Funny

Found this online the author said it was originally in Finnish and it goes like this in English:

"I'm innocent. Most probably. Besides it was an accident"

Oh I love it, makes mirth bubble like a spring...  this is the image that goes with it:

the church of Dog

Lessons from dogs – a variation, (woohoo some sort of deja vu here)

1. Trust can be earned
2. Dependence is a mutual thing
3. run to greet the person you love
4. stop and smell the roses
5. have a passion (s)
6. persist
7. let go
8. be curious
9. pay attention and inquire
10. follow your nose
11. pick up after others
12. forgive
13. ask forgiveness and accept it too
14. don’t be afraid to try
15. take care of your responsibilities
16. take a regular nap
17. try hard
18. play hard
19. be willing to be seen as foolish
20. let people laugh at you to laugh with you
21. don’t pull
22. be flexible
23. go the extra mile
24. learn the way home
25. ask for what you need
26. stay simple, stay humble
27. enjoy simple pleasures
28. don’t be snappish
29. be kind
30. share your food, and water and blanket and toys
31. explore
32. encourage others to play
33. roll on the ground or floor and then shake all over
34. smile
35. sing to the moon, splash in water

not something I would normally...

watch or consider watching but in that spirit here is a link that is uplifting - remembering grandma doesn't make mistakes, just opportunities. Rion Paige - born this way

new painting in progress

coming in stages, it is fun, KC says it looks like she has a goiter, (where did she even learn that word?) ah well, people have funny reactions to works in progress, why do we so often not realize that most of what or whom we meet is a work in progress? I'd like to keep that in mind...

why ordain, why make this lifestyle choice?

an asian professor who I saw in clinic asked "why you do that, why be monk?" of course I gave some smartass reply like "just crazy." but tonight woken by the helicopter and sirens I thought: "Because one can stay in bed, or one can throw off the covers and take the trail to the lake barefoot in the moonlight."

I think Kim's suggestion for a class title for sensei's meditation group has been percolating for me. She suggested An Examined Life as in 'the unexamined life is not worth living' a quote ascribed to Socrates and used by many since.

epiphanies

according to western science epiphanies (cause/correlate) with humongous releases of Dopamine the happy neurotransmitter in the nucleus accumbens, a lovely place in the brain.

For us dhamma trailers epiphanies are the vista points along the path, good spots for picnics or a rest along the way. Even little ones are appreciated and while there we pick up any garbage left behind by others, fluff up the grass if it has been crushed by heavy feet, we polish the dazzle of the space, speak gently to the devas gathered there and give thanks, generally adding to the sense of well being, knowing we will move along shortly, walking comfortably in the Tao.

I had a simple but healing epiphany the other day. A noble friend said she was not sure why people tattooed and pierced and otherwise modified their bodies, she finds it a little scary, a little off-putting. I woke in the night thinking it was not so different from having to wear this getup - bland plain asian shirt and bald head but that if this was a book cover it would be plain, unobtrusive, not draw attention - the opposite of stand out - so it says "don't look at me, look with me." And for the first time since ordaining I felt good about the outfit. Have been milking that epiphany ever since. Peace and joy to you today, may you know the sweetness and health of life, and may the sun warm your bones just right.

what now?

 I am becoming friends with a great heart I met recently - here is a quote from her:

" Anyway, one lady I will always remember had Alzheimers and she made it a point to say something nice to everyone. She would say, "I know I'm getting forgetful and I never want to forget to thank everyone for all they have done for me. Have I thanked you today? Have I told you how pretty your smile is today? If I forget you remind me." That's how I hope to be. I hope my last words are kind."

and she turned me on to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderata

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

“

”

Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"

 Thank you latefall.