This Free and Precious Life

If you do not make good use of this free and precious life,

What good does it do to possess a human body?

Shabkar Tsodruk Rangdrol (1781-1851), was a Tibetan yogi who lived a free and independent lifestyle, uncomplicated by institutional allegiance to any particular school of thought. He loved the Buddha’s teaching in all its manifestations and was famous for his affection and concern for animals.

Natures Differ

Water is for fish

And air for people.

Natures differ, and needs with them.

Hence the wise ones of old

Did not lay down

One measure for all.

adapted from Thomas Merton

Be Happy

The only thing that is beautiful, noble, religious, and mystical is to be happy.

This quotation is from Arnaud Desjardins (b. 1925) who was the director of French national television from 1952 to 1974. He made documentary films on Eastern religion and has written numerous books on the spiritual traditions of the East. His books have been translated and published all over the world.

Music Animation Machine

I saw this video in the "Musical Giant" section of my friend Edward Viljoen's blog (http://www.edblogword.blogspot.com/). Isn't it clever (and enjoyable)?

Stillness

A man does not seek to see himself in running water, but in still water. For only what is itself still can impart stillness unto others.

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Chuang-tse

Learning

Adults may learn from very little children,

for the hearts of little children are pure,

and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them

many things which older people miss.

Black Elk

Abundance

In his book Journey of Awakening, Ram Dass says, “All that you seek is already within you.” He explains that in Hinduism this idea is called the Atman; in Buddhism, it is known as the pure Buddha-mind. Christ said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.” Quakers call it “the still, small voice within.”

Thomas Merton, pictured here, was a Trappist monk and a keen proponent of inter-religious understanding. He engaged in dialogues with many spiritual leaders including the Dalai Lama, Tich Nhat Hanh, and D. T. Suzuki. Merton sums up the universal idea of abundance this way:

We have what we seek.
It is there all the time,
and if we give it time
it will make itself known to us.

Affirmation

I see the world in a grain of sand

And Heaven in a wildflower.

I hold infinity in the palm of my hand

And eternity in an hour.

adapted from William Blake

All Lives are One

Heaven and earth are one.
Myself and the cosmos are one.
All lives are one.
They have the same root.
They have but a single body.

From Awakenings: Asian Wisdom for Every Day

To Be

Your duty is to be;

and not to be this or that.

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Nothing is Permanent

Nothing is permanent:

The sun and the moon rise and then set,

The bright, clear day is followed by the deep, dark night.

From hour to hour, everything changes.

.

Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche (1905-1989) was a Buddhist meditation master, scholar and teacher. He was one of the first Tibetan masters to teach in the West.

Animal Friendship

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Linda Webb-Khakaba

Yesterday my beautiful friend Linda Webb-Khakaba made a transition from this life to her next plane of existence. She was an internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter who also served for ten years as music director of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. The lyrics below are from her song “Holy Light.”

I feel the holy light.
It’s coming from my soul,
Luminous and bright.
I’m complete and whole.

I feel the holy light
Coming deep inside,
In majesty and light,
Sacred and sanctified.

I feel the holy light.
It’s shining in my dreams,
Telling me nothing is impossible
For you and me.

Zen Proverb

The snow falls,

each flake in its intended place.

Peace Through Music

Happiness and Prosperity

In many homes in India a decorative door hanging, called a toran, is displayed to welcome guests and to symbolize happiness and prosperity. May each day in the New Year be full of happiness and prosperity for you.