Nithyananda, Sweet Stories & Perspective

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

How much is reality? How much our perspective?

Three small sweet stories told by Nithyananda on his blog - Nithyananda Newsletter

("We all are ready to categorize and label all that we see in our lives. In the event, we simply rob life of its spontaneity. We categorize people, places, situations, everything that comes our way.")

A man once went to a movie theatre to watch a film.
The film started with the caption(logo) of a famous International Studio, which had produced that film.
The man said to himself, “Oh! I’ve seen this movie before!” and got up and walked away.


One man went to Switzerland for a holiday and returned after a month.
He met his friend one evening and decided to go out for a meal.
The friend asked him, “So did you enjoy the beautiful scenery in Switzerland?”
The man replied, “Yes, kind of. But the mountains kept coming in the way.”


("Anything that you see becomes merely a supportive argument to your already formed conclusions.")

One man was telling his friend, “Do you know, I really made a fool of myself.”
The friend asked, “Why, what happened?”
The man said, “I replaced ten cracked windows in my house and then discovered that I had a crack in my glasses!”

How nice it is to look at things with a fresh perspective. Every moment has it's own unique flavor whether we recognize it or not. I've just eaten a handful of beautiful rich red cherries. All delicious yet none of them the exact same taste - the mixture of sweet & sour shifts bite to bite changing in complexity. Each moment an intersection of who we are mixed with all the elements seen and unseen - simply infinite.

On Home & Possesions

A wonderful quote from On Possessions in the book Simple Truths: Clear & Gentle Guidance on the Big Issues in Life by Kent Nerburn that I am currently reading (and recommend).

"We wake up one day and find ourselves surrounded by possessions that mean nothing to us. Our freedom gone; our lightness of being is gone. In their place is a sense of responsibility and ownership. We have become curators of our own cluttered reality."

Wicked good line - curator of our own cluttered reality. It struck "home" for me as I have yet to master the art of decluttering. While have possessions that I love and use, there are those that are strewn about in piles (papers to file), and tucked in drawers and closets "in case". In what case, I would actually need a particular broken item I don't know.

I am, continually, hopeful that I am letting go of more unused and unneeded items  than I am carting home. Wouldn't it be amazing to only be surrounded by beloved items all in their own sacred places? Guess I could just love everything that's here. Huh, could be easier than another trip to Goodwill after all.

And, now, as Swami Nithyananda(Swamiji) would say A small story - a true one he told us at a retreat this year:

There was a man who was very rich and seeking enlightenment. He decided to give away all his possessions, become a monk, and live at one of the monasteries Swamji was staying at when he was younger. This man would get up every morning and go sit on the same piece of earth. He would become very disturbed if anyone else tried to sit there.

So letting go of physical possessions is neither a requirement or the way to enlightenment. The man was still attached to what he believed he owned - A spot.

May your love your surroundings and hold your home as sacred

Ordinary and Profound

I received the following quote in an email from a friend, Eleanor, who has been away for the summer:

just tonight i emailed the following from Wilde's De Profundis to a friend:

"Society, as we have constituted it, will have no place for me, has none to offer; but Nature, whose sweet rains fall on unjust and just alike, will have clefts in the rocks where I may hide, and secret valleys in whose silence I may weep undisturbed. She will hang the night with stars so that I may walk abroad in the darkness without stumbling, and send the wind over my footprints so that none may track me to my hurt: she will cleanse me in great waters, and with bitter herbs make me whole."
 
I was and am quite touched by this beautifully worded, poignant quote. I decided to read the rest of the essay. It was filled with many interesting thoughts about life, artists, and prison. As he kept referring to prisom and prison, I shuttered at thought of being locked away in a small space in a small room.
 
Then, a flip of perspective flitted into a view. Here I was visiting at a laptop in a small room for hours, sometimes days (inside my apartment). Yet, the whole natural world was only a few feet away, such abundance. Why do I, we sit in little boxes when we could be out tasting, touching, smelling, seeing a multiple of things. Why do we so often choose sameness over variety, newness, freshness. I admit to loving comfort, but do I want it to be to the exclusion of life and real physical world interaction. And even though I am endlessly fascinated by the myriad of ideas, places, and pictures that come across this magical screen, I don't think any of them can take the place of depth of the natural world. A picture of bacon just doesn't taste the same as the real thing.

