The gallery of life...

By Vichara

Losing a person to the final stage of death feels like a chip has been taken away from the much larger stone sculpture of life. While we think of the sculpture as permanent and strong it too is subject to the state of impermanence. With every person that we witness leaving here one more piece falls away and is filled with memories. At some point the sculpture may become thin of substance and thick with memories. It will change from a sculpture to a watercolor painting, faded in some places but with brush strokes of love and compassion. There is no wrong or right with this scenario – it is just the way it is. We don’t accept this in servitude to the transition but acceptance with its natural outcome. The gallery of our lifetime will house many works of art and the collections will change daily. Our admission to this gallery is with equanimity. Try not to rush through the exhibits in the gallery but stop and appreciate the transitional beauty.

Sheer will...

By Vichara

We are superstitious about superstitions; Don’t step on the crack unless you… Throw the salt over your shoulder… Turn around three times and spit… Rub the rabbit foot… Don’t let a black cat cross… We use incantations, spells and chanting all in the attempt for the most part to stop something from happening to you, friends or family member. In others words trying to control what may be unavoidable…or not. While many cultures have their talismans and prayers at the core of these attempts to change the outcome is the sheer will. That is it. It is not that any one object contains magical properties; it is the focus of sheer will that will be effective with the outcome. If you want to change you can. Step by step do the work to get it done. Inch by inch gather your tools to build a better foundation. Don’t kill another rabbit for its foot – do the work yourself!

Meeting at high noon...

By Vichara

Two thoughts meet and face each other like Wild West gunslingers at high noon. Who is faster at engaging the synopses that will culminate in a victory with the grey matter of the brain? Who will be faster, hit the mark and gain dominance? The right thought, the wrong thought. The calculated or the impulsive, which one will, it be? In that split second with that one dominant thought our lives change. This thought gunfight happens so many times in a day that we do not keep track. So how do we know that the decision to raise the hand of victory in that microsecond is the right one? Is it in the intuitive moral compass that hopefully cultivated? Spiritual guides that mysteriously lead you through to safety? I am not completely sure with only 57 years on this planet. But I do believe if the paths that we have traversed are infused with the lessons from those of good moral integrity that our hands and hearts will be then soundly guided and we will ultimately win the battle at high noon

Do the hokey-pokey...

By Vichara

You put your right thought in, you put your right thought out, you put your right thought in and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around, that’s what it’s all about. There is numerous times where our thoughts and actions seem to be childlike in execution. The insecure feeling of putting forth any effort in that it will be ridiculed judged or misunderstood. Regardless of how old or how we believe we are sophisticated and mature beings there is still a percentage of what we do that is refracted in childish behavior. The sandbox is still there but it now has cubicles, corner windows, computers and shiny toys to play with. On top of that the games that were perhaps once innocent have become more manipulative and deceptive. Is there a way to level the playground? Not really, just be cognizant of these things when asked to “play” today.

Swing and sway, the natural way...

By Vichara

How much swing in your step is measured by how much sway in your heart. If you are not swaying you can’t swing and you are right back where you started. So I guess the natural question would be how do you get the “sway” happening? Well this is what you do. You go out and buy yourself a nice new outfit that is comfortable and roomy. Pick up a nice comfortable pair of shoes, soft and not tight. Get your hair done, nails fixed up, shower (and shave for guys) and slap on some good smelly stuff. When all done download or buy some Dean Martin music, push the coffee table out of the way, turn Dean on and…ok, there I no need for all of that. To get the sway is just another lesson in being here. Sway is all based in a mental attitude. When the perception is not mired in the past or disillusioned by the future it ignites the possibilities of the moment. Your step is not dragging but elevated allowing you to…sway! And when you sway you…anyone?...swing!

The spark...

By Vichara

So you breathe, so you live. So you live, so you create. From creation comes inspiration and from inspiration is the spark you will share and help those around you. Each and every one of us has this ability and it is stirring as you read this. This is your life, you have the right, the qualifications so ignite and inspire.

The embers of interest...

