The Five Invitations

1. Embrace impermanence and the inevitability of death

Life and death are a package deal. You cannot pull them apart.

Death as a teacher: Reflecting on death can profoundly impact how we live, helping us distinguish between tendencies that lead to wholeness and those that incline us toward suffering. By maintaining an awareness of death, we gain perspective, appreciate life's preciousness, and are motivated to live fully and purposefully.

Impermanence as reality: Everything in life is constantly changing and impermanent. This applies to:

• Our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations
• Our relationships and material possessions
• Our identities and sense of self

Recognizing impermanence can lead to:

• Greater appreciation for present moments
• Reduced attachment to outcomes
• Increased flexibility and resilience in facing life's challenges

2. Welcome everything, push away nothing

To welcome everything and push away nothing is an invitation to discover a deeper dimension of our humanity, to tap into something beyond our habitual selves.

Openness to experience: This principle encourages us to embrace all aspects of life, including difficult emotions, challenging situations, and unwanted experiences. By accepting rather than resisting what is, we can:

• Reduce unnecessary suffering
• Gain valuable insights and personal growth
• Develop greater emotional resilience

Practical application:

• Pause and breathe when facing challenging situations
• Observe thoughts and emotions without judgment
• Practice curiosity towards uncomfortable experiences
• Cultivate gratitude for both positive and negative aspects of life

3. Bring your whole self to every experience

To be whole, we need to include, accept, and connect all parts of ourselves. We need acceptance of our conflicting qualities and the seeming incongruity of our inner and outer worlds.

Embracing authenticity: This principle encourages us to show up fully in life, without hiding or suppressing parts of ourselves. By bringing our whole selves to experiences, we can:

• Foster deeper connections with others
• Access greater wisdom and creativity
• Live with more integrity and fulfillment

Overcoming the inner critic:

• Recognize the origins of self-judgment
• Practice self-compassion and acceptance
• Cultivate awareness of inner dialogues
• Challenge limiting beliefs and negative self-talk

4. Find rest in the midst of chaos

We often think of rest as something that will come to us when everything else in our lives is complete: at the end of the day, when we take a bath; once we go on holiday or get through all our to-do lists. We imagine that we can only find rest by changing our circumstances.

Rest as a practice: This principle teaches that we can find moments of rest and peace even in the midst of challenging circumstances. By cultivating this skill, we can:

• Reduce stress and burnout
• Improve mental clarity and decision-making
• Enhance overall well-being and resilience

Techniques for finding rest:

• Mindful breathing exercises
• Brief moments of meditation throughout the day
• Focusing on the present moment
• Creating mental "pauses" between activities
• Practicing gratitude and appreciation

5. Cultivate a "don't know" mindset

Don't know mind is an invitation to enter life with fresh eyes, to empty our minds and open our hearts.

Embracing uncertainty: This principle encourages us to approach life with curiosity and openness, rather than relying solely on preconceived notions or past experiences. By cultivating a "don't know" mindset, we can:

• Enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities
• Remain open to new possibilities and perspectives
• Reduce judgment and increase empathy

Practical applications:

• Practice beginner's mind in familiar situations
• Ask questions instead of making assumptions
• Embrace ambiguity and uncertainty
• Let go of the need to always be right or in control
• Approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear

6. Transform suffering through compassion and presence

Love and death are the great gifts that are given to us; mostly, they are passed on unopened.

Compassionate presence: This principle teaches that by bringing compassionate awareness to our own suffering and that of others, we can transform pain into growth and connection. By cultivating compassion and presence, we can:

• Alleviate our own and others' suffering
• Deepen our sense of connection and belonging
• Find meaning and purpose in challenging experiences

Practices for cultivating compassion:

• Loving-kindness meditation
• Active listening and empathy exercises
• Volunteering or engaging in acts of service
• Self-compassion practices
• Mindful awareness of shared human experiences

7. Discover the sacred in the ordinary

To know the sacred is not to see new things, but rather to see things in a new way. The sacred is not separate or different from all things; it is hidden in all things.

Everyday sacredness: This principle encourages us to recognize the profound beauty and interconnectedness present in everyday experiences. By cultivating an awareness of the sacred in the ordinary, we can:

• Enhance our sense of wonder and appreciation for life
• Deepen our spiritual connection to the world around us
• Find greater meaning and purpose in daily activities

Practices for discovering the sacred:

• Mindful attention to everyday tasks and experiences
• Cultivating gratitude for simple pleasures
• Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things
• Engaging in rituals or practices that bring meaning to daily life
• Seeking moments of awe and wonder in nature or human connection

Last updated: November 7, 2024