note. A quick observation.

Apparently the higher in life you climb in life the more ridiculous your hats become. Like the one I’m wearing today, or the pope’s or Pharrell. So if in some way you fear success, just think of the hats and that alone should motivate you.

This may be hard to believe but it was roughly twenty years ago that as a freshman I first set foot on this campus. I remember it well. My parent’s eyes filled with tears. My own nervous excitement. I entered the Ash dormitory. I walked to my room. My heart was pounding with what the future might hold. I reached for the door handle, grabbed it tight, only to discover it had been covered with Vaseline.

Read the rest of the address here.

Read more “Writings: Charlie Day’s graduation speech, 2014: Have the courage to fail”

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Writings: Keep it simple – share & heal.

When it starts, when it ends...and what fills up that space in the middle....
When it starts, when it ends…and what fills up that space in the middle….

Seems to me there’s an ongoing discussion these days about what we need to do with ourselves.

There are folks who want to do things that are practical, and the end of each day feels good, because the hours passed with grounded, down-to-earth accomplishments.

Or things that are useful.

Or creative.

Or balanced.

Or balanced, in a budgetary  way.

Or organized.

Or marking progress, on a path to something.

Or missing all that, because of having painmakers around us.

Or missing it & wanting it, to clear up clouds & fog & even darkness.

Maybe it sounds too simple (sorry, but it is!) but we can shape our days with all that, or none of that, but the way to make it feels like it counts is to share & heal.

Share & heal. That’s the glue.

Share & heal. That’s the glow.

Share & heal. That’s the promise for tomorrow.

Share & heal. That’s what fills in the gaps, levels the bumps, and brings light into dark (even our own) and perspective into light (especially our own.)

Share & heal. You’ll be able to tell by the smiles.

Love you,
Brother Ian

Thought for the day…


"Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do."
-- Wendell Berry

About Brother Ian

brother ian in actionOver the centuries, Brother Ian has been collecting stories & information & discourses for the purpose of elevating the human condition as needed, dissecting it when necessary, and building the case for hope.

In the spirit of noting that organized crime, organized baseball, organized labour, and organized religion tend to engender controversy & occasional discord, I promise to be neither organized or critical of those who are.

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