By Vichara

Where can we go today that is different than yesterday? They say that variety is the spice of life and they’re many that believe this to be true and lead to a fulfilled life. However is another way we could go today that could allow us to travel great distances without going that far? No, I am not advocating shuffling to your sofa and turning on the travel channel. I thinking more from thought to realization, interest to passion and curiosity to completion. Not just the physical road of adventure and more of the cerebral road of conquest. We all hopefully have many interests but is there perhaps one of two these days that are burning embers of interest in your mind? Perhaps with spring right around the corner this may create a catalyst to add fuel to the fire and allow you to pursue this one interest. We are bundles of dreams and desires. It’s spring plant a new seed and help it grow!

Joie de Vivre

By Vichara

Your “voice” is unique and there will never be another one like…ever. There is a tendency by some either by some emotional upheaval or a past event to diminish the importance of your voice. It may have been constricted by a parent, relative, teacher or a collection of all of them but more than likely someone you knew. Being cut off from the fuel of confidence your voice became thinner and small but no matter what happened it is still there and can be heard and wants to be heard. I am not advocating an over the top presence, bordering on obnoxious - no, more like a tempered voice of confidence supported by Joie de vivre. Your existence, this life and your voice will never happen again, give it the life it deserves and speak up. Share or write it down like the nut writing these thoughts. Don’t be afraid. We all have merit and have something to say. A voice that is unique and only yours.

Walking among the dead...

By Vichara

We walk among the dead even though they are breathing, walking and talking. The dead are mired in a self-possessed world where there is very little cognizant value that they give others beyond the perfunctory tasks they perform for the dead. The dead believe they are seeing but their vision is myopic at best and life’s peripheral existence does not even illuminate in their eyes to any great extent. The dead can hear but there is very little that registers other then their voices and maybe some of what the other dead are saying. There is some confusion for the dead when thing don’t go quite the way they want it to go but like an over-stimulated child they drop whatever it was and go on. In their wake the dead leave the debris of unfulfilled promises that they made to others to get what they wanted. The dead see only themselves. The question when you look in the mirror – are you alive or one of the dead?

How it measures up...

By Vichara

We live in a world that is constantly being measured even with what may be considered mundane to some. How fast you go, how slow you go, how white your smile is or how happy or sad you are. For my daughters it could be how cool one person is over another or which TV character is better than another. For my wife it is how she is judged in how well she can ride a horse and for me perhaps if what I write here is a good thought or not. Yes, I do realize that certain gauging systems are set up for practical measurements to achieve results that are required. What I am more concerned is where measurements are used for things that frankly may not need measuring. Does it really matter if that TV character is better than another, one color is better, how someone else rides a horse or my thoughts are better one day over another? I believe the only measurement which should we be using is how it makes you feel without measuring things in acceptability of others. Are you happy? Are you content? Are you inspired?

No reservation needed...

By Vichara

You can’t put in a reservation to the Future - it does not exist. I called the other day to do this but the phone just kept ringing and ringing and ringing. I got tired of waiting, doodling on a piece of paper while I waited for someone to pick up but they never did. I hung up and tried again but I hit the speed dial and by accident I hit the button to the Past. Of course someone picked up right away, in fact several voices picked up. It seemed like there were about 10 voices all of them fighting over each other regaling me with stories of past glories and failures. I tried to politely to interrupt but I finally hung up with the voices still going on. I punched in the next line to call the Future again and heard no dial tone. I waited for a moment and said hello. A voice came right back that sounded kind of like my own but less frenetic and infused with a calming effect. I asked if this was Future and the voice came back in an easy manner that no, this is Now and there is no need for a reservation. He said we’re here always open, 24/7.

The other checklist...

By Vichara

We open our eyes in the morning like opening the door to the outside world. There is some trepidation but we know that moving forward is the right thing to do. Still we squint and try to adjust to the light and its duet with the ambient noise and engage to the new day. For the majority of us there will be any number of tasks that will be expected to be completed in a day. A checklist of priorities and responsibilities that hopefully one by one will see its completion. Then there is the other checklist. This is a checklist although not blatantly as evident as the tasks in a day but as important. Things like laughter, love, gratification, support, compassion, comfort and equanimity. While it may be considered just filler in a day to some they are vital. We may not consciously think of mentally checking them off our lists but without them the door to the day is not so easily opened.

