Good-Bye My Fancy
GOOD-BYE my fancy - (I had a word to say,
But 'tis not quite the time - The best of any man's word or say,
Is when its proper place arrives - and for its meaning,
I keep mine till the last.)
Behind a Good-bye there lurks much of the salutation of another
beginning - to me, Development Continuity, Immortality,
Transformation, are the chiefest life-meanings of Nature and
Humanity, and are the sine qua non of all facts, and each fact.
Why do folks dwell so fondly on the last words, advice,
appearance, of the departing? Those last words are not samples of
the best, which involve vitality at its full, and balance, and
perfect control and scope. But they are valuable beyond measure to
confirm and endorse the varied train, facts, theories and faith of
the whole preceding life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Leaves of Grass 1891
Walt Whitman
"...Those last words are not samples of
the best..." it is the details of each day and thoughts shared when we can that are the most important "...valuable beyond measure..."
Thus we can blog and share the most valuable parts of our lives!!
To answer the question: "Why do you blog?"
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Meditation information / Buddhist
Sixteen Steps of Meditation
[This is a summary and paraphrase of the sixteen steps (often taught in Buddhism but usually in different ways to advanced students) as a quick reminder of the sequence to use in developing a meditation practice that is intended to actually produce results (ie. strengthening the mind's self control...) rather than just meditation for relaxation or escapism.]
A Spiritual Practice by Achun Buddhadasa Bhikkhu – (Thailand)
Based on the Four Foundations or supports of Mindfulness
Anapanasati – Giving attention to in and out breathing as an object of meditation.
Vipassana-bhavana – The cultivation of insight or direct realization.
I. Relating to the body.
One
Learning and using Long Breaths (the Breath-body -Pranayama) (full awareness)
Two
Understanding how short breathing affects us.
Three
To understand sankhara, the condition of the body by the breath, which replaces any consideration of a “soul.” We see the conditioner, the condition, and the process of conditioning.
Four
1) Calming the body-conditioner – the breath-body. 2) Guard an image and 3) manipulate it. 4) The fourth technique is controlling the mental images as we wish. 5) Concentrating everything on this one point is the fifth of our skillful means.
"You should practice [the four initial steps] until these steps require no effort and you have become well-versed in these activities.” These should be repeated at the beginning of each practice session.
II. Feeling Tone / Emotions
Five
“Step one of the second tetrad, ‘experiencing piti’ consists of contemplating piti (contentment) every time we breathe in and breath out… Find what this feeling is like.
Fully experience it. Is it heavy? Is it light? How coarse is it? How subtle? This is called “knowing its flavor.” (Buddhadasa, 1988, pg. 59)
Six
Focus on sukha (joy) as arising out of piti (contentment) …sukha does not stimulate or excite; sukha is the agent that makes the citta tranquil… Usually piti obscures sukha, but when piti fades away, sukha remains. The coarse feeling gives way to calm. Taste the tranquil flavor of sukha with every inhalation and exhalation.”
Seven
Vedana – feelings: condition coarse thoughts and subtle thoughts. It is an art; practice the spiritual art of controlling piti and sukha so that they benefit our lives.
Eight
Calming the mind conditioner while breathing in and breathing out – either by samadhi –a higher level of concentration; or by the wisdom –panna- method. We aim at the one pinnacled mind that has santi or Nibbana as its object. Panna (wisdom) realizes the true nature (characteristics, qualities, conditions) of all things to understand how piti arises and what will cause it to cease. Learning to control emotions, and dissipate negative emotions that cause or would create suffering.
III. Consciousness - Perceptions
Nine
Examine mind (citta)-- A feeling of wanting, grasping is 1)raga.
2) Dosa does not like, does not want, it is negative, pushing away (aversion).
3) Moha is ignorant. It does not know wrong and right, good and evil, running in circles. Get to know your mind: Is it superior – sharper or common? supreme –exalted or lacking yet to develop? Are we concentrated—samadhi?– or lacking focus? Is the mind liberated or grasping and clinging in attachment? Begin to understand our own minds.
Ten
"Allow the mind to rest in joy, delighted and content, supported by Dharma. Bask in joyfulness free of defilement (kilesa).”
Eleven
To concentrate the mind -- Samadhi. Having three distinct qualities.
Samahito –firm, steady, undistracted --focused on a single object. Stability, collectedness.
Parisuddho -- purity A mind empty of defilements.
Kammaniyo -- fit and supremely prepared to perform the duties of the mind. (not sleepy or tired.)
Twelve
Liberation: not letting the mind become attached to anything 1) e.g. Sensuality, possessions, necessities, gems, jewelry, gold, or money etc. 2) Let go of opinions, beliefs, views, and theories (because of ignorance avijja). 3) Dismiss traditions, habits, obsessions, superstitions. 4) Release possessions as ‘I’ or ‘mine.’ Let go with in and out breaths. Identify hindrances and apply the breaths to these five: 1 feelings of sensuality, 2) aversion, 3) depression and drowsiness, 4) agitation and distraction, and 5) doubt and uncertainty. Further, eliminate greed, anger, delusions and other defilements.
This is huge, to be reviewed every time one practices meditation.
IV: Objects of the Mind – Ideas about Dhamma
Thirteen
Contemplating impermanence -- Realize the impermanence of each of the twelve preceding steps. There is the simultaneous realization of when impermanence is truly seen. It also has the characteristic of dukkham, namely: it is painful and unbearable (unsatisfactoriness.) We can also find the characteristic of not-self (anatta) in it. As these things are always changing, impermanent, unsatisfactory [thus sources of suffering,] and beyond our control, we realize anatta as well… We see they are void of self-hood, which is sunnata… Impermanence is just thus, just like that, thusness [a fact of all nature.]
