I found this video so moving. I hope you do too.
The Power of Love
I found this video so moving. I hope you do too.
Category: Inspiration
Front Yard Vegetable Gardens in My Neighborhood
I don’t know how many Seattle residents have front yard gardens, but they are definitely common in my neighborhood. I love to see people growing some of their own food.
I visited the neighbors that live across the street from me yesterday. It is always such a treat to see their gardens. They have turned their yard into property that is magical. Even though the photos don’t capture it, know that this front yard garden is tiered on a steep slope. Eiric weaves branches to create the structure for the beds and remakes them every two years. When I asked him the correct terminology to describe this process he responded: “They are ‘wattled’ beds of Apple ‘air shoot’ branches.”
(To enlarge photos click on the individual galleries.)
Other nearby gardens:
And mine!
There are many other front yard vegetable gardens in this neighborhood but I think I’ve shown you enough to give you a good idea of what they are like. I wonder how many people have back yard gardens too!
As a Bee Seeks Nectar
As a bee seeks nectar
from all kinds of flowers,
seek teachings everywhere.
Like a deer that finds
a quiet place to graze
seek seclusion to digest
all that you have gathered.
Like a madman
beyond all limits,
go wherever you please,
and live like a lion
completely free from all fear.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Pure
To me this photo represents purity, innocence, contentment, peace, and trust.
I Don’t Know My Name
It has been years since I’ve watched “America’s Got Talent” but I put it on while I was waiting to hear the results of yesterday’s U.S. election primaries. I cried when I saw this performance last night, and cried even more when I watched it on YouTube a few minutes ago.
Judge Howie Mandel loved her performance so much that he hit the Golden Buzzer which allows her to go directly to the live shows that occur towards the end of the competition.
Welcome to North America Amma!
I have written many posts about my spiritual journey with Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) since I started blogging in 2014. My life changed profoundly when I met her in the summer of 1989. Since then, I have spent time with her yearly, during her North American programs and at her ashram in Amritapuri, India. My son Sreejit has lived in her ashrams in San Ramon and Amritapuri since 1994 and my daughter has lived in Amritapuri since 1998. Our lives are dedicated to supporting Amma’s mission/vision of alleviating suffering in the world. (Amma’s vast network of humanitarian charities is known as Embracing the World )
Just hours from now Amma will begin her first 2016 program in North America. That program will be held at the Edward D Hanson Conference Center in Everett, Washington (near Seattle). Between now and July 14 Amma will hold free programs in San Ramon, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Boston and Toronto. Details of the Seattle area programs can be found at http://amma.org/meeting-amma/north-america/seattle-bellevue. To see her entire North American tour schedule go to: http://amma.org/meeting-amma/north-america.
I think the best way for me to share more about the experience of being with Amma is through three videos.
The first is a video of Amma feeding a fledgling that had fallen out of its nest.
One of the ways Amma offers her blessings is through her hug.
Film director, actor and producer Shekhar Kapur recently launched a beautiful new documentary about Amma titled The Science of Compassion.
It’s time for me to get ready to go to the program. I look forward to discovering what experiences I will have this year!
On Living and Dying Day 15 by Sreejit Poole
I think this is one of the best posts Sreejit has ever written.
Something to Strive For?
I hope you enjoy this 1 1/2 minute video as much as I did. I do not expect any of these tasks will ever be on my list of accomplishments!
Visions of the Wise
யாதும் ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர்
தீதும் நன்றும் பிறர்தர வாரா
நோதலும் தணிதலும் அவற்றோ ரன்ன
சாதலும் புதுவது அன்றே, வாழ்தல்
To us all towns are one, all men our kin,
Life’s good comes not from others’ gifts, nor ill,
Man’s pains and pain’s relief are from within,
Death’s no new thing, nor do our bosoms thrill
When joyous life seems like a luscious draught.
When grieved, we patient suffer; for, we deem
This much-praised life of ours a fragile raft
Borne down the waters of some mountain stream
That o’er huge boulders roaring seeks the plain
Tho’ storms with lightning’s flash from darkened skies.
Descend, the raft goes on as fates ordain.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !
We marvel not at the greatness of the great;
Still less despise we men of low estate.
When do you think this profound poem was written?
The poem was created by Kaniyan Poongundran, a Tamil philosopher during the Sangam period (3rd century BC to the 4th century AD). It was published in the Purananuru in 192 A.D.
Arrow Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Letting Go…
This morning, a friend sent me this Zen Proverb. These behaviors are already values of mine but I know I will be working on all of them throughout my life. I think it is interesting that the one I do the least is the belly laugh.
Throughout the day, I reflected on how different our world would be if we all were able and willing to do these things.
1. Let go of comparing
2. Let go of competing
3. Let go of judgements
4. Let go of anger
5. Let go of regrets
6. Let go of worrying
7. Let go of blame
8. Let go of guilt
9. Let go of fear
10. Have a proper belly laugh at least once a day
Living, Learning and Letting Go 