For a perfect ending a quote sent to me by my friend Jan:
 
"What's left? Everything." - Anonymous

May you taste the goodness of life

Listening - A Magical Skill

"Listening is everything. Listening is the whole deal. That's what I think. And, I mean that in terms of before you work, after you work, in between work, with your children, with your husband, with your friends, with your mother, with your father. It's everything. And, it's where you learn everything." - Meryl Streep

This quote was shared with me by my friend, Jan, who is a superb listener. I am grateful to the many hours that she and others have sat witnessing my life and my sacred stories.

Though I have a grasp of the importance, I have yet to master the skill of listening, to stop the me thoughts cascading over my companion's words looking for a way to regain the verbal floor. . . "that happened to me, too" . . . I hope to allow more openings to partake of other truths.

There's been some kind of a glitch that has prevented me from uploading pictures. I hope to figure it out soon.

May you honor the sacred thoughts and stories around you

Fun Free Photo Editing Options

"If we will take the good we find asking no questions we shall have heaping measures. The great gifts are not got by analysis." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Free photo editing tools

15 Great And Free Photoshop Alternatives at Web Design Booth.

15 Free Photo editing options just for creating fun and interesting pictures at Softalize.com.

Communication & Language Conundrums

"Our destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." Henry Miller

An interesting day - the first thing I read today perplexed me, at least momentarily - fall prevention - I thought why on earth would anyone want to prevent fall with all the beautiful color changes in the leaves, the blustery winds, harvests - then I read further. Oh, the other fall. Language can offer up opportunities for bridges or barriers.

The next word challenge, a much needed haircut. The stylist initial question was a warning that there would be a few bumps in the encounter: "So you want your hair shortened to the same length it is now?" . This in response to my indicating I wanted in cut about 3 inches. Which she did, when I indicated that it was still too long, we reached an impasse. After a couple requests, she just kept stating you said 3 inches, I cut 3 inches. I don't understand what you want. As I was the only customer in the shop, the manager heard the interchange and came over. Hearing the request, and seeing the stylist looking perplexed, the manager simply took her scissors. The stylist started to protest, and try to stop her, still saying, "but she said . . . I got a decent haircut sort close to what I want. And, the customer savvy
manager gave me an unrequested discount (which I actually tried to turn down).

I left realizing how fragile communication can be, and in many ways I often do expect the stylists to be mind readers. I was grateful that I could realize that some of the responsibility for the lack of clarity rested squarely with me. Glad that my inclination was towards understanding rather than blame. I expressed to the manager. "she did nothing wrong, we just didn't communicate." And that was what I felt, and a small urge to chuckle a the conversational gap we created.

"Your best way is not mine." David K. Reynolds

Scholarly, Enriching, and Fun - The British Library

I enjoyed a virtual visit to the British Library today. It is a wonderful interactive site, filled with all kinds of treasures, exercises, metaphors, learning or just "sight seeing".

I particularly like the Learning area with opportunities to listen to Sacred Texts, read up of the history of writing, Why Write, browse through unique recipe collection, Books For Cooks, or trying the Idea Storage Zone. Below are two quotes I loved from the Idea Storage Zone.

"If the items could speak (some can) at once the result would be a cacophony of conflicting, diverging, strange and wonderful ideas. Many books would disagree with one another. If the books could move around, there would certainly be fights."

"The books become like ingredients for recipes - readers take a bit of this, a pinch of that, and then stir the ideas they have collected into their own mixture, coming out with a feast of new thoughts. Allowing people to do this is the whole point of the British Library."

I love learning stuff. Another thank you due to my parents. They both strongly supported and encouraged by interests in learning anything and everything. Either one of them had completed any higher education when I was born. They very much wanted the proverbial better life for me. Instead of a centerpiece, we had a dictionary on our dining room table and it was used often. I was encouraged to be inquisitive and investigate life. That encouragement stuck.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” - Albert Einstein

Time to wander off to the beach and gaze at the sea. Happy voyaging both inner and outer.

Becoming Me

This picture - Catching a Break - emerged from the scan of the side of an orange crate.

