Death

Some old guy once said the meaning of life is that it ends.

Yoga

In the still space
awaits truth

As we swing

As we swing to and fro
the center appeals
as we swing less
the center reveals

Difficult Day?

Are you having a difficult day?
That is not where you need remain
practice yoga!

Science and Religion

They are not opposites. We often place them in that box. That too, is indicative of our quest to understand. We have a need to know, to wonder, to question. Ok!

As the herd migrates for the winter do they question why they do so? Or is it that we like to think they must question the unknown just as we do? We are human beings. They are animals.

I once read the Torah from cover to cover. A feat that I will not repeat, but it was fun. I came away from that experience changed. I think during those times of history that extraordinary things occurred. It was a time when there were few who were able to record it in writing and able to pass on that which was not written via memory.

Yet, as the acts of investigation progress we’re beginning to unravel events that can be explained by evidence. Now we seem to have evidence of how the sea parted. Will these discoveries lead us to eventually understand how Moses could have actually met G-d at Sinai? Or that we will understand how Jesus could have risen? Or that there actually was a Siddhartha known as the Buddha?

So, for today, I ask: Why spoil the fun?

What I mean is don’t we all benefit from faith? Some require an “organized” religion. Some are content investigating until we “understand”. Yet, when all else fails, do we not find peace when we surrender? When we surrender there are no limits. None. Try it. But you must have faith.

Dove

While walking Boodha we wandered into a back alley for a variation on our walk. Perhaps to see another side of life instead of the typical sidewalk and suburban stroll. As we passed a very small and deteriorating garage, I looked up and perched within the gutter, with it's head looking out over the edge, was a dove watching us. We stopped walking and held eye contact with the dove.....the wind ceased.....all was still and quiet like the inside of a vessel....as we continued to look into each other. We remained as such for the longest of time.

Dan Millman's "There is never nothing going on" came to mind.  This time an animal presented us with the reality of a moment.

I am grateful for times like this.

Path

This world of suffering
there is a path
it can be ok.

how are you?
I'm ok!

I'm on my way
Oh pain
Oh suffering
This will be okay.

What we have/What we leave

A true story as told to me, today, by a dear friend who remains anonymous. ok.

On his deathbed, the father, tells his wife and children that after he dies not to throw out his clothes. He says to go through his clothes to find the things he has left behind.

So, as requested, after his death the children open the closet, take out all the clothes and begin going through them. Tucked in a cuff here was a $100 bill. Under a collar there another $100 bill. A diamond ring sewn into the coat lining. And so on. When through they had a treasure trove of money and jewelry. As they were all discussing what to do with the treasure, the Mother/Wife says to the children they should take it all. Why? asks one son. The Mother/Wife replied: I wished i could have had him.

What is it we leave our families when we pass? What is it we have when we are alive?

On a Plane

Returning home from Mother’s burial

On one side sits a man with no sight

Listening to music

On the other side sits an angry man

Sitting quietly

The man with no sight

Introduces himself and extends his hand

The angry man looks over to me

I offer a gentle smile

I offer my hand to the man with no sight

The angry man glares unfriendly back at me

One man offers life

The other man rejects it

One can harden up or

One can also turn soft, yield and love

Such is life

I sing to you

Warrior

I just ran across this quote from one of my favorite authors, John Gierach. Fly fishing has been a passion of mine for a while now.....more due to the places one goes to enjoy the sport.....as in deep in the forests on a river, alone with the water, sky, valleys and creatures.

"The only thing separating a whiner from a spiritual warrior is motive."

Try this, it's a little drippy and sad at times, but a perfect match of instrument to sentiment:
Nostalgie - Romances for Harmonica  by  Michael Hoppe