And so, tathata is seen as well. The short phrase aniccanupassana (contemplating impermanence) includes the realization of unsatisfactoriness, not-self, voidness, thusness, and conditionality as well. (ontology)
Fourteen
Dissolving, or viraga. Vi, in this case, means ‘not’ or ‘not having.’ Raga is another name for attachment [also upadana.] Watching attachment dissolve is like watching the stains in a cloth slowly fade away.
Fifteen
Quench the fear of birth, aging, illness, and death. Quench the symptoms of dukkha, such as pain, sorrow, sadness, and despair. Quench the wants and desires of agreeable and disagreeable things. Finally, quench the view of any of the five khandha [aggregates] as ‘self.’
Sixteen
Contemplating throwing back… returning, everything to which we were once attached.
Lokiya living beneath the world –
lokuttara living above the world.
Since this is a summary, it may be obvious that a complete understanding of all of these steps requires a tutorial and practice for each step in a gradual learning process. These sixteen steps can be thought of as the gateway to enlightenment, and must be entered repeatedly in order to have a lasting effect. Much of what is to be learned is kinesthetic in nature, that is, it is like learning to tie shoes or learning a sport and is only learned in a progressive way with patience and incremental practice. The "Buddhist Sutra" thirty lessons provides one source of this kind of instruction.
[This is a summary and paraphrase of the sixteen steps (often taught in Buddhism but usually in different ways to advanced students) as a quick reminder of the sequence to use in developing a meditation practice that is intended to actually produce results (ie. strengthening the mind's self control...) rather than just meditation for relaxation or escapism.]
A Spiritual Practice by Achun Buddhadasa Bhikkhu – (Thailand)
Based on the Four Foundations or supports of Mindfulness
Anapanasati – Giving attention to in and out breathing as an object of meditation.
Vipassana-bhavana – The cultivation of insight or direct realization.
I. Relating to the body.
One
Learning and using Long Breaths (the Breath-body -Pranayama) (full awareness)
Two
Understanding how short breathing affects us.
Three
To understand sankhara, the condition of the body by the breath, which replaces any consideration of a “soul.” We see the conditioner, the condition, and the process of conditioning.
Four
1) Calming the body-conditioner – the breath-body. 2) Guard an image and 3) manipulate it. 4) The fourth technique is controlling the mental images as we wish. 5) Concentrating everything on this one point is the fifth of our skillful means.
"You should practice [the four initial steps] until these steps require no effort and you have become well-versed in these activities.” These should be repeated at the beginning of each practice session.
II. Feeling Tone / Emotions
Five
“Step one of the second tetrad, ‘experiencing piti’ consists of contemplating piti (contentment) every time we breathe in and breath out… Find what this feeling is like.
Fully experience it. Is it heavy? Is it light? How coarse is it? How subtle? This is called “knowing its flavor.” (Buddhadasa, 1988, pg. 59)
Six
Focus on sukha (joy) as arising out of piti (contentment) …sukha does not stimulate or excite; sukha is the agent that makes the citta tranquil… Usually piti obscures sukha, but when piti fades away, sukha remains. The coarse feeling gives way to calm. Taste the tranquil flavor of sukha with every inhalation and exhalation.”
Seven
Vedana – feelings: condition coarse thoughts and subtle thoughts. It is an art; practice the spiritual art of controlling piti and sukha so that they benefit our lives.
Eight
Calming the mind conditioner while breathing in and breathing out – either by samadhi –a higher level of concentration; or by the wisdom –panna- method. We aim at the one pinnacled mind that has santi or Nibbana as its object. Panna (wisdom) realizes the true nature (characteristics, qualities, conditions) of all things to understand how piti arises and what will cause it to cease. Learning to control emotions, and dissipate negative emotions that cause or would create suffering.
III. Consciousness - Perceptions
Nine
Examine mind (citta)-- A feeling of wanting, grasping is 1)raga.
2) Dosa does not like, does not want, it is negative, pushing away (aversion).
3) Moha is ignorant. It does not know wrong and right, good and evil, running in circles. Get to know your mind: Is it superior – sharper or common? supreme –exalted or lacking yet to develop? Are we concentrated—samadhi?– or lacking focus? Is the mind liberated or grasping and clinging in attachment? Begin to understand our own minds.
Ten
"Allow the mind to rest in joy, delighted and content, supported by Dharma. Bask in joyfulness free of defilement (kilesa).”
Eleven
To concentrate the mind -- Samadhi. Having three distinct qualities.
Samahito –firm, steady, undistracted --focused on a single object. Stability, collectedness.
Parisuddho -- purity A mind empty of defilements.
Kammaniyo -- fit and supremely prepared to perform the duties of the mind. (not sleepy or tired.)
Twelve
Liberation: not letting the mind become attached to anything 1) e.g. Sensuality, possessions, necessities, gems, jewelry, gold, or money etc. 2) Let go of opinions, beliefs, views, and theories (because of ignorance avijja). 3) Dismiss traditions, habits, obsessions, superstitions. 4) Release possessions as ‘I’ or ‘mine.’ Let go with in and out breaths. Identify hindrances and apply the breaths to these five: 1 feelings of sensuality, 2) aversion, 3) depression and drowsiness, 4) agitation and distraction, and 5) doubt and uncertainty. Further, eliminate greed, anger, delusions and other defilements.
