Events & News (02/04/23)
What do you want to get better at?
The Saturday Spark
Tell us: What is one thing that you want to get better at (or simply try, in the first place)?
Update on “Humanity Present”
Last summer, I told you about “Humanity Present,” an opportunity for shared, silent gazing that I intended to offer in a public setting, here where I reside. The idea was inspired by a 2010 show by the performance artist Marina Abramović at New York’s Museum of Modern Art titled “The Artist is Present.” Over a period of three months, she sat for eight hours a day without food, drink, or breaks. She met the gaze of 1,000 strangers. Each of those people was allowed to occupy the chair opposite her as long as they wanted. It was never empty.
From the minute I learned about Abramović’s show, I wanted to do something similar someday—not as a show, not as an act, not as an experiment, but as an expression of trust, care, and hope. In other words, as spiritual practice.
However, over the past months, as I’ve been negotiating with an art museum how we might do “Humanity Present” locally, I learned that Abramović has asked that her work not be imitated.
I’ve therefore abandoned my plans for “Humanity Present.” But I remain grateful to Marina Abramović for teaching me about the discipline of the deep gaze, and to those of you who helped me practice. I remain committed to “seeing others deeply” in my daily life.
Come to our Cento Celebration on February 27!
Our celebration will conclude the 30-Day Cento Quest, which is now underway for Rafters who signed up. The Zoom event will be at 6:00PM Central on February 27! Bring your own cento to share (must be based on Staying Power 2). Or listen to other Rafters read their centos! Register for this free event using the button.
Got yours?
This week’s featured title from my store is The Emptiness Of Our Hands: 47 Days On The Streets ($14.95, before Rafter discount; also available as ebook).
A life-changing and eye-opening read!
Join me and co-author James Murray as we voluntarily give up our homes for 47 days to live on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. We go out to be as present as possible to everyone we meet.
This chronological account of our experiences (which, on the Christian calendar, took place during Lent and Holy Week, 1999) is perfect for use in daily meditation. It includes nearly 30 black and white photographs, most shot by James using crude pinhole cameras he constructed from trash.
Sound interesting? Give it a read, then share with a friend.
Remember to enter your Rafter discount (“rafter25”) at checkout to receive 25% off your order.
In case you missed it . . .
Next week on The Raft . . .
Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Zoom, Thursday, 12-1PM Central). A casual weekly gathering for poetry-sharing and discussion. Hop on the Zoom at this link.
Bring a published poem that has recently struck you to read to the group. Or, just come to listen to poems offered by other Rafters and to participate in informal but wholehearted conversation. Can’t make it? Watch for the video replay in this newsletter!
Grateful, grateful!
My heartfelt thanks to these folks for their recent gifts in support of The Raft: Vicki Capestany, Stephen Johnson, Susan Long, Susan Otter, Jennie Quinn, and Julie Roehm.
Whew! That's all for now. Stay well. Stay witty. Stay tuned into your true spot and create from your radiant, beautiful self.
Please disregard! Big oops.