Word of the Day: Maitri

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud

Discovering new words is a constant joy.

Maitri: loving kindness and compassion for oneself, to reveal a profound essence that leads to personal growth, the ultimate self care.

Maitri is one of the four virtues of Buddhism, collectively known as Brahmaviharas or ‘the immeasurables’.

The term maitri can be translated from Sanskrit as loving-kindness or benevolence, The concept is central to the Buddhist practice of loving-kindness meditation and is also referenced in ancient Hindu and Jain scriptures.

Maitri was one of the themes of Buddhist teacher and author, Pema Chodron. In her book How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind, she describes maitri as “unconditional friendliness,” not only towards others but towards oneself.

For maitri toward oneself, try this affirmation: “May I be happy, healthy, safe, and live with ease.”

Positive affirmations + the practice of infinite gratitude are two concepts I incorporate into my daily life.

How about you?

Boketto: Word of the Day

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud

Boketto is one of those magnificent Japanese words that doesn’t seem to have an exact English translation.

Boketto is the act of gazing out into the distance with no specific thoughts, to lose oneself in the vast, mindless, horizon.

I do it a lot, and for me, it’s a sort of trance; a spaced out, zen-like calm and meditative state.

Couldn’t you lose yourself right here above the Salish Sea gazing at the cloud-shrouded Olympic Mountains?

Word of the Day: Psithurism

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud

I love words and this is a good one.

Psithurism: a rustling or whispering sound, such as leaves in the wind; susurration [ sith-yuh-riz-uhm ]

Example: Standing in the glade I heard a quiet psithurism, just straddling the line between music and noise.

Susurrus: Word of the Day

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Enchanted Seashells by Princess Rosebud

I love words like this, don’t you?

Susurrus is an onomatopoeic word; say it out loud and you’ll hear the sound — so many sibilant ssssssssses.

Susurrus – a low, soft, rustling, whispering; a low murmur or humming sound; think of the wind in trees or grasses, a stream or river, snakes, bees, or large groups of people speaking quietly to one another.

It’s also, apparently, a word used to describe a creature in some kind of fantasy game that I know nothing about.

Happy April!