Why Oscar Winning Actress Ellen Burstyn Slept On A NYC Street: Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

We all dread stepping out of what is familiar and known: your comfort zone. But when we do, we can discover enormous reserves of strength within ourselves, as actress Ellen Burstyn told us she did when she was homeless.

Most of us have a deep fear that the unthinkable could possibly happen to us, such as becoming homeless. In today's economy, many people are finding themselves on the street through no fault of their own. Yet how many of us acknowledge street people as fellow human beings with needs no different from ours, simply without the means to fulfill them? Instead, how often do we avert our eyes when we pass them by and pretend they do not exist?

In an attempt to find out what it would take to see homeless people as being no different from ourselves, Rev. James Morton, the dean of St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York, began an experiment. As Zen teacher Grover Gauntt told us:

"He designed what he called the plunge: an act of diving into unknown waters and getting completely whacked and disorientated so you can orientate yourself in a new way. And he applied this to the street by sending his ministers out without any money, no place to live, no identification, just like the people they were serving. The first thing they did, quite naturally, was to go to the churches and ask for help, but, of course, very few would help them."

From here developed the idea of street retreats: living on the street for a few days as a spiritual practice, intended to bring people into the very midst of society's neediest, and by doing so to seek a place of inclusivity. Bernie Glassman, founding teacher of the Zen Peacemaker Order, talked to us for our book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. He told us:

"The homelessness that exists in our society is due to treating people as throwaways, and it will only end when we stop seeing them as garbage. Street retreats are where we live and practice meditation on the streets, begging and sleeping rough just as any homeless person would. We meet for meditation periods together and then disperse to do what we have to in order to survive, such as finding food to eat and boxes to sleep on."

Bernie continued: "I included meditation as I wanted to show that meditation is not just sitting on a cushion but reaches out to every aspect of life. It is a way of bringing us into a state of inclusivity and of not-knowing, and when that happens, the experience of oneness arises. But at the same time we have the experience of not existing. When you are homeless and begging, people walk past you, you are completely ignored, you simply do not exist. When you have been so ignored, it is impossible to do that to another person. You can no longer look away from anybody or anything."

Ellen Burstyn had this experience of being ignored when she did a street retreat and lived on the street with the homeless. In our book she told us:

"I did the street retreat because I was so afraid of it. I could physically feel how much fear I had about being away from my comfort zone, my bed, and especially not having any identity. The whole idea of begging was terrifying. The first time I did it, I had to a cross a street to a restaurant with tables outside. Two women were eating there and I decided to approach them. As I walked toward them, I felt like I was crossing over some line that I had consciously never known was there. I was purposefully stepping through my ego to experience what was on the other side. I approached the women and simply asked, 'Excuse me, but I need a dollar for the subway. Could either of you spare a dollar?' The woman closest to me reached into her pocket and handed me a dollar without taking her eyes off her companion's face. I said 'Thank you' and walked away. I felt a strange pride that I had really accomplished something, but then enormous sadness as I realized that neither of the women had looked at me. I had got what I needed, but I had been disregarded, I had not been seen."

This invisibility is one of the biggest difficulties for the homeless. As Grover Gauntt, who is a street retreat leader, says:

"Just a day can seem like forever as it is so intense. Suddenly, you do not have the money to get home, buy a cup of tea, make a phone call, or do anything. Fear rises as you are without any identity, any way of saying you are who you are. How do you relate to this world now? You have to find a place to sleep; you have to beg for food. And you watch people move their eyes to avoid seeing you. When we don't have the experience of something, then we tend to negate or categorize it. Homeless people get categorized as being alcoholics, drug addicts, there to rip you off, or just plain crazy. But every homeless person has a story and a history, just like we do. Before I first took the plunge, I was fearful of confrontation, but I learned that confrontation is just disguised fear. I rarely pass a homeless person now without saying a few words and acknowledging him as a human being. Taking the plunge into the unknown is an expansion into a different way of seeing, an acceptance of all states of being beyond one's own limitations."

Doing anything outside of our experience is a plunge, especially stepping into places that we resist or are fearful of. The added ingredient of meditation to the street retreats was to deepen the experience of inclusivity, that we are all a part of each other, whether we are homeless or not. Such retreats, now held in many cities across the country, confront our fear and in so doing embrace our shared humanity.

Do you have stories of when you were able to step out of your comfort zone? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

You can pre-order a copy of our book at: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. It will be published Nov 3.

****
Ed and Deb Shapiro's new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors such as Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Beckwith, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jane Fonda, Jack Kornfield, Byron Katie, Ed Begley, Bernie Glassman, Russell Bishop, and others, will be published Nov 3 2009 by Sterling Ethos.

