The Inner Landscape of Beauty

NPR Speaking of faith interview with John O'Donohue who speaks about the inter-twining of spiritual and material, visible and invisible.

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/john_odonahue/

Do It Now (Rumi)

May this beautiful setting of Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks) to a lovely adagio by Safri Duo bring joy and courage to you. May we all learn to break free from the limitation of self doubt about our true worth. Every heart yearns to break out of this prison and to walk into the world as if suddenly born into color.

Do it Now. Take possession of your Divine birthright.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2nYZSoIMY8&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Only Breath (Rumi)

John O'donohue speaks about the possibility of a relationship between a place and its inhabitant(s). What if a place could feel your presence, even take joy in your return. What if your return was awaited by place, and your absence keenly felt. Could it be that place feels joy in your being there? Does your house regret your leaving in the morning? Does the field miss the gentle pressure of your body when you leave your secret place of slumber? Does the mountain stream miss the joyful sound of splashing children?

And what do we do to nurture this possibility? When we return to a favorite place, how do we communicate our joy at being there. Do we nurture and feed with our joy the connection we share with place? Do we hear the whispered affections through the leaves? Can we feel the gentle caress on our cheek as we lay gazing skyward?

And how much more does our planet morn the loss of our affection? Can we not see in the despoiled landscape the sadness of loss? Like a mother who has lost her child, the earth weeps with such profound sadness.

This recitation of the Rumi poem "Only Breath" by Coleman Barks brings us into touch with the Divine relationship we have with the planet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZqAnIp5dMQ

Christmas in Kennilworth

Christmas Poem (Rumi)

He comes,
a moon whose like the sky ne'er saw,
awake or dreaming.
Crowned with eternal flame
no flood can lay.

Lo, from the flagon of thy love, O Lord,
my soul is swimming,
And ruined all my body's house of clay!
When first the Giver of the grape
my lonely heart befriended,
Wine fired my bosom and my veins filled up;

But when his image all min eye possessed,
a voice descended:
'Well done, O sovereign Wine and peerless Cup!'

Love's mighty arm
from roof to base each dark abode is hewing,
Where chinks reluctant
catch a golden ray.

My heart, when Love's sea of a sudden
burst into its viewing,
Leaped headlong in,
with 'Find me now who may!'

As, the sun moving,
clouds behind him run,
All hearts attend thee,
O Tabriz's Sun!


For a rather complete anthology of Rumi Poems go to:
http://www.khamush.com/

Tibetan Medicine Chant for inner healing

This is a very powerful Tibetan Buddhist Mantra chanted to eliminate not only pain of disease but also to help in overcoming the major inner sickness of attachment, hatred, jealousy, desire, greed and ignorance.

Mantra chanted by Khenpo Pema Chopel Rinpoche from the CD 'The Blessing from H.H. Penor Rinpoche for World Peace'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUJucA-mrgE&feature=related

Obama's Oslo Speech

Follow the link for this inspiring 37 minute speech. How fortunate we are to have such an intelligent president who speaks with rare wisdom. In this Nobel acceptance speech, Obama speaks to the fundamental problem of reconciling our opposite human natures; violent and peaceful, greedy and generous, full of fear yet possessing a courageous determination to reach for ..

"... the world that ought to be -- that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls. "

In the final stirring moments, Obama makes the following remarks which inspire us to work for this vision.

"Somewhere today, in the here and now,
in the world as it is,
a soldier sees he's outgunned,
but stands firm to keep the peace.

Somewhere today,
in this world,
a young protestor
awaits the brutality of her government,
but has the courage to march on.

Somewhere today,
a mother facing punishing poverty
still takes the time to teach her child,
scrapes together what few coins she has
to send that child to school --
because she believes
that a cruel world
still has a place for that child's dreams.

Let us live by their example.
We can acknowledge that oppression
will always be with us,
and still strive for justice.

We can admit the intractability of depravation,
and still strive for dignity.
Clear-eyed,
we can understand that there will be war,
and still strive for peace.

We can do that --
for that is the story of human progress;
that's the hope of all the world;
and at this moment of challenge,
that must be our work here on Earth."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3uU_mCNcKM

We are now poised at a great moment.

