Theme/Mantra: “Less is more”
Reading:
Out Beyond Ideas by Jelaluddin Rumi
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”
doesn't make any sense.
Meditation:
Find a comfortable position sitting or standing.
Once you are settled, take a cleansing breath or two.
Now listen.
What is it in you that is too much? Could be lessened?
What do you need to let go of?
Physical Movement:
Standing Forward Bend- (less is more)
Stand with your back a foots length from a smooth wall.
Keep hips hip width apart.
Let your bottom touch the wall, as you bend forward, hinging at the hips.
Bend your knees slightly.
Use your hands to reach back and pull the flesh of your bottom up and away from your sit bones.
Bend your arms at the elbows, holding each elbow with the opposite hands.
Take 3 deep breaths in this hanging position.
Each time you exhale, allow your spine to lengthen and release.
“I am free to let go into this moment."
Reflection:
Between Rumi and Vedder today we have a lot to think about. The power of society. The pull of a consumeristic culture. The pull of that field where there is neither right nor wrong. The idea that less is more. I’ll start with Rumi. I remember when I first read this quote I was… underwhelmed. But then I sat with it. A place where there is no wrong doing… and no right-doing. Oh my- does that exist somewhere? And how finding that place leaves us without words. That being there is filling enough. We are enough in and of ourselves. Words are not necessary. Contrasted with Society by Vedder, who reminds us of the culture we live in. We have a greed in our country- a greed of excess and consumerism. That need for more and bigger, I fear, will be the destruction of humanity on the earth. The world could not provide what was needed for everyone to have as much stuff that the American dream offers. So where does that leave us?
Looking for a field where more is less? I hope to meet you there.
Song: Society by Eddie Vedder
Lyrics:
It's a mystery to me
We have a greed
With which we have agreed
You think you have to want
More than you need
Until you have it all you won't be free
Society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me
When you want more than you have
You think you need
And when you think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
'Cause when you have more than you think
You need more space
Society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me
Society, crazy and deep
I hope you're not lonely without me
There's those thinking more or less less is more
But if less is more how you're keeping score?
Means for every point you make
Your level drops
Kinda like it's starting from the top
You can't do that
Society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me
Society, crazy and deep
I hope you're not lonely without me
Society, have mercy on me
I hope you're not angry if I disagree
Society, crazy and deep
I hope you're not lonely without me
Until Tomorrow- Peace