Together With

I was recently telling one of my college aged children who was anxiously preparing for a return to college about the possibility of centered presence, mindfulness, and heartfulness. She was nervous about things. We have a buddha figure at home that was near to us as we were talking. I said that to see the figure sitting peacefully one might think that that’s all there is to see, but that’s not exactly so. What you don’t see is all the surrounding activity, stress, and chaos. What you don’t see when looking at the serene image is what is equally important. What you don’t see is actually the reason for what you do see. Without all the stress that life hands us there would be no reason for the Buddha to sit, no good news to share, no solidarity, or noble truths needed. I often read course catalogs from similar programs both in the area and across New England. I read the opening letters from their directors focused on welcoming and highlighting different offerings. Those letters are inspiring to me and always less wordy than mine. I appreciate that. Those directors write to highlight classes as a way to entice enrollment. They are usually to the point and transactional. It’s a good, sensible strategy. Over the summer we had a cake to celebrate a staff person. I was in charge of ordering the cake. I requested the baker write so many words on the top of the cake that you almost couldn’t see the frosting. But the words were the frosting and all of it was happily gobbled up together with, and in celebration of her.  Do you see what I’m getting at here? The Buddha needs all that surrounds and to sit together with. Our LexCE course instructors and subjects need students to celebrate learning and community together with. Ultimately each class listed on this website and in our catalog (if you want it to be) is about you… together with. YOU are the main subject….together with. New friends are here too with ideas and experiences to share together with. Our (YOUR) LexCE autumn term is getting ready to begin. As Rumi says “if you do not come, these do not matter.” The words were the frosting and the cake was eaten in sweet celebration, together with. Beginner’s mind is an experience and experience matters, together with…