How admirable – a man who sees lightening and not satori by Matsuo Bashō In this very short poem, we are given a piece of pith wisdom for our practice. As I understand it, it is saying – watch out for when you lose the freshness because you’ve married yourself to limiting concepts! (Satori…
Go inside a stone That would be my way. Let somebody else become a dove Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth. I am happy to be a stone. From the outside the stone is a riddle: No one knows how to answer it. Yet within, it must be cool and quiet Even though a cow…
1. Understand, I am always trying to figure out what the soul is, and where hidden, and what shape — and so, last week, when I found on the beach the ear bone of a pilot whale that may have died hundreds of years ago, I thought maybe I was close to discovering something —…
A few years ago I found myself in hospital in a ward on my own, with wires attached to me. Nobody came to see me and the nurses avoided me. It was really strange but I think they knew something I didn’t. There I was – with nothing to do, and nowhere to go. Does…
It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees They’re putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on… (From Joni Mitchell, River) Joni Mitchell it seems has accompanied me and my ups and downs since I was introduced to her as…
I like when the music happens like this: Something in His eye grabs hold of a tambourine in me, then I turn and lift a violin in someone else, and they turn, and this turning continues; it has reached you now. Isn’t that something? by Rumi, interpreted by Daniel Ladinsky What is it for…
The Humble Raisin is a portal to Mindfulness and beyond! How can a humble raisin possibly be a portal not only to the world of Mindfulness, but to the subtle thinking and emotional realm that goes on just beneath consciousness and then further down into the root of compassionate energy and a sense of connection…
Whether you celebrate it or not, how are you feeling about the approaching festive season? Whatever you are feeling why not use the festive season to practice mindfulness with your family and friends? This can be a way to connect with others in a simple and joyful way. Here are some ideas for friends and…
Mindfulness is my raft through difficult times. It supports me through turbulent waters and calm, it knows where to go and follows the ebb and flow of the tides. All I need to do is sit and feel how it moves with the flow to learn about letting go, giving into the being and going…