Sailing in calmer waters...

By Vichara

When I “sit” some mornings the thoughts sometimes come and natter away at something that needs to be taken care of or with what needs to be said to somebody. They spin around and mingle with each other thoughts and create an internal cacophony like sirens on the rocks that tempted and called out to sailors in sea-faring legends. These thoughts can lure you into choppy waters of indecision and mire you into confusion until you are not sure which way is the safe shoreline. Steering away from these sirens and choppy waters may seem difficult but it is a requirement and essential to your survival. It is when you can see the single waves approaching are you able to steer to the shores of equanimity. How do you get to these calmer waters? Drift out farther from the chaotic shoreline to get a better perspective. Solutions that matter will only appear when you rest in calmer waters and when you distance yourself away from the chaotic shoreline we all encounter.

Objects may appear larger...

By Vichara

Objects may appear larger is written on most of the rear view mirrors in the vehicles that we drive. Of course in this forum you know it is placed there to remind us to be cognizant of moving objects that are whizzing past all the time. Where this warning is not written in plain sight is in our daily lives. We encounter so many things in our day that will seem so much larger than they appear. Something somebody says in passing that is probably a whisper seems like a scream. An encounter with an issue you are dealing with that on the surface to others maybe small as a gnat but looms to you so large they appear like a monster from a silly “B” movie. Perhaps in these moments when distortion misaligns the actual truth we need to get up and walk away from the mirror for a moment until whatever you are dealing with reduces to it’s actual size. Then driving forward with clarity and equanimity the possible overwhelming presence of objects will be reduced to it’s actual manageable size. Don’t forget to use your turn signals.

Are you cognizant...

By Vichara

How much can you get away with? There seems to be evident a sense by some to see how much they can get away with in a day with even the smallest of things. Like a child thinking that the adult is not around they push the limits. They see how far they can wait before they run out of lane in traffic and cut in front of somebody. Park in places not assigned to them, leave dirty dishes in a sink, paper towels on the floor and things unattended. Possibly believing they do not need to pay attention, somebody else will take care of it; they have their own set of rules, lazy, inconsiderate or just plain self-involved. Your wake both physically and mentally does leave its mark so it’s just plain decent if you were cognizant of this fact. It may take a minute longer to finish or wait but isn’t that better than bringing on some karmic backlash that will sooner or later will happen?

The cards that we play...

By Vichara

There are days when life seems like playing cards with everyone but the cards are blank and no one is sure of the rules. Sure you know that you are engaged in some kind of exercise and because there are cards there is something tangible but there is a missing part. What is the missing part? Is it understanding? Is it compassion? Is it empathy? Is it belief? Or is it just plain human decency? What is the goal of this game that we engage in for our waking hours? Is there some satisfying conclusion that we are aiming for? To some it may be small while others grand but we all will have some wish for the outcome. I know that this thought brings up more questions than answers but perhaps that is the goal. To put images on the cards that we play and to let us know that we are all playing a fair game.

New discoveries...

By Vichara

With the ever advancements of science there I a great desire to answer the question – is there life on other planets? Billions have been spent in this pursuit with some brief glimpses and bits of evidence. Most inconclusive unless billions more is spent. Why indeed it is admirable and intriguing to endeavor to answer these questions I do feel sometimes that there is life right here on earth to discover still. I’m not just talking about new plants, birds, bugs and animals but the “life” yet to be discovered between us humanoids. I know my thoughts would be considered naïve and not seeing the bigger picture of exploration but I am not suggesting cutting off the journeys to space but in addition to going out there we also journey here. Perhaps taking a few of the billions and create sustained mutual education programs between countries and cultures to recognize commonalities and discover how we can help each other. I believe that even after thousands of years that there is still life to be discovered here – within our own hearts.

Change...

By Vichara

Changes are happening as you read this. In fact before you started reading this change already changed. In between the letter “c” and “h” of the word change, change happened again. It may seem that change happens in big sweeping motions but is also comes in the minute sense as well. Things are set in motion, flames turn to embers, frowns into smiles, aspirations into realities and one door leads to another possibility. Yes no matter what your social-economic status may be change comes to you. It is what you do with change, that is the question. You can piss and moan about the changes happening to you or you can engage with the inertia that exists and ride with it to discover all the possibilities. It is your choice but change will happen regardless.

