Monthly Archives: July 2014

Press Release: Davis, CA

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How to be Happy All the Time

UCD alumna to give talk and book signing at Avid Reader

Dorena Rode returns to Davis to give a talk about the steps to permanent happiness based on her book, The Twelve Steps as a Path to Enlightenment—How the Buddha works the steps on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 7:30pm at the Avid Reader downtown.  First twenty people will receive a free gift (handmade lavender sachet) with their book purchase.

Book Cover of the 12 Steps as a Path to EnlightenmentThe Twelve Steps as a Path to Enlightenment – How the Buddha Works the Steps explains how the spiritual principals embodied in the Twelve Steps (of Alcoholic Anonymous) parallel the Buddhist teachings for reaching ultimate enlightenment. This book is a great introduction to the world view of Tibetan Buddhists such as the Dalai Lama. Dorena demystifies key concepts such as the six perfections, emptiness, refuge, bodhichitta, renunciation, and the development of watchfulness and concentration.

This guidebook, written by spiritual teacher and life coach, Dorena Rode, clearly presents a step by step proven method for increasing joy, making life more meaningful and destroying self-limiting beliefs. The spiritual seeker, whether in recovery or not, finds they can end their specific sufferings (which may include addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, debting, etc) without the need to have a belief in a higher power or God.

Karen R. (Amazon review) writes:

“What an awesome book—I couldn’t wait to finish reading it so I could begin again and study it (which I am doing now!)! This book is great for experienced members or newcomers to the recovery program. A true tool of enhancement to one’s personal growth if you are of non-faith, of enlightened faith and even of Christian faith.”

Dorena rode, authorDorena Rode is an award winning speaker and has extensive experience in a multitude of disciplines. Her Twelve Step recovery began twenty-four years ago and she is a member of several programs. She studied Buddhism with the Asian Classics Institute and meditation with Master Culadasa of Dharma Treasure.  She has a Ph.D. in physiology with an emphasis in alternative medicine from UC Davis (2004). For the past eighteen years she has maintained a regular practice of meditation and internal arts.  Currently she lives, practices and teaches in Phoenix Arizona.

Avid Reader is a local independent bookseller offering new hardbacks, paperbacks and eBooks; special orders at no charge; and complimentary wrapping.

The Twelve Steps as a Path to Enlightenment—How the Buddha Works the Steps  $14.95 USA,  158 pages         ISBN/EAN13:  1941894046 / 978-1941894040

What:     Book talk and signing with Dorena Rode
When:    Friday, August 8, 2014, 7:30pm
Where:  Avid Reader, 617 Second St., Davis, CA 95616

Event Contact: Nicholas Weigand, 530-758-4040, avidreaderpublicity@gmail.com

Dorena Rode is available for pre-event phone interviews. For booking presentations, media appearances, interviews, and/or book-signings contact dorena@tesli.org (707) 291-7731  Dorena’s Blog

 

Neighborhood Flow

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We had a few Easterly clouds this morning that kept the sun at bay for an extra hour and gave me an opportunity to satisfy my dog’s request for a morning walk.  She is not much of a walker, but she takes great joy in smelling things and hunting for stray pieces of partially eaten food.  We typically go over to the Family Services Center that borders our backyard.  They have a nice large parking lot and sometimes I let her roam off leash.

Today was one of those days.  I wanted to do my Tai Chi, so I let her run off and explore.  As it was Sunday, the usual homeless crowd was inhabiting the parking lot and eaves of the buildings.  Lots of people still sleeping, but a few up and milling around.

Sunnyslope Family Service Center Hatcher RoadI found a nice central location in the parking lot and began the Tai Chi form.  About five minutes into my form,  I noticed a tall woman in a sleeveless peach dress watching me.  Then, as she gracefully began to mimic my moves I could feel our connection.  She was stunning.  She was completely in the flow and beaming.  It was a beautiful moment.

I could feel my chronic anxiety as a tightness in my chest and abdomen.  She had none of that.  She seemed completely uninhibited.  And when I looked at her I could feel her flow.  It was like I was flowing.  She was just dancing with joy.  And I was connected to that.

I know this woman.  Although I don’t know her name.  She lives in my neighborhood.  The first time I saw her she was in the middle of the street in front of my house shouting at the house across the street.  It seemed like everyday for a week she would scream at the guy across the street and sometimes he would shout back at her.