This is huge, to be reviewed every time one practices meditation.
IV: Objects of the Mind – Ideas about Dhamma
Thirteen
Contemplating impermanence -- Realize the impermanence of each of the twelve preceding steps. There is the simultaneous realization of when impermanence is truly seen. It also has the characteristic of dukkham, namely: it is painful and unbearable (unsatisfactoriness.) We can also find the characteristic of not-self (anatta) in it. As these things are always changing, impermanent, unsatisfactory [thus sources of suffering,] and beyond our control, we realize anatta as well… We see they are void of self-hood, which is sunnata… Impermanence is just thus, just like that, thusness [a fact of all nature.]
And so, tathata is seen as well. The short phrase aniccanupassana (contemplating impermanence) includes the realization of unsatisfactoriness, not-self, voidness, thusness, and conditionality as well. (ontology)
Fourteen
Dissolving, or viraga. Vi, in this case, means ‘not’ or ‘not having.’ Raga is another name for attachment [also upadana.] Watching attachment dissolve is like watching the stains in a cloth slowly fade away.
Fifteen
Quench the fear of birth, aging, illness, and death. Quench the symptoms of dukkha, such as pain, sorrow, sadness, and despair. Quench the wants and desires of agreeable and disagreeable things. Finally, quench the view of any of the five khandha [aggregates] as ‘self.’
Sixteen
Contemplating throwing back… returning, everything to which we were once attached.
Lokiya living beneath the world –
lokuttara living above the world.
Since this is a summary, it may be obvious that a complete understanding of all of these steps requires a tutorial and practice for each step in a gradual learning process. These sixteen steps can be thought of as the gateway to enlightenment, and must be entered repeatedly in order to have a lasting effect. Much of what is to be learned is kinesthetic in nature, that is, it is like learning to tie shoes or learning a sport and is only learned in a progressive way with patience and incremental practice. The "Buddhist Sutra" thirty lessons provides one source of this kind of instruction.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Introduction to Frame of Reference / Shameless Promotion
Introduction
What does it mean to be a "Freethinker?" Someone who thinks for themselves, studies, discusses their opinions with friends and searches for answers to life’s important questions? All of this and more. Frame of Reference has been compiled and written to accommodate the interests and curiosity of Freethinkers at whatever stage of development they may find themselves.
The goal of being a Freethinker is certainly obtainable, but the potential fallacies and pitfalls along the way are many and often subtle. Like land mines scattered throughout post-war Vietnam, fallacies of logic lurk in the writings of intellectuals and religious leaders that have done rhetorical battle throughout the millennia. Even the best writings are often obscure, allegorical, aphorisms, inept, pedantic or complicated logical proofs. Frame of Reference incorporates the best statement of wonder and challenges that, shows the importance of celebration and challenges that, and points out the mystery wherever it is found and challenges that. This is done in simple language, with examples to illustrate each point. Frame of Reference can thus be viewed as a study guide of how to lead a meaningful and enjoyable life, usable by most adults and people from all walks of life.
The first section, appropriately named Genesis, describes the origins of the book, gives some details about how it is organized and suggests ways that it might be used to stimulate further discussion among friends and relatives. The chapters are named "Stele" to give tribute to the ancients who recorded life-science teachings, to acknowledge the moral nature of the concepts involved and to suggest the mix of inspiration with fact. These 24 Stele are organized into five topics: I Physical Properties; II Humans; III Gods; IV Ethical Discoveries; and V Practical Considerations. Other organizations might have been chosen, but this seems to facilitate a logical and simple presentation. In each Stele, an effort is made to show how even the discussion of Mathematics, for example, relates to the conversation about morality and ethics.
For someone who is approaching this book for the first time and feels the need for a quick fix or a boost of morale, it might be useful to proceed immediately to the Undevicesimus Stele (19th Chapter): Meaning in Life. This Stele may give the reader the spark of inspiration needed to pursue a more diligent study of the entire book from start to finish. Whereas if two lovers are beginning this study together, they might wish to approach first the Duodecimus Stele, (12th Chapter): Love, where they will find some useful instruction about how to enjoy their lives together. Thus each Stele stands on its own and is not a prerequisite for the next. A word of caution, it is best to study an entire Stele before moving to another, otherwise the reader may be left with an incomplete or misunderstanding of the subject at hand.
If you can't find this book, Frame of Reference, by searching Google; here is the reference line: http://www.2think.org/frame_of_reference_index.shtml
What does it mean to be a "Freethinker?" Someone who thinks for themselves, studies, discusses their opinions with friends and searches for answers to life’s important questions? All of this and more. Frame of Reference has been compiled and written to accommodate the interests and curiosity of Freethinkers at whatever stage of development they may find themselves.
The goal of being a Freethinker is certainly obtainable, but the potential fallacies and pitfalls along the way are many and often subtle. Like land mines scattered throughout post-war Vietnam, fallacies of logic lurk in the writings of intellectuals and religious leaders that have done rhetorical battle throughout the millennia. Even the best writings are often obscure, allegorical, aphorisms, inept, pedantic or complicated logical proofs. Frame of Reference incorporates the best statement of wonder and challenges that, shows the importance of celebration and challenges that, and points out the mystery wherever it is found and challenges that. This is done in simple language, with examples to illustrate each point. Frame of Reference can thus be viewed as a study guide of how to lead a meaningful and enjoyable life, usable by most adults and people from all walks of life.
