For the last posting of 2017, I thought I would share a piece that I have found influential. The Great Wave off Kanagawa, by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849). This print illustrates a massive wave threatening boats off the coast of Kanagawa Japan, with Mount Fuji in the background. Interpretation can be as simple or complex as you want, you choose the adventure. Nietzsche said, “There are no facts, only interpretations,” some believe The Great Wave is depicting the force of a tsunami, a rogue wave, or the fishermen’s struggle with the sea. Others have said it is symbolic of the western idea’s and values overtaking Japan while others maintain it is to show how the Japanese can overcome their obstacles and persevere through the dangers of the world. The real question though, is what do you see when you look at?
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If you are lucky enough to spend time in mindful communities you will hear the phrase “letting go” used frequently. The practice of letting go is used to support our acceptance of the way things are, and I believe it's a cornerstone of creating a happy, full life. But what happens when you're being asked to let go of something that is deeply emotionally charged or something that directly relates to how you identify yourself?
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Nisargadatta Maharaj was equally insistent on channeling desire toward the Self: “Increase and widen your desires till nothing but reality can fulfill them. It is not desire that is wrong, but its narrowness and smallness. Desire is devotion. By all means be devoted to the Real, the Infinite, the eternal Heart of Being. Transform desire into love. All you want is to be happy… To imagine that some little things - food, sex, power, fame - will make you happy is to deceive yourself. Only something as vast and deep as your Real Self can make you truly and lastingly happy.”
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Filmmaker Greg Krehel captures 15 varieties of stunning Echinopsis cactus flowers blooming in this incredible time-lapse. The process happens overnight, and the flowers last for only a day, with a peak period occurring for a mere hour or two.
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Just be, is something I frequently see in today's media but does anybody really, know what that means? If we do not know the immediate answer, some of our social circles may provide a definition, or a quick google search will produce a laundry list of information but what does it mean to you? Right now, how would you define "Just be?" If you read a sign that said "Just Be," how would you respond or how would you feel? Would it blur into the background with all the other words that occupy signs that inundate us daily?
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I also waited for a life partner to enjoy life. His love would protect me. I had no guarantee that I would not hurt again, but if there was one person guaranteed to love me, then I could endure other disappointments that life would throw at me. I wouldn’t go camping, to concerts, or even to the Sunday market unless I had someone with me who was “the one.” I missed out on so much while I waited for the love blanket to protect me so I could feel safe enough to discover myself. I was a love addict. And I didn’t know it.
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A man’s true nature reflects very strongly in his plans for the future. If he aspires firstly to spiritual progress and builds his life around his spiritual aspirations. His plans are not necessarily based on the things he wants to acquire in life, or the positions he wants to hold in life, but rather on cultivating a life that allows himself to develop happiness and spirituality, and of course bring that into the life of the people he shares his time with. The plans he does make on decisions to give to charity, to visit sacred places, to engage in various activities to clear his consciousness.
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Eliminating passive aggressiveness involves establishing clarity about the dividing lines between you and your partner—and respect for each other’s emotional and physical space. It also calls for flexibility. Ideally, you and your partner can get to a place where you feel secure enough in your relationship that you can change your boundaries without fear of losing yourself or the relationship. You will feel flexible in your boundaries because it’s your choice, not because your partner is pressuring you.
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This morning’s meditation focused on compassion and nonjudgment. This is something that we and the entire world need a lot more of. Do you ever think about compassion and how you can bring more of it to yourself and to those around you? It’s true that it can be hard sometimes as the people that need compassion the most can also be those who push our buttons and make us want to close up and pull away.
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There’s a classic Buddhist story about two monks who come upon a woman at the edge of a river. One of the monks carries her across and they continue on their way. Several miles on, the other monk turns to the first and says, “How could you do that? We have made vows never to touch a woman!” The first looks serenely at him. “Are you still carrying her? I set her down at the edge of the river.”
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et another sad day... he had a hell of Life. Guess the only thing fitting in this situation is to have one more drink and then I’ll go #meltillis#countrylegend
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