"Listen attentively, and remember that true tales are meant to be transmitted-to keep them to oneself is to betray them." Anonymous (Found in the book Creating A Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd)

When I was young, my mother would appear by my room, and excitedly beckon me to come see something quickly. Dragging my feet I would leave my television show, only to find she wanted to show me a sunset, a cloud formation, or a bird resting on one of our trees. My response was often a groan, and a quick return to the TV. Sometimes indignant that she could have thought such "things" more important than my show. At this moment, what pops into my head is Joni Mitchell's line, "don't know what you've got til it's gone."

Sorry, Mama, really sorry. You tried so hard to share your love and appreciation of the ephemeral beauty. Each a unique and special moment never to exist again. Maybe you knew something about the importance of being a witness. I don't know I never asked you. I am humbly grateful that without pause I stop to witness: the crow alight the tip of the tree;
the leaf falling in whirls, the child's toy skittering across the miniature parking lot ponds leaving wakes and waves.

I grew up in a house that was never without canvases, drawing pads, pencils, paints, crayons, easels, artist's palettes. I never even had that thought until yesterday. Except for a quick foray in selling art for greeting cards in my 20's, I didn't do much in creating physical, tangible art for decades. But, I have always kept a wealth of various art supplies, often giving some of them to others that I thought might use them, but never without them. Then, again, I love paper in various textures and colors, pens-marvelous marking tools, pencils in a myriad of colors. Maybe, it's because they have always been part of my life, maybe they are pieces of my childhood, or maybe because they are wondrous things.

In honor of my mother, I invite you to see some interesting things I've found:

Cloud Appreciation Society. Did you know they had one?

Lost & Taken as a lot of good texture freebies like 7 Ink & Tea Stained Paper Textures ("These high-res ink & tea textures were soaked in weak tea.") & 25 watercolor textures. Plain fun to look at and admire as well as use.

"I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom." Clarissa Pinkola Estes

May you be as well as do

(And, Mama, it wasn't just you, sadly, "they" still have a hard time pulling me away from the TV.)

The Temple of My Art

"This is my simple religion.
There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy.
Our own brain, our own heart is our temple.
The philosophy is kindness."
Dalai Lama

This picture called "The Temple" was created from a scan of a mark on a cruet bottle. It evolved into this creation. Many of the pictures that have emerged from scans of ordinary items will never be classed as fine art. That's fine with me as it is such a soul satisfying process to be involved in the "birth" of each picture; watching it evolve. Sometimes a process of minutes, sometimes hours, but always fulfilling. Creation.

Both of my parents were exceptional artists who could make perfect representational portraits and landscapes. I have yet to develop that particular skill. They did imbue me with their passion for the process. My mother saw beauty everywhere. I didn't appreciate her skill when I was younger. I appreciate her gift now.

Thoughts on Sacred Stories & 2 Old Zen Tales

Be amusing: never tell unkind stories; above all, never tell long ones." Benjamin Disraeli

I woke up yesterday morning with a most unusual thought, unusual as it was new. I am the only left who holds our sacred family stories. It made me think of indigenous people where stories and the right to tell them. We have no such known tradition in my nuclear family which are all deceased as are grandparents on both sides. And, I have some distant cousins out there that I'm not in contact with. I have no way of knowing how much or how little of our family history or stories they carry. Still it feels like both poignant and potent thought. And doesn't anyone I've ever talked with hold a piece of my story even those whose paths I've crossed in silent are a part of me as I am of them. I will think on this more, feeling tumble around, snippets of family incidents flash in and out. I dismiss some as unimportant, yet again come to conclusion they are part of me. Some I will share here as I have shared in conversations over the years wondering if the details still match that old reality. Now, I want to share two Zen stories I get get pleasure from each time they appear.

From the website Zen Stories To Tell Your Neighbor:

Knowing Fish

One day Chuang Tzu and a friend were walking by a river. "Look at the fish swimming about," said Chuang Tzu, "They are really enjoying themselves."

"You are not a fish," replied the friend, "So you can't truly know that they are enjoying themselves."

"You are not me," said Chuang Tzu. "So how do you know that I do not know that the fish are enjoying themselves?"

