Ode to Failure.
“Ode to Failure” – A short film
Written, illustrated and produced by Tamara Levitt
For those who have fallen, or have yet to fall.
Staying with Pain and the Uniting Force that it is.
I call this painting “Teenage Angst.”
I posted it on my Facebook wall the other day and received comments and emails to the likes of “That was so me in high school,” and “Wow, I dated that girl,” and “That’s a spitting image of my own teenager…”
Everyone knows Teenage Angst – many of us carry it right into adulthood.
However, as we become older and wiser, we have opportunities to become more skilled in learning how to navigate angst. Ultimately, the best way to work with it, is to stay with it.
Learning how “be” with our pain is essential to compassionate awakening. But it’s a case of the hardest thing being the best thing.
Our instinct is to run—to be anywhere but here—but “here” is where truth and freedom live.
Pema says it best:
“To stay with that shakiness—to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge—that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic—this is the spiritual path.” ~ Pema Chodron
Learning to stay with emotion is tricky business. But with practice, it gets easier.
Breaking our Habitual Thoughts and Emotional Patterns – Working with our Shempas
For me, breaking my habitual patterns has been excruciatingly difficult. But with patience and practice, it’s often possible. Here I share some of the tools that have been most helpful for me in attaining a bit of Prajna; a clear seeing of what is really happening, which is the most crucial piece when looking to break patterns.
With a focus on how to get unstuck from our shempas, and bring awareness to our habitual reactions, I also share a 4-step technique Pema Chodron has offered called the 4 R’s.
On Forgiveness
In my most recent video blog, I discuss the challenges and importance of working towards forgiveness. I share tools and techniques that have aided in my own forgiveness practice along with resources to hopefully support your own.
On Meditation and Repression
Tamara Levitt discusses her perspective of repression in meditation practice. (Feel free to interchange the word, “Mindfulness” with “Meditation” for a talk that is relevant to non-meditators.)
The First Official Begin Within Video Blog!
It’s the first of the Begin Within Video Series! It’s short, sweet, and discusses the inspiration behind Begin Within. Enjoy!
Wisdom Quarterly American Buddhist Journal offers “Happiness” a plug!
One of my fave Buddhist Blogs encourages it’s audience to check out Happiness Doesn’t Come from Headstands!
Kickstarter Campain Success for Begin Within!
I’m thrilled to announce that my Kickstarer campaign for “Happiness Doesn’t Come from Headstands” has been met with success!
Here’s a quick summary of how it went down:
• I raised $16,021 in 30 days
• I had 248 backers from all over the world including Europe, North America, and Asia.
• I was invited to speak about the process and my book in interviews with Bloggers, Global Television, and 1067 FM. Additionally, my own posts were featured on sites such as Huffington Post, Elephant Journal and YogaDork.