Deb is the author of the award-winning book YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND. Ed and Deb are the authors of over 15 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. They are corporate consultants, and the creators of Chillout daily inspirational text messages on Sprint cell phones. See: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro

Comments

[RazeTemple]

I love that idea! It lets you know you're alive. Really alive. Push it to the limits and you'll find out those limits are only in your head. I go broke on homeless people! When I see them I always give them any change or a few bucks, or sometimes much more, depending on my personal finances at the moment. And I barely even make anything. If only everybody could allocate a similar percentage of their wealth to centers for the homeless and to other charities, and if the government could put all that money they spend on wars into education, these people might not suffer. But then, I wonder how we would still have the chance to feel alive like this if everybody WAS financially stable. Is it not the darkness to the light? How do you say you're stable if there is nothing unstable to compare it to? The final answer is that money causes all of this(as well as many other problems), and we should use technology to transcend it. Just an opinion. Keep it real Ed & Deb. :)

[yoyo22]

This post left me speachless and sad.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi gorgeous sister yoyo22 ... always super to see you here

Turn that sadness into compassion and let us all do some good service.

ALL LOVE,

Ed

[vain jane]

This idea of voluntary homelessness is a recurring motif in Paul Auster's work. But to think that someone would actually do it!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi nain jane- I bet you are not that vain - it makes me think of Carly Simon's song YOUR SO VAIN about Mick Jagger

Ellen Burstyn is a courageous lady .. kind and loving. Her story in our book

BE THE CHANGE
How Meditation Can Transform You and the World

is heartwarming,

Joyfully,

Ed

[GeeCan]

HuffPost's Pick

Thanks for bringing attention and expanding our views. America's self-image is currently so obsessed with the “free-market” that anyone that stands in the way of it is labeled a “socialist” or a “fascist.” Ironically, the religious right has taken up this crusade with vigor and any attempts to the contrary (like reforming healthcare) is met with nearly violent opposition. Imagine how helping the poor and homeless would be met!

So, we have a broken economic model that that benefits a minority of extraordinarily wealthy while systematically stripping away middle class wealth and driving countless others into abject poverty. Add to this politicians who are convinced by lobby groups and citizens (often fueled by the very lobbies) to not vote for legislation to help the poor and we create an environment that makes it very difficult to either fix the economic model or to help the scores left ruined in its wake.

That leaves churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, philanthropic organizations and good Samaritans to fill the void. And unfortunately the void is growing deeper and as you correctly pointed out, many of us could be next. Our great country has been in decline but when we vilify the poor, homeless and their advocates in order to protect "our" wealth while doing nothing to reform the broken economy then the decline borders on the edge of a fall. Empathy and sympathy are key to our survival, growth, prosperity and well-being. Keep spreading the good word!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks GeeCan - your comment is appreciated

You said this so well and so caring

I hope others read this!

Treasure yourself,

Ed

[LMPE]

There are still large numbers of people who believe that homeless people want (or at least deserve) to be homeless. That's what happens when one relies on Fox Noise and Boss Limbaugh for one's "information".

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

ain't take the truth

LMPE

What we can do is be and do our best and hold those types of people in compassion as they do not know whatthey are doings

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[Lizzypie]

Deb & Ed,
Your blog this week seems to have stirred up some agitataed feelings. I think the homelessness in our affluent Western world is like a raw wound. People approach raw wounds differently.
I think rather than commenting on the nature of homelessness, I would like to say that when I take a shower, I have a deep appreciation for that simple luxury. I t feels so good, and I feel fortunate that it is freely available to me. When I flush the loo, I am deeply apprecative. That I can open the fridge and have many foods to choose from, that I have a comfy bed to go to seep in - all these things I appreciate every day.
I think your role as bloggers is to raise issues that are controversial and that we would rather not think about - the shadow so to speak. And to provoke discussion about that. And thank you for that.
Lizzypie

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Lizziepie Thank you for your comment

You make a brilliant point:

I think rather than commenting on the nature of homelessness, I would like to say that when I take a shower, I have a deep appreciation for that simple luxury. I t feels so good, and I feel fortunate that it is freely available to me. When I flush the loo, I am deeply apprecative. That I can open the fridge and have many foods to choose from, that I have a comfy bed to go to seep in - all these things I appreciate every day.

