Getting Quiet
An autumnal invitation to contemplation
Cherie and I were walking around the nearby university campus. As we exited the ornate, Hogwarts-style library and strolled past the gorgeous cherry blossoms we were there to witness, I was in my own world. I was thinking about the work I needed to do in order to make this a successful venture. Like a kid in a candy shop I was greedily pointing to the possibilities. I'll do this. And then this. And then that. But then I snapped out of my own world and slowed down for just a minute, looked at Cherie, and asked, "What do you think about all of this? What would you say to me as I move forward?"
She paused. She took a few breaths.
"Get quiet," she said.
"I think you need to get quiet."
Get quiet... They were Cherie's words, but it was the same voice that had been chasing me down across the years. The voice beckoning me back to come home. Telling me not to be afraid. Urging me to let go—and to remain in the letting go.
(An excerpt from my book, The Way Home, St. Martin’s Publishing Group)
This past Sunday, for the first time since I started this newsletter last December, I missed a weekly post. And it felt right. Because just like I did many years ago during my walk with Cherie through the University of Washington cherry blossoms, I am again feeling the invitation to Get Quiet…
At least for the month of October.
There are a few reasons for this:
In addition to my regular hospice gig, my work through my prison meditation initiative, the WITHIN Project is growing. In addition to the two facilities where I lead a weekly class, more correctional facilities are opening their doors. This season of expansion calls for more focus and for fundraising. In order to sustain and grow this work in the coming year, I need to raise a chunk of change, at least $25K by the end of the year. I welcome your support. Every amount helps!
I am working on a second book. No publishing plans (deal or otherwise) yet, but want to give my writing energies to this at the moment, without the pressure of a weekly post.
I’m trying to figure out what STILL is… if it is even STILL. Questions I’m asking:
Format - If you’ve been reading for the past few weeks, you’ve heard me talk about a different format. The thing is… I’m still wondering about this. Am I writing original reflections or curating resources/links. Or both?
Theme - Related to the format question, I want what I share here to be integrated with all the things I’m already doing—meditation and hospice and prison meditation and spiritual/wisdom teachings and humor/comedy. But sometimes STILL has felt like an add-on. So I’m trying to figure out the right formula…
Frequency - I’m asking if weekly is the way to go, or maybe twice a month, or monthly…
Community - I would like this space to be more interactive, but sometimes it just feels like I’m sending things out into the void. Maybe, I wonder, having more thematic clarity would help with this.
Any thoughts? Would love to know what you appreciate. Let me know.
I’ve got some fun getaways and I want to be really present during them. Cherie and I had a quick trip back to Seattle this past weekend for a friend’s wedding. I’m soon going to New York for some connections and learning with one of my meditation teachers. And I end the month with one of my annual brother’s trips (which I mention in this post) down south. I’m grateful for all of these adventures and definitely want to make the most of them.
All this is to say, I am getting quiet as far as STILL is concerned and you won’t be hearing from me here until sometime in November. In the meantime, there are plenty of previous posts to explore. Also, if you want to get into a more contemplative spirit with me, here are a couple places you can find me.
Join me and 30+ leading contemplative wisdom teachers from diverse spiritual traditions at the incredible Contemplative Summit, a FREE virtual gathering on October 24-27.
This gathering is an opportunity to step into the sacred spaces of contemplation, to rest in the Mystery, and to discover what it means to live fully present.
I’ll be speaking alongside amazing teachers like James Finley, Omid Safi, and Christine Valters Paintner, each of us exploring what it means to deepen our interior lives through the wisdom of mystics, contemplative practices, and psychological insight.
Whether you’re new to the contemplative path or have been journeying for years, there’s something here for everyone. This Summit is about living the questions:
What do the mystics teach us about becoming whole?
How can we embody the teachings of mysticism in everyday life?
What can our bodies teach us about our inner journey?
Sign up here today for free through my unique presenter link.
I had a such a fun time talking with Paul Swanson, the fabulous, friendly host of the brilliant Contemplify podcast. We cover a lot of ground—talking about a David Hasselhof museum, slowing down your life to catch up to it, getting quiet, relationships of depth, and much more.
That’s all for now. See you on the other side of the quiet!