The reach...

By Vichara

It has been said, “a man’s reach should exceed his grasp”. But what are you reaching for? Is the quest moral in nature, frivolous in content or is this drive to go farther propelled by a “good” heart not fully realized. While yes we are never quite sure what lies in front of us, this is always conditional and will turn on a dime, there must be at it’s core the accelerant fused with love, compassion and patience - the good fuel. By firing the engines of our quest this way we will be given more of an opportunity to reach father to those answers and wishes than before. But this again circles back to what are we reaching for? What is it that we hope to find? What is the ultimate goal? No single person except yourself can answer that but you can be sure that by using the “good fuel” you will intuitively know when you reach your destination.

Waiting for the light to change...

By Vichara

On average, we spend two weeks of our lives waiting for the traffic light to change. I would place a safe bet for most of us we use part of that time cursing the light and wishing it damn well better change soon! Our energies expelled for a mechanical device that has no response mechanism to acknowledge our frustrations. So if we live in the urban environment and will be spending this chunk of time waiting what shall we do? Well we could enthusiastically sing-along with the “mamma mia” part of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” while bobbing your head. Ok, ok that’s a bit silly (but fun) but yes perhaps there is something else. What if we think of just one thing that would help out the world around and just do it? Something simple that could change things for the good. Think about it, 2 weeks waiting for that light. Why not use at least a couple of those minutes to do something good.

A new diet...

By Vichara

Everyone needs to go on diet today! A diet to cut out the calories of confusion and the excessive manipulation from the frenetic babble shoved at us. It is one thing to be informed but it is another thing to be fattened by gratuitous news and gossip 24 hours a day. I know, we all in a certain way think it’s just for fun and we don’t listen all the time but it can be silently insidious. We take a small bite of some salacious story and that leads to another to another, then another to another and we are fattened by the frivolous. Today’s thought harkens back to the same vein as yesterday about how much time is spent in repetitive actions. By cutting one salacious story and replacing it with one nurturing or creative activity may not seem like much but it is a start. Pretty soon your mind and presence will be mentally svelte and lighter. You’ll be passing by that mental mirror and be thinking…”lookin’ good honey!

Life calling...

By Vichara

Hey (insert your name here), this is your life here; just calling to say hey hope you are doing and stuff. Ok…call me. “Beeep” – Hi (insert your name here) your life here again. You might want to call me, you know check in and make sure you’re being cognizant of the world around you. Love you, mean it. “Beeep” – Hey (insert your name here) we’re all waiting for you. Don’t think you can ignore us over here. WE’RE WAITING! “Beeep” – Ok, (insert your name here) your life here again. YOU REALLY need to check in with me, there is a great need for you to recognize the ”world” out there - we need you. Ok, call me….

Many rivers to cross...

By Vichara

I woke up this morning with the song “Many Rivers to Cross” as sung by Harry Nilsson in my brain. One line says “And it’s only my will that keeps me alive” and that line became reflected in all of our daily journeys. Perhaps not so dramatic some days but we all have “bridges” that we cross everyday. Decisions that need to be made in a few seconds and others that will percolate and resolve with some patience and time. Regardless of their complexity we all have many rivers to cross and it is how we get to the other side that will matter. We could use harsh deceptive ways to cross over but more than likely some karmic residue will be brought over with you and to the next bridge. This residual karmic baggage will accumulate and increase the weight of your load for each bridge to cross. Try to travel unencumbered by jettisoning the excess before you cross and make the journey with honesty and integrity not only for your own heart but for the world around you. See you on the other side.

Spiritual Farmers...

By Vichara

While conflict can be the fodder for solution at what price do you pay physically, emotionally and spiritually? You will attempt to cut back the weeds to root out answers but seedlings of more and more weeds will still exist. And while you are diligent and try to sustain a concerted effort to clear the garden, lying deep they still exist. Sometimes you just need to till the soil until hopefully all the undesired seedlings have been exposed to the air and sunlight of resolution. From here cracked and dry they will fade away for good. Although you can be diligent with the farming of your actions it will be necessary to retain a membership with others to maintain the fortitude you need for each day. A spiritual co-op with like minds that will help you, others and maintain the fields of reason.

