beauty
Everything is Perfect
“Choose knowledge for the sake of knowledge over achievement. We are in an achievement-oriented society. We judge and value people based on their achievements. But most of the people who get caught up in that trap – always trying to “get ahead” – their reward for that is almost always high blood pressure, ulcers, early deaths and even things like cancer. Remember, it’s a perfect universe. There’s no stress in it. Only people thinking stressful thoughts.”
Stunning Graffiti
I found this graffiti in the back of a building in a small parking lot near ASU-Tempe. The shadow and detail work are amazing.
Nature is Wondrous
I spotted this gorgeous guy in my parents’ backyard in Georgia. Look at that tail!
Instinctive
“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.”
Zenrin Kushû
Changing My Walk
Tolle talks about people who walk out in nature while listening to their earbuds, talking on their phone and doing other activities that take them out of being present. I realized I really have enjoyed listening to music and podcasts while walking my dog, but that in doing so, I am missing out on being 100% present.
For the past two weeks, I have walked my dog without using my phone except to take one picture of a flower or cactus. In this short period, I’ve realized a difference in the rest of my day. I feel calmer and my mind does not go (as bonkers) as it used to. In fact, when my mind starts to go astray, I can bring it back to the present much faster now.
Death Meditation
“With the contemplation of the impermanence of the human form, something very deep and peaceful opens up inside you. That is why I enjoy going to cemeteries. When you accept the impermanence, out of that comes an opening within, which is beyond form. That which is not touched by death, the formless, comes forward as you completely accept the impermanence of all forms. That’s why it is so deeply peaceful to contemplate death.
If someone close to you dies, then there is an added dimension. You may find there is deep sadness. The form also was precious, although what you loved in the form was the formless. And yet, you weep because of the fading form. There too, you come to an acceptance – especially if you are already familiar with death, you already know that everything dies – then you can accept it more easily when it happens to somebody close to you. There is still deep sadness, but then you can have the two dimensions simultaneously – the outer you weeps, the inner and most essential is deeply at peace. It comes forward almost as if it were saying “there is no death”. It’s peace.”
Eckhart Tolle
