Tag: water

A Lesson in Truth.

There’s an old saying I’m quite fond of: ‘Water that is too pure contains no fish.’  It is derived from the text if Ts’ai Ken Tan, compiled by Hong Zicheng during the time of the Ming dynasty.

“Still that is dirt grows countless things,” he writes. It is intended to demonstrate the truth of our experience, that we must engage the messiness in order to get to the meaning.

Though, so often our approach is to exclude – to set aside that which we deem impure. But the reality, my friends, is quite simple – it is impossible to live in a space of perfection.

Instead, we must learn to embrace that which ultimately helps us to grow – and recognizing our awakening is a continuous unfolding.

In peace…

Namsste ❣

What You Think Will Grow.

“Don’t give it energy,” my mother would often say.

She was referring to our inclination to fixate; to attach the heaviness of thought to what should be a transient condition.

“Remember, what you think will grow…” And, she was right.

Like watering the seeds, our attention yields. Whether grief, sadness, mistrust – or, optimism and faith…the decision is always ours.

Which do we choose to invite? And which do we ask to stay?

Though the inclination may be strong, even a hurricane knows its rest. Let that be the test. Let patience be your focal point.

And, when you discover that these stories no longer bind – you’ll find the freedom you’ve sought for so very long.

What you think will grow…

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤

“As One.”

“Don’t let others lead you,” writes poet Rumi. “They may be blind, or worse – vultures.”

‘Like water’ – he likened the will to spirit; traveling blind and gracing the edges of paradise.

“Don’t insist on going where you think you want to go. Ask the way to the spring, your living pieces will form a harmony.”

When we allow ourselves this spaciousness of a single thought, undeterred – we allow ourselves to find the way; just as water through rock and winding wood. And, nourishing the roots of all that is Divine – from seedling to oak to sparrows egg.

“As one” – always is and always was.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

Sent

Embracing the Water’s Way.

“Water does not resist,” writes author, Margaret Atwood. “Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a soft caress…Water always goes where it wants to go.”

My goodness, such a vital lesson indeed – that the water knows no boundaries, nor does it suffer the imposition of past pain.

It is everywhere, and all at once – nearest the willow trees and the inlet’s edge – existing only for this present moment.

No matter the conflict, the upset, the discord – the water flows undeterred. And, without ever a second thought – than that of just simply being.

It is the water’s will and destiny.

Dogen Zenji once wrote, “Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.”

In other words, we are never once divided by our circumstances. Rather, like the water – we continue to flow.

Perhaps we might view our own experiences in much the same way? That is to say, rather than contemplating the height of an obstacle – we view it as the means to deepen our own understanding instead.

My darlings, “enlightenment does not divide you, just as the moon does not break the water.”

And so, just for today, my simple wish – that we might all take a moment to embrace the water’s way.

A Simpler Sort of Zen.

[blockquote source=”Bill Watterson”]“Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you’re just a reflection of him?”[/blockquote]

Do you remember when an entire day could be lost inside a single mud puddle? When hours would slip into the ripplings of raindrops upon an unbroken surface? And a long stick, just perfectly crooked, was your very best ‘explorer’ friend?

I used to play for hours along that stream, lost in a wonderment that only a child’s heart could hold – and still, carried on through all these years.

Curiosity has always been my Zen. And, a good spot by the stream – my thinking space.

In those days, there was no hurrying to get ‘done.’ Rather, simplicity in purpose, ushered its very own sort of bliss.

When we were beguiled by the breaking of water, bubbling over worn rocks…and the softness of moss growing against a  hardened bark.

In those days, we didn’t so much worry about our pants getting wet.

And, our end of day was always marked by those awful mosquitoes moving in…

[blockquote source=”Karen Maezen Miller”]“Your life is your practice. Your spiritual practice does not occur someplace other than in your life right now, and your life is nowhere other than where you are. You are looking for answers, insight, and wisdom that you already possess. Live the life in front of you, be the life you are, and see what you find out for yourself.”[/blockquote]

In simpler times, there is always a simpler sort of Zen…

And, when we can connect with it – there’s just no telling what wonders it may bring.