Terms of acceptability...

By Vichara

On numerous levels our lives come down to terms of acceptability. How much emotional or physical pain, how much incompetency, how much information, how much nourishment and yes even how much love. At what level will you be able to feel a sense of accomplishment with yourself and others. There are some yes that more or less just shade in the day in an attempt to do what is acceptable and while this may be acceptable for one they forget a crucial element – nothing is isolated. There is an interconnection of all things and as hard as that may be to fathom, it is a solid fact. You and you alone will set the level of acceptability for yourself of course but how much will you be able to live with and how does that affect the world around you? In a world that is gauged by the accomplishments of one’s actions and deeds what will be your terms?

Hope...

By Vichara

A rather large bird floated through the sky near where I sat today. Its wingspan was possibly the largest I have ever seen in recent memory. The shadow it cast was almost equivalent to the size of a cloud passing in front of the sun and I almost mistook it for a small plane. As scary as that may seem there was no fear as it past over, in fact it was the complete opposite. It was almost like the shadow carried with it a sense of well being, contentment and a fortuitous feeling of optimism. I soon realized that this was not some ordinary winged creature but this was actually the wings of hope spreading it’s way across. As much as there is trouble and despair we need to still be vigilant and keep our eyes and heart open to ordinary and extraordinary hope. It is in this simple act and retaining the resolve to embrace hope with pragmatism can we all in our own way cultivate and nourish hope within our corporate, personal and figurative walls around us. Look up here it comes.

Transformation...

By Vichara

There will be some things in life that will loose their charm. Remember your first bike? The one that you begged your parents to get you for days? The one with the fancy seat and all of the gears? There was a great deal of excitement for some quite some time after you received it. You took good care of it, cleaned it and made sure the tire pressure was right and avoided bumps and glass. Then after many months later, possibly a year when the scratches and dings just became part of the bike it sort of just transformed form this shiny cool vehicle to just vital means of transport to get you from here to there. Things change, they transform but what we sometimes fail to see is that even though they transform there is still value there. In fact some increase in value like the relationships we have with friends and whom we are married to. As like the bike that transforms so do our relationships but don’t lose sight of the vital essence that still exist in all of them and the value they hold, even with time.

A guidance system for the heart...

By Vichara

You’re not pedaling fast enough! You’ll never get there like that! You need to keep up, push harder! But to where and from what starting point? Unless there is an understanding, the demarcation point and the desired goal even if it is a scratch, you will never have a clear vision of how to get there. While there is merit with planning and there are advantages in being malleable in the execution I do believe that no matter how you get there and the means you use to get there it is important to be guided by a tracking system of beliefs. A moral GPS that when confronted by a twist or a turn on the road it will safely guide you through the possible difficulties of the life terrain. However remember when you install your moral GPS system make sure that you leave room for “upgrades” that will allow for improvements in guidance from new sources. It is with enhancements that you will surely get “there” guided by the compass of truth.

Resilience & Understanding...

By Vichara

Is there enough resilience in your heart to withstand all that it confronts in a day or in a lifetime? I do believe there is but it is not solely contained in your individual self but in the communion with others. It can be found in that endless reservoir of faith that binds us all at the most primal level. Once we have trouble achieving understanding and reliance solely on our own these untapped resources will kick in and become a reliable source of strength. Because it is only in recognizing the commonalities that we all share, no matter where we live, that we can then form a more unified fulfilling union.

Red Light Meditation...

By Vichara

Keep your eyes & ears open as much as you can folks because what you see and hear in this second, this minute, this hour will never, ever happen again…ever. It is just part of he wonderful kaleidoscopic ephemeral universe that we all and I mean all, live in. At the core and the key to all of this and the basic element is to be cognizant of this with the simple act of mindfulness with each minute and hour. I know, I know easier said than done right? But even driving we can practice mindfulness and try to arrive peacefully. The wonderful meditation teacher Thich Nhat Hanah suggests that even at a red light we can practice. The red light can be used as a signal, a reminder that there is tension in your body from possibly needing to get somewhere. Use the 10 seconds at the red light to practice some mindful breathing and release the tension in your body. And with the number of red lights we face we might even arrive peacefully.

