Hanging Out

What do you say, Percy? I am thinking

of sitting out on the sand to watch

the moon rise. It's full tonight.

So we go

and the moon rises, so beautiful it

makes me shudder, makes me think about

time and space, makes me take

measure of myself: one iota

pondering heaven. Thus we sit, myself

thinking how grateful I am for the moon's

perfect beauty and also, oh! how rich

it is to love the world. Percy, meanwhile,

leans against me and gazes up

into my face. As though I were just as wonderful

as the perfect moon.

“The Sweetness of Dogs" by Mary Oliver

Did you ever notice how ubiquitous the sights of animals hanging out with other animals are on the internet?  Of course! Our friends send them along, post them, pin them, text them, tweet them, put them up on Facebook.  And it makes total sense because these pics serve as a reminder of how connected we really are.  When we drop our facades, postures, poses -all  social signatures-we realize our inherent kinship with each other and with other beings.

We're built as social animals, so the desire to connect is a fundamental quality in almost all of us.  Sometimes that quality is in retreat.  When we're stressed, not feeling safe, we can throw up barriers to prevent us from feeling vulnerable and at risk.

The good news is there is a simple practice to alleviate these tendencies to withdraw.  It's designed to build the habit of unconditional friendliness to all beings. It's not a practice that encourages naive responses to the real dangers in the world, but instead it's an aspiration and a realization that most of the people we meet are interested in the same things. Safety, healthy kids, solid relationships, meaningful work.

CMP survives on donations. All of our weekly sessions are free and open to the public, but donations are essential to our sustainability. Checks, cash and credit cards are accepted and donations are tax deductible.

Stay up-to-date on all CMP news and happenings by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Meetup and Insight Timer.  And our website CommunityMindfulnessProject.org.

May all beings everywhere, without exception, rest in a sense of abundance, 

The CMP Team


** CMP is a 501c3 nonprofit.
Checks can be given to facilitators at our weekly sits or mailed to:
Community Mindfulness Project
P.O. Box 1713
New Canaan, CT 06840.

** Credit card donations are accepted on our website: CommunityMindfulnessProject.org.

 Thank you!