I couldn’t figure why she chose to go by his house everyday when there were alternate routes to the bus stop and she seemed to dislike him so.  After a couple days I realized there was some dispute about missing property.  I also realized that she was getting some pay-off from the shouting matches.  They weren’t completely unpleasant for her.

Then, two weeks later I saw the same woman entering that guy’s house as if they were best of friends.  I marveled at the sight.  The actions of people are one of the mysteries of life.

This woman was just in the flow.  Whatever popped up she just went with it.  If it was anger, she was angry.  If it was Tai Chi, she was a zen master.  I imagined her moods could flip quickly and that she was unpredictable.

It seemed like she was just being, especially when compared to me.  I wonder how “enlightened being” is different from the state of just being she was in.

First enlightenment is characterized by no unpleasant emotions.  For me, being angry is an unpleasant experience.  I always assumed that enlightenment would mean the end of anger.  Hmmmm…. But for my friend it seemed like she might have found it pleasant.  Perhaps enlightenment could be getting angry and having it be joyful!  hahaha

No, I doubt that is the case.  Wisdom eliminates anger since it stops making any sense when you have the direct experience of how things are.  My friend is “being” in an unconscious sort of way.  It is awareness and consciousness that allows us to become fully liberated.  My friend is just a slave to her subconscious.

Coolest place in town

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I escaped from the heat on Thursday to the Acacia Branch of the Phoenix Library.   When I walked into the library at 3:30 pm it was 111 degrees outside (and 93 in my house).  The chill of the building immediately began to clear the fog in my brain.

I found a lovely sofa type chair with a swivel desk arm.  It was right in the middle of the library, just feet from the librarian’s desk and facing the door.   My usual tendency is to find a place to hide, but the chair looked very comfortable.

I sat down and began to unpack my supplies.  I had brought the empty lavender sachet shells to stuff (see yesterday’s post on lavender).  I had just finished sewing them, so the first task was to turn them inside out.  As I worked, I took some time to notice my surroundings and be present with myself.

It was a pleasant environment.  This was a neighborhood library – very small.  There were eight or nine people working (or playing) on computers and a whole bunch of younger kids at the kid’s corner.  Many of the kids had “care packages”:  clear plastic bags packed with raisins, ramen noodles and other snacky foods.  Very nice.

I settled in and completely relaxed.  Tears came to my eyes.  I was so comfortable.  The temperature was perfect.  The environment was friendly.  I just felt so blessed.  I live in a world were places like this abound. Such goodness!

I saw a child present one of the librarians with a hand-made paper hat.  I could just feel the connections and community.  Later, when I met with the branch manager, Tom Gembeling, he talked about watching the children grow over the four years he had been at the branch.  I could tell by his presence that he was in part responsible for the magic happening at the branch.  It takes compassionate leadership to allow such a safe haven to develop.

Even when there was a dispute with a patron over a damaged book, the exchange didn’t really seem to disrupt the calm and love I could feel.  After the patron had her “meeting” with the branch supervisor, the security guard held space for her to vent as if they were long time friends.  He walked with her as she left the building.

It wasn’t soon before the security guard, Amador, approached me.  I’m usually a little scared in official environments – probably an after effect of my early trauma.  I’m usually doing something different from the norm, and part of me expects to get in trouble. In this situation, I was aware of the part of me that carries that anxiety, but most of me felt secure.

Amador inquired about my project and assured me that I was free to stay and work as long as I wanted.  He was very welcoming and friendly.  As it turns out he loves the smell of lavender.

Amador gave a new meaning to the concept “security guard”.  He was clearly in charge of making everyone feel secure and comfortable.  He was guarding everybody’s well being.  He helped people log onto the computers, use the copy machine and even put displays back together the young patron’s knocked over.  He was also a keystone to the calm and joy of the Acacia Branch.

The hardest part of the visit was not giving everyone a sachet.  Sweet little girls would approach me and want to know what I was doing and if they were for sale.  Or as one darling put it, “Do you pay them?”

I so wanted to give them all a sachet, but these were intended for another group of people that I also wanted to give them to.  I have made hundreds of these sachets over my lifetime and never have a lack of recipients.  Perhaps I will have enough lavender to make another batch for the library…