Thanks and gratitude

As many in the US prepare for some form of Thanksgiving celebration (it is, I understand, the holiday for and on which more people travel to be together than any other, and the purpose is, ostensibly, to give thanks), I find myself reflecting on the theme of gratitude and thanks in general.

The practice of Naikan comes to mind, a practice which invites us to reflect on what we have received, what we have given, and what 'troubles and difficulties' we have caused. To quote from the Naikan site: It’s as if, standing on top of a mountain, we shift from a zoom lens to a wide-angle lens. Now we can appreciate the broader panorama - our former perspective still included, but accompanied by much that had been hidden. And that which was hidden makes the view extraordinary."

Another way we might put things in perspective is with Billy Collin's poignant poem, Have a listen to The Lanyard, read by Garrison Keillor on Poetry Everywhere. It invites me to reflect on what I have given and received in the course of my lifetime, or in a day, a week, or from a particular person. And you?

As I recall my experience with Naikan, and feel into the sentiments of The Lanyard, I find myself full of gratitude, for the gift of life, of love, for the chance to celebrate the bounties of the earth together, for time alone, for the crystals of snow on the mountain tops and gracing the window, for the dark time of year, the warmth of bodies, grandchildren, joined hands, open hearts....

Blessings to you and yours this holiday season.

Pivotal Moments

I am pleased to share with you that I will be hosting a book reading through the Vancouver Public Library, Joe Fortes Branch. It is billed as a 'Meet the Author' event, yet I rather think of it as a time to come together to reflect on key moments in our lives. I will select a reading from BECOMING, and then invite a dialogue with participants on the topic.

The theme for the event is Pivotal Moments... recalling and reflecting on those key moments in our lives where something shifted for us -- people, places, events which created 'ah ha' experiences, ones that pushed our boundaries, opened new doors, transformed our perspectives or stories in some significant way...

And here's where you come in. I'd be pleased to hear from you about which essay you would suggest we choose -- one that spoke to you personally, one that you find would be appropriate for an introduction to the book, one that you have found works well in circles and discussion groups...

You can respond by posting a comment on this site, or write to jill.schroder@gmail.com.

If by any chance you are new to the site, you can have a look at BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity by going to the website or visiting Amazon, where you can also read some reviews to get a flavor for the volume.

I look forward to hearing from you, and perhaps to seeing you at the reading on Sunday, Nov. 7. We will meet at 2:00 pm in the Barclay Room of the West End Community Centre, across from the library there, at Haro and Denman in Vancouver. Admission is free, seating is limited.

Giving Peace

It can be overwhelming, this season of giving, especially when the issues that face us, economically and environmentally seem as dark as the days.

Clarissa Pinkola Estes says, “Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”

As I let that sink in, I find that it invites both relief and responsibility, in matters large and small, personal and universal. One author says she believes "world peace is achieved and sustained by each one of us taking responsibility for the quality of what happens within a five foot radius of our own bodies, in our own lives. If there is peace in my radius and yours and his and hers and theirs—then there is peace in all of ours." (Cited on C. Baldwin's Storycatcher blog)

May this holiday season be filled with joy -- contagious, delicious, bubbling joy; peace -- a peace that resides inside us and radiates luminously to touch all those we meet; and gratitude -- the kind that has no source, but seems to arise from the universal mystery. May these be yours to taste and savor, and to share with ever widening circles. May there be peace on earth and let it begin in and with each of us.

Perfect for groups and circles!

Do you belong to a discussion group of any kind -- spiritual, women's, church, book, study, support? Consider Becoming as your next book or topic. The topics touch us all.

it's nice to read by yourself, but the larger potential of the book emerges in groups. Deepening connections, broadening, even therapeutic insights, good fun, laughs and tears -- these can all occur when a group chooses Becoming as its focus. The format, short 3-5 page essays, and the questions for reflection mean it is optimal for your group, and just right, ready to use.

Becoming is available in several convenient modes, on line or in person. Your bookstore may also be able to order the copies for your group.

Check my website for the ordering options. I'd be pleased to hear your comments if your group chooses Becoming for its focus.

Search inside this book :-)

Have you noticed, BECOMING is now available internationally on Amazon, and also at Barnes and Noble? An additional, helpful feature newly on line is that you can 'look inside the book '-- view the back cover, the table of contents, and even page through an essay or two.

What's more, it's now possible to order BECOMING for your local bookstore -- many distributors can supply it. So have a look, then invite your favorite bookstore to order some copies...

I say some copies, because comments and reviews are coming in that BECOMING works splendidly for reading circles, discussion groups, women's or spiritual gatherings...

"Without leaving my home, I know the whole universe." Lau-Tsu

"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to
look through each other's eyes for an instant." Henry Thoreau

This Saturday is International Day of Climate Action. October 24, 2009. Let's all join in and show we care, and that climate change matters to us all. Lily Tomlin said "We're all in this alone, together." Right! Check this site to find an action near you, or do your own thing."

Be inspired by Christina Baldwin's new blogpost on the topic: 350: this number is hugely important for our times.

Reader's comment

Dear friends, spiritual adventurers, fellow travelers on life's journey,

Here is the most recent reader's review of BECOMING. I hope it might pique your interest in delving into the volume!

"Quite wonderful, really. Your style is easy, engaging, alluring. Your language is clean and precise, your form masterfully simple.

It's not easy to use the first person, especially regarding spirituality, without distracting or annoying the reader with traces of ego or pedantry. Your reader is invited to share the journey, and willingly does so, sensing both the truth of the path, and the unconditional invitation. You present yourself as a seeker rather than a master, thus welcoming and disarming other potentially hesitant seekers, and encouraging them by admitting your all-too-frail humanity. All of which is underscored with a deep abiding wisdom. Even famous spiritual leaders may have their writings rejected by publishers; your success with this book is both well-deserved, and all the more outstanding.

As you touch others, as their eyes open, more light spills out, making your own path both more blessed, and all the more easy to follow."

Apropos of touching others, and light spilling out -- you might also like to check out Carla Rieger's blog and Christina Baldwin's Storycatcher. Both authors offer richness, inspiration, and address the possibilities of the transformation through story and circle. You are a story worth telling!

Blessings on you and your journey.

BECOMING is now available on line at Amazon in the US , Canada, and in the UK. Barnes and Nobel carries BECOMING as well.

Inspiration, insights, connections

Last week I was invited to a women's group which had chosen my book, BECOMING, for their evening discussion. It was a rich and beautiful inquiry and sharing, leading to individual insights, provocative questions, warm connections. Such a gathering and format is a perfect place for the book to be useful, provocative and inspiring.

If you know are part of any such gathering, please keep BECOMING in mind!

The book is very easy to get now because it is available on-line: at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in the UK.

Want to be inspired? Check out this posting about women, writers, activists gathering with synergy and dynamism: Christina Baldwin's Storycatcher blog Read about her conversations with Gloria Steinem, Isabel Allende, Helen Thomas, and dozens of incredible leaders doing great work in the feminist world.

In these challenging times, "Let us try to remember the precious nature of each day." The 14th Dalai Lama.