Beautiful Rilke poem and images to ponder.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpqbN4wxaLo&feature=PlayList&p=88F91364393F894A&index=0&playnext=1

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Here is Frost's famous poem, which seems a fitting tribute not only to the recent record snowfall, but to the winter solstice. Enjoy and all the best for the new year!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nie5dGD6OQA


And for a look at those most beautiful frozen water crystals go to:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BbZL750_As

Rilke Solstice Poem

Here is a Rilke poem sent by Steve for the season. This is a time to rejoice in the return of the light, however that light may be represented for you. To view the poem with music follow the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_82q4J5gskI&feature=related


You, sent out beyond your recall,
Go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.

Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you:
Beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don't let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.



And for a video montage of the sun go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdwGb-iJOeI


And for some awesome flares (at about 1:40sec into the clip) go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fql0Wm1w1K4&feature=fvw

Monkey Mind Antidote

Very beautiful refracted light set to soothing music. Great for a refreshing moment to calm the monkey mind.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K93aPRE5-jo&feature=related

OM Mantra chant

Here is another chant with beautiful images of flying through the alps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lps1hzr0x80&feature=related

Overcoming

I went to Hawkscry today
to finish some work
installing the insulation in the roof.

It was a clear and cold day
and I had some difficulty overcoming
the desire to do nothing,
which in this case was unhealthy.

Sometimes I resist the work before me
I focus too much on the end product
and not the process. I often want to do things
too quickly.
This is stressful.

Work in a measured way,
pay better attention to the work
and not so much attention to getting something done
in some kind of time frame
This a better way for me.

There is no future in this constant striving to finish
Only the now, the present do-ing of it
Is real. I may die in the next instant
Better to pay attention to the do-ing of it now.

Then too, I love the company of another
when I am working.
I like to share the work,
not so much to lessen the burden,
though it does that, but...

just to be in the presence of another human
sharing a connection,
This is joy.

And I like to think the energy
put into work
makes it that much better.

I did overcome my desire to abandon the work,
Got myself moving forward,
accomplished what I set out to do
and got the satisfaction

More Wendell Berry

Wendell muses about his life and ideas at the Wisconsin Book Festival at Madison WI. Watching him makes you want to change the way you live in the world. His humility is real and makes a strong impression. His wisdom is simple and direct and founded in a deep love and respect for the world.

This interview is 28 minutes long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMlvvZvXcPY

Found Your Hope One The Ground Beneath Your Feet

Wendell Berry speaks to a sold out audience at George Washington University. His simple wisdom is an American treasure. Here Wendell speaks and recites his poem Sabbath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJN7zb0oCvc&feature=PlayList&p=81B4DAE48B53AB44&index=0

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front" from The Country of Marriage, copyright © 1973 by Wendell Berry,

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,vacation with pay. Want moreof everything ready-made. Be afraidto know your neighbors and to die.And you will have a window in your head.Not even your future will be a mysteryany more. Your mind will be punched in a cardand shut away in a little drawer.When they want you to buy somethingthey will call you. When they want youto die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do somethingthat won't compute. Love the Lord.Love the world. Work for nothing.Take all that you have and be poor.Love someone who does not deserve it.Denounce the government and embracethe flag. Hope to live in that freerepublic for which it stands.Give your approval to all you cannotunderstand.

Praise ignorance, for what manhas not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.Say that your main crop is the forestthat you did not plant,that you will not live to harvest.Say that the leaves are harvestedwhen they have rotted into the mold.Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humusthat will build under the treesevery thousand years.Listen to carrion - put your earclose, and hear the faint chatteringof the songs that are to come.Expect the end of the world. Laugh.Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyfulthough you have considered all the facts.So long as women do not go cheapfor power, please women more than men.Ask yourself: Will this satisfya woman satisfied to bear a child?Will this disturb the sleepof a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.Lie down in the shade. Rest your headin her lap. Swear allegianceto what is nighest your thoughts.As soon as the generals and the politicoscan predict the motions of your mind,lose it. Leave it as a signto mark the false trail, the wayyou didn't go. Be like the foxwho makes more tracks than necessary,some in the wrong direction.Practice resurrection.

Give your eyes a gift.