The first section, appropriately named Genesis, describes the origins of the book, gives some details about how it is organized and suggests ways that it might be used to stimulate further discussion among friends and relatives. The chapters are named "Stele" to give tribute to the ancients who recorded life-science teachings, to acknowledge the moral nature of the concepts involved and to suggest the mix of inspiration with fact. These 24 Stele are organized into five topics: I Physical Properties; II Humans; III Gods; IV Ethical Discoveries; and V Practical Considerations. Other organizations might have been chosen, but this seems to facilitate a logical and simple presentation. In each Stele, an effort is made to show how even the discussion of Mathematics, for example, relates to the conversation about morality and ethics.
For someone who is approaching this book for the first time and feels the need for a quick fix or a boost of morale, it might be useful to proceed immediately to the Undevicesimus Stele (19th Chapter): Meaning in Life. This Stele may give the reader the spark of inspiration needed to pursue a more diligent study of the entire book from start to finish. Whereas if two lovers are beginning this study together, they might wish to approach first the Duodecimus Stele, (12th Chapter): Love, where they will find some useful instruction about how to enjoy their lives together. Thus each Stele stands on its own and is not a prerequisite for the next. A word of caution, it is best to study an entire Stele before moving to another, otherwise the reader may be left with an incomplete or misunderstanding of the subject at hand.
If you can't find this book, Frame of Reference, by searching Google; here is the reference line: http://www.2think.org/frame_of_reference_index.shtml
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hear the Meaning
The water flows bye so fast here,
But what advantage does that convey?
Is it a virtue of the water or
A compliment to the slope of the land?
As the Deschutes River crashes against the rocks
It makes an inarticulate roaring,
Frothing white, it gaily splashes and rolls…
It is only after listening carefully,
Patiently waiting for meaning to emerge
Do I hear and understand the river’s wisdom.
Earth’s surface, the surrounding terrain,
Holds water just as pure, just as wet
As that which dances past so
Eagerly on this gentle, early morning.
That water rests, protected from air,
Safe from those organisms that inhabit stagnant pools
Until the moment some eons after beginning
Its journey through all that dirt,
It seeps into a creek
Soon to join its neighbors in a stream
Chancing to flow into this river,
Then jumps and parades over these rocks
Frothing white in this maturity
“I gaily splash and roll rejoicing in this freedom.
I breathe the pure air and marvel at the diving swallows
As I cradle and nourish the beautiful ducks
With my happy and flamboyant Soul.”
I.J. Hall, June 13, 2004
But what advantage does that convey?
Is it a virtue of the water or
A compliment to the slope of the land?
As the Deschutes River crashes against the rocks
It makes an inarticulate roaring,
Frothing white, it gaily splashes and rolls…
It is only after listening carefully,
Patiently waiting for meaning to emerge
Do I hear and understand the river’s wisdom.
Earth’s surface, the surrounding terrain,
Holds water just as pure, just as wet
As that which dances past so
Eagerly on this gentle, early morning.
That water rests, protected from air,
Safe from those organisms that inhabit stagnant pools
Until the moment some eons after beginning
Its journey through all that dirt,
It seeps into a creek
Soon to join its neighbors in a stream
Chancing to flow into this river,
Then jumps and parades over these rocks
Frothing white in this maturity
“I gaily splash and roll rejoicing in this freedom.
I breathe the pure air and marvel at the diving swallows
As I cradle and nourish the beautiful ducks
With my happy and flamboyant Soul.”
I.J. Hall, June 13, 2004
Gateway to security
Yesterday I began assembling a gate at the bottom of the stairs that lead down from the deck, and today I finished just before it started to rain. This is the last enclosure to create a fully functional dog yard. I admit that there are many people who have greater accomplishments to be proud of for the day, consider all the Democrats in Colorado who are giving such fine speeches, for example. What else of note has happened today? Nothing much in the news, so possibly this gate ranks fairly high. I'll check tomorrow in the paper and see if there is anything superior to that.
I figured out how to add images, so I am going to put here a picture of Isaac:
This is a handsome cat, for sure. This picture taken shortly after we got him. Now I will put Riley into this space.
This is actually a painting of Riley that Libby and I commissioned from an artist in Corvallis. Isn't she just lovely? Now she won't get loose and get run-over by a passing car.
I figured out how to add images, so I am going to put here a picture of Isaac:
This is a handsome cat, for sure. This picture taken shortly after we got him. Now I will put Riley into this space.
This is actually a painting of Riley that Libby and I commissioned from an artist in Corvallis. Isn't she just lovely? Now she won't get loose and get run-over by a passing car.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Weekend dreams
I wrote this nice post about dreaming, but it didn't stick, it got lost with a dropped interent connection. And I don't have time to recreate it, sorry.
Stamina
Aside from the obvious drawbacks,
Obtaining maturity has its benefits
Including the compelling propensity to write poetry,
some of which might actually be good.
Quality considerations notwithstanding,
it is pleasant to still be here
Tasting life in both intimate and subtle ways.
Some of my skills have improved
if not my stamina
Possibly my prowess and capacity
to express and show affection.
Acknowledging in the best way I can
my appreciation for this Grace
Each new day.
Moss
The moss lies softly on the scrub oak
Warming and protecting the willing branches,
but does not like the fir.
The affinity they share satisfies the moss’ needs
more than the Oaks’,
But these sturdy trees give solace
and show their unique beauty.
Stamina
Aside from the obvious drawbacks,
Obtaining maturity has its benefits
Including the compelling propensity to write poetry,
some of which might actually be good.
