When I travel around the globe, people from war-stricken countries often come to see me. Women from these areas tell me, “We wake up in the morning to the sounds of gun-fire and screaming. Our children cling to us in fear and cry; we also hold onto them and cry. It’s been so many years since we awoke to the chirping of birds.”
Let us pray that the crackle of gunfire in such places is soon replaced by the sweet sounds of chirping birds, and that the young and old alike burst into laughter instead of tears.
–Amma
Amma is leading programs in North America until July 20. She is in San Ramon, California now and then will go to Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, New York City and Toronto. Schedule
Perspective means different ways of seeing things.
When some people see worms they get squeamish. They wouldn’t even think holding them and letting them run through their fingers.
The picture above is of the worms in my vermicomposting bin. I feed the worms and in turn they create fertilizer! I love watching the worms. I particularly enjoy it when the time comes to separate the worms from the fertilizer (the fertilizer goes to the garden and the worms go back into the vermicomposting bin) because I get to pick them up and feel them squiggle in my hand.
As I look at the vegetable plants that are growing in my garden now, I know the worms have played a significant role in making them so healthy. I feel immensely grateful that they are doing such an important service for me and for the earth.
As I have walked my psychological and spiritual life journeys, I have been taught much about desire. This week I have been reflecting on what I have learned.
From Amma I learned:
Peace of mind comes when the mind is free of desire. Amma uses the example of chocolate in teaching that concept. If I have been desiring chocolate, the moment the chocolate touches my tongue I may have the experience of bliss. If the bliss came from the chocolate then I could eat more and more chocolate and I would experience more and more bliss. Instead, if I continue eating chocolate, I will make myself sick. The bliss comes because my mind becomes silent the instant the chocolate touches my tongue. Moments later, another desire emerges and my mind gets caught up in wanting again.
My desires are most likely to be realized if I let go of them. If I hold on and try to force the issue they are less likely to materialize. It is also important for me to “Put in the effort and let go of the results.” If I have done the best I can in a given situation and let go of the results, I am more likely to have peace of mind. Staying attached to them is one way I make myself miserable.
From Church of God in Christ ministers I learned:
When the praises go up, the blessings come down!
God isn’t deaf. There is no need to ask for the same thing over and over. If I don’t receive that for which I ask, the answer may be “No.”
In-between moments can be just as memorable as grand finales. This week, share a photo you took on the way to something else.
Today, I was driving home from delivering an item to a friend and saw this intriguing statue. The owner’s home address was carved into the bottom portion of the log. I thought it was a perfect subject for the challenge!
When I returned from Amma’s programs in Everett on Tuesday, I was surprised by how much my garden had grown. I felt so grateful to the neighbor who watered the plants for me during the four days I was gone. Everything looked so beautiful.
I have shared a glimpse of the garden beds I have been building in past posts, but haven’t shown them up close. I decided now is the time, even though I’ve only completed two of the four.
I plan to add some more dirt to this front one and straighten some of the bricks but other than that it is finished. The bed closer to the house is about half done.
On Thursday, I was asked what I would like to learn in the future. That was an interesting question. At first, what came to mind were skills I already have, but haven’t done for years, e.g. knitting, crocheting, and quilting. And I’m a beginning gardener so I definitely have much to learn in that arena! While those answers would have been true, they didn’t seem like the one I was looking for. Continue reading “I’d Still Like to Learn…”→
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”-William Shakespeare
Living, Learning and Letting Go 