Category: Reflections On Sunrise

“It’s déjà vu all over again.”
~ Yogi Berra

What a beautiful still morning it is here today. No cat fights to wake me up. I was up on my own, before my alarm, and did a bit of yoga out on my yoga deck before the sunrise, followed by a bit of random web surfing before writing my post here, and as always, came up with some interesting things following what meditation revealed to me. Life if good

So I’ve been having little bits of déjà vu recently. And it’s interesting that there aren’t really too many quotes on the subject. And a read of the wiki on the subject matter is just as vague. read more

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
~ Buddha

So I spoke yesterday about some of the mental factors that contribute to our own unhappiness. In short, Buddha grouped these states of mind into what he called The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred (or Aversion) and Delusion (or Wrong View). There are actually 51 specific states of mind that the Buddha came to realize falling under these main three states.

For me, the good news when coming across the Buddha’s teachings was that I was not alone in my sad, sorry state of mind. Most everyone has these states of mind, some stronger than others. What this begins is a sort of letting go of self-hatred. Compassion towards oneself is extremely important as we begin this practice. No more thinking the “bad” thoughts, then following that up with negative self talk such as “Victoria, what a horrible person you are … A yogi shouldn’t think or act like that.” This is not helpful. read more

“Praise and blame, gain and loss, fame and disrepute, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all.”
~ Buddha

Ah, so nice to have my peace and quiet back this morning.  Love villa guests, but how I missed my little time alone.   So while my sitting for the sun was peaceful, my morning started out as anything but peaceful …

As you might recall, our cat Gabby was quite sick a while back.  She’s doing much better, still a bit thin, but back to her normal rambunctious, lizard stalking, princess self.  Her one paw finally festered to reveal the cat bite, which the vet was fairly certain was the cause of her illness.  New neighbors moved in a while back, with two cats. One they lost immediately.  They then proceeded to get two new kittens, which resulted in their second cat abandoning ship.  And stalking the neighborhood.  He’s a beautiful cat, you can tell, wanting only to find a loving new home for himself.  So he’s fighting with Gabby.  Gabby wants nothing to do with him in her territory.  Her house, her people, her food. read more

“Remember that this is not something we do just once or twice. Interrupting our destructive habits and awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime.”
~ Pema Chodron

I’m truly loving this beautiful breeze we’ve been blessed with these past few days. While our temperatures don’t vary too much here through the course of the year, it’s been wonderful having this natural bit of air-conditioning to our summer’s sun ….

So yesterday, I spoke to The 4 Noble Truths. Whenever I am uncertain, or feel myself grasping, I can always go to look at them, and they immediately help quite my mind. read more

“If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.”
~ Pema Chodron

Today, I wish to simply express the Buddha’s first teaching.

From love to deeper love ….

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which means the Turning of the Wheel of Truth or the Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion, was given on the full-moon day of July, 600BC.

This discourse was given to the five ascetics who were Buddha’s former companions, at the Deer Park (now called Sarnath), near Benares, India. read more

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
~ Mother Teresa

I hope you too can see the big heart in the clouds this morning. And I owe this one to Spencer, as I was fast asleep when the sun peaked over the horizon. Tired from a long day yesterday.

So Spencer, this post is for you …

I don’t tell you often enough how much you mean to me …

And for all of you, go tell someone you love them today.

Heck, tell everyone … Kids, parents, siblings, friends, neighbors. read more