Circles of Care | Sunlight

A principle for scaling attention

When we think of the many challenges facing our world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Closer to home, our list of projects can often seem endless, while our web of relationships, whether near or far, can always use more tending — not to mention our physical and emotional health! Given all of this complexity, how can we decide what to do? Circles of Care offers a simple framework for choosing how to direct your attention, given the many scales of reality that shape our experience of life from moment to moment. We hope you find it helpful!

Circles of CareA principle for scaling attention

Begin with your body —How does it feel?Does it need movementA nap or a meal? Or does it feel restedNourished and fit —Prepared for the actionsTo which you’ll commit?

Move on to your mind —What is its state?Is it filled up with worriesAnd wishes and hates? Or does it feel emptySteady and clear —Ready to welcomeWhatever appears?

Now to your home —Do you love where you live?Is it asking for somethingIt needs you to give? Or does it feel cheerfulCozy and clean —Providing a shelterFor tending your dreams?

Then to the loveThat you spread near and far —Do you welcome your friendshipsThe way that they are? Do you meet them with honestyJoy and respect —Do you speak from the heartEvery time you connect?

Then to the workThat you do every day ⁠—Do you come to it gladlyAs if it were play? Do you put into practiceYour personal gifts —Making improvementsAnd positive shifts?

Then to the helpThat you give and receive ⁠—Enlivening wishesAnd answering needs Nurturing peopleAnd projects in place —Supporting the healthOf our planet in space.

And then to this curious worldThat we share —With its structures and systemsAnd circles of care Each of us playingOur own little part —Finding our medicineMessages, art.

For what is this worldBut a series of livesReflecting each otherWith myriad eyes ⁠— Each with their lensesAnd visions and views —Each with the feelingOf needing to choose?

And what is this worldBut a story we tell ⁠—⁠A dream with no endAn alarm with no bell? To wake from the storyAnd see it as such —To swim in the dreamAnd savor the touch.

These Circles of Care —An invisible map⁠To help us awakenEmbody, adapt To the story of lifeThat we choose to createAnd the world that emergesTo which we relate.

From body to mindTo home and to loveTo work and to helpBelow as above — These are the scalesOf the story of you —This is the worldThat you call into view.

For you’re in the worldAnd the world is in you — You make itIt makes youIt’s ancientIt’s new.

So what feels alive —Most fertile and true? What are you sensing —And what will you do?

Written, illustrated, and narrated by Jonathan HarrisOriginal music by Julio MonterreyFeaturing “Notitian”

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Posted September 22, 2024 See its newsletter ›