The Power of the Seven Homecomings Practice

The Seven Homecomings practice, which I shared in my book Love and Rage, is an invitation to explore the depths of self-love and communal care in support of our liberation. It is rooted in the foundational Buddhist teachings of taking refuge in the Three Gems — the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha (which I refer to as guides, wisdom texts, and community) — then expands to include ancestors, the earth, silence, and self.

When sharing refuge practice with various communities, I came to see the importance of being able to bring in our whole lives. The Seven Homecomings practice emerged from my desire to blend ancient wisdom with contemporary needs. In combining three traditional Buddhist sources of refuge with other important sources of refuge that embrace our diverse cultural, racial, sexual, and radical identities, we can bring our fullest, most authentic selves as we move along the path of healing and liberation. 

Each homecoming is a safe haven, a “home,” that we can return to for strength and clarity. Practicing the Seven Homecomings grounds us in various ways. For example, the earth connects us to nature's wisdom and stability. Ancestors remind us of our lineage and the ongoing dialogue between past and present. Silence provides a sanctuary for introspection and clarity. With each homecoming, we unravel layers of conditioning, rediscovering the spaciousness inherent in our being. 

Incorporating the Seven Homecomings into daily life doesn't require grand gestures; it can be as simple as acknowledging the earth holding us or recognizing the support of unseen guides. These practices help create a protective circle, safeguarding our journey toward freedom. By regularly engaging with these homecomings, we deepen our connection to the world, finding a sense of belonging and resilience. 

The Seven Homecomings also acts as a tool for teaching and guiding others. By embodying this practice, we provide an example of love and liberation in action, inspiring those around us to seek their homecomings. This is not solely personal work, it is also collective work that encourages a cultural shift toward recognition of our interconnectedness and our shared potential for liberation. 

The journey of the Seven Homecomings is deeply personal and profoundly communal. It challenges us to redefine what it means to feel at home with ourselves and others. Through this practice, I have witnessed incredible transformations, both within myself and among the growing community of practice facilitators. It's a reminder that liberation is not only possible, but attainable, through dedication and a willingness to reconnect with the deepest truths of our being.

I invite you to explore the Seven Homecomings with an open heart, allowing this practice to lead you toward the boundless freedom and love that we need in this world. 

If you feel called to deepen your practice of the Seven Homecomings and learn how to authentically share this practice with others, join me for the Seven Homecomings Certification Course – a 5-Week Online Training that affirms the transmission and authorization from me to facilitate the Seven Homecomings Practice within your communities. Whether you are a teacher, facilitator, healer, community leader, or simply someone who wants to make a difference in your corner of the world, this practice can resource you through the challenges of coming back home to resource and refuge in apocalyptic times.