Quality considerations notwithstanding,
it is pleasant to still be here
Tasting life in both intimate and subtle ways.
Some of my skills have improved
if not my stamina
Possibly my prowess and capacity
to express and show affection.
Acknowledging in the best way I can
my appreciation for this Grace
Each new day.
Moss
The moss lies softly on the scrub oak
Warming and protecting the willing branches,
but does not like the fir.
The affinity they share satisfies the moss’ needs
more than the Oaks’,
But these sturdy trees give solace
and show their unique beauty.
Weekend dreams
I wonder how many writers get their inspiration from keeping track of the stories that unfold during their dreaming? I usually dream about events in my past that are altered to render them either frustrating or challenging in some way. It's like the emotions that were at the time unspoken or supressed have lingered and now surface, or at least buble about in my dreams in fictional ways. However, there is never really an interesting plot line or intriguing suspence, usually just some kind of unfinished task the end of which is always just beyond reach.
I can usually remember my dreams for a few minutes after I wake up in the morning, or even in the middle of the night. Sometimes I just get up so there is enough transition so the dream can end and possibly a new one that I might enjoy begins.
Dreaming is the poor-man's entertainment.
I can usually remember my dreams for a few minutes after I wake up in the morning, or even in the middle of the night. Sometimes I just get up so there is enough transition so the dream can end and possibly a new one that I might enjoy begins.
Dreaming is the poor-man's entertainment.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Just for the fun of it
I.J. Hall
May 9, 2004
I’ve been sitting here under Sun on the West End Bench for the past hour waiting for a poem to come. But so far all I see is the poetic movements of the same fish, birds and ducks about which I have written dozens of poems.
Even that huge bass has been eulogized by this pencil.
Hector came back yesterday, but he is old news; [a handsome osprey]
his fifth consecutive year.
As we move to the single post bench for inspiration
I notice the pine trees are growing
Stoutly bulging through their bark,
but that is barely grist for my mill.
Cocoa has found something fragrantly dead
to roll in; hardly worthy of a verse.
I decorated Buddha with gold trim;
the wat is gradually looking authentic. But who cares?
Snow White laid another goose egg
since the first four didn’t hatch.
The two all-black sister chickens escort
their brood; another 13 chicks for the menagerie.
The two new ducks are chasing about
gorging on cotton from the trees
and rapidly growing to maturity; both female so far.
Lightening clouds are building from the same thermal
that is taking a huge Eagle soaring;
coasting up to 1,000 feet, apparently
just for the fun of it…
So I can just keep moving around just for the fun of it too!
…and there it is; my inspiration! How welcome after all.
I can just walk around here just for the fun of it.…..
Like the newly hatched swallows flying.…..
Even the wind has come up for no apparent reason.
This concept probably explains most of these animal behaviors
.…..or so it seems.
The scrub jay found the corn I put out just to see it.
The Buddhist gong is ringing repeatedly.…..
I seem to be the only one who didn’t at first recognize
this lofty motivation.…..
Oh! I dropped my pencil accidentally, and return for it.…..
but at least I know what to look for and why.
When I find it, I feel the same satisfaction as when-
after the last few months of searching-
I see the Western Pond turtles for the same reason
Climb up the east log. First one….. now two, bask under Sun
lounging on the center log for a long time,
teaching me what “for the fun of it “ means.
His square snout stretching up, he moves laboriously
Carrying probably 20 years of his life on his back-
Much as my problems and mistakes weigh heavy on me-
She is lounging more relaxed, enjoying warmth and his care.
Then that same Eagle, most likely, flies directly overhead.…..
Circling too close; makes Abner squawk to sound alarm. [White Chinese Swan Goose]
We sneak upstairs to fetch the camera to capture the turtles.…..
And so the day progresses on this happy course.…..
After all.
May 9, 2004
I’ve been sitting here under Sun on the West End Bench for the past hour waiting for a poem to come. But so far all I see is the poetic movements of the same fish, birds and ducks about which I have written dozens of poems.
Even that huge bass has been eulogized by this pencil.
Hector came back yesterday, but he is old news; [a handsome osprey]
his fifth consecutive year.
As we move to the single post bench for inspiration
I notice the pine trees are growing
Stoutly bulging through their bark,
but that is barely grist for my mill.
Cocoa has found something fragrantly dead
to roll in; hardly worthy of a verse.
I decorated Buddha with gold trim;
the wat is gradually looking authentic. But who cares?
Snow White laid another goose egg
since the first four didn’t hatch.
The two all-black sister chickens escort
their brood; another 13 chicks for the menagerie.
The two new ducks are chasing about
gorging on cotton from the trees
and rapidly growing to maturity; both female so far.
Lightening clouds are building from the same thermal
that is taking a huge Eagle soaring;
coasting up to 1,000 feet, apparently
just for the fun of it…
So I can just keep moving around just for the fun of it too!
…and there it is; my inspiration! How welcome after all.
I can just walk around here just for the fun of it.…..
Like the newly hatched swallows flying.…..
Even the wind has come up for no apparent reason.
This concept probably explains most of these animal behaviors
.…..or so it seems.
The scrub jay found the corn I put out just to see it.
The Buddhist gong is ringing repeatedly.…..
I seem to be the only one who didn’t at first recognize
this lofty motivation.…..
Oh! I dropped my pencil accidentally, and return for it.…..
but at least I know what to look for and why.
