“Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
~ Dalai Lama
We have a light tropical wave passing through this morning, which brought a refreshing rain shower to my waking. It disrupted the cats schedule too, as they coming running in from their own morning hunt to tell me all about it, and to make sure I didn’t miss this pretty misted photo … Get up they said … I’m happy that I already had what I wanted to share, since my meditation seat is a bit soggy ….
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
Ah, a splendid morning. I’m totally loving this beautiful breeze we’ve had the past few days. And it’s been nice sharing my waking meditation with my guests upstairs. I’ve heard them each AM pulling the lounge chairs towards the railings, even before I’ve pulled myself out of bed. Months ago, I wrote about feeling a bit greedy about “my” sunrise … Now I truly just want to share it. It brings happiness 🙂
Ram Bahadur Bomjon, a Buddhist Monk, meditated for 10 months straight without food or water. To challenge this incredible claim, Discovery channel filmed the boy for 4 straight days and nights. He never moved. Supporters of Buddhism consider him the “reincarnation of the Buddha”
“One day’s exposure to mountains is better than cartloads of books.”
~ John Muir
What a beautiful morning … Skies clearing and a nice cool breeze. A perfect start to another week!
So yesterday, something shifted for me. Oddly, it started during my waking state yesterday … I had this feeling of discontent. The beauty of vipassana mindfulness meditation is that we become accustomed to watching the ebb and flow of our thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment. Afterwards, we may ask … What is going on here?
“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.”
~ Dalai Lama
Wow, it’s so hazy this photo almost looks like I’ve applied a sepia tone mask! But with the haze, we have a wonderful fresh trade wind blowing today, which hopefully will cut through some of the still heat we’ve been experiencing the past few day!! I hope some of you have been enjoying the beach, as it’s perfect beach weather … I am stuck with villa duties this weekend, but maybe will take a break today for a dip in the pool 🙂
“I am not a teacher, but an awakener.”
~ Robert Frost
Such a quiet, hazy and still sunrise here today. It’s taken me a while to sort through so many thoughts this morning.
I had another one of those really good days yesterday. So much of my time is spent finding material to stimulate my own growth and learning … It was just nice to be out with other people, having mind stimulated through interaction.
As I commented yesterday about my experience with Yoga Nidra helping me along my spiritual path, I had this longing in the heart to continue my studies. With a teacher. As a 250 hour yoga teacher, I feel I have just begun, still very much a student. And I don’t feel that I will ever be a teacher of vinyasa (which is what I am certified in). As a personal practice, I love it, but not to teach … Too much talking. So what is it that I want to teach, to share along this path to awakening?
On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property.
~ Buddha
Our weathermen say we are in for a spectacular weekend. A big plume of saraha dust is making it’s way across the Atlantic, leaving us with dry and hazy conditions. I think it was the dust in the air that allowed for that gorgeous sunset last evening! Very rarely does the setting sun’s rays project that far to the east from my vantage point!
“Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
~ Buddha
So I awoke angry this morning, from a bit of an altercation I ran into yesterday … An infrequent, yet quite human emotion and experience. And I had to chuckle … The sun looks like a fire burning beneath the morning rain clouds. And that’s exactly how anger feels … Like holding onto a hot burning sun.
There are still a few things that are bound to push my buttons. I’ve come to be mindful of them: Being called or considered “those people” always gets my ire up. Having my help or advice asked for, then specifically having that help “corrected”. Being interrupted while I’m in thought. People infringing on my space or property without any consideration. Not feeling heard (I’ve written about this one before). And then who doesn’t get mad when we are outright insulted, even if the insult rings true. And being told not to be angry – something I was often told as a child – this will almost always make me angrier! I am grateful to my practice, as through breath, and this writing, I will be able to release it.