Artwork by Kazuhisa Uragami. Hi Friends- I am feeling such deep gratitude for the ever-broadening rings of community that enfold me today. These past many months, I have leaned on friends and asked for help more than I ever have, and I have also been honored to hold space for communities like KILN. And, regardless of whether I am being held or doing the holding, simply being in community is anchoring me. So thank you for being part of the communal space of this newsletter. β¨ I hope that you,...
18 days agoΒ β’Β 6 min read
Artwork by Juan Er. Hi Friends- When I think about what connects all of the work I've done over the past 25+ years, the word that comes to mind is context β a continued effort toward sense-making in a world that is becoming evermore fragmented and chaotic. So that's what I wrote about this week, the power of context when it feels like things are falling apart. I hope it offers you some solace β or better yet β a few ideas on how to help yourself (and those around you) feel just a little bit...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 8 min read
Artwork by Seb NIARK1 FERAUT. Hi Friends- I hope you are finding joy where you can this week. I am appreciating the little things: The first blue bird I have seen in my yard in six years; the view of the tall pines from my desk; this mug of hojicha tea, a gift from someone special. I am learning that part of the way that I deal with chaos is to try to come up with new metaphors to understand what I, and we, are experiencing. To use a linguistic frame to make something that feels difficult...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 5 min read
Artwork by Yaroslav Shkriblyak. Hi Friends- Iβm contemplating the idea of βpeace in actionβ today. For much of my past, I think the actions that I took were motivated by anxiety or fear or restlessness β a sense of not wanting to be here, of wanting to escape myself in some way. At the same time, my notions of peace were almost exclusively associated with the idea of calm and quiet and rest. Now Iβm considering what it would mean to take action with β and from β peace, rather than fear or...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 5 min read
Photograph by David Drbal. Hi Friends- Last week I turned 48. To celebrate, I hosted a potluck and an inordinate amount of my dearest friends showed up to support me, connect with each other, eat beautiful food, and dance. The next day, we woke up, grazed on delicious leftovers, and attended my upstate townβs small but absolutely radiant Pride Parade. The weekend felt like a dense, rich infusion of love and community. Immersed in what was unfolding, I took a break from the news for a few...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 8 min read
Artwork by Camilla Garofano. Hi Friends- How is your brain today? Mine has been a little on the fritz all week and not functioning like it βnormallyβ does for the better part of a year. Itβs been interesting to learn how to operate in a new way amidst this fog. So far I find that my executive functioning is less sharp, but my ability to do creative tasks is, in many ways, much freer. Iβve always thought high executive function was a double-edged sword: Yes, it can help you plan and execute...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 5 min read
Artwork by Yukai Du, for my new offering, KILN: Chrysalis Edition. Hi Friends- As you may have noticed, Iβve been on a deep journey of undoing these past many monthsβ preparing to step back into the world and to be in community with you, in new ways. In the process, I have spent a lot of time alone, and I have spent a lot of time searching for clarity about my next steps β or my next incarnation, if you will. And after all this time, and all this travel, and all this sitting in meditation,...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 6 min read
Hi Friends- After a long period of retreat and introspection, I am re-animating! Today, I was picturing myself as both the mad scientist hunched over their creation and the reconstituted body being awakened to new life. It me! π§ After spending an unholy amount of time hanging out with me, myself, and I... I am truly enlivened by the prospect of anchoring back into hosting gatherings, holding community, and coming back into my energy work practice. Over the next few newsletters, Iβll be...
4 months agoΒ β’Β 7 min read
Artwork by Jason Hateart. Hi Friends- I am currently: feeling immense gratitude for the bounty of blessings in my life β a home, a wonderful community, so much love, my dog guru Pablo, a warm hearth, running water, sunshine, and so much more... ramping up to share some new offerings with you and looking forward to diving back into my work after an extended period of deep undoing and integration reading a book that puts forth a clear-eyed (and fairly disturbing) vision of how climate change...
5 months agoΒ β’Β 7 min read