When I find it, I feel the same satisfaction as when-
after the last few months of searching-
I see the Western Pond turtles for the same reason
Climb up the east log. First one….. now two, bask under Sun
lounging on the center log for a long time,
teaching me what “for the fun of it “ means.
His square snout stretching up, he moves laboriously
Carrying probably 20 years of his life on his back-
Much as my problems and mistakes weigh heavy on me-
She is lounging more relaxed, enjoying warmth and his care.
Then that same Eagle, most likely, flies directly overhead.…..
Circling too close; makes Abner squawk to sound alarm. [White Chinese Swan Goose]
We sneak upstairs to fetch the camera to capture the turtles.…..
And so the day progresses on this happy course.…..
After all.
Productive day
Friday always seems to be productive since there is no more time in the regular week to procrastinate doing what was supposed to be done this week already. I took another pickup load of yard debris cuttings to the landfill transfer station, no charge. Then bought some fencing to make a dog yard alongside the house. (Possibly a cat yard too if the cat doesn't just figure out how to jump or climb the fence.)
I went to a first week picnic at the university, I had to pay so I ate two cookies, when one would have normally been enough. Later I went to the World or National Lentil Festival, which has been going on for twenty years this time every year in Pullman. The music was good, and we had spring rolls and terryaki chicken for dinner. I bought my first (and probably only) Washington State University hat and t-shirt just to kid of feel better adjusted to this new place. I mentioned to several people that I was a duck, and when they figured out what that meant (UofO alumnus) they were mostly suspicious or offered competitive feelings.
Isaac (our grey cat)has gone out for a stroll several times now, but he needs a constant escort since I have had to follow him into the neighbors yards each time. Now he wants to go out on his own, but it is too soon to trust that he will find his way back and not otherwise kill some of the hundreds of quail we have around here. He is such a good hunter, and he seems on the prowl since it has been several weeks since he ate any fresh mice or a bird.
I am looking forward to tomorrow, but for no particular reason; but that seems like a good way to end the day.
I went to a first week picnic at the university, I had to pay so I ate two cookies, when one would have normally been enough. Later I went to the World or National Lentil Festival, which has been going on for twenty years this time every year in Pullman. The music was good, and we had spring rolls and terryaki chicken for dinner. I bought my first (and probably only) Washington State University hat and t-shirt just to kid of feel better adjusted to this new place. I mentioned to several people that I was a duck, and when they figured out what that meant (UofO alumnus) they were mostly suspicious or offered competitive feelings.
Isaac (our grey cat)has gone out for a stroll several times now, but he needs a constant escort since I have had to follow him into the neighbors yards each time. Now he wants to go out on his own, but it is too soon to trust that he will find his way back and not otherwise kill some of the hundreds of quail we have around here. He is such a good hunter, and he seems on the prowl since it has been several weeks since he ate any fresh mice or a bird.
I am looking forward to tomorrow, but for no particular reason; but that seems like a good way to end the day.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Waiting 50 years
Today was memorable because I went to the Social Security office, located in Lewiston, ID. After more than 50 years I have beat the odds and have begun to sign up for social security, which will gratefully arrive when I turn 62. I still feel as healthy and alive as when I was just old enough to sign up for my original card. It doesn't make sense for me to wait until I'm 65 or more to get full benefits, because I am not otherwise gainfully employed anyway. I was curiously melancholy going into the office, like one stage of my life was turning into another, possibly less exciting.I suppose that is up to me, that is, to make the rest of my days more exciting than the ones preceding.
It has been raining for the last several days, as earlier reported. The rain may damage the wheat crop with mold if it continues to be wet, and certainly the barley crop for malting purposes will be reduced in quality most likely.
I lost Internet service yesterday so didn't make a post. But otherwise life goes on much the same.
It has been raining for the last several days, as earlier reported. The rain may damage the wheat crop with mold if it continues to be wet, and certainly the barley crop for malting purposes will be reduced in quality most likely.
I lost Internet service yesterday so didn't make a post. But otherwise life goes on much the same.
two shorts
Life Force
I am sitting with the late afternoon Sun
Shinning hot on my face
Accepting this as a healing gesture from nature
In the same way the purple pansies
And orange nasturtiums
Facing their life force
Convert this energy into beauty.
I.J. Hall, October 3, 2004
Beauty
To appreciate the beauty of a tree
It must not only be looked at
But sat under.
I.J. Hall
I am sitting with the late afternoon Sun
Shinning hot on my face
Accepting this as a healing gesture from nature
In the same way the purple pansies
And orange nasturtiums
Facing their life force
Convert this energy into beauty.
I.J. Hall, October 3, 2004
Beauty
To appreciate the beauty of a tree
It must not only be looked at
But sat under.
I.J. Hall
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Pass Time
Sun’s last wink through the trees
Is a signal of passing.
The round of life rolls on
Otherwise unnoticed --
The best possible way. As they say:
“Time passes when you’re having fun.”
Of course it always passes, so being “in the moment”
Is an illusion, a fantasy of wishful thinking.
Being conscious of the passing of time
Is probably a gross waste of effort
Since being engrossed is more interesting.
Interacting and enjoying the company of others
Without consideration of time
Is probably what "being present in the moment" means.
Is a signal of passing.
The round of life rolls on
Otherwise unnoticed --
The best possible way. As they say:
“Time passes when you’re having fun.”
Of course it always passes, so being “in the moment”
Is an illusion, a fantasy of wishful thinking.
Being conscious of the passing of time
Is probably a gross waste of effort
Since being engrossed is more interesting.