Obsessed

Two traveling monks reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank. She thanked him and departed.

As the monks continued on their way, the one was brooding and preoccupied. Unable to hold his silence, he spoke out. "Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulders and carried her!"

"Brother," the second monk replied, "I set her down on the other side, while you are still carrying her."

It's great the way inklings of truth can slide right in with a story.

Chinese Mystic - Art & Scanning

"The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." -- Eden Phillpotts

This picture and African Warrior both originated from the same scan of the ink "stained" gift bag as the picture Relating from yesterday's post. I love scanning ordinary and unusual objects to morph into "works" of art.

I first had an inkling that that there were others using this technique when I saw an infomercial from Hewlett Packard showing a man scanning an actual fish. He was a scanologist.

More later.

African Warrior

He who wonders discovers that this in itself is wonder.
-- M.C. Escher

Relating

"Words can cause wars, and words can bring hope. Always speak kind, hopeful and comforting words, because our words, prayers and thoughts have the power to travel everywhere in the world and touch the hearts of all people." Karunamayi

This picture, Relating, was created from a gift bag that had ink stains transferred to it. A salesperson apologized about the bag, but my friend Kathleen was wise enough to know I would view it as art or make a picture out of it. I love scanning random items. Voila, the bag print transformed into humans relating to and embracing the world.

We are all related and interconnected. Today, I found out my friend Sandy was, also, born in the same hospital I was long ago and far away. This just delights me. I love interconnections and synchronicities.

Breakfast in today. I had a pineapple smoothie with Ruth's Hemp Protein Powder a good break from dairy or soy. I like to snack on their bars. The ginger almond Maca Power Bar is my fav. Still doing my best to shop for meals from my own pantry. Lunch was a hot bowl of Vita Spelt spaghetti with gorgonzola, butter, and garlic.

I managed to add music to my blog today, player at the bottom of the page. It doesn't start automatically as I don't like that happening when I visit other pages. Please enjoy some uplifting music from Joanne Shenandoah, and Holly Near.

I, also, added a link for The Hunger Site to make it easy to click to donate food. And, now, there is a link to my library on Library Thing. I only have about half my library catalogued so far, but feel free to check out what I and other members have in our library. As I said previously lots of good stuff for booklovers on their site.

Found a nice list of humanitarian sites at Raving Dove.org. Here's some information from just one of the sites, Alternative Gifts:

For the cost of a music download of six songs:
Provide one share of water pipe or school supplies for Gumiguda school system

$6 - One share of water pipe or school supplies for Gumiguda school system

$50 - Permanent clean water resources for one person in a community

Something to consider.

Donuts, Kindness and Philanthropy

A co-worker has listened to me talking about the unique donut shop in Portland, Voodoo Donuts, that sells among other things bacon donuts. So when she found out there was was a new donut shop shop in our area, Mill Creek, that has Bacon Maple Bars, Frost Donuts, she actually got up (we work swing) to be there at 6 am to get one of these coveted items for me.

The bacon and maple bar were good, but her kindness was what I will remember the longest, and her desire to bring me joy. She did. Thank you, Melissa.

While I am thinking on food and giving, you may have noticed the banner for the website Free Rice at the bottom of the page. If you would like an easy way to contribute to the hungry visit their site or visit the Hunger Site no charge to the user just click to earn free food donations.

Jewel - "In the end only kindness matters."

Karunamayi (picture above) - "When you have selflessness, all the divine attributes, like peace, gentleness and compassion, will bloom in your heart garden."

Colours and A Coyote Day

I lunch with friends at a favorite local restaurant in Lynnwood, WA, A. P. Barbara's. It was socially and emotionally nourishing conversation with fabulous food. Everything I ever eaten there is delicious, fresh, plentiful and well priced from 4 eggs omelets, prime rib dips to the best cobb salads - then there was the lemon rice soup - love fresh soup.

I have spent the rest of the day napping and chasing my tail a bit. I was inspired to look at blog templates again after seeing my friend Sandy's new blog. Such a beautiful blue color. I spent a bit of time looking here and there for "it", the right one. Where is the right color blue with right spacing, background, and, of course, for free.

