Week 48: 108 bells

Strictly speaking we didn’t complete our project to live the year 2017 “as if it were our last” but, really, each day could be our last, each moment the sky could fall in without warning.

My New Year’s resolutions is simple (and impossible to achieve): May I meet everyone with kindness and respect. May I refrain from doing harm. May my vow to serve all beings include the care of my own heart-mind.

As I’ve done in previous years, I’ll be ringing a bell around midnight 108 times. Traditionally done in Japanese Zen “to get rid of 108 kinds of worldly desires,” I’ll use it to bring to mind people who have touched my heart during this year — whether they live near or far, be friend or foe, deceased or alive — and hold their countenance in my mind’s eye for a precious moment.

May All Beings Be At Ease.

 

2018-09-17T18:05:56-07:00January 1st, 2018|8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Kate 1 January 2018 at 12:18 - Reply

    Happy New Year, Peter! From frigid Maine, this is the first thing I’m reading on New Year’s Day. Blessings.

  2. Isabel 1 January 2018 at 18:08 - Reply

    Happy New Year, Peter! I too will try meeting each day, each person with loving kindness, one day at a time. Fail. And try again. But the more often I fail, the more often I succeed as I regain awareness and try again. Sending love and gratitude!

  3. Julie Byrne 1 January 2018 at 18:31 - Reply

    Happy New Year Peter
    What wonderful resolutions
    I listen to your guided meditations regularly and find your voice soothing.
    I’m in the midst cancer treatments and have found both your posts and meditations a comfort. Thank you

  4. Val MacDonald 1 January 2018 at 19:23 - Reply

    Happy New Year Dear Peter and thank ypu for your posts, your wisdom, and continued inspiration. Deep bow xo

  5. Mylene 2 January 2018 at 04:00 - Reply

    Happy New Year Peter. You are in my heart, such a privilege to read you.

  6. Marlene Lavallee 12 February 2018 at 16:22 - Reply

    Peter, just letting you know I use your meditations every day. Please let us know if you plan to take them down.

    • Peter 17 February 2018 at 21:44 - Reply

      Glad they’re of use to you, Marlene; they’ll there until the end of days.

  7. Storme 17 February 2018 at 21:06 - Reply

    Peter: thank you so much for being present. Something I strive for in the face of such sadness.

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