mud moments

If this task had no end, how would I approach it?

What effort is essential?

What frame of mind?

Mud moment is a label I created to help me when I’m resisting a situation that I can’t change. A recent example was having to carry my daughter’s bike on my bike for two-and-a-half miles when I was already tired and hangry. Thankfully I only wasted five minutes being completely annoyed before I remembered my label. 

The label brings to mind Thich Naht Hahn’s book, No Mud, No Lotus. Thinking of the book, I am able to pause, collect myself, and stop wasting energy resisting suffering. I then make a choice to practice being with the present moment and all of its challenges. My body immediately softens and I have more access to ease.

Hahn writes, …there is no realm where there’s only happiness and there’s no suffering…If we can learn to see and skillfully engage with both the presence of happiness and the presence of suffering, we will go in the direction of enjoying life more.

This idea is closely aligned with my teaching. In my classes and private sessions, I share effective methods for engaging with painful thoughts, emotions, and sensations without getting stuck or overtaken. And for giving more attention to all that is working well. It’s an active practice. And practice is easier to maintain with support and structure.

The support that I can offer now are two one-week intensives: the last week of July and the first week of August. I also have two openings for individuals if you’d prefer the intimacy of private sessions. Please feel free to get in touch if you have questions.

After the intensives, group classes will be on pause mid-August until early September.