Meditation can change the flavor of the season.

I think of desire as the essence that brings forth the whole universe.

When I'm attached, I find that I don't see the other person as clearly because I'm more caught up in what I'm wanting.

The trance of unworthiness keeps the sweetness of belonging out of reach. The path to "the sweetness of belonging," is acceptance - acceptance of ourselves and acceptance of others without judgment.

Radical Acceptance is the willingness to experience ourselves and our lives as it is.

I think of depression as the mechanism that pushes down the pain of that loss. It tries to distance us from the loss but it lowers our whole energy level. I think that's a pervasive way we end up responding to loss or the anticipation of loss. Natural but not necessary.

Self-judgment continues to arise - it's a strong habit - but the fact that I made a conscious commitment to recognize it has helped me stop feeding the story of being unworthy.