Community for Deepening Practice

Befriend Yourself

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Week 21 Creative Invitations

“Poems are maps to the place where you already are.”

—Jane Hirshfield


Option 1: Silver Linings poem

This week, we offer a simple contemplation of silver linings; in what way has a difficult situation in your life caused you to grow, to deepen, or to gain insight? The invitation is to explore that situation by using it to inspire a new poem from the following line in Jennifer Welwood’s poem, “Unconditional:”

“Opening to my loss, I gain the embrace of the universe”

Go easy with your poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme or be perfect. We simply ask that it is true. 🙂


Option 2: Compassionate Listening contemplation

In class this week, we’ve also been working with compassionate listening. From a place of true presence and an openness/ curiosity to what arises, please consider: What is someone in your life truly asking you for? How are you relating with their request? What would it be like to offer a full-hearted “yes” to that request? A full-hearted no?

Simply journal about what arises in answer to these questions.

As always, we encourage you to share your work on the discussion board if you wish.


Option 1 adapted from Christine Valters Paintner. Option 2 adapted from Mark Nepo.

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