Episode 36: Kindness Lessons from a Survivor
Today we are talking about a difficult topic: domestic violence and you may find some of the stories disturbing. If this will be traumatizing for you then you may not want to take this episode in or skip to the halfway mark (21:00). Her website has many thoughtful resources on domestic violence if you or someone you know wants to learn more about the patterns that show up in abusive relationships. Take care as you listen in.
Donna Wayles’ story is a reminder that change starts from within and it happens every day in every interaction we have with others. This story shows us that our trauma can be a healing force for others if we are courageous enough to share our stories and heal together. The more I do these shows the more I think that is the most powerful form of being the change. It’s not about the big acts. It’s about the vulnerability we show day to day in service to others.
What’s in this episode for you:
A picture of the twisted sense of normal that is domestic violence
The isolation that can happen when you take a stand for yourself
How recognition of our trauma can help us serve others more deeply
How to help people when you can’t relate to their experience
What is most important in life, told through the eyes of kids
The most simple and profound response yet to what it means to be the change
Who’s in Circle With Us:
Donna Wayles is a wife, mom, technology teacher, and domestic abuse survivor and subject expert. Her book “I’ll Pray For You” is a must-read on marital abuse as told by the victim - says an Amazon Review. She is sharing her story of surviving domestic violence to be a beacon of hope.
https://www.authordwayles.org/
Poem:
Looking for Each Other by Thich Nhat Hanh
I have been looking for you, World Honored One,
since I was a little child.
With my first breath, I heard your call,
and began to look for you, Blessed One.
I've walked so many perilous paths,
confronted so many dangers,
endured despair, fear, hopes, and memories.
I've trekked to the farthest regions, immense and wild,
sailed the vast oceans,
traversed the highest summits, lost among the clouds.
I've lain dead, utterly alone,
on the sands of ancient deserts.
I've held in my heart so many tears of stone.
Blessed One, I've dreamed of drinking dewdrops
that sparkle with the light of far-off galaxies.
I've left footprints on celestial mountains
and screamed from the depths of Avici Hell, exhausted, crazed with despair
because I was so hungry, so thirsty.
For millions of lifetimes,
I've longed to see you,
but didn't know where to look.
Yet, I've always felt your presence with a mysterious certainty.
I know that for thousands of lifetimes,
you and I have been one,
and the distance between us is only a flash of thought.
Just yesterday while walking alone,
I saw the old path strewn with Autumn leaves,
and the brilliant moon, hanging over the gate,
suddenly appeared like the image of an old friend.
And all the stars confirmed that you were there!
All night, the rain of compassion continued to fall,
while lightning flashed through my window
and a great storm arose,
as if Earth and Sky were in battle.
Finally in me the rain stopped, the clouds parted.
The moon returned,
shining peacefully, calming Earth and Sky.
Looking into the mirror of the moon, suddenly
I saw myself,
and I saw you smiling, Blessed One.
How strange!
The moon of freedom has returned to me,
everything I thought I had lost.
From that moment on,
and in each moment that followed,
I saw that nothing had gone.
There is nothing that should be restored.
Every flower, every stone, and every leaf recognize me.
Wherever I turn, I see you smiling
the smile of no-birth and no-death.
The smile I received while looking at the mirror of the moon.
I see you sitting there, solid as Mount Meru,
calm as my own breath,
sitting as though no raging fire storm ever occurred,
sitting in complete peace and freedom.
At last I have found you, Blessed One,
and I have found myself.
There I sit.
The deep blue sky,
the snow-capped mountains painted against the horizon,
and the shining red sun sing with joy.
You, Blessed One, are my first love.
The love that is always present, always pure, and freshly new.
And I shall never need a love that will be called “last.”
You are the source of well-being flowing through numberless troubled lives,
the water from your spiritual stream always pure, as it was in the beginning.
You are the source of peace,
solidity, and inner freedom.
You are the Buddha, the Tathagata.
With my one-pointed mind
I vow to nourish your solidity and freedom in myself
so I can offer solidity and freedom to countless others,
now and forever.
Pick up the talking piece:
What came up for you as you listened to this episode? I'd love to hear your experiences with any of the reflections and exercises. Send me an email at podcast@humconsulting.ca or leave a voicemail (click the voicemail button on the right).
Gratitude:
Circle of Change is recorded on lək̓ʷəŋən territories.
Our opening and closing music was created by the talented E-Rol Beats. You can find his creations at www.erolbeats.com
My fabulous podcast coach, Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions, brought this podcast to life www.organizedsound.ca