05 Apr

Posted at 22:15h in Observations

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

Posted at 00:56h in Observations

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

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

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

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

Guru and I shared stories. His stories, histories. My stories, mysteries. So quickly, roles reverse....

31 Mar

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

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....

30 Mar

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

To live a life of compassion and wisdom, best to avoid those who lack compassion and their friends who obviously lack wisdom. That's easy to do because it's hard to fake compassion, but easy to fake wisdom....

29 Mar

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

"When the time comes our adopted daughter asks how she is different than her brother and sister whom we had naturally, I'll tell her that her brother and sister came from mommy's stomach and she came from mommy's heart." S.S.P. is a dear friend who adopted a four year old from an orphanage in India....

28 Mar

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

Joyous is our life when it turns out better than we could have scripted it. When we are grateful every day for whatever comes our way, life will always be better than we could have scripted it....

27 Mar

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

Apocalypse is the complete and final destruction of the world as described in the Book of Revelation. While most of us will not be around for the world's collective apocalypse, each of us will have our own apocalypse/revelation, the end of our days in unitary bodies. Apocalypse and revelation are used interchangeably, but are different. The etymology of both words is to "uncover, unveil." However, apocalypse is more about the destruction of the world as we know it and revelation is about what's revealed by what remains after the destruction. Apocalypse/revelation is like the lifting of a bride's veil to reveal her face before the groom kisses her to consummate their marriage. After the kiss, the groom's unitary existence is over as he is now one with the bride. Likewise, at the end of our days we realize that we are no longer unitary beings; we are one with all that heretofore seemed other than us. Apocalypse/revelation is when the truth is revealed about consciousness and reality. The veil represents our personal consciousness; the meanings, generalizations and stories we create that mask reality. When the veil is lifted, we see reality as it is: the nothingness that everything is before and after it is what it is whatever it is. That's who we are: The nothing that everything is before and after it is, one with everything. For those who know the veil is illusory, the veil is translucent; allowing them to see reality. Thus, as they know they are one with everything, they treat others as themselves (compassion) and are able to see the world from many perspectives (wisdom). Moreover, when the veil is lifted, apocalypse, it is the time for revelation; to revel with laughter as the illusions are now clearly absurd. However, for those who think the illusions are real, the veil is opaque. They live as unitary beings and when the veil is lifted the revelation is frightening as hell. Not a surprising outcome as taking our personal consciousness seriously is at times hellish, even before the apocalypse. Unfortunately, it is fear of reality than keeps us from seeing through our personal consciousness which is the foundation of our fear....