Liquid moving crystals provide a lovely feast for tired eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuu6FQ3mb6A&feature=related

OM Prayer for the planet

Taking a few minutes each day to calm the mind helps slow the chatter and becomes habit forming in the best sense. This simple prayer is set to lovely images. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PJx8PE_GVM&feature=related

For Laura on her Birthday

May we all shine with the light of love and compassion in the New Year. May we dissolve whatever it is in our life that keeps the light from shining through. May everything we do bring light into the darkness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLUbJi8agi4&feature=related

The Lotus Sutra

Just listening to this stirs the empty pot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r364h19dXio&feature=related

Translation:

http://www.buddhanet.net/chant-nichiren.htm

Slow practice with audio recitation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGKxZ-k963M&feature=related

Too Much Stuff

Anne Leonard explores the relationship between extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of the stuff we have in this creative video clip. There is a good list of resources for all aspects of the cycle. There are also suggestions about what to do about it on a personal level. Follow the link

http://www.storyofstuff.org/index.php

Keep It Simple

I think somehow we have been led to believe that simple is stupid. The message we get from the media swirl is that more is better, and the more complicated and fancy it is the better. Although this frenzy for more has calmed a little in the current economic meltdown, the media hype is vigorously trying to convince us to get back to our habitual over indulgence and excessive consumerism. It is even pitched as patriotic. The idea that 5% of the world's population uses 23% of the energy is not much called into question. But obviously, this imbalance can not continue without increasingly troublesome consequences. For more comparisons go to

http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org/population_energy

In the book Humanure, the author Joseph Jenkins makes the case for using simple "green" toilets in which human waste is recycled back into the earth instead of using drinking water to flush it into a system which then must use some serious juju to handle it before dumping back into the environment. This is the method used at Hawkscry, because we do not have a sewer system by choice and we want to do the absolute minimum to add to the already over polluted earth.


When I talk about this "shit in a bucket" technology I often get some pretty strange looks. The idea is so far outside the scope of possibility for many. I suppose this is understandable, since they haven't read anything on the subject. Here are a few inspiring words from the book Humanure. They speak eloquently for simplicity.

ENVIRONMENTAL POTTY TRAINING 101


Simple, low-tech composting systems not only have a positive impact on the Earth's ecosystems, but are proven to be sustainable. Westerners may think that any system not requiring technology is too primitive to be worthy of respect.

However, when western culture is nothing more than a distant and fading memory in the collective mind of humanity thousands (hundreds?) of years from now, the humans who will have learned how to survive on this planet in the long term will be those who have learned how to live in harmony with it. That will require much more than intelligence or technology - it will require a sensitive understanding of our place as humans in the web of life. That self-realization may be beyond the grasp of our egocentric intellects. Perhaps what is required of us in order to gain such an awareness is a sense of humility, and a renewed respect for that which is simple.

Some would argue that a simple system of humanure composting can also be the most advanced system known to humanity. It may be considered the most advanced because it works well while consuming little, if any, non-renewable resources, producing no pollution, and actually creating a resource vital to life.

Others may argue that in order for a system to be considered "advanced," it must display all the gadgets, doodads and technology normally associated with advancement. The argument is that something is advanced if it's been created by the scientific community, by humans, not by nature. That's like saying the most advanced method of drying one's hair is using a nuclear reaction in a nuclear power plant to produce heat in order to convert water to steam. The steam is then used to turn an electric generator in order to produce electricity. The electricity is used to power a plastic hair-drying gun to blow hot air on one's head. That's technological advancement. It reflects humanity's intellectual progress . . . (which is debatable).

True advancement, others would argue, instead requires the balanced development of humanity's intellect with physical and spiritual development. We must link what we know intellectually with the physical effects of our resultant behavior, and with the understanding of ourselves as small, interdependent, interrelated life forms relative to a greater sphere of existence. Otherwise, we create technology that excessively consumes non-renewable resources and creates toxic waste and pollution in order to do a simple task such as hair drying, which is easily done by hand with a towel. If that's advancement, we're in trouble.

Perhaps we're really advancing ourselves when we can function healthfully, peacefully, and sustainably without squandering resources and without creating pollution. That's not a matter of mastering the intellect or of mastering the environment with technology, it's a matter of mastering one's self, a much more difficult undertaking, but certainly a worthy goal.

Finally, I don't understand humans. We line up and make a lot of noise about big environmental problems like incinerators, waste dumps, acid rain, global warming, and pollution. But we don't understand that when we add up all the tiny environmental problems each of us creates, we end up with those big environmental dilemmas. Humans are content to blame someone else, like government or corporations, for the messes we create, and yet we each continue doing the same things, day in and day out, that have created the problems.