The spark...

By Vichara

You are probably not going to like this at all. Besides being Monday there is something else that you need to be concerned about that is very important. I’m not sure how to broach this and I’m not even sure I should. Perhaps in exposing this it could have a reaction in you and others and create a profound change. Ok, after all I have a responsibility to pass this that is given to me and let you judge. “So you breathe, so you live. So you create and from creation come inspiration. From inspiration is the spark you will share and help those around you.” Each and every one of us has this ability and it is stirring as you read this. Do not discount or diminish this ability because it has the power to transform even the smallest way. This ability to give and receive compassion is the key to unlocking the channels of perception. As when these are open the unification of the spirit we share grows stronger, you heart opens more and we transcend the disruptive and useless pettiness we encounter. Breathe and ignite this spark

Internal / External...

By Vichara

It’s one thing to acknowledge another one’s existence on the external level without too much fanfare; it is acknowledge that person’s internal existence without judgment is where the challenge exists. The physical form is just a collection of bones, skin and blood adorned with fabrics but what that person believes in, dreams about and feel can seem as vast and large as looking out into the ocean. Some things people believe in we will not totally understand because each of our personal experiences and how they are personally interpret them. But here is the tripping point and if we stop, listen and try to understand we can find the commonalities that we could share. From there will be a starting point that will ignite the conversation not to argument and disagreement but to understanding and compassion.

Leaving your mark...

By Vichara

Sometimes leaving your mark in this world is a simple as saying “hello”. For some of us who live in places where we encounter hundreds of people in a day we, for the most part, never push outside our comfortable circles of people we deal with on a day-by-day basis. From entrenching ourselves in these routines and familiar encounters we will sometimes feel awkward with new faces and voices. Over time with this routine our ability to step out will become more and more uncomfortable and possibly debilitating. Here of course is the point of realization. While we are here in our entrenchment the person across from you, entering the same elevator or standing in the same line could be exactly where you are. In a comfortable way find the “bridge” and say hello. I’m not advocating forcing an immediate friendship on the spot just give a friendly hello. With this acknowledgement it recognizes the existence of another human being, just like you and you leave your mark by this simple act of kindness.

Fear...

By Vichara

Everyone is scared. No matter how much confidence one shows. No matter what bravado is brandished about in order to retain some alpha-male or alpha-female position, they are all scared…just like you. IN our working pods of life there will always be those individuals that will be compelled to be in control in varying degrees of success. It is unfortunate for those individuals that are in control fail to recognize the basic commonalities that we all share and work from a position of frenetic unfocused degrees. With these somewhat ingrained methods it is difficult to change with force from the outside. One of the keys is for us all is to step back, recognize fears (which by the way are mostly based in our impermanence) and attempt to make that connection based in calm understanding & compassion and find answers together. Calm rivers carry great weight and strength without constant churning.

Now in "3-D"...

By Vichara

Today’s “thought” is presented in 3D! There is no special apparatus you need. No new technology, in fact you will be using a very old technology. As you read this take moments to turn your gaze out the window, across the room and to the people you are with. You see how amazing it is, it’s really life-like. You can almost reach out and touch everything, in fact you can! This is not just some projected illusionary world it is yours and it is real. There is no DVR reverse or pause, this is real time, real life and real emotions. As you step out in this amazing 3D world created for you take every opportunity to reach out and connect with the world. Don’t sequester yourself completely behind that Blackberry, laptop screen or TV. There is an amazing production going on all around you and it will never happen again. This is yours…don’t miss out.

Our three pound wonder...

By Vichara

A typical brain contains about 100 billion neurons, consumes a quarter of the body’s oxygen and spends most of the body’s calories even though it only weighs about three pounds. For something so little it uses a lot doesn’t it? The question is are you getting your money’s worth. Are you engaging your brain enough besides the general YouTubing, texting while walking and indulging in watching endless hours of American Idol auditions? Sure you need a perceived balance to justify and believe you need these activities but are you reaching out and stretching the capabilities of this 3-pound wonder? Are you pushing little guy into warp drive? We are all guilty of not pushing our super computers enough but we could all do better. Take a flashlight of curiosity and investigation and give the grey matter a little more of a workout with something new. Light up a path of new knowledge and wonder and get those neurons all fired up!

