Jeff, this meditation was extraordinarily moving and your closing words brought me to tears. Sending waves of gratitude and connection. The wonder of it all, that this life “could have gone so many ways, but it went this way”. It reminded me that we already sit in a space of quiet and awe, if only we would allow ourselves to notice it. And yes, we should shower the people we get to know in this life with love, in this moment.
The sounds — the birds, the wind in the trees, your voice, and even the airplanes — carried me into a space of stillness and lovingkindness. This was exactly where I needed to be in this moment. No pretending.
Sending love to you, and to everyone in the sangha of living beings.
Making me teary with this beautiful reflection Tamar. Thank you. Grateful to know you.
I’ve been thinking so much about choice lately. How one direction of contemplative insight is accepting the now exactly as it is. This one thing. And yet in that same moment, the other direction is understanding we can exercise so many possible choices. We can aim our freedom in the direction of what matters most us. Aiming for love, for connection, for healing, for justice. What a thing to be a human being.
For me, the choice between the acceptance of here and now, and maintaining active curiosity and engagement with others can never (a word I use sparingly) be either / or. It is a perpetually shifting balancing act. The gift of sensing where to cast our gaze in each moment comes with the flexibility of equanimity, the openness to change and uncertainty.
Ah, Jeff. This was so simple and beautiful. It underscored for me of the wonderful paradox I feel from meditation: that we are insignificant (in the most non-self-deprecating sense that the word allows) and that in itself feels good, beautiful, and significant. You are truly peerless in uplifting the beauty and goodness of the human condition. I too am so grateful that life went this way and that all of us found each other.
Varda ❤️ I know exactly what you mean! It isn’t only that it’s a relief to know yourself as just one small part of a much bigger life. Somehow it can also free us up to love what’s here more. Who knew?
Thank you Jeff! Loved your expression of gratitude. I too am eternally grateful that Spirit connected me to you five years ago. Daily meditation, knowing you, and joining this community are incredible gifts.🙏
Oh what a beautiful meditation. I think it’s what Jeff brings and shares of himself that just makes it so good. A great space to bring thankfulness into. Thank you Mr Jeff x
I’m not sure why exactly but this meditation totally resonates with me.
There is something you said at the end: “These are the people you get to know in this life. There are not so many of them. Love them up.” (More or less 😅)
I can’t stop thinking about that. We so often take people for granted. Thank you for the reminder.
Yeah, seems both surprising and common sense. I always think it’s funny that these are the people, right here. So many humans. Could’ve been anyone but turned out to be these ones.
Gratitude for finding a voice who channels how I feel. I don't know you but I do and if we did, I would count you as a friend. Weirdly, I already do. And I feel like we're close enough that I can call you weirdly. :D
Although this meditation came to my inbox on Thursday, this Sunday morning was a choice I made then to save it until today after a month long organization for my sister and brother in law to celebrate their 60 years of marriage celebration. It was a huge success thanks to my 3 nieces, their spouses and their children.
I knew you would ground me back to reality. To the gratitude of life being okay to be exactly like it is. Thank you for doing this meditation outside. It will be one I come back to often. The sounds of life and getting grounded in it.
Ditto to everything everyone has said so far. Deeply grateful to share a world that has you in it, along with the other people and places I get to know along the way. "Love 'em up" filled my heart. Thank you ❤️
Happy to have you here, Jules. What an awesome community we get to be part of, always blows me away. I never expected it at the beginning, never thought about it.
Jeff, this meditation was extraordinarily moving and your closing words brought me to tears. Sending waves of gratitude and connection. The wonder of it all, that this life “could have gone so many ways, but it went this way”. It reminded me that we already sit in a space of quiet and awe, if only we would allow ourselves to notice it. And yes, we should shower the people we get to know in this life with love, in this moment.
The sounds — the birds, the wind in the trees, your voice, and even the airplanes — carried me into a space of stillness and lovingkindness. This was exactly where I needed to be in this moment. No pretending.