Sure, corporations create pollution. If they do, don't buy their products. If you have to buy their products (gasoline for example), keep it to a minimum. Sure, municipal waste incinerators pollute the air. Stop throwing trash away. Minimize your production of waste. Recycle. Buy food in bulk and avoid packaging waste. Simplify. Turn off your TV. Grow your own food. Make compost. Plant a garden. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. If you don't, who will?

If you are interested in the concept follow the link to the Humanure Handbook.

http://www.weblife.org/humanure/default.html





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The Rooted Earth

Beautiful poetry from Annelinde Metzner. Go to her blog at

http://therootedearth.blogspot.com/

Rooftop (Under the star Canopy)

Rooftop

When I was a child
I would lie in bed
Watching the sky-ceiling,

Knowing
There were a hundred worlds
Up there where we all come from.

And I would silently speak,
Saying, "I know You are busy with
Wars and presidents, famines and kings-

But if you could come and get me
And take me to my people.
I would be very appreciative..."

I knew by the way the stars
Circled and swirled
That I was heard.

And one day, family would appear.
Like a ring-
Like a window Into love.

And I would be sitting
On the inside, looking out,
Instead of how I am now-

Under the star-canopy
Waiting for the roofline to appear.



Tracey Schmidt
from I Have Fallen in Love with the World



Tracey Schmidt Photography
www.traceyschmidt.com

HOME

A beautiful film about our precious planet. Learn about how we got to where we are and be inspired to make changes to protect our planet. This is film length so you will need to make time or view in several sittings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU

Worldwide air traffic patterns

Air traffic control, we have a problem!

Great Vacation Spot

For a really interesting vacation why not try out this place? You'll love it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJV6LepT6W8&feature=related

Oh Beautiful Precious Blue Mother

How precious our planet. Watching our beautiful blue marble of a planet in space fills me with awe. It makes me sad to think how little we have cared for this paradise we live on, how much we have taken for granted. We must learn to change the way we think of the planet, to give it rights and to nurture it as a living entity.

Thomas Berry said that the universe is a communion of subjects and not a collection of objects.Thomas Berry passed away on June 1st 2009. He was remembered by many who gave tribute to him and his vision for a more interconnected relationship with the natural world. Joseph Prabhu, member of the Melbourne Parliament, had the following to say.

Thomas pointed the way after centuries of estrangement and human domination of the earth to what he called The Ecozoic Era, where humankind would see itself as a vital and conscious part of a vast, interconnected and living whole--a true “communion of subjects.”

Thomas in many ways continued the work and expanded the vision of his renowned predecessor in whose footsteps he followed, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Teilhard once proclaimed, “Some day, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of Love. And then for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.”

The following excerpt written by Thomas Berry expresses the essence of the founding principles of his thinking. Here is a simple experience, something we can all relate to ourselves, elevated to a level that most of us have forgotten ; how to really see the natural world as an extension of ourselves.

"It was an early afternoon in May when I first wandered down the incline, crossed the creek, and looked out over the scene. The field was covered with white lilies rising above the thick grass. A magic moment, this experience gave to my life something that seems to explain my life at a…profound level. It was not only the lilies. It was the singing of the crickets and the woodlands in the distance and the clouds in a clear sky…

…This early experience… has become normative for me throughout the entire range of my thinking. Whatever preserves and enhances this meadow in the natural cycles of its transformation is good, what is opposed to this meadow or negates it is not good…
That is good in economics which fosters the natural processes of this meadow. So in jurisprudence, law, and political affairs—that is good which recognizes the rights of this meadow and the creek and the woodlands to exist and flourish in the ever-renewing seasonal expression.

Let us work each moment, in large and small ways, to harness the awesome power of Love."

Follow the link to wonder at the beauty entrusted to our care.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwwioJhQzeg

21st Century Education

Just exactly what are these so-called new skills? Mike Rose (UCLA) writes convincingly that we have tipped a bit too far in the direction of preparing children to take their place in the workplace as productive "units". Grant it, it is a seductive clarion call in these times of economic stress, but the dichotomy set up with the notion of out with the old in in with the new has troubling consequences. So often once the cliche gets really established, much time and energy is often diverted to accommodate the "new ideas", often only marginally tested to the deficit of the "old ideas" which had plenty going for them in the first place. My view is that the problems besetting education are closely linked to poverty, and the crumbling family structure. The hearth has pretty much disappeared in America for the under class, but there isn't much of one anywhere really. The critical support from parents is often missing, and the loss of the neighborhood school has contributed to the alienation of parents from schools. Kids are not getting the support they need to develop into good human beings, let alone the productive "units" that industry needs. There may be no particular value to industry in sensitizing children to the beauty of nature and the dangers that beset it or the perils of over consumption, but these are skills and attitudes needed in the future if we are to survive with our humanity intact.