So, now, it's time for a coyote story so I can remember to have a chuckle about my impatience and need for "bluer" pastures. I found this one compiled by Glen Welker on Story on IndigeniousPeople.net - they have a multitude of stories from many traditions. I thank them and all contributor for this treasure of works.

Bluebird and the Coyote

A long time ago the Bluebird's feathers were a very dull ugly colour. It lived near a lake with waters of the most delicate blue which never changed because no stream flowed in or out. Because the bird admired the blue water, it bathed in the lake four times every morning for four days, and every morning it sang:

There's a blue water.
It lies there.
I went in.
I am all blue.

On the fourth morning it shed all its feathers and came out in its bare skin, but on the fifth morning it came out with blue feathers.

All the while, Coyote had been watching the bird. He wanted to jump in and catch it for his dinner, but he was afraid of the blue water. But on the fifth morning he said to the Bluebird: "How is it that all your ugly colour has come out of your feathers, and now you are all blue and sprightly and beautiful? You are more beautiful than anything that flies in the air. I want to be blue, too."

"I went in only four times," replied the Bluebird. It then taught Coyote the song it had sung.

And so Coyote steeled his courage and jumped into the lake. For four mornings he did this, singing the song the Bluebird had taught him, and on the fifth day he turned as blue as the bird.

That made Coyote feel very proud. He was so proud to be a blue coyote that when he walked along he looked about on every side to see if anyone was noticing how fine and blue he was.

Then he started running along very fast, looking at his shadow to see if it also was blue. He was not watching the road, and presently he ran into a stump so hard that it threw him down upon the ground and he became dust-coloured all over. And to this day all coyotes are the colour of dusty earth.

May we partake of and luxuriate in all the beautiful colors of the earth and sky.

Meeting God - A Vendanta Story

From the wonderful website: Spiritual Pearls: Stories & Articles Based On Vedanta

The Boy Who Wanted To Meet God...

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry,so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted. They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, yet they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave.Before he had gone more than a few steps,he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own home a short time later,his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.

She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy? He replied, "I had lunch with God."But before his mother could respond, he added,"You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.Her neighbor was stunned by the look of peace on her face,and she asked,"What did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her neighbor responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

I am thinking about how much I love stories from all traditions, how they slide through a different door of consciousness, melt my heart, make me feel warm and wise.

And, I'm remembering of a favorite quote of many years by Gandhi: "If you don't see God in the next person you meet you won't see him anywhere."

To all the beautiful souls out of there, may you enjoy the stories that fill your life.

Installing Love - National Center for Jewish Healing

From a wonderful website: The National Center for Jewish Healing

INSTALLING LOVE
Customer Service Rep (CS Rep): Yes, Ma'am, how can I help you today?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install LOVE. Can you guide me through the process?
CS Rep: Yes, I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install now. What do I do first?
CS Rep: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART ma'am?
Customer: Yes I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?
CS Rep: What programs are running ma'am?
Customer: Let's see, I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW-ESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running right now.
CS Rep: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH-ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma'am?

6 Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
CS Rep: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done. LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?
CS Rep: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?
Customer: Yes I do. Is it completely installed?
CS Rep: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTS in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?
CS Rep: What does the message say?
Customer: It says "ERROR 412 - PROGRAM NOT RUNNING ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS." What does that mean?
CS Rep: Don't worry that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others.
Customer: So what should I do?
CS Rep: Can you pull down the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?
Customer: Yes, I have it.
CS Rep: Excellent. You're getting good at this.
Customer: Thank you.
CS Rep: You're welcome. Click on the following files and then copy them to the "MY HEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT,and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete VERBALLY-SELF-CRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?
CS Rep: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. One more thing before I go . . .
Customer: Yes?
CS Rep: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some similarly cool modules back to you.

Customer: I will. Thanks for your help. By the way, what's your name?
CS Rep: You can call me the Divine Cardiologist, also known as The Great Physician, but most call me God(dess). Most people feel that all they need is an annual checkup to stay heart-healthy, but the manufacturer (Me) suggests a schedule of daily maintenance for maximum efficiency. Put another way, keep in touch.

