I was so moved by this email I received from Peter Cutler, an Order of Interbeing Member with the Dharma Name True Sangha Virtue, that I requested his permission to share it with you. Peter is a member of Boston’s Old Path Sangha. He is a spiritual teacher, Zen artist and founding member of the Sacred Circle in Sedona, Arizona. 

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Dear Savor Community,  

Let’s use this time, in the wake of Thanksgiving, to nurture the deep seeds of gratitude within us.  We can water these seeds each day, by pausing to notice and embrace the love that flows through to connect us all. Like making way for water to run, we carve out time and attention in our lives, so that we may fully accept the gifts of life.

Breathing in, I open my heart to receive love.

Breathing out, I smile with thanks.

Seeing the devastation of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan reminds us how important it is to practice gratitude, mindfulness, and savor each moment, as Thich Nhat Hanh writes in this letter:

As we contemplate the great number of people who have died in this tragedy, we may feel very strongly that we ourselves, in some part or manner, also have died.

This 5 minute video from Plum Village brightened my day. I offer it to you for a break from the usual and inspiration for loving wholly.

The video describes that learning to truly love is the essence of mindful living. True love consists of friendship, compassion, joy and non discrimination.