Follow the link for an article in Truthdig.

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/21st_century_skills_educations_new_cliche_20091208/

Flight Attendant Meditation

Here is what it looks like from my office!!

Follow the links below and click on the full screen option. Enjoy!! Peace!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwTnyRHEZSQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR3dM-GlZK8&feature=related

Northern Lights

Something wonderful to watch when the pace gets too hectic. Take a moment to watch these beautiful live images of the aurora borealis with a peaceful sound track. Follow the link below. Click on the full screen option and enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpRBo5_HFUg&feature=related

CO2 Solutions

It's all the buzz now and it seems that global climate change has caught the attention of our politicians who are in a position to legislate important changes that may save us from the terrible consequences of rising temperatures.

As individuals, we can continue to inform ourselves of the issue, and more importantly take steps to bring about changes in our own behavior. Sometimes I am overcome by the big picture and fall into a place of despair, which of course leads to a weakened sense of empowerment.

But the small things add up. I can see for example that each month this year my power bill relative to last year's is lower because I changed out all the light bulbs (or most) in the house. (Of course I am going blind trying to read in the reduced light, but whatever...). I get a feeling of empowerment by this small but real measurable change. It gives me a goal to strive for that is doable.

I never really thought too much about a really important source of co2 in the air; livestock production. Recently, Paul McCartney encouraged people to do a meatless Monday, cutting meat consumption by 1/7. Seems like a small sacrifice for those of us who eat meat with possibly big results overall. But here again is a small way to reduce our footprint.

Follow the link for an in-depth article " Livestock and Climate Ckange"related to this idea sent to me by my sister. It is long and scientific, but contains a lot of good information if you have the time. Or just change out all your light bulbs....

From the site, go to Blogs: Dateline: Copenhagen: bring up the pdf file for livestock and climate change on the right side


www.worldwatch.org/ww/livestock.


If you have other ideas for reducing your overall footprint, leave a comment.

Spirit and Photography

I have a friend, Steve Dixon, who works in the tradition of Ansel Adams producing black and white photographs that capture the beauty and spirit in our natural world. You can really feel the love and care behind each image. Steve studies each subject with the goal of finding just the right moment to capture the living moment, and he knows how to make each image sing with light. Check out his site below. Clicking on each image will bring up additional images. Have fun!

http://www.stevedixonphotos.com/

Galaxy Wonders

One of the most awe-inspiring views of the heavens I ever had was from the Sahara desert in Algeria where Jane and I used to live. We were located not far from the desert in the Atlas Mountains near Constantine (Ain Smara) and it was only a half-day's trip by car to the gateway to the desert in Tamanrasset. From that place, the expanse of golden shifting sand extended forever south and you could easily follow a 2 lane road into the desert with relative safety.

One night we took a trip out into the cold vastness surrounding the little village we were staying in and parked the car. Because of the absence of light pollution and the lack of air pollution and moisture, the heavens were lit up like I have never seen them. There seemed to be no place where there was not a dense field of minute points of light; distant stars and galaxies were endlessly arrayed throughout the great arching dome overhead. Standing there quietly, one could not help feeling awed, and especially humbled. Yet I did not feel alone strangely, floating somewhere pointlessly in the great universal tumble of light and infinite space, a mere product of chance chemical and molecular interactions. Instead, I felt quite especially blessed to be able to witness such majesty and to contemplate what my own particular role might be in that possibility. I wondered about the question of whether form follows consciousness, as Meher Baba says, or if the opposite is true as Darwin would maintain.

Baba maintains that the whole purpose of bringing the universe into existence (the original whim which set the evolution of consciousness into play) was so that God would experience love through creation. Baba uses the ocean as a metaphor. The ultimate goal is for each individual drop of water to cease to experience itself as an individual drop, and to experience itself as the entire ocean; the ocean of Love, as Baba often said.