The subtle things...

By Vichara

Sometimes we may sit and wonder if this, you know the life we have had so far, if this is it? Is what we see and hear and feel the rewards of this life? I think we sometimes try to quantify things beyond reason. We try to measure our life sometimes with the grand spectacles of what we see on TV and movies. The lavish happy endings with shiny things and a sweeping measure of orchestral music to accompany and underscore as the credits roll. But of course we know that this is not reality, at least for most of us. I believe because of this disillusioned vision we have been subjected to we sometimes miss out on the real rewards, the ones that can be so subtle we may miss them. For me at least I had one yesterday by seeing two Red-Whiskered Bulbuls birds in my sycamore tree. This was a rare sighting for me and another wonderful simple subtle reward in my ornithology life. For you it will be something completely different than this but at least try to be a little more cognizant of the subtle simple things as they too add to the rich tapestry of your life.

A web of compassion...

By Vichara

As I “sit” a spider carefully weaves it’s web near me. These delicate strands criss-cross with precision movement in order to create a physical apparatus that will facilitate in its survival. While we as humans have no need or requirement to build such things to capture our sustenance perhaps we should consider creating a web of compassion interconnecting all of our altruistic actions. By recognizing and sharing these actions it will not be a tool of bravado but a tool of inspiration to act as a catalyst for others. By example those that may lack a direction may find with those others sharing a strand of an idea from the web a direction and the ability to forge partnerships. A chance over many miles to act locally or globally, connecting many of us in a giant web of compassion.

A new workout...

By Vichara

I as struck with an amusing (well at least to me and maybe you) moment as I was riding the stationary bike at home this morning. Letting my mind wander while I rode I briefly glanced at the display screen in front of me. On the left side printed in a swooping typeface was the words “Zone Training” but with my wandering mind I mistook it as saying “Zen Training” and with a big grin my mind mused on this. What if there was a pedaling machine that was used in Zen training. You would get up in the early hours of the morning, light some incense, conduct your prostrations and then get on and pedal your way to enlightenment. The more you pedal the more your lungs and mind open up to the universe and expand your consciousness. The more miles you pedal the further your ability to comprehend life, the universe and everything. Channels of perception will open up to vistas of awareness and from all the revolutions of the pedals a greater sense of your purpose. Now that’s what I call a workout!

What is yours...

By Vichara

What is yours is yours for a limited time. Each of what you accrue and accumulate will be gone from the physical grasp you know one day. Some things that will age will deteriorate and fall apart through the normal process of impermanence but even the things held dear and kept will be gone. Things will be dispersed, things will reverently be passed on and some things will just be thrown out. And what of all of this, these things that were considered scared and special hold any meaning? None, as they are just physical items. What truly has weight and merit is the wake of your legacy. Even the smallest wave has presence in the world. The word legacy does conjure up images in the grandest scale but a person’s legacy can be as small as one act of kindness but still have an enormous impact. Never discount your contribution but be cognizant of what you may leave behind. Endeavor to have your waves propelled by acts of compassion and kindness for the New Year because those can never be taken away from you.

The evolutionary sidewalk...

By Vichara

A new year has started, have we moved any farther along the evolutionary sidewalk? Someone gets angry and tries to blow people up in a barbaric way. The other people get angry and attack the people from where that person lives and so on and so forth. I know that reducing it down simplistically in itself has it’s own pitfalls but even if we see both sides the sheer act of deliberately killing keeps all of us on the lower rungs of humanity. So what to do right? What are the answers? I don’t know but I think we all understand the killing is not one of them. This may be naïve but digging to the core is the first logical step. Like a skilled doctor find out the identity of the ailment. Do not just treat the symptoms but find; in the plain light of day without restrictions, what is the root. The arbitration and resolution is the mandate. I understand the frailties of all of this and there are possibilities of agendas but it would be good to try instead of throwing up our hands and walking away.