Increasing Mindfulness

"In more than 30 years of research, we've found that increasing mindfulness increases charisma and productivity, decreases burnout and accidents, and increases creativity, memory, attention, positive affect, health, and even longevity. When mindful we can take advantage of opportunities and avert the dangers that don't yet exist. This is true for the leader and the led."
Dr. Ellen Langer, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University.

Fight for freedom

"An artist is responsible to fight for freedom. An artist is responsible to change society. That's how Paul put it... Not only do you have to be good at your craft, but you have to make a contribution to society..."
"Paul Robeson"

"Most relationships are formed unconsciously through the interplay of our habits, mindless behaviors, unacknowledged and unspoken expectations and assumptions. Is it any wonder that so many of our relationships seem so problematic and so far out of balance? When you invite yourself and others to be more conscious in your relationships, you create the opportunity to let your relationship become more choiceful and creative. Understanding this, the artist Vicent Van Gogh once said, "To live, to work, to play are really one. If you ask me, the most creative thing we can do is to love people." To turn our relationships into works of art takes a high level of honesty, objectivity, patience, and commitment. Mindful moment to mindful moment, the choice is always yours: succumb to the momentum of unconscious habits, or intensify mindful awareness to understand what is really going on and creatively, compassionately enhance it."
Michelle and Joel Levey, excerpted from Living in Balance

Prajnaparamita Sutra

"Bodhisattvas do not become liberated from life, nor do they pursue any form of separate realization. They direct an ecstatic flow of love and friendliness toward all, connecting their mind streams as intimately with all beings as with their most cherished family members and beloved friends. This astonishing feat frees bodhisattvas from every impure intention of harming , denigrating, or abandoning or even merely ignoring others."
Lex Hixon in Mother of the Buddhas: Meditations on the Prajnaparamita Sutra

Intrinsic

"Our true nature is far more ancient and encompassing than the separate self defined by habit and society. We are as intrinsic to our living world as the rivers and trees, woven of the same intricate flows of matter/energy and mind. Having evolved us into self-reflexive consciousness, the world can now know itself through us, behold its own majesty, tell its own stories-and also respond to its own suffering."
Joanna Macy

Rgpa

"Rigpa is a Tibetan word, which in general means 'intelligence' or 'awareness'. In Dzogchen, however, the highest teachings in the Buddhist tradition of Tibet, rigpa has a deeper connotation, 'the innermost nature of the mind'. The whole of the teaching of Buddha is directed towards realizing this, our ultimate nature, the state of omniscience or enlightenment - a truth so universal, so primordial that it goes beyond all limits, and beyond even religion itself."
Sogyal Rinpoche

Qualities of Indigenous Leadership

1. Spiritually centered - actively in a relationship with the Creator.
2. Morally strong - lives a good moral life, suitable to stand as a role model with particular attention to the issues of addictions, relationships with the opposite sex and honesty regarding money.
3. Believes in the people's capacity to heal and develop, and shows this belief in the way they work with the people.
4. Is engaged in his or her own healing journey and is a relatively healthy person.
5. Has a good mind, and clearly understands the process of healing and development, and the issues the people are facing.
6. Has demonstrated devotion to the people's healing and development by hard work and a good attitude over time.
7. Shows true respect for the Creator, the Earth, and all human beings. Does not show disrespect for anyone including women, men, youth, the poor, other races, and any other form or shape of prejudice.
8. Can work well with others in a circle.
9. Strives to work from a position of forgiveness, unity and harmony with everyone!