Sending love to you, and to everyone in the sangha of living beings.
Making me teary with this beautiful reflection Tamar. Thank you. Grateful to know you.
I’ve been thinking so much about choice lately. How one direction of contemplative insight is accepting the now exactly as it is. This one thing. And yet in that same moment, the other direction is understanding we can exercise so many possible choices. We can aim our freedom in the direction of what matters most us. Aiming for love, for connection, for healing, for justice. What a thing to be a human being.
For me, the choice between the acceptance of here and now, and maintaining active curiosity and engagement with others can never (a word I use sparingly) be either / or. It is a perpetually shifting balancing act. The gift of sensing where to cast our gaze in each moment comes with the flexibility of equanimity, the openness to change and uncertainty.
I am grateful for our ongoing conversation.
This was a gift to me today. I opened my email and this popped up at the top just when I needed it. Eternally grateful 🙏.
So glad to hear Barbara
Ah, Jeff. This was so simple and beautiful. It underscored for me of the wonderful paradox I feel from meditation: that we are insignificant (in the most non-self-deprecating sense that the word allows) and that in itself feels good, beautiful, and significant. You are truly peerless in uplifting the beauty and goodness of the human condition. I too am so grateful that life went this way and that all of us found each other.
Varda ❤️ I know exactly what you mean! It isn’t only that it’s a relief to know yourself as just one small part of a much bigger life. Somehow it can also free us up to love what’s here more. Who knew?
Thank you Jeff! Loved your expression of gratitude. I too am eternally grateful that Spirit connected me to you five years ago. Daily meditation, knowing you, and joining this community are incredible gifts.🙏
I feel the same way Kay, thank you. Hope you’re enjoying the sunsets of Santa Cruz.
Excellent Jeff as usual.
Love this one. Could really emerge myself in the web of life… the connection I felt with everything/one around me. Exactly where I need to be
Yes Cyn
Oh what a beautiful meditation. I think it’s what Jeff brings and shares of himself that just makes it so good. A great space to bring thankfulness into. Thank you Mr Jeff x
You’re welcome, Karen.
My new mantra--"Fewer thoughts in the moment = fewer problems in the moment"
Keep up the great work, Jeff!
Loved this esp the airplane 🤍
My only regret is neglecting to name the chittering squirrel at the beginning!
I’m not sure why exactly but this meditation totally resonates with me.
There is something you said at the end: “These are the people you get to know in this life. There are not so many of them. Love them up.” (More or less 😅)
I can’t stop thinking about that. We so often take people for granted. Thank you for the reminder.
Yeah, seems both surprising and common sense. I always think it’s funny that these are the people, right here. So many humans. Could’ve been anyone but turned out to be these ones.
Gratitude for finding a voice who channels how I feel. I don't know you but I do and if we did, I would count you as a friend. Weirdly, I already do. And I feel like we're close enough that I can call you weirdly. :D
Thanks, Greg! Definitely more space for friendship when things get quiet(er)
Thank you Jeff ! Loved this ! The great sounds and your soothing voice. I always feel less alone after your meditations! Grateful for you 🙏
Beautiful- especially loved the birds in the background and the pause for gratitude at the end. Thank you!
Although this meditation came to my inbox on Thursday, this Sunday morning was a choice I made then to save it until today after a month long organization for my sister and brother in law to celebrate their 60 years of marriage celebration. It was a huge success thanks to my 3 nieces, their spouses and their children.
I knew you would ground me back to reality. To the gratitude of life being okay to be exactly like it is. Thank you for doing this meditation outside. It will be one I come back to often. The sounds of life and getting grounded in it.
Ditto to everything everyone has said so far. Deeply grateful to share a world that has you in it, along with the other people and places I get to know along the way. "Love 'em up" filled my heart. Thank you ❤️
Happy to have you here, Jules. What an awesome community we get to be part of, always blows me away. I never expected it at the beginning, never thought about it.
Thank you, I loved the outside elements. You help me reframe with gratitude.