Rabbi Isaac N. Trainin Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council 212-399-2685 ext. 229 or 212 www.bikurcholimcc.org

From my heart to your hearts

Sufi Story

Dervish and the Money

Spiritual Story by James Fadiman and Robert Frager


A dervish was praying silently. A wealthy merchant, observing the dervish's devotion and sincerity, was deeply touched by him. The merchant offered the drevish a bag of gold. "I know you will use the money for God's sake. Please take it."

"Just a moment," the dervish replied. "I'm not sure if it is lawful for me to take your money. Are you a wealthy man? Do you have more money at home?"

"Oh yes. I have at least one thousand gold pieces at home," claimed the merchant proudly.

"Do you want a thousand gold pieces more?" asked the dervish.

"Why yes, of course. Every day I work hard to earn more money."

"And do you wish for yet a thousand gold pieces more beyond that?"

"Certainly. Every day I pray that I may earn more and more money."

The dervish pushed the bag of gold back to the merchant. "I am sorry, but I cannot take your gold," he said. "A wealthy man cannot take money from a beggar."

"How can you call yourself a wealthy man and me a beggar?" the merchant spluttered.

The dervish replied, "I am a wealthy man because I am content with whatever God sends me. You are a beggar, because no matter how much you possess, you are always dissatisfied, and always begging God for more."

— By Sheikh Muzaffer

You can read more spiritual stories by these and other authors at Spiritual-Short-Stories.com.

Meandering

"What to do in the darkness: go slowly; consent to it, but don't wallow in it; know it as a place of germination and growth; remember the light; take an outstretched hand if you fin one; exercise unused senses; find the path by walking on it; practice trust; watch for dawn." Marilyn Chandler McEntyre

Pondering what comes next, enjoying what comes along. Looking for a new experience, check out:

Business Cards Made From Leaves - hey why not?

10 Awesome Images That Are Actually Paintings - really look like photos.

"There are years that ask questions and years that answer." Zora Neale Hurston

Nourishment

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Harold Whitman

Nourishment comes in many forms. Friends, recreation , work, reading or simply watching the wind moving through the trees are all or can soul filling sources of pleasure and replenishment. There are times that I am passionately engaged in work, delicious moments of accomplishment and satisfaction. Everything is in alignment. I am grateful to be of service.

Learning has, also, had a draw with many benefits and new ideas. I found these sites to assist with improving all types of drawing skills beginner to advanced: GFX Artist and Drawspace.

Most of us think of food in relationship to nourishment. So here's my fun recipe for today: 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 cup of pitted chopped prunes, 1 Tablespoon of Garam Masala spice, 1/4 cup sesame oil, 1/4 agave nectar. Yummy thick fruit dip - Spicy Plum Dip.

As I write, a new creation is simmering of the stove romaine lettuce, rice, carrot, tahini, crushed ginger, crushed garlic, dulse, toasted sesame seeds and whatever else comes to mind to add in after I taste it. I cook rather like I paint or draw adjust on expected elements until it "tastes" just right or until I sense the creation has become what it intended to be- Maybe Tahini Rice Stew? So good to be in the flow.

May you enjoy the moments of being.

Joy of The Path

"Rules of the Road: What appears to be a detour may be the most important leg of the journey." Judy Cannato

If it not how what just fun, enjoyment. I remember being told in the past the true nature of the soul is joy. It's great to is see the richness in moments, it can be easy that you can imagine to let your heart sing.

I had fun with the site One Word, 60 sixty to write in response to a word; Mr. Picasso Head, free drawing pad; reading a wonderful blog - Artists Who Blog which has interviews with artists. Also, enjoyed the sound and smell of rainy day, the taste of my Palek Paneer steaming over rice (MTR makes a tasty ready made Palek Paneer) the sweetness of the apple juice, the feel of the soft cushion of this chair supporting me.

"Love talked about can be easily turned aside, but love demonstrated is irresistible." Stan Mooneyham

May you learn to love the moments.

Forest Stewardship

I noticed a local store, Office Depot, now carries some New Leaf products, they make stationary out of things like hemp, palm fiber, kenaf, and banana fiber. New Leaf Paper is an FSC certified paper broker.

Short Grandma Story

During the Grandmothers Council a basket is available to place questions in. On the day of Blessings for Youth, questions were by the children/little ones.

