Oil Pastels and the Sangha

      I ended up not going to the Tibetan Buddhist temple.  I decided that I didn't want to have to start over -- meeting new people, getting used to a new type of spiritual practice and maybe getting involved too deeply with an organization.
      So, I decided to let things be.
      Instead, I signed up for an oil pastel class.  I had really liked oil pastels when I had used them, years ago, in high school.  It was drawing and painting at the same time, and I had made a portrait of a classmate that I remember vividly.  (Why didn't I save it? Did I give it to him?)  My boyfriend was supportive, too, so I thought I should go ahead with it.

Tom with my portait of him.

       I really enjoyed the class and the teacher.  I'm now geared up to produce some more artwork.  (The picture above was made with oil pastels and color pencils -- my first large work in many years.)
       Along with the class, something interesting happened.  My teacher, Carol, mentioned that she had attended a "sangha" (Buddhist group) in Long Beach, Washington.  "Really?" I said.  "Did you have many attendees?  I just can't imagine a Buddhist group in Long Beach, of all places!" I chuckled. "Yes, it was established by my husband and it's still going. We're starting a little sangha here."  I was all ears by then, believe me!   "A sangha here? "  "Would you like to come?," she asked.  Would I! 
        So I went to the little sangha and found that it was perfect, just what I wanted.  It's a small group, no bricks and mortar, no tithes, no massive organization.  We practice meditation and then discuss various Buddhist ideas.  I presented a talk on "right livelihood" myself a couple of weeks ago.   It's deep, Buddhism, and I have seen positive changes in myself, and a much more sustained meditation practice at home, since I have attended the group.  And since this is a Theraveda sangha, there is no frippery or pie-in-the-sky nonsense you have to plow through.  It's all about you polishing your soul.
         I can only thank all-seeing Providence for this! 
       

My Esthetic Profession

    I guess I have to confess something:  I went into esthetics because I really wanted to practice Reiki more fully!  Through my esthetic work I have introduced many people (mostly women) to Reiki. 
    But there have also been some unexpected and positive things that have happened to me while I have been in the "beauty business."  One is the number of good friends I have made while being an esthetician.  My teachers and co-workers (except for a few shallow, greedy and thoughtless types) have been great people.  I have become a mentor, in a way, to clients, not only in showing them how to take care of their skin but also in sharing whatever wisdom I've been able to garner over the course of my life.  (I must add that I try to do the latter with their approval!).  And I've benefited from the knowledge and experience of my clients  as well.
     The "beauty business" is like any other, but it's special because of its feminine character.  I like the casualness, the ability to make your own hours and to shape the business the way you want.  I design my own business cards and brochures and I'm the webmaster for our little salon's website.   That way I get to use my artistic skills and get positive reinforcement for it from my co-workers and clients.  And speaking of positive reinforcement: the atmosphere at our salon is very supportive and warm, which makes work a pleasure.
      I am grateful for my "second career" (to tell the truth, though, I never really had a "first career" at all!).  I had no idea that my life would be so enriched by choosing to be an esthetician. 

Book Recommendation

I just wanted to point out that book, "Inner Christianity" as an excellent resource for esoteric Christians and Gnostics.  I have read it many times.

Seeker Nation

Since I left my church I have been trying to figure out what might be next in my spiritual life. I think I might now be closer to finding something else that could work.
During the last two weeks I've been down with bronchitis, and so I've had to stay put at home.  A friend gives me magazines, some of which have to do with Eastern religious traditions.  Usually I just give away the Buddhist magazines, but because I had the spare time I decided to read them.  The magazines were "Tricycle" and "Shambala Sun."  It used to be that Buddhism didn't interest me at all.  I thought I needed "bhakti," a passionate surrender, to God.  Now that I'm older I don't seem to have that fire.  I'd rather do the work of becoming closer to God by myself, actually!   Buddhist tradition focuses on serious spiritual practice, something that was missing in my church.  I want to refine my soul, and Buddhism has some good tools for that, definitely!
Since I live in a suburb of Portland, Oregon, which is not known for being very advanced culturally (Portland wags have dubbed the area "Clarktucky"),  I wasn't surprised that there were no Buddhist centers here.  Next week I am going to go to a newcomer group at a Tibetan Buddhist center over in north Portland, not too far from me.  I am hopeful and excited about this new adventure.
Wish me luck as I explore the "Dharma."