Dear Friends,
In these days of war against terrorism, politicians have used fear of death along with suspicion, rumors, lies, and deception to retain power, and the media fuels this dark purpose. Confidence in politicians and the political process has reached drought proportions, and religions also offer little hope, with self-righteous fundamentalists fighting one another in the name of a higher power. If there is to be change and hatred and greed are to be displaced, love is the only solution. Love will not flourish unless it is deeply rooted in each of our individual Mortal beings. We must learn to love ourselves, and then love will spread.
The Love, Loss, and Forgiveness Project begins with the impression that few of us love ourselves very much. We have been raised to put others first, especially our children, and there is little understanding that the greatest gift parents can give their children is that they love themselves and each other. Only then are children free to thrive in love.
One of the most important secrets of Love, Loss, and Forgiveness is that when we learn to love ourselves unconditionally, we are well prepared to love others, and hatred will have no place. Another secret is that when we are prepared to experience the pain and grief of everyday loss, we are also prepared to experience the creative possibilities that follow. When we are prepared to forgive, we will know how to lay down the heavy burdens found in our stories of betrayal, abuse and hurt. It is the weight of these stories that make the loving life so difficult to live. When we love ourselves, we say “hello,” and when we say hello to ourselves and others we are in a position to say “goodbye,” as it is inevitable that we will someday need to say goodbye to our Mortal selves, and to those we love.
As the The Love, Loss, and Forgiveness Project develops it will make available to you filmed materials (based on the workshops of the same name) and will be accompanied by interpretive guidebooks. There will also be a vibrant online community created for additional support with forums and other guided learning environments. These resources will help inspire and give you tools that will help you lead more loving lives as you create ongoing, home-based, peer learning opportunities that become woven into your everyday lives.
These materials and the methods will unfold on this blog and on the upcoming Website as the Love Loss and Forgiveness Project grows.
Join us on this exciting journey towards a deeper understanding of love, loss and forgiveness!
With Love,
Michael Murphy
2 comments:
Just returned from a 10 day retreat with Ayang Rinpoche and the Phowa meditation practice. This Tibetan practice done at the time of death or for the dying was especially moving. How wonderful to find a meditation that incorporates the need for identifying our own obstructions and negativity and wrong doings so they can be admitted sincerely with deep regret and self-forgiveness. As well as the genuine commitment to end the harmful / negative action. In this particular meditation environment the forgiveness coming from within ourselves and the unique visualization devices available - opened the doors for spreading the compassion and love so badly needed between all human beings. - It's nice to see a platform to share this understanding.
It seems only last month that we were together in dchodchen beara and it's almost 2 years ago. From time to time I visit the site and then again I feel the peace coming in my heart. Seeing the photos, reading parts of the words, helps to re-member and not forget to try to love myself. and so I can go on to do my work with people. Last month I could experience again that not so much time is needed to help a man to say goodby to his wife, children ,me (his doctor)... and with what a strenght the family can start their grief- process. I'm very thankfull, Michael for all that the workshops gave me.
Now I can much easier speak about dying, about fear of dying, and it helps...
Krista in Belgium
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