Thirty Thousand Days - Fall 2013 Vol 18 No. 1 | Page 15

One Drop of Truth at a Time B y M a rk N epo It is the fullness of our attention to whatever is near that has birds fly out of God’s mouth I f we look closely with our whole being at anything—plants, trees, the human heart, emptiness, fish, even the worn gears of a watch—the same core of deep instruction will rise before us in a language that waits beneath words. The world, it seems, both natural and constructed, is an endless net of particular lessons, each made of the same compelling thread that is always hiding in the open, simply waiting for our complete attention to reveal itself. So when confusion or pain seems to tighten what is possible, when sadness or frustration shrinks your sense of wellbeing, when worry or fear agitates the peace right out of you, try lending your attention to the nearest thing. Try watching how the dust lifts and resettles when you blow on it. Watch how the pawprints of your neighbor’s retriever, if stared at long enough, turn into unexpected symbols. Watch how the one shell you brought back three years ago from the sea reveals itself, at last, as a face that is telling you how to continue. Give your full attention over to the nearest patch of life—to how an apple peels and juices—and after a while each thing attended will reveal yet another way back to the center. From The Book of Awakening ©2000 by Mark Nepo and published by Red Wheel Weiser www.redwheelweiser.com T hirty Thousand Days Connections The ToDo Institute has nearly 1,000 members in more than 30 countries. Many of our members are doing interesting things and we thought we would periodically introduce you to each other. Robert Strayhan, M.D. Age: 58 Location: Texarkana, TX Member Since: 2009 Vocation or Avocation: Psychiatrist Accomplishment this past year: Became Medical Director of Riverview Behavioral Health in Texarkana, TX. Your dream for the future: To be completely independent of current allopathic medicine practice models. A teaching worth remembering: “Every breath and every action done with compassionate intent, is an act of reverence.” How has ToDo’s work been valuable to you? I utilize Naikan principles in psychotherapy sessions with excellent results. Email: [email protected] Nate Weinstein Age: 36 Location: Santa Cruz, California Member since: 2013 Vocation or Avocation: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Accomplishment this past year: Was there to celebrate my closest friend’s one year anniversary of being cancer free. Your dream for the future: To continue to learn to live more fully in the present and to focus on celebrating that which I already have around me AND to incorporate the use of Naikan, Morita and Kaizen approaches into the work I do with clients. A teaching worth remembering: As a child I was told by my grandfather, "This too... shall pass". How has ToDo’s work been valuable to you? After attending the residential certification program this past summer, I have been given the opportunity to look at my life, relationships, accomplishments and future endeavors with a sense of clarity, purpose and revised focus. Website and/or email: www.santacruzmft.com, [email protected] “I didn’t come here of my own accord, and I can’t leave that way. Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.” - Rumi Thirty Thousand Days Fall 2013 • 15