The impetus of the conscious (or unconscious) urge to know the answer to the question "Who am I?" is the energetic thread that propels the evolution of matter from mineral to animal to human, the ultimate stage before the process of involution, or eventual conscious realization that the answer to the question "Who am I?" is "I am God!"



Tired of inhabiting your small corner of the universe. Take a trip through space and get inspired with the wonders that abound. Follow the link below:



http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/entire

Highway Hell

Recently Jane and I took a trip to Raleigh to attend Claire's final project presentation of 10 designs based on traditional and indiginous inspirations. They were beautiful and professionally realized and it was so exciting to see the progress Claire has made with her design ability and execution.

On the way we passed a deer that had become trapped between the highway and the fence constructed to prevent just such an occurence. It was heartbreaking to watch as the deer attempted to find a way to safety, being thwarted at every attempt. We slowed down but even at reduced highway speeds it would have been impossible to avoid killing the animal if we collided, which we did not. I couldn't help wondering how long this agony would continue for the animal before someone would inevitably collide with the desperate deer, possible even causing a more serious accident.

As we passed the scene, Jane thought she saw blood at the animal's mouth. Possibly there had already been a hit and the animal was running on sheer adrenelin, soon to succumbe to exhaustion or shock. I could see the wild panic in the eyes as it traced an erratic path next to the highway.

This caused me to reflect on the plight of so many of our wild "neighbors" everywhere. I am determined to allow Hawkscry to be a small refuge for wild animals, preventing hunting and trespass as much as possible and creating conditions that encourage them to stay such as allowing natural undercover to remain and not altering the natural conditions in the greater part of the property (no development).

Waiting by the Stream

I had to make a quick trip out to Hawkscry to turn off the water system owing to the cold weather on the way. Temperatures are predicted to drop into the mid 20's, enough to freeze the line which then takes many days to thaw, not to speak of the line damage possible with a freeze. Using gravity feed water from a stream sure makes you aware that it is a precious resource and does not just magically appear from nowhere as is the impression one could get using city water.

Part of the process involves slightly opening the valve at the lowest point in the system, which is actually laying in the stream bed. This permits the water to drain from the pipe in a measured fashion, and the flow should keep the line from feeezing, though this will eventually empty the upper reservoir of 350 gallons. Not to worry, the main reservoir has 1500 gallons and is full, enough to last through the winter even without replenishment, as we are not up there that often in the cold months.

This gave me an opportunity to sit quietly on a rock in the stream bed and observe my surroundings, now laid somewhat bare by the winter. I like to think that I can see the bones of the land at this time. Stripped of its verdant coat of leaves, the earth looks hard and resolute. There is a no nonsense, raw feel to it and I am not that comfortable with it to be honest. I see all the chaos of a living mountain, and my inclination is to try to do something about that, put some order into it all, clean up and hide the debris of death. The sheer magnitude of that effort brings me back to reality, and I just sit. I wait for something to arrive, a fresh idea maybe, some little glint of insight that might lighten the load a bit. And usually, if I am patient enough and stick around through the desire to flee, something always comes, though it is not always remembered or easily articulated. Sometimes it is just grace that descends and brushes across me like a faint whisper leaving a feeling akin to contentment.

Today what came was this. Being filled with judgement is quite a hindrance to finding peace. It is not so much that this or that is good or bad in your life, it is just that some things simply get in the way of progress, especially progress toward uncovering your true nature, which is devine. Judgement makes you feel isolated. Even if you are smug and isolated, it is not helpful. It is better to clear the way of this clutter, this constant judgement that makes you feel other. If we are all of the same devine source, than we all participae in some way. We can not really stand aside and point our judgemental fingers . We must see what role we play in whatever we are judging. Then we can allow compassion and understanding to settle into our thinking and guide our actions.

What has absolute worth?

With all the great swirl of events that overtake us on a daily basis, the barage of news (mostly horribly negative) and media distractions, it is easy to feel insignificant and without power. I feel tempted to throw up my hands in surrender to this onslaught, allow myself to be carried away into feelings of utter defeat. How could I possibly make much of a difference? Each headline is worse than the last. There seems to be no end in sight to the virulent hatred.

I find it helpful to remember what Meher Baba said about what has real intrinsic value, absolute worth.