Interacting and enjoying the company of others
Without consideration of time
Is probably what "being present in the moment" means.
Quiet day...
It was a cool day in Pullman, with a spate of rain several times. But that was pleasant for outside work. I took a full, and I mean full, load of juniper cuttings to the lanfill transfer site. Even though trimming the juniper, leaves that unsightly naked side edge with all the limbs exposed, I learned a bright side this morning when 30 0r more California Quail were roosting on the limbs and I could see them just outside this office window. They are so charming. we must have 100 or more of the little chirpers here. All the way from handsome males with white lines on their heads, elegant females with soft grey plumage , both male and female sport the top feather, to little tiny chicks that follow along in droves. It's impossible to feel lonely with all these quail outside everytime I go to the other side of the house or out the door, etc.
I have begun to repot some of the house plants we have too many of, and some are root bound and need to be sorted. I am trying to plant some starts for the church sale, but don't have enough containers. Anybody want some house plants. We haven't figured out where to put them in the house, so for now they are all out with the geraniums.
I have been reading other people's blogs, and it is interesting to just click and see what comes up. People from all around the world are blogging, some are even interesting.
I am trying to send a poem each time I write. I take them from the collections I have made in the past. Haven't been doing much writing lately. I enjoy comments and questions.
I have begun to repot some of the house plants we have too many of, and some are root bound and need to be sorted. I am trying to plant some starts for the church sale, but don't have enough containers. Anybody want some house plants. We haven't figured out where to put them in the house, so for now they are all out with the geraniums.
I have been reading other people's blogs, and it is interesting to just click and see what comes up. People from all around the world are blogging, some are even interesting.
I am trying to send a poem each time I write. I take them from the collections I have made in the past. Haven't been doing much writing lately. I enjoy comments and questions.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Chime
The invisible wind
Touches the chime lightly
And turns that silent force into a chorale,
A pleasant, relaxing ringing.
Each sounding is a reminder
Of past friendships who have touched me,
A poem for lost loves
Who have joined in my life’s song.
After the wind passes
The chime is silent.
So am I, but we are both still here
Capable of resonating again.
The next person who touches me
Shall hear this melody, angels singing
If not from my lips
At least as a stirring in her Soul.
She will know my truth
Because I have learned to say it.
She will hear my voice as if ringing soft notes
Saying sweet words of love.
I.J. Hall, October 3, 2004
Touches the chime lightly
And turns that silent force into a chorale,
A pleasant, relaxing ringing.
Each sounding is a reminder
Of past friendships who have touched me,
A poem for lost loves
Who have joined in my life’s song.
After the wind passes
The chime is silent.
So am I, but we are both still here
Capable of resonating again.
The next person who touches me
Shall hear this melody, angels singing
If not from my lips
At least as a stirring in her Soul.
She will know my truth
Because I have learned to say it.
She will hear my voice as if ringing soft notes
Saying sweet words of love.
I.J. Hall, October 3, 2004
A lesson about Impermanence
Today the weather has changed, mercifully, from the near 100F temps we have been having into a windy, cloudy and cooler day. However this is a mixed blessing, as I sit and count the seconds after the lightening, last count eight, I hear the sounds of the fire truck siren going in that direction a few minutes later.
Today's activities included cleaning out the cardboard boxes from the garage and taking a load to recycling. I always feel so righteous when I do recycling, as if I were somehow doing something sacred. Of course I have been doing this recycling for a long time now, but that feeling of "doing good" never seems to lessen. When we (Riley and I, Isaac is still in house arrest) were out we bought some shelving and potting soil (actually steer manure) and a few discount pots, so we can replant the house plants, and possibly make some plant starts for the fund raising sale the Unitarian church is having this weekend. The shelving ended up along the wall in this room which is my study/dressing room next to the downstairs bedroom.
This house in Pullman has two stories, my story is this: we have begun using the family room downstairs as the master bedroom, in fact the whole downstairs is functionally a master/suite, with a full shower/bath, laundry and plenty of closet space. The Main bedroom upstairs will be the guest bedroom. This is a good utilization of space, since we have a large living/dining room up as well.
The electricity is trying to go out so I will close, only after saying that I also took off the top of the old black ford pickup and began trimming the shrubbery, and dumping it into the back of the truck so I can take it to recycling also. (The lightening was just three seconds away that time and repeating.) More about that in the next post.
Interestingly, when the thunder echoes here it lasts about 20 seconds, because it bounces around all the rolling hills which make up the Palouse. I have never experienced this long lasting thunder before. There was a ligntening strike 1/2 second away just a few minutes ago. That is too close for comfort. Now its raining too, so that will mitigate any possible fire issue.
Today's activities included cleaning out the cardboard boxes from the garage and taking a load to recycling. I always feel so righteous when I do recycling, as if I were somehow doing something sacred. Of course I have been doing this recycling for a long time now, but that feeling of "doing good" never seems to lessen. When we (Riley and I, Isaac is still in house arrest) were out we bought some shelving and potting soil (actually steer manure) and a few discount pots, so we can replant the house plants, and possibly make some plant starts for the fund raising sale the Unitarian church is having this weekend. The shelving ended up along the wall in this room which is my study/dressing room next to the downstairs bedroom.
This house in Pullman has two stories, my story is this: we have begun using the family room downstairs as the master bedroom, in fact the whole downstairs is functionally a master/suite, with a full shower/bath, laundry and plenty of closet space. The Main bedroom upstairs will be the guest bedroom. This is a good utilization of space, since we have a large living/dining room up as well.
