MORE HASTE – Inscription for a monument at the crossroads.

Here lies, extinguished in his prime,
a victim of modernity:
but yesterday he hadn’t the time –
and now he has eternity.

Piet Hein – Grooks

Doesn’t he just put this into perspective? It makes you wonder what was so darn important that made that driver rush into his infinite rest.

Next time you’re driving and the light turns yellow and then red, try easing up on the gas and just letting that light go. Ease up a bit once in awhile, and see if it makes a difference.

Just keep goin’ on.
Just keep goin’ on.
Take every knock as a boost, every stumblin’ stock as a stepping stone.
Lift up your head and hold your own, and just keep goin’ on.

Eric Bibb & Needed Time

 

I heard a song not too long ago. One line is: ”When life gives you lemons, figure out how to make lemonade out of that shit.”

Yeah, like the bumper sticker says: “Shit happens”.

All the time, things are happening, and some things that happen we may not like. We may not have expected it, or it something we expected and don’t like. It may simply be making us uncomfortable.

Still, things happen.

When things happen, I’m finding it interesting to look at my reaction, and also how other people react when things happen to them.

It’s really taught me a lot about perseverance.

I’ve learned a lot about creativity, inventiveness, and acceptance, too.

Some years ago, I volunteered in a triathlon.

I was helping in the first event of the race, where the swimmers get out of the water.

I noticed a man standing behind me, holding a bicycle and apparently wearing triathlon racing gear. Between helping swimmers, I asked the man why he wasn’t competing. He answered, rather sadly, “No. I forgot my shoes.“

After all the swimmers were out of the water, I moved over to help the end of the third event – the runners.

I noticed that one of first few runners to finish was barefoot. I asked this guy if he always ran barefoot. He said, “No, I forgot my shoes.“

I was amazed at the difference in spirit between these two guys.

The first forgetful guy, limply holding his dereilleur, stood at the sidelines, suffering from his setback.

The second forgetful guy, tried something new, and still managed to finish in the top 10.

I’ve remembered both guys often over the years, and try to choose the acceptance and spirit of fun and perseverance of the barefoot runner.

in time of daffodils
(who know the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,
remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so
(forgetting seem)

in time of roses
(who amaze our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,
remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek
(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,
remember me

e.e. cummings

A WORD TO THE WISE

Let the world pass in its time-ridden race;
       never get caught in its snare.
Remember, the only acceptable case
for being in any particular place
       is having no business there.

- Piet Hein (Grooks)

This seems as much about not being ridden by time as not being bound by convention.  It’s about acting as your own authority and being present to what’s in front of you.

I’ve found many times that when I feel out of my usual place, it can feel both uncomfortable and refreshing at the same time. Comfort can lull me into a fake sense of security which ends up being uncomfortable because I find myself trying to stick to past comfort instead of being connected to what’s real at that moment.

The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity

This is from the fourteen mindfulness trainings from Thich Nhat Hanh, also called Thay. You can see them and more related information on the Deer Park Monastery website.

http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/mindfulness-practice/the-fourteen-mindfulness-trainings or here: http://www.mindfulnessbell.org/14trainings.htm

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I will practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources with those who are in need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.

“In and out…
up and down….
over and over….
she wove her strands of her life together….
patching hole after hole…
eventually she saw it was much more than the threads which gave her strength….
it was in the very act of weaving, itself, that she became strong.”

By Terri St. Cloud in her book “Honor Yourself” (page 48)

 

“To surf – to ride the crest of the wave.

To reach too far ahead beckons to danger. There is the possibility of falling off the crest or dashing against the rocks. Yet, if too far behind the wave, the danger is that of losing momentum; missing the wave; having to paddle, rather than ride – and no visibility, no control.”

My journal – January 1st, 1984

I came across one of my old journals after some old boxes fell in the garage. This entry seemed ominous since I experienced what was written nearly 25 years earlier. Riding the waves on November 1, 2008, I did fall off the crest, and was dashed against the ocean’s floor. I’m happy to say that I survived the fall with only a couple broken neck bones.

Now I’m curious what else I may have written in those journals which may yet come to pass.

Hey! Take a look into your old journals and let me know what you find…

The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training: Right Conduct (for lay members)

This is from the fourteen mindfulness trainings from Thich Nhat Hanh, also called Thay. You can see them and more related information on the Deer Park Monastery website.

http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/mindfulness-practice/the-fourteen-mindfulness-trainings or here: http://www.mindfulnessbell.org/14trainings.htm

Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot dissipate the feeling of loneliness, but will create more suffering, frustration and isolation, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without mutual understanding, love and a long-term commitment. In sexual relations, I must be aware of future suffering that may be caused. I know that to preserve the happiness of myself and others, I must respect the rights and commitments of myself and others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. I will treat my body with respect and preserve my vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of my bodhisattva ideal. I will be fully aware of the responsibility for bringing new lives in the world, and will meditate on the world into which we are bringing new beings.

CAPACITY
A contribution to the psychology of disappointment

Some people live
      in a dream of what’ll
allow them to
      live their dream:
they solemnly hold out
      a half-pint bottle
and ask for
      a pint of cream.

- Piet Hein – Grooks

I suppose disappointment can come at either end of the spectrum: On the one hand, I could feel disappointed and unfulfilled by asking for more than I can handle, and then not being able to handle getting more than I asked for. On the other hand, I could not ask for much, then feel disappointed by only getting a little.

Instead, maybe focusing on increasing in both capacity and dreams will expand our possibilities.

It happens all the time in heaven

It happens all the time in heaven,
And some day
It will begin to happen
Again on earth -
That men and women who are married,
And men and men who are
Lovers,
And women and women
Who give each other
Light,
Often will get down on their knees
And while so tenderly
Holding their lover’s hand,
With tears in their eyes,
Will sincerely speak, saying,
“My dear,
How can I be more loving to you;
How can I be more
Kind?”

– Hafiz

Who’s to say we aren’t already living in heaven? Who’s to say that couples couldn’t create their own heaven when they each bring their humility and interest in alignment with their lover’s needs and desires? Maybe heaven isn’t so remote?

Each lover openly asking and then listening to the other can bring miracles.

It’s not such that the most intent listener becomes a doormat. It’s not that anyone compromises. It’s not about any cold calculus of comparison, scorekeeping, trading this for that, or deal making.

It’s about each holding reverence for the other, and listening for and looking for clues to these two simple questions – How can I be more loving? How can I be more kind?