Bridget Purdome

There was a rhythm to her raking.Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh.Then, a bigger WHOOSHas damp leaves were tossed onto plastic tarp. Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh.WHOOSH. Againand againand again. As Raker surrendered to the meditative motion,a question formed:“Wise Trees, what are you teaching me this season?” In autumns past, the message was always clear:“Let go.”“Let go.”“Let go some more.” This time, Bright Sun sparkledand Joyful Wind played […]

Last time I biked to this Evanston coffee house, I wasn’t carrying any cash. This time, I was prepared with a couple dollars. I immediately recognized him, although I didn’t remember his name. He was wearing a faded pair of jeans and a cool t-shirt with a map of the purple line. I suspect that

As I obsessively tune into the relentless news cycle, I’m overwhelmed by all the chaos around me. Chaos within me, too. I have no idea how to respond. And yet, when I begin to feel this sense of powerlessness, I realize that I do know what to do. It may be apple picking season, but

I wake early to misty rain on dark windows, reluctantly arise, craning my neck to catch a glimpse of pink sky. Yes! I’ll venture out! I take the solitary path towards churning waters, pausing to gaze at mystical fog dangling above green prairie grasses. My feet hit sand and WOW! Purply bands of light hover

For many years, I communed with the Buddha statue in the Peace Garden. During this time, I took photo after photo of him sitting among the fall leaves, the winter snow, the spring buds, and the summer grasses. Regardless of season, he always radiated a deep sense of peace. A contagious sense of peace. Suddenly,

A 15 kilometer hike doesn’t sound like much, but the elevation, rocks, roots, and uneven steps all posed a challenge to my knees.  There just aren’t opportunities to be a mountain goat in Chicago!   By the time I stumbled to the end of the trail and made it out to the road, my right knee

As I packed for a pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland, I was apprehensive about how the local people would welcome us Americans. Our president certainly hasn’t helped our international reputation. I decided that it couldn’t hurt to throw in my Canadian sweatshirt! I quickly learned that there was no need to worry. As a friend

There’s so much heartbreak in these devastating political times. I wanted to participate in one of the “Hands Off” demonstrations earlier this month. Instead, I was healing my own heart by taking a spring break. When we planned it, I didn’t realize that it would be a joy break. As my family stretched out in

Who am I? What does my driver’s license say: gender, eye and hair color, height and weight? (How honest is the latter?) How do I present myself? What do I wear? (This one’s easy – no one has ever called me fashionable!) What is the context in which I live? How do I spend my

The teacher said, “Feel joy as you breathe in. Feel peace as you breathe out.” Really? I’m struggling with this walking meditation in the dark Gothic chapel. I long to be outside in the light. Besides, how can I feel joy when so many are suffering? How can I feel peace when the world is