Caretaking and caregiving

As Yurok people, our foundational reason for being is “hlkelonah ‘ue-mey-ge-tohl-kwoh,” which means we care for the whole world and strive to keep it healthy and well. We care for not only humans and other living beings, but for the earth itself, its soil, air, and waters, and the spirit that imbues them. In turn, the world cares for us, in balance

The word metta is derived from another word, mitta, which means “friend.” Mitta also means “sun.” We depend on the sun’s warmth to survive, and we rely on loving friendship to thrive. Accordingly, my own preferred translation of metta is “loving-friendliness”

Husbandry is rooted in the Norse word bua, meaning “to dwell.” That is what is required in being a husband—to dwell, to make a home, in the flow of existence.

The Pāli word mettā is a multi-significant term meaning loving kindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, concord, inoffensiveness and non-violence. The Pāli commentators define mettā as the strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others (parahita-parasukha-karaṇa). Essentially mettā is an altruistic attitude of love and

. This word derives from another word meaning

“friend,” but metta signifies much more than ordinary friendliness. I prefer to translate it by the compound “loving-kindness,” which best captures the intended sense: an intense feeling of selfless love for other beings radiating outwards as a heartfelt concern for their well-being and happiness.

Maintenance

Mallard attended meetings for a while before asking her first question: “Aren’t we wasting time just sitting here while the Blue Planet goes to hell?”

Raven asked, “Do you waste your time eating?”

“Is that all it is,” Mallard asked, “just personal maintenance?”

Raven said, “Mallard maintenance, lake maintenance, juniper maintenance, deer ma

The work of a core community Order member includes Sangha building and support, explaining the Dharma from personal experience, and nourishing the bodhichitta in others while maintaining a regular meditation practice in harmony and peace with one’s family, all as manifestations of the bodhisattva ideal.