Yesterday, I shared the space of witness with Amel, and probably more of you who also joined in. I usually meditate with a group on Sunday mornings. I few weeks ago, the subject was the worldly winds, what we control, what we cannot. I shared that I was ruminating about how to make a positive difference in this world of ours. One of the members of our discussion group suggested that the simple critical thing to do was to be kind. I immediately (and in retrospect, unkindly) dismissed this as necessary but insufficient. My time in silence yesterday made we appreciate the wisdom of his words.

The unkindness and suffering in our world are certainly the result of actions of those who are suffering mightily themselves. While I can empathize more easily with victims, I realize the importance of directing metta to the perpetrators. They clearly are not at peace.…

This morning I woke up depleted. Hollow and heavy at the same time. My body feels weightless, yet my eyes are full, as if carrying a long night that has not yet ended. I am feeling the aftershock of what is unfolding in the Middle East. A kind of moral hangover. I feel like throwing up, throwing a fit, and throwing in the towel all at once.

I am grateful that my seven-year-old niece is here. Her hug, her radiant smile, her unfiltered love soften something in me. Through her, I am reminded that delight still exists. That even today, the sun and the clouds can coexist, shifting the sky into new moods as they continue their quiet dance.

I choose to hold a prayer for all humankind. A prayer for peace. I light a candle and watch its small flame warm my heart, and I imagine it warming the…

Welcome Andrew to the well keepers. It was wonderful to have your presence on Sunday.

I had much awareness around the clay and minerals of the Earth and the importance of those to the makeup of the Earth. Great appreciation for the role of them for all of us who walk the Earth and tend the well of life.

Posting Reflection from Barbara Cecil:

Thanks for your presence Andrew. I am thinking of our line of well keepers and others who are learning to hold a quiet space of peace in the midst. The recent walk of the monks' for 2,300 miles called out a deep understanding of "well Keeping" in millions. During their walk I painted a mandala for them, my way of fortifying that field.

Since then I have been moved to create such paintings in support of several in our Well Keeping community who hold this post through close-in hardship. I am sure there are many others who I don't know of amongst us who likewise are honing a steady commitment to a possibility just outside of the chaos, along side of handling personal challenges. I am going to attach my mandalas for Shan Wu and Lori Henrikson, and for all who breathe the breath of…