Circles of Care | Sunlight

A Sunlight paper

A principle for scaling attention

13 pages

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 movement,A nap, or a meal? Or does it feel rested,Nourished, and fit —Prepared for the actionsTo which you’ll commit?

Move on to your mind —What is its state?Is it filled up with worries,And wishes, and hates? Or does it feel empty,Steady, 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 cheerful,Cozy, 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 honesty,Joy, and respect?Do you speak from the heartEvery time you connect?

Then to the workThat you do every day ⁠—Do you come to it gladly,As if it were play? Do you put into practiceYour personal gifts —Making improvements,And positive shifts?

Then to the helpThat you give and receive ⁠—Enlivening wishes,And answering needs, Nurturing people,And projects in place,Supporting the healthOf our planet in space.

Then to this curious worldThat we share —With its structures, and systems,And circles of care — Each of us playingOur own little part —Finding our medicine,Messages, art.

For what is this worldBut a series of lives,Reflecting each otherWith myriad eyes ⁠— Each with their lenses,And visions, and views,Each with the feelingOf needing to choose?

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

These Circles of Care —An invisible map⁠,To help us awaken,Embody, adapt To the story of lifeThat we choose to create,And the world that emergesTo which we relate.

From body, to mind,To home, and to love,To work, and to help,Below as above — These are the scalesOf the story of you;This is the worldThat you call into view.

For you’re in the world,And the world is in you. You make it;It makes you;It’s ancient;It’s new.

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

✹

Written and illustrated by Jonathan Harris

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Posted September 22, 2024 See its newsletter