mindful living – Notes from Ben

Great Oaks, Invincible Summers

One of my favourite ways to feel better is to draw a massive oak tree. Draw it right off the page. Fill it with strength and life. I highly recommend it. I’ve been thinking about Albert Camus again a lot these days. His idea that in the face of the crazy absurdness of our existence,Continue reading “Great Oaks, Invincible Summers”

10 Rules for A Quiet Life

I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and overloaded since the end of the summer. A lot of it is unavoidable – getting several appliances fixed in the house, work, the start of the kid’s school after six months – normal life is busy. I’ve really noticed how I’m feeling overwhelmed by the endless choice of media toContinue reading “10 Rules for A Quiet Life”

Heaven or Hell?

Here’s another section from Be Free Where You Are that struck me deeply, on the hell that we cultivate and maintain in ourselves, and the alternative: “We contain the Kingdom of God [peace, freedom, happiness], the Pure Land of the Buddha, in every cell of our bodies. If we know how to live, the KingdomContinue reading “Heaven or Hell?”

Silence

My daughter’s pre-school teacher suggested we try to make deliberate spaces in the day for silence with the kids, maybe just 3 minutes to start with. Find a quiet spot in the house, light a candle in the center of the space, and sit quietly. She suggested that these spaces would be incredibly nutritive forContinue reading “Silence”

Happy Where You Are

Some mornings I go for a bike ride (now that we are allowed to), and come back and draw what I’ve seen with my kid’s art supplies. Spring is incredible this year, with all the downpours we’ve had, alternating with warm sun. I’m reading (along with Indian novels by R.K. Narayan, more on that anotherContinue reading “Happy Where You Are”