You are a truly caring lady,

ALL LOVE,

Ed

[LaurieAnn]

HuffPost's Pick

Your post speaks with a great deal of insight. I agree so much with the concept of homelessness as raw wound. Our society in all its various components, of which all of us are linked in some way perpetuates a system which creates homelessness. Therefore in our own ways we all have a part in homelessness. Most people sense this without being able to full grasp what that means. I humbly believe that the best work we can do is to all be mindful of our part in this society and live mindfully the life we are currently living.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

LaurieAnn - thank you for your wise and compassionate comment - I just want to repeat it

I agree so much with the concept of homelessness as raw wound. Our society in all its various components, of which all of us are linked in some way perpetuates a system which creates homelessness. Therefore in our own ways we all have a part in homelessness. Most people sense this without being able to full grasp what that means. I humbly believe that the best work we can do is to all be mindful of our part in this society and live mindfully the life we are currently living

Bless you,
Ed

[Lozange]

Par 4: "(churches) of course wouldn't help them...

!?! Of course???

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Lozange - Thanks for your comment

For the most part Churches are not know to take in the homeless. There are notable exceptions.

Life is a precious gift,

Ed

[borschtblue]

You did not answer the question as to how much you meditate. It's easy and facile to say that you see anger but you know as well as I do that everyone has buddha nature or awakened mind. I too am a meditation instructor so don't try to pull authority or credentials out so that I am impressed. I am not. And cliched remarks are exactly that: cliches.

To be awake is also to be aware. I happen to be aware of EB's other side so I am not so thrilled to hear about her spiritual materialistic side and that she is admired for pretending to be a homeless person. This is bogus and untruthful. The test is personal experience. I'm sorry but I just can't cheer for EB as I know better.

When Ehrenreich attempted to make out in the world being paid minimum wage she pursued something with authenticity. Her example is the finer one. Take a look.

Go to Haiti or Africa and see how you can live on the street... that is much more sever than the bourgeois approach of hanging out on a New York street. It's easy to sit around in Boulder and spout good advice. Everyone wants to know about self-improvement so books to advise about meditation and all sorts of practices are flourishing. Ultimately, they all say the same thing and you have covered a niche.

We all have to live with ourselves.

Rest in Natural Great Peace.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

why are you so angry? I haven't met you and you are attacking. I wish you well

May you be well May you be Happy May all things go well for you

I lived and trained in India. I meditate everyday..­. I am not your enemy. You say:

"I too am a meditation instructor so don't try to pull authority or credentials out so that I am impressed. I am not."

What you say above is untrue.

In the dharma,

[khanti]

borschtblue, why do you meditate?

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi khanti - I appreciate your comment

What is the origin of your name as it sounds sanskrit? what does it mean?

I have spent time in India and it is familiar

Ed

[soundheals]

HuffPost's Pick

Dear Deb & Ed:

Not much to add to your post this week.

Ultimately, I think that whatever the problem, whether it be from one extreme of homelessness or poverty or to another extreme of power and fame addiction --these imbalance in our consciousness will continue until we begin to realize the understanding of what you call "inclusivity, that we are all a part of each other". The ancient Mayan's used to have a saying "En Lak 'Ech / A Lak En"--which translates as "I am another you / You are another me". Such an understanding is so necessary if we are to continue and evolve as a species.

Thanks for your continued understanding of this.

Blessings of Light & Love through Sound,

Jonathan

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

soundheals Jonathan * Master of Sound * Grammy Nominee

Your comment is brilliant and worth repeating:

Ultimately, I think that whatever the problem, whether it be from one extreme of homelessness or poverty or to another extreme of power and fame addiction --these imbalance in our consciousness will continue until we begin to realize the understanding of what you call "inclusivity, that we are all a part of each other". The ancient Mayan's used to have a saying "En Lak 'Ech / A Lak En"--which translates as "I am another you / You are another me". Such an understanding is so necessary if we are to continue and evolve as a species.

Your loving friend,

Swamiji (Ed)

[soundheals]

Thank you for your honoring of my post.

[AngieMom57]

HuffPost's Pick

"Street retreats are where we live and practice meditation on the streets, begging and sleeping rough just as any homeless person would. We meet for meditation periods together and then disperse to do what we have to in order to survive, such as finding food to eat and boxes to sleep on."

Talks Emmanuel Jal: The music of a war child

http://www.ted.com/talks/emmanuel_jal_the_music_of_a_war_child.html

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

AngieMom57 WOW powerful Film what a story

http://www.ted.com/talks/emmanuel_jal_the_music_of_a_war_child.html

there are some amazing people in this world

Emmanuel Jal is one amazing dude

Thank you

Ed

[AndiG]

HuffPost's Pick

Hi Ed & Deb,
I have a tender place in my heart for anyone who is apparently a bit "down on their luck" so to speak
...who am I to judge?
It is rare for me to not stop and offer a smile and a good wish along with some cash, when I see someone homeless..­.I carry a stash of $5 and $1 dollar bills in my car.
Thanks for bringing a much need focus for our brothers and sisters who are on the street...