The electricity is trying to go out so I will close, only after saying that I also took off the top of the old black ford pickup and began trimming the shrubbery, and dumping it into the back of the truck so I can take it to recycling also. (The lightening was just three seconds away that time and repeating.) More about that in the next post.
Interestingly, when the thunder echoes here it lasts about 20 seconds, because it bounces around all the rolling hills which make up the Palouse. I have never experienced this long lasting thunder before. There was a ligntening strike 1/2 second away just a few minutes ago. That is too close for comfort. Now its raining too, so that will mitigate any possible fire issue.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Moon Overhead
The ¾ moon shows brightly
Through the cold winter air
When the clouds don’t blur or obscure it
As I watch the flow of the rough waves
The sky changes from dark shadows
To a lamp surrounded by a bronze glowing
Forcing the melancholy question?
Is the motion I see the partial but constant moon
Or the flowing clouds passing
– which might you see?
A constant soul shines when it can
As the love I imagine between us
When it is dark, I want to see it glow
When it shines clearly through the gaps
I want to see the passing clouds
Nothing satisfies my searching heart.
When Moon hides behind the thickest wave
I sense forlorn against my intentions
I want to see it clear and open.
My life passes thus in front of the partial moon
Now a glowing shine surrounded by gold rays
Then dark and mysterious, longing
The flow of the clouds passing so rapidly
Yet each new opening brings the pure moon
The optimism of love once again inspired.~
Through the cold winter air
When the clouds don’t blur or obscure it
As I watch the flow of the rough waves
The sky changes from dark shadows
To a lamp surrounded by a bronze glowing
Forcing the melancholy question?
Is the motion I see the partial but constant moon
Or the flowing clouds passing
– which might you see?
A constant soul shines when it can
As the love I imagine between us
When it is dark, I want to see it glow
When it shines clearly through the gaps
I want to see the passing clouds
Nothing satisfies my searching heart.
When Moon hides behind the thickest wave
I sense forlorn against my intentions
I want to see it clear and open.
My life passes thus in front of the partial moon
Now a glowing shine surrounded by gold rays
Then dark and mysterious, longing
The flow of the clouds passing so rapidly
Yet each new opening brings the pure moon
The optimism of love once again inspired.~
Just another beautiful Sunday
Today I went to the Unitarian church in Moscow, stopping on the way with Riley to visit the dog park at the animal shelter to throw the ball for her. She is obsessive.
The service was okay, but it always feels a little strange to see all these people whom I don't know, except a few I remembered. A woman spoke about her art and how it was a compelling force in her life and likewise for so many others.
Isaac was waiting for us when we got home, sacked out upside down in the bed downstairs where it is cooler. It is so hot today, up to 100 in some places. Too hot to even go outside except to water, which allows me to get wet too.
We are still unpacking boxes of course, since we have only arrived in our new house, and I hung some pictures. It is hot upstairs and even though we have air conditioning I am reluctant to use it, preferring to just stay downstairs where it is about 25 degrees cooler.
I finished my Iris Murdock book, The Good Apprentice, today, I have been nursing it for about 4 months through all the travel and infrequent reading events lately.
I am attaching a poem I wrote sometime ago, context long forgotten.
The service was okay, but it always feels a little strange to see all these people whom I don't know, except a few I remembered. A woman spoke about her art and how it was a compelling force in her life and likewise for so many others.
Isaac was waiting for us when we got home, sacked out upside down in the bed downstairs where it is cooler. It is so hot today, up to 100 in some places. Too hot to even go outside except to water, which allows me to get wet too.
We are still unpacking boxes of course, since we have only arrived in our new house, and I hung some pictures. It is hot upstairs and even though we have air conditioning I am reluctant to use it, preferring to just stay downstairs where it is about 25 degrees cooler.
I finished my Iris Murdock book, The Good Apprentice, today, I have been nursing it for about 4 months through all the travel and infrequent reading events lately.
I am attaching a poem I wrote sometime ago, context long forgotten.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Item of interest
I am home alone and this has given me time to set up this blog.
Most of my daily activities are routine and of little interest to anyone. However, I have compiled a lesson book on Buddhism which is unusual and possibly of interest to some, it was certainly interesting to me in the time it took to prepare, and now in review it is a pleasure to scan parts every now and then. This is available upon request by email file transfer.
I have prepared several unpublished collections of poetry on: nature, love, personal transformation and of course personal poetry shared with Libby.
In the past I have written four books, most recently the -Buddhist Sutra, before that -Frame of Reference, more than ten years ago -Jack and Lucky, and almost ancient history -The New Trojan Horse. I wrote these books with the intention of sharing them, and that is in part what I am doing with this blog, sharing my ideas and my life.
Today for excitement, I will probably go out and trim the hedge and do some pruning.
Most of my daily activities are routine and of little interest to anyone. However, I have compiled a lesson book on Buddhism which is unusual and possibly of interest to some, it was certainly interesting to me in the time it took to prepare, and now in review it is a pleasure to scan parts every now and then. This is available upon request by email file transfer.
I have prepared several unpublished collections of poetry on: nature, love, personal transformation and of course personal poetry shared with Libby.
In the past I have written four books, most recently the -Buddhist Sutra, before that -Frame of Reference, more than ten years ago -Jack and Lucky, and almost ancient history -The New Trojan Horse. I wrote these books with the intention of sharing them, and that is in part what I am doing with this blog, sharing my ideas and my life.
Today for excitement, I will probably go out and trim the hedge and do some pruning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
