The Rhythm of Virtue
Denise Flore with her book The Rhythm of Virtue.
A new 16 Guidelines practice idea book for Universal Education (UE) facilitators and practitioners, The Rhythm of Virtue - Your Chants and Verses for Meaningful Movement, is about to be released by Denise Flora, long time UE resource contributor.
Rhythm is one of the Guideline Enrichment Materials (GEMs) that make up the Ready For More collection, inspired by the 16 Guidelines. Each GEM is designed to take virtues practiced directly into daily life in new, individualised ways and with greater frequency. Here is an advance description of the Rhythm of Virtue before it arrives at the Florasabi storefront at Lulu.com to print on demand.
"Anyone looking to develop positive virtues by focusing on them more throughout their regular, busy day will enjoy the smörgåsbord of methods to integrate practice found in this book inspired by the 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life.
Based on a decade of personal experience with using the 16G, developing materials based on the Guidelines and other Universal Education subjects, as well as an even longer experience writing poetry, playing taiji, and teaching music, Denise Flora has pulled together rhythm, poetry, chant, movement, and verse, into a something-for-everyone collection and workbook.
Whether the rhythm of your day includes walking, biking, climbing stairs, drumming on your desk, hearing the tick of a clock, or just breathing while waiting, you can use this book to write your own practices to keep the themes you choose, playing as your mind's internal playlist. Pair verses with the natural rhythms and motions of your day to make your whole day an opportunity for practice."
Four sample practices from the Rhythm of Virtue, a 16G-inspired collection of customisable practices to develop virtue during the many rhythmic activities of daily life:
1 When you walk or pedal a bike, take every second syllable with a verse like this:
With kindness as my guiding star
I steer away from causing harm.
A caring act or friendly word
can nourish hope, dispel alarm.
2 When you notice the tick of a clock, think how everything changes, or “My time to make positive change is not unlimited.” Or match 4 ticks per line to a verse like this:
What makes a life that’s meaningful?
What inner learning plays a part?
Compassion, wisdom, mindfulness,
A clear mind and an open heart.
3 When you use the stairs, note if you are thinking of yourself as higher or lower than others, then walk up mindfully. Or match stepping with a verse using a unique rhythm like this:
Days when I am humble
I learn from every person –
not arrogant, but equal,
strong, unmasked and free.
4 Before taking on a challenge, match breaths with a verse for courage such as this:
Inhale: Change based on best wisdom,
Exhale: though difficult or scary,
Inhale: with hope and good intention,
Exhale: I will start it now!
