WELCOME
TO THE COMMUNITY
A SISTERHOOD*
of Sacred Warriors
Joining the Ripple Rebels just means making the personal commitment to TRAIN in the Way of The Sacred Warrior. There are lots of ways to do this. It is about making the commitment to show up for PEACE, and to build the qualities of resilience that support a calm mind, open heart, strong body, and healthy community.
To be an "official" member, helping to grow a network of support, subscribe below. All women and allies, who care about being kind, are welcome.*
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Developing A Practice
TRAINING in the Way of the Sacred Warrior is about honing the skills to walk the path of peace with compassion, dignity, and grace.
If training routines feel too restrictive, it might help to work with a Daily Flow that more flexibly incorporates some or all of the methods below. I think of them as the "5Ms" of Practice. Even with just one practice a day, momentum can start to shift. I find I'm happier when I do a little of each––on most days.
Letting go of pressure helps the process of evolving a Daily Flow to be light and natural, adapting to your needs overtime, as you notice more and more how nice it is to make the time for the things you love to do.
The 5M's of Practice
A Mediation Practice Starting my days with meditation was the first major change that opened up a new sense of flow in my life. I sit for about 2 hours. 5am -- 7am From my cushion, I sing mindfulness songs while exercising my spine. I connect with my ancestors and teachers and talk through anything I'm struggling with. I work out parts of my story or even start an illustration. All of that is like one big exhale. And, then, for the last 20 minutes on the cushion, can settle and center my mind. I use a mandala and cycle through a prayer I learned from a Tibetan Buddhist teacher that brings into focus the most helpful core reflections of buddhism. Then I do some visualizations. And, finally, I end with a particular practice of Om Mani Padme Hung that is so helpful to me, repeating this until I get to the end of the Mala. I close the practice and ring the bell, offering Metta to all of my relations.
A Movement Practice I usually get some movement practice in while on my cushion for morning meditation when I'm singing to mindfulness songs. Later in the day I set aside time for my Qigong practice, most day. And, this is where I really get to practice learning How to Breathe Like a Star. Then I might do some walking, yoga, roller skating, paddling, or rowing. Right now just getting the Qigong in is all I'm asking of myself daily. My goal is to practice with movement to ENJOY it. And to be present with myself enjoying it. It is so restorative.
A Making Practice I started a Making practice as part of my meditation practice a couple years ago. One flows into the other. Not always in the same order. But every morning, before I get out of bed, I check in with my story project and make a little bit of progress. Sometimes I write a sentence. Sometimes I work out an illustration. Sometime I look at the plot. I keep the flame of it alive in me this way as I get into the rest of my day. And, at the end of the day, after work and tending the home space, and making food, and life stuff, if I still have energy, I get into a Making space again. Sometimes with fiber art. Sometimes working on my studio projects. Sometimes doing design work for clients, which is a Metta practice for me. Even making dinner is often a Making practice for me. Making fuels me.
A Music Practice I start with music usually from my meditation cushion. Mindfulness songs. I hope to share a playlist soon. I also pick up my drum throughout the day, and sometimes do afternoon or evening sessions playing with harmonies in my recording booth or just rocking out while make dinner.
A Metta Practice A Metta practice for me is about treasuring the opportunity to be of service and contribute in a meaningful way to something worthwhile. I do that through nonprofit work and community volunteering. It is so enriching to put all your stuff aside and truly be there for someone. I think of my professional work this way. I think of housework this way. Bringing Love to acts of service transforms them into blessings.
Resilience Resources
Thich Nhat Hanh is far and away the voice I read the most. Below are some other good resources. Discussions around books and podcasts at Sangha gatherings can bring a wonderful focus, depth, and relevance to Sharing Circles after meditation.
ONLINE
Plum Village Online
Deer Park Online
5 Mindfulness Trainings
Sangha Building Support
Parallax Press
Golden Path
Tergar International
Pema Chodron Foundation
BOOKS
The Miracle of Mindfulness
The Energy of Prayer
The Art of Happiness
The Four Agreements
The Order of Time
The Fear of Physics
The Tao of Physics
The Way of the Sacred Warrior
Community Building
What is a Sangha? A Sangha is a community of people who care about each other and commit to showing up for each other with kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Why are they helpful? We all want to belong. An inclusive community that leads with kindness and integrity can be a refuge of healing.
How do you build one?
What are Spark Sessions? Starting my days with meditation has was the first major change that started to open up a new sense of flow in my life. I practice with a simple Liturgy I learned from Mingyur Rinpoche called "The Nectar of the Path" which I've personalized and expanded on to make my own. It is my way to set my mind on the right course for the day.
Working with a Daily Flow
Really? "Time Management?" It's just being intentional with how you live your " One Wild and Precious Life." It doesn't have to be scary. Or rigid and obsessive. I'll be sharing some of the tools and systems I use and how they work for me. And, also about how I struggle with them sometime. Going through transitions when I know my Daily Flow is needing to change but I'm resisting for some reason. Being at peace with yourself, I find, has a lot to do with your relationship with Time. It's worth working with.
More about Tools and Methods This will be a whole section some day. Not that I think I have a system that will work for you, or for everyone. Just that I'm an example of someone who has found some tools and systems that seem to support a good flow. That alone is worth celebrating and sharing!
Audio Lab
Music helps us to be present and–in time–in a way nothing else can.
This space is dedicated to the memory of an outstanding audiophile and all-around stellar human, who always transmitted with humor, understanding, and love. I'm sure he is pretty stoked to see me with a drum and a recording booth, always singing and playing with harmony. All my Dads are. They've all passed. But they are with me more and more as I step into JOY. And, that's is the core of my Music Practice. Audio Lab is where I plan to share the music that inspires my practice. Eventually, I hope to share my own music, too.
A Mission
Through Time and Space
What is Qigong? "Qigong is the cultivation of energy through movement, breath, and intention." This is the definition shared by the National Qigong Society. Qigong is sometimes thought of as the grandfather of Tai Chi. I think it is even better. I didn't connect with it at first. It came into my life a couple decades ago. I was very in my head with it. It was hard. And, I had a habit of running away from hard things. My health was failing. But, I wasn't ready for the medicine of Qigong. Now, I can feel my body relearning its natural alignment and rebuilding the strength that comes from integrated movement that is rooted and supported by the whole body.
How do you Breathe Like a Star? The in-breath, and the out-breath. Drawing the elements of the universe into your deepest core. Then pushing out from the center, returning elements back out into existence. The whole body, and the sphere of energy emanating from you...drawing in as one...pushing out and releasing as one. Until the relative "self" dissolves into the breath, and you become the breath of existence itself.
Why does it matter? I think Qigong helps your body recover its natural state of health like nothing else. Good health is the foundation of service to peace. I have a LONG way to go to rebuild my health and vitality. But also, I have come so far that I believe in myself again. That I have something to contribute and am worth taking care of and honoring through my choices. This is the kind of making friends with yourself that is the secret power of the Sacred Warrior.
How does it feel? It feels like Breathing Like a Star. Drawing in...true inspiration. Illumination. Lightness. An abundant flow of Love that fills and fuels you. Releasing and softening. Softening and opening. Letting go on the exhale like a wave clearing footprints from the sand. And, yet I struggle and avoid sometimes.