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi gorgeous AndiG

I always knew you were a jewel of a lady. Carrying a stash of dineros $1 % @5 's is so kind... I bet you see a lot of smiles and G-D Bless's

ALL LOVE,

Ed

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for this story! I've actually had moments (gratefully not for years) after 9/11 and a heinous period of unemployment of really not knowing how I was going to buy lunch/food. It was quite a learning experience, very humbling.

I am wondering if people are doing these street retreats in Los Angeles. I'm tempted.

Thanks!
Jason

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Jason, contact my friend Grover.. I will email it to you

In my early days I was stranded in India with no money and no way to get back to America. When finally the US government repatriated me and stamped my passport saying I couldn't leave until I paid it back. I couldn't afford to stay anywhere and found an Ashram to sleep until I left.

ALL LOVE,

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Jason, Thanks for your interest in Street retreats .. I just emailed you all the necessary info

It is a wonderf and a great opportunity to experience life from a different perspective

Ed

[stubbygray]

HuffPost's Pick

For me, acting compassionately toward homeless people has always come natural. As a very young person, I knew that every person had a story to tell.

Today, I am grateful for my open heart, despite the pain it has caused me, because I am about to become homeless myself. I have a 5-year-old daughter and we are losing our home at the end of the month. I have known the humiliation of applying for and using food stamps, and I have experienced profound kindness from volunteers at the local emergency food bank.

I am working every day to keep my heart and mind open, and digging deep to summon the faith and trust necessary to embark on this "adventure" with my daughter. It is terrifying, but I must keep strong for my daughter. I cannot let every person who treats us as invisible sap my energy and sense of self-worth. And I know there are kind people everywhere who will see me for what I am, a fellow kind person, a mother, who is temporarily down on her luck. And I am grateful for my own past kindness--if I had treated homeless people callously, I would be so much more fearful than I am now.

Peace

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

stubbygraqy- Thanks for your comment- This must be so difficult for you ... I cannot imagine.

Bless you... it is a time to stay grounded and strong

We hold you in love and compassion.

Treasure yourself,

Ed

PS Deb has something also to say!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Stubbygray, I cannot imagine what you must be going through but you have our heartfelt compassion. And your attitude towards your 'adventure' will give you great strength.
We grow up with the myth that life is meant to be easy and wonderful and it rarely is. Most of us have something difficult we have to deal with.
I honor your courage and warmth, and may you find the new path ahead of you leads you to a garden full of flowers.
Treasure yourself,
Deb

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Oscar Winner sleeping on the street.

Thank you for showing us how deeply committed we can be to stepping outside our comfort zone in the pursuit of a deeper and more profound understanding of who we are as authentic spiritual beings.

You make me smile so big that my teeth want to jump off my face,

Love,
Eli

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey Eli coem on soulsister

you can always

WINK

you are a breath of fresh air

A wise woman you is me friend

ALL LOVE,

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

there is on one ELI

you Light up my life an thousands of others

Lucky for me

Ed (& Deb)

it is a joy connecting with you

[littlepitcher]

When homeless, sometimes it is better to be invisible. Police will concoct a charge to get you a "home" at the jail for the night, and ruin your employment prospects in the process. I lived in a truck for two years, and those night-time parking spots had better be invisible, or you will lose your transportation and be charged with criminal trespass.

Two "visibility" crises: at the state employment office. Bad, rainy month as a street vendor, and I had to withdraw from my tiny IRA. With no address, I had it sent to the employment office. I was called into a conference, given the check, told that I could not use that mailing address anymore, and that I could no longer bring my el-cheapo Walmart laptop into the building. They did, reluctantly, permit me to use the restroom for changing into interview clothing.

The second--a Christmas temp job, in food. I would arrive at work 30 minutes early, take a GI bath, wash my hair, and wrap it up in a service towel for ten minutes. I lived in terror of being caught out as a homeless woman and having my credibility destroyed.

The confusion of early homelessness is real. No scripts exist for being homeless. You reinvent the wheel, it goes flat, and you air it up again each morning, faking normalcy while exploring the surreal.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

littlepitcher Thanks for your commnet

Brilliant comment

well said .. thanks for sharing .. it's a tough workd out there

you seem th ebetter for your experiences

Enjoy,

Ed