“What do you plan to do with this one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver

We are so busy in this overly connected world, our attention is pulled in a thousand directions. We live in a current climate of uncertainty and fear.

We don’t know what will happen in the world. We don’t know what will happen politically. No one can predict illness, floods, accidents, loss of jobs and more. How can we laugh and remain hopeful in spite of the difficulties in the world?

We need to awaken our heart to respond meaningfully to the times with understanding and kindness, to stand against hate. We need respect and compassion and to live as human beings should live.

Jack Kornfield’s latest book, “No Time Like the Present” is about finding freedom, love and joy right where you are. There is something beautiful waiting to be touched in all of us.

Just a brief introduction as to who Jack Kornfield is. He was born July 16, 1945, as a fraternal twin to a family of four boys. He experienced difficulty in life at the hands of a “workaholic scientist” who was paranoid, violent and abusive.

Jack became determined not to become like his father and instead to become a peacemaker. At Dartmouth he majored in Asian studies and became drawn to Buddhism. When his time in the Peace Corps was over he stayed in Thailand and devoted himself to the practice of Buddhism.

Left with anger and grief from his childhood he entered monastery life under Chas’s guidance. He later practiced with Niahasi Sayadaw.

This man is one of the best known, most respected mediation teachers in the world. He is author, Buddhist PR actioner and one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness to the West. It is written that he is the greatest spiritual teacher of our time.

One of his quotes,” The Past Is Gone. The future is not yet here. You can be present for the moment. What you do now will create your future.” Another quote is. “Forgiveness is the heart’s capacity to release its grasp on the pains of the past. FREE ITSELF TO GO ON.”

Kornfield has taught at major universities and centers worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, and Berkeley; he teaches regular classes to four hundred at Spirit Rock in Marin Country and to large crowds nationwide at retreats, conferences, and events.

To move on Beacon Hospice needs volunteers! Although you can’t touch it or see it you can experience it-volunteering to bring a service to people as well as to the community is a great and positive source of comfort.

“Beacon Hospice, an Amedisp company, needs volunteers to provide companionship and comfort to terminally ill patients and their families. They particularly need people willing to visit north of Portland to Bath and south of Saco to Ogunquit.

Your service may consist of a friendly chat, holding hands, reading to someone, playing nice music or sitting quietly at a bedside. If you have a certified therapy dog, they have patients longing to pet them.

If you are a veteran, they have patients who served in the military that might open up to a fellow service person. They also need people with some creativity to create life posters for clients with dementia, and people with phone skills to call families to gather information about their loved ones.

You will become a vital part of a team dedicated to improving the quality of their client’s lives and you will discover your life is improved.

Free training will begin in early October and end before Thanksgiving at Beacon’s South Portland office.

Please call Donna at 772-0929 for more information to register. Thank you.