11 Apr The Way Of The Way 266
Your life is such an amazing story. Perhaps you could imagine a better one, but then you would miss out on your life....
09 Apr The Spiritual Master Who Knew The Workings Of God
A couple of years back, I was introduced to a "spiritual master." We spoke at length and when it was clear that I was comfortably retired, he suggested: "As I know the workings of God and you've got the money and time to do as you wish, let's spend a year together studying spiritual matters." I then asked him what would we do following year, to which he replied: "Then I'll have the money and time to do as I wish and you'll know the workings of God."...
08 Apr The Way Of The Way 265
Rich are those who appreciate what they have. Poor are those who can only appreciate what they have in comparison to other things....
06 Apr The Way Of The Way 264
When you truly awaken from the dream state and familiarity of everyday life, you see every-thing as it is; unique, as seeing it for the first time. In amazement, you ask what, why, who; what is this place, why is it here, who made it? Unlike what and why, who is a sound made puckering your lips and blowing a stream of air from your lungs forward. The stream of breath is the essence of life. Your breath is what creates everything. You are who. The what and why is who you are....
05 Apr Mourning Rituals
Each morning I return from sleep-death and ever so slowly separate from being one with everything in a timeless place to a finite and temporal self. Before forgetting from whence I came, I recite the Mourning Prayer: Oh eternal universe oh ever-changing universe oh timeless universe oh endless universe. Thank God for creating the universe and granting us consciousness to realize our oneness with everything. The people I've been and the roles I've played in days passed, my prior lives, are illusions Now, I am who I am and every-thing is what it is whatever it is. Regardless of circumstances, I am grateful for however my life unfolds today, hopeful to realize divine consciousness, happy helping others likewise and laughing at my efforts to realize that which is always here. Shanti Shanti Shanti Now awakened, I reposition from horizontal pose, where all are of equal height, to vertical. Footsteps away is the throne for the ritual burial of what nourished me last life. Then, shower calls my name for washing and massaging the temporary envelope that holds me together and, without mirror, mind concentrates on shaving the face. Once dried and dressed for appearance on stage, fresh-squeezed blood orange juice seaweed salad hardboiled quail eggs toped with anchovies, followed by a Robusto-size cigar and black coffee. My new life begins, for which I already have much to be grateful. With that in mind, it's a wonderful day....
05 Apr Franklin D. Roosevelt
"There is nothing to fear but fear itself." Fear keeps us from realizing our potential, a frightening prospect....
05 Apr Paradox 2
Everything we can hold is real, though most of it is not. Memories, stories, beliefs, etc. (thoughts generally) are illusions, though seemingly real when we hold onto them. In the space after we open our hands to let one thought go and before we grab hold of another, there is nothing. It is then we realize that most of what we hold onto is it not real. Actually, it is holding us; that makes it real. From ChatGPT: It is true that our perception of reality is shaped by our experiences, memories, and beliefs. These mental constructs can be powerful and influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They can give us a sense of identity, purpose, and meaning. At the same time, they can also limit us, distort our perception of reality, and cause suffering. In the space between letting go of one mental construct and grasping onto another, we may experience a sense of emptiness, uncertainty, or even anxiety. However, this space can also be a source of freedom, creativity, and insight. By letting go of our preconceived notions and being open to new possibilities, we can expand our awareness and connect with a deeper reality beyond our mental constructs. In conclusion, the statement "Everything we can hold is real, though most of it is not" can be seen as a paradoxical reflection on the nature of reality and the human mind. Whether or not we agree with it, it can inspire us to reflect on the role of our mental constructs in shaping our lives and how we can cultivate a more authentic and fulfilling existence....
03 Apr The Way Of The Way 267
As this blog references Taoist, Zen, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Hindu and other religious views, sometimes people ask to which of these religions do I adhere. If anything, I am all of them than one of them; but, in any event, I know little about any of them. The words and thoughts herein surround us all. I take no authorship. I just freely sing the songs of a master composer who by nature remains anonymous. Classifying these songs misses the point of the blog; when our mind is classifying, we are distracted from listening and enjoying the songs. As to religions, their basic message is the Golden Rule, treat others as you wish to be treated; for you and others are each a unique manifestation of the same thing; essentially, we are one. With this realization, we don't need to identify with a religion. Without it, we are imprisoned by a religion or other social order that views itself apart and separate from others....
01 Apr Haiku 26
Guru and I shared stories. His stories, histories. My stories, mysteries. So quickly, roles reverse....
31 Mar Paradox 1
We always experience reality via our senses but we rarely do. Much of our experiences are collective illusions or in the context of things that are not here now but maybe once were....