This morning surprised me with a few tweets announcing that Mind Deep had made it to the final round for the 2010 Blogisattva Awards. I could pretend that I don't care, that awards are just lollipops for the ego, not fit for someone like me who is trying so hard to not give into the 'I'. I could, and I would be lying. The truth is I got giddy visiting the Blogisattva site, and seeing my name mentioned not just once, but a whole bunch of times, including at the bottom, where it 'matters' most. Husband, daughter, close friends got promptly informed . . . I did not dare overtly brag on Twitter or Facebook, but the impulse was there.
Later, sitting, I was met early in the meditation with a knot in the throat, right in the midst of the excitement. Persistent, begging to be examined. Thoughts made it clear where the unpleasantness came from. 'Awards', 'nominated', 'finalists', 'best' . . . a few enticing words, that's all the self-making mind had needed to take me for a wild spin. Gone the calmness, gone the joy, gone the freedom. The pain ain't worth it, whispered the knot, and heart in unison. And the knot let go of itself.
'I' cast aside, there was much gratitude left for the all folks who make these awards possible. The organizers, Kyle Lovett from The Reformed Buddhist Blog, Nate de Montigny from Precious Metal Blog, and Anoki Casey from Buddha Badges and Dharma Dots. The judges, Rev. Danny Fisher, Barbara Hoetsu O'Brien from The Mahablog, Philip Ryan from Tricycle, and Tanya McGinnity from Full Contact Enlightenment Blog. And all the readers who took the time to nominate their favorite blogs, just because.
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Congrats, Marguerite! "You" deserve it for sure!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anoki!
ReplyDeleteMudita! You've contributed so much with your blog to many out there on the web... a true act of generosity.
ReplyDelete"Learning from the Buddha's teachings how to develop wholesomeness and to eradicate defilements is the greatest blessing. Therefore the teaching of the Dhamma, the Buddha's teaching, should be considered as the giving of the highest gift. In learning what the Buddha taught and in developing wholesomeness we correct our views about what is worthwhile striving for and what is not, about what is real and what is mere illusion." - from "Generosity: The Inward Dimension" by Nina Van Gorkom (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel367.html#inward)
Sooooo very much deserved!! Reading this brought a big smile to my face and warmth to my heart! You're awesome Marguerite!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Nate
Nate, thank you so much for your sympathetic joy, a most wonderful quality and gift to others, which would be me here :)
ReplyDeleteLori, thank you for this great quote from a teacher I did not know about. You know, this sharing of the Dharma through my blog is quite selfish actually . . . :) I find that through writing, I am able to hold on a lot better to the teachings and what I am learning through experience. Writing as an extension of the meditation. Of course, there is also the concern of, will what I write be of benefit to others. In that sense, I do angle what I write a certain way.
ReplyDeleteYes congrats, Marguerite and well deserved! You cover such a wide swath of the Dharma and with heart! And as in todays, always willing to do that personal inner exploration that is so meaningful to me.
ReplyDeleteI was reminded of a line, I think it's from the Dhammapada: "the gift of the Dharma excels all gifts." And that is what you offer us each day.
BRAVO & found the word really fits!
ReplyDelete:-)
Dear Carol (zendotstudio), I see you made it to Honorable Mention. On my book, you are way up there in the Buddhist blogosphere . . . hence my nomination of Zendotstudio as best blog :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as sharing of oneself, different people, different comfort levels . . . Like you, I most enjoy pieces of writing that speak about one's unique inner experience.
Doris, thank you for your appreciation. So sweet!
ReplyDeletecongratulations...such a benefit to so many....i rejoice in your recognition.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Marguerite! Well deserved. :-)
ReplyDelete