I am reading Buddha’s Brain which summarizes the neuroscience about the benefits of meditation and solitude. The authors, Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius, intertwined science and poetry from practitioners of contemplative practices.
A few weeks ago, I began to blog differently and blogged less each day plus plus continued to take a day away from the computer. I thought I would feel less connected, but I feel more connected. I might have more clarity when I blog as I move in and out of stillness and quiet. I leave you with this short and profound poem by Tenzin Priyadarshi from the above noted book.
If there is no stillness,
there is no silence.
If there is no silence,
there is no insight.
If there is no insight,
there is no clarity.
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope, nonviolence and its anticipatory relationship with the future, as essential elements to teaching and learning.
Academic publications can be found at Ivon Gile Prefontaine on ResearchGate
Teacher as Transformer 
I agree, but tell that to an artist.>KB
I find it is in the stillness and quiet that my most creative moments emerge. It might be like that for all, but it has been good for me.
I agree about blogging less: once or twice a week is enough for me.
I find I get more done this way.
Profound. Truth. Quiet. Thoughts only make sound in your mind. Sometimes that is where they should rest. Insight will then be able to flow. Love your post. jk
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it.
The most exquisite sounds can be heard when there is only silence.
That is so true. Do you know an analog clock sounds different on the downward strokes of the second hand than on the upward strokes?
Laughing – actually yes, I did..
We both must have been very quiet for that. My students look at me weird when I tell them that. First, I have to explain what an analog clock is and then why I would know this.
I enjoy being quiet – and I enjoy not being quiet when the time is right. It’s funny to think that some no longer remember analog clocks, but it’s true..
Love the idea of silence, I miss it! Very wonderful post:)
Thank you Len. It is hard to create that space isn’t it?
yes, very! There are times I wish I had magical powers to just wave a wand or twitch my nose and go to some far off land, but that is the child in me, the adult says a sandy warm beach, my ipad that I am saving for and a cool drink would suffice LOL 🙂
It is good to let the child in us rule the day sometimes. I do well with junior high students because according to people who know me I am the oldest teenager in the world.
LOL how wonderful!!
Thank you, Ivon! That explains why there is no clarity…
It does for me. You are welcome Amy.
The creative process might be described as like breathing, so you resting gives the opportunity for creativity to build and then you have the created potential to unleash it in an emanation of creative manifestation.
Alex, that is so beautifully said.
good poem
It certainly is a wonderful poem
A little something from me for the wonderful blog that you have here …
Thank you for the honour. It is much appreciated.
Hi, I love your blog! I have nominated you for a Liebster award! You can read about it here: http://amylturk.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/its-not-exactly-the-oscars-but/ 🙂
Love this post!
Thank you.