A young girl asked "What will you grandmothers do when there is peace." (First, I loved the question when, not if). A grandmother answered immediately, "Reforestation, plant trees everywhere, then sing, dance, laugh, celebrate and rest."

Belonging

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." June Howard

I just enjoyed an evening with friends at my Book Club. It's is always interesting to be around these intelligent, insightful women. I am equally amazed at what we have in common, and our ability to see things different. We have a nice camaraderie, and tonight a bit of reminiscing about the beginning of our journey - no rules except you didn't have to read the book, you could eat during the meeting, and you could bring kids. Some people believe there needs to be more structure for groups to function well. We have been meeting for about 10 years, we even passed on picking a name other than Book Club. It still works. I am grateful to these women sharing their lives, hearts, minds, and ideas with me.

Continuing To Weave A New Story

"We will surely get to our destination if we join hands."
~Aung San Suu Kyi

Quote of the day on site I enjoyed last night My Peace TV.

May you touch the face of beauty and remember who you are.

Simple Sandwich

Simple Sandwich

2 to 3 pieces of bread
medium tomato
crushed garlic
cheddar cheese
garlic powder

Spread crushed garlic on frozen bread, add slice of cheese, slice of tomato, slice or shredded cheese, sprinkle of garlic powder. Like Italian add oregano on top. "Bake" in 300 degree oven about 7-8 minutes enough to lightly cook tomatoes and melt the cheese. Excellent addition sliced avocado.

Ancient Heartfires

I want to share one of the stories I witnessed that was deeply touching though I can only repeat the grandmother's words from my memory. One of the grandmother's came to the microphone because she had somehting to share with us. She said there was a young woman who lived near where our gathering was being held. She heard the drumming from the daily sacred fire rituals on the beach from her balcony. What she heard was frigthening to her at first. Then she became curious, and Thursday (which just happened to be the Blessing for the Youth) she came down to the Sacred Fire and talked the grandmothers. She told them she was adopted. She, also, knew her ancestry was Cherokee, but she knew nothing of her birth family or about her native heritage. Grandmother spoke, "I asked her to come here this morning." She asked the young woman and her mother to step forward, then she called on all the Cherokee grandmothers to come forward to meet and be with their new granddaughter. Myself and those sitting around me had tears welling up. This brave young woman, this brave mother coming admist strangers and being accepted and enfolded into a new family.

Then one of the Cherokee grandmothers stepped gently face to face with this young woman. She told her own story of not knowing her people or her heritage because it was illegal for her granfather to acknowledge his Cherokee ancestry. She told how she, too, had been adopted by a Cherokee grandmother. This grandmother had hand knitted her a shawl. She took off the beautiful shawl she had been wearing, and gave it to her new granddaughter. She was given other gifts of welcome & acknowledgment.

She was. also, adopted by the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. I believe we were all very moved by what we witnessed, One of the grandmothers in a heartfelt plea asked us to remember to reach out to all the children everywhere. I thought about how much we want to belong, and the ways we manifest that longing from book clubs to gangs. And how simple and profund and outpouring of love and acceptance really is.

On The Road To Open My Heart

"The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us." Doris Day

Just seeing a quote by Doris Day makes be think of my mother. I have quoted her often as singing lines from a Doris Day song: Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see que sera, sera, what will be will be. Since I grew up hearing this sentiment, I always have found the simple thought true and comforting. And I am travelling as I am internally called to be present for the Blessing of the Ancestors on Friday, at the beach, a place that nutured my mothers soul as it does mine.

With this I am preparing for the jaunt to Lincoln City, excited about the opportunity to share prayers in the presence of so many wisdomkeepers at the Grandmothers Council. I may not post tommorrow or Friday as I'll leave my laptop, and partake of rattles, shells, and fans in it's stead.

Blessed journey wherever you are.

Long Ago

Blessed Ancestry - A Little Bio

The ancient European ancestral song below is referenced in one of my favorite books, the The Four Fold Way by Angeles Arrien, in the chapter entitled The Way of the Teacher. When I first heard Angeles quoting this song in a perfect tempo it went deep into my bones.


