BLOG CLOSED
Mindful living is about keeping things simple.
As of December 30, 2014 we are closing this blog and redirecting you to
the Red Maple Mindful Living blog at
http://redmaplecentre.blogspot.ca/
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
Saturday, December 27
Sunday, December 21
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST - CYM 2014-3
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
This past week we concluded the most recent Change Your Mind group, the most comprehensive and popular mindfulness program in Renfrew County. This was the third group this year, and probably the 30th such group since we began back in 2003. That means 250-300 people who have embraced mindful living. It sounds trite, but remains true - every group is unique. Large and small, intimate and cautious, studious and flamboyant - we’ve seen them all. It only goes to prove that anyone can do these practices, there is no “type” who is most appropriate for mindful living.
Similarly, every group has had a co-facilitator, and each has brought their own style. This group’s co-facilitator, Joanne M., who herself finished a group this year, brought her own gentle and thoughtful presence each week. Like all her predecessors she provided a wonderful counterpoint to my own leadership.
It seems fitting to wrap up the group at year end, since this will be the last group to work within the CYM 2.0 framework which was introduced 3 years and almost 10 groups ago. That version was a major upgrade and brought in so much of what sets CYM aside as a unique mindful living program. It has been the one I have worked hardest on and the one I have presented at international conferences to great interest. Nevertheless, participants have advised that we scale it back and make it “leaner”. This will generate the next version, CYM 3.0 which will debut in two separate locations next April.
I thank all the CYMers from this group and Joanne for providing such a rich and valuable learning and growing experience for us all.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
This past week we concluded the most recent Change Your Mind group, the most comprehensive and popular mindfulness program in Renfrew County. This was the third group this year, and probably the 30th such group since we began back in 2003. That means 250-300 people who have embraced mindful living. It sounds trite, but remains true - every group is unique. Large and small, intimate and cautious, studious and flamboyant - we’ve seen them all. It only goes to prove that anyone can do these practices, there is no “type” who is most appropriate for mindful living.
Similarly, every group has had a co-facilitator, and each has brought their own style. This group’s co-facilitator, Joanne M., who herself finished a group this year, brought her own gentle and thoughtful presence each week. Like all her predecessors she provided a wonderful counterpoint to my own leadership.
It seems fitting to wrap up the group at year end, since this will be the last group to work within the CYM 2.0 framework which was introduced 3 years and almost 10 groups ago. That version was a major upgrade and brought in so much of what sets CYM aside as a unique mindful living program. It has been the one I have worked hardest on and the one I have presented at international conferences to great interest. Nevertheless, participants have advised that we scale it back and make it “leaner”. This will generate the next version, CYM 3.0 which will debut in two separate locations next April.
I thank all the CYMers from this group and Joanne for providing such a rich and valuable learning and growing experience for us all.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
Friday, December 12
ENDINGS AND CHANGE
ENDINGS AND CHANGE
So often in the cultivation of our attention, we are encouraged to “let go” of whatever experience is arising in our awareness, so that we may stay focused on the flow of experiences. This may seem more or less difficult, given the allure of familiar, comforting or pleasant experiences and their opposite. We are reminded this week of two larger contexts for our letting go. The most obvious for most of us is the conclusion of 2014, and the conclusion of our training year, here at RMML. This has been one of our most change-intense years, one where conclusions and letting go has been more evident than any other.
On a smaller scale, and one which only a few of us experienced, was the conclusion of the third Change Your Mind program at the Community Health Center in Cobden. Like the other two groups this year, this group has dedicated many long hours of study and practice to complete the requirements of the program. The group held its all-day program this past weekend. Most of the program was in the familiar environment of the Marguerite Center, where we have held these day-long events for eight years. Approximately 20 groups and 200 people have experienced the program and this retreat experience. What it marks is the turning point in the program, a reorientation to continuing life through mindful living without the benefit of a formal weekly training. As with every other group, this one also experienced the bittersweet recognition of its accomplishment and its conclusion.
