Mark's profileMark's Monday Morning Mo...PhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
|
July 28 Expectations"A flower falls even though we love it; and a weed grows even though we do not love it." (Dogen Zenji)
Wishing you peace and well being as you learn to let go of expectations of what should happen, and be more accepting of what life actually brings.
PS: Remember to hold the one's you love just a little closer and tighter this week._/l\_ July 21 Original goodnessIn a large temple north of Thailand's ancient capital, Sukotai, there once stood an enormous and ancient clay Buddha. Though not the most handsome or refined work of Thai Buddhist art, it had been cared for over a period of five hundred years and become revered for its sheer longevity. Violent storms, changes of government, and invading armies had come and gone, but the Buddha endured.
At one point, however, the monks who tended the temple noticed that the statue had begun to crack and would soon be in need of repair and repainting. After a stretch of particularly hot, dry weather, one of the cracks become so wide that a curious monk took a flashlight and peered inside. What shown back at him was a flash of brilliant gold! Inside the plain old statue, the temple residents discovered one of the largest and most luminous gold images of Buddha ever created in Southeast Asia. Now uncovered, the golden Buddha draws throngs of devoted pilgrims from all over Thailand.
The monks believed that this shining work of art had been covered in plaster and clay to protect it during times of conflict and unrest. In much the same way, each of us has encountered threatening situations that lead us to cover our innate nobility. Just as the people of Sukotai had forgotten about the golden Buddhas, we too have forgotten out essential nature. (Jack Kornfield. The Wise Heart)
Wishing you peace and well being as you see beneath your armour and bring out your original goodness.
PS: Remember to hold the one's you love just a little closer and tight this week. July 14 In Memory of Whitney Paige CarlsonTodays Monday Morning Moments are in memory of my 16 year old niece, Whitney Paige Carlson, who was killed 12 months ago today. She loved horses and this story has special meaning for me. For you who have read it on my site before, I hope you aren't disappointed that I share it with you again.
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, The universe does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. The universe watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends and relatives are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. (author unknown) Wishing and peace well being as you listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours (I still hear Whitney's bell). PS: Remember to hold the one's you love just a little closer and tighter this week. July 07 Being Who You AreSimply being oneself brings about a power often lost in the rush to be something else. (Sun Tzu. The Art of War: A New Translation/Translation, Essays and Commentary by The DenmaTranslation Group)
Wishing you peace and well being as you relax into who you are.
PS: Remember to hold the one's you love just a little closer and tighter this week. _/l\_ |
|
|