Oh, may this be the one who
will bring forward
the good, the true and beautiful in our
family lineage;
Oh, may this be the one who will
break the harmful
family patterns or harmful nation
patterns


I feel it is time to do a little of my bio. My mother was of Lithuanian ancestry, my father of German, French & Iroquois (Seneca & Onondaga).

My mother's maternal family traces their ancestry back to Duke Gediminas in the 13th century. One of the few happy memories my maternal grandmother, Helena, shared is of walking with her sister in the Chicago Lithuanian community and having people call her princess acknowledging her heritage.

We know little of my maternal grandfather's ancestry except he was Lithuanian. He entered the United States as an illegal immigrant after defecting from conscription in the Russian army in an occupied Lithuania. He never revealed his revealed his true name to the family, lived in fear of being deported, and died young at 45. My father left home at 12, and shared little of his family history. His mother was German, his father called a half-breed French Indian.

I was born downtown Los Angeles, Ca. in the Queen of Angels hospital. So I am a Euro-American blend.

"All my ancestors live undiminished in me and will continue so live, united with me, in my descendants." Miguel de Unamuno - Basque philosopher referenced in the The Four Fold Way by Angeles Arrien in the chapter entitled The Way of the Teacher.

Blessed are all those who came before so I may be here and enjoy this beautiful world now. They do live on in me and with me. May I serve them well.

Extravagant Frugal Soup

"A knowledge of the path cannot be substituted for putting one foot in front of the other."
- M. C. Richards

I have never been taught to cook, but I have made some excellent, delicious meals. The recipe below is one of them.

The amount of most ingredients are approximate, any brand will work. This fancy because my cupboards had some great ingredients, and frugal because I'm using what's on hand. Another Aquarian throw & cook


Extravagant Frugal Soup

1 cup of Trader Joes raw walnut pieces
Handful of Trader Joes sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup Trader Joes grapeseed oil

Cook/toast walnuts and sun dried tomatoes in grapeseed oil about 5 minutes stirring ocasionally.

Then add in:

2 cans of Muir Glen Organic ground peeled tomatoes
1 13.5 fl. oz. can Chaokoh coconut milk
1 chopped bunch of Nash's fresh spinach
2 cups loosely packed chopped Rents Due Ranch French Crisp lettuce
1/2 cup roasted sesame seeds
1/2 cup Sound Sea Vegetables dulse flakes
1 Tablespoon of Tusali (basil) leaves blessed by Ammachi
1/4 Trader Joes crushed garlic

Bring to a simmer and let cook about 30 - 40 minutes.

Very good hot or cold. Very rich flavor - a small bowl is satisfyingly delicious little bites of walnut make it a fun texture. Great as pasta sauce. Nice is a crumbled gorgonzola or shredded cheddar cheese garnish.

If you are willing to play and experiment, you can make one of a kind signature dishes for yourself, friends and family.

On The Theme of Kindness

Found of the website World of Inspiration:

“It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.”

John Andrew Holmes

Found of the website Kindness Rewarded:

Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
~ Scott Adams

They, also, have stories of kindness, and you can submit your stories of kindness there.

There's a creative article in Women's Day - Improve Your Mood in 5 minutes I enjoyed. It's been a while since I've read their magazine. It is current and inspiring. Here's just a snippet of one of their suggestions:

2. Make up a ridiculous story. If someone is fueling your sour mood, create a goofy character in your head based on that person.

If that interests you, see the rest of number 2 and others at their site.

Edging towards better spending habits, I enjoyed a wonderful homemade carrot, cabbage, garlic and greens soup/stew with veggies from Earthbound Farms. Simple throw in the pot meal yet so delicious.

Karunamayi - A Beloved Teacher

Bhagavati Sri Sri Sri Vijayeswari Devi (Karunamayi) has been coming to the United States since 1995 to share her messages of love, universal and wisdom. I have been blessed to see her every year in the Seattle area. Her visits are always uplifting, inspirational mixed with practical information and tools for being a better human being.

"When asked ... why she had journeyed to the west, Amma replied simply that she views the entire world as one small house in which each country is just one small room." - Swami Vijayeswarananda

I love her perspective. It is good to have role models for loving kindeness. Jai Karunamayi.