To penetrate into the essence of all being and significance,
and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment
for the guidance and benefit of others,
by expressing in the world of forms
truth, love, purity, and beauty
this is the sole game
which has any intrinsic and absolute worth.
All other happenings, incidents,
and attainments can, in themselves,
have no lasting importance.

So I am called to express and also to recognize and appreciate truth, love, purity and beauty. Nothing else has any meaning. Each day must begin with the setting of this intention; to find ways to express and recognize truth, love, purity, and beauty no matter what, to resist falling into impotence, to express these states within my own limited sphere and to accept that this is enough.

If you want to find out more about Meher Baba go to the following link. It is a bit long, but you get a lot for your time.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3779003434028043969#

The Present Moment

How hard it is to be in the present moment! My mind will do just about anything to avoid that place. Why? It seems to me that the answer is that the present moment makes no demands on you because when you are there you simply cease to exist as a seperate being and merge into the great universal nothingness, in other words, all the superstructure supporting the ego fades and you become concious of your oneness with God. This reality never changes, but we are seldom concious of it. In deep sleep we are one with God, but we are not concious of it. Dwelling in the present moment brings conciousness to this truth in the awake state.

My ego is thus threatened by this present moment which makes no demands. There is nothing to plan for, to avoid, to regret, to hope for. There is simply the invisible edge of the blade. It is a place where only light can exist, no shadows of any kind. One must undergo a kind of death to dwell there, even for a moment, and this is something the ego is not comfortable with.

We can however gently move our conciousness in this direction by learning to recognize the value in being still, in not filling up every moment with some sort of distraction. We can learn to accept ourselves unconditionally as extensions of God energy, which is to say Love. We can learn to reside in the harbour of that embrace which makes no demands and which invites you to furl the puffed up sails of ego. There is nowhere to go, afterall.

Here is an interesting talk by Krishnamurti and Eckhart Tolle called the Instances of Now. Enjoy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5898375271662409422#

The world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles,
no matter how long,
but only by a spiritual journey,
a journey of one inch,
very arduous and humbling and joyful,
by which we arrive
at the ground at our feet,
and learn to be at home.

Thomas Merton (?)

If you want to visit the Thomas Merton Institute go to

http://www.mertoninstitute.org/

Bow To The Essence

Bow to the Essence

A lover has four streams inside,
of water, wine, honey, and milk.
Find those in yourself
and pay no attention to what so-and-so says about such-and-such.
The rose does not care
if someone calls it a thorn, or a jasmine.
Ordinary eyes categorize human beings.
That one is a Zoroastrian. This one a Muslim.
Walk instead with the other vision given you, your first eyes.
Bow to the essence in a human being.
Do not be content with judging people good and bad.
Grow out of that.
The great blessing is that Shams
has poured a strength into the ground
that lets us wait and trust the waiting. ~

Rumi (Translation Coleman Barks)
=========================================================================

If you yearn for more Rumi, here are a few recitations with lovely images. (You will need to ignore the adverts however. A funny juxtaposition of reality and illusion here...especially the roaring lion which last for about 5 seconds. One must wade through a cetrtain amount of debris to get to the beauty....

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7c51k_deepak-choopra-a-gift-of-love-the-l_music

For a short introduction to the life of Rumi, go to the following site. Again, you have to put up with some adverts. Sorry....

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4sbub_introduction-to-rumi_creation

Some photographs from the 2009 New Years celebration

Hawkscry hot water system

Today I had nothing much to do since it was raining cats and dogs and I am recuperating from a back injury. I was surfing the web for design ideas and came across a good bargin for an on- demand water heater which should work really well for the cabin. It is made by ecco (the L10 delux model that was listed for 700.00 but selling for 239.00 (plus I got a 30.00 credit for making the purchace with a new visa card!) I am excited to see how it will work. I have been thinking about the various ways to insure hot water for showers, and this will do the job hopefully.

Yesterday I went out to do a final mowing of the field (using the riding mower that I just finished paying off!) and I really bent the blade on a tree root as well as other vivible damage under the deck and on the pulley system as well. I was not too happy. I had to really work to get the mower free from the root which was hard because of my back pain still present. This means the hassel of getting the mower into town as well as the price of repair.

The weather has certainly changed around from yesterday, when it was sunny and in the 50's. Today nothing but rain and wind and quite chilly. Tomorrow it will clear up a bit and presently the sky is clearing and there is some color in the sky.