May all of the members of the Change Your Mind group, and may all of us involved with Red Maple grow in mindful living.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
So often in the cultivation of our attention, we are encouraged to “let go” of whatever experience is arising in our awareness, so that we may stay focused on the flow of experiences. This may seem more or less difficult, given the allure of familiar, comforting or pleasant experiences and their opposite. We are reminded this week of two larger contexts for our letting go. The most obvious for most of us is the conclusion of 2014, and the conclusion of our training year, here at RMML. This has been one of our most change-intense years, one where conclusions and letting go has been more evident than any other.
On a smaller scale, and one which only a few of us experienced, was the conclusion of the third Change Your Mind program at the Community Health Center in Cobden. Like the other two groups this year, this group has dedicated many long hours of study and practice to complete the requirements of the program. The group held its all-day program this past weekend. Most of the program was in the familiar environment of the Marguerite Center, where we have held these day-long events for eight years. Approximately 20 groups and 200 people have experienced the program and this retreat experience. What it marks is the turning point in the program, a reorientation to continuing life through mindful living without the benefit of a formal weekly training. As with every other group, this one also experienced the bittersweet recognition of its accomplishment and its conclusion.
May all of the members of the Change Your Mind group, and may all of us involved with Red Maple grow in mindful living.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
Friday, December 5
APPROACHING THE THRESHOLD
APPROACHING THE THRESHOLD
When we use a labyrinth for a mindfulness exercise, we recall that, after we attain the centre and head back to the starting point, we will approach that same threshold we crossed when we set off. It is very apparent, in that moment, that the threshold, when experienced from this way is actually changed. Re-entry is not the same as setting off. Invariably we are changed by the labyrinth and return with a possible resolution to our setting off predicament or, at least, a resolution of patience to bear with it longer.
Our theme this month is “looking back”, especially re-visioning our experience of 2014 through the lenses of momentum, resources and intentions. As we approach the threshold which is New Year’s Eve, we are encouraged to reconsider what momentum brought us here and will continue to influence us in 2015. A new year is never a clean slate. Unlike the Chinese custom of paying off all debts before the new year to clear the books, as it were, we may tidy up select but hardly all loose ends. However, there is momentum that brought us here and that will not cease when we turn the calendar page.
Approaching the threshold undoubtedly marks a transition in our journey. It is also crucial that we both look back and forward to locate ourselves in the trajectory of our lives - the momentum which brought us here and will carry us forward. With that knowledge we can create our intentions, the ones which will set a direction for us within that momentum. That, in turn, will suggest actions which will populate the days and months ahead.
Yours, on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
When we use a labyrinth for a mindfulness exercise, we recall that, after we attain the centre and head back to the starting point, we will approach that same threshold we crossed when we set off. It is very apparent, in that moment, that the threshold, when experienced from this way is actually changed. Re-entry is not the same as setting off. Invariably we are changed by the labyrinth and return with a possible resolution to our setting off predicament or, at least, a resolution of patience to bear with it longer.
Our theme this month is “looking back”, especially re-visioning our experience of 2014 through the lenses of momentum, resources and intentions. As we approach the threshold which is New Year’s Eve, we are encouraged to reconsider what momentum brought us here and will continue to influence us in 2015. A new year is never a clean slate. Unlike the Chinese custom of paying off all debts before the new year to clear the books, as it were, we may tidy up select but hardly all loose ends. However, there is momentum that brought us here and that will not cease when we turn the calendar page.
Approaching the threshold undoubtedly marks a transition in our journey. It is also crucial that we both look back and forward to locate ourselves in the trajectory of our lives - the momentum which brought us here and will carry us forward. With that knowledge we can create our intentions, the ones which will set a direction for us within that momentum. That, in turn, will suggest actions which will populate the days and months ahead.
Yours, on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
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