My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
Mindfulness is an ancient form of meditation in which one pays attention to the present moment and all that’s unfolding in that moment, both within and around one. It’s known also as conscious living because the person practicing it is forming an aware and intimate relationship with each moment.
Sue Monk Kidd
When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you.
John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
Just as darkness brings rest and release, so the dawn brings awakening and renewal. In our mediocrity and distraction, we forget that we are privileged to live in a wondrous universe. Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe. Dawn is the ultimate surprise; it awakens us to the immense “thereness” of nature. The wonderful subtle color of the universe arises to clothe everything.
John O’Donohue, from Anam Cara
After prayer and meditation, I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area for sunrise. I found a new and more comfortable rock to sit on and set up my tripod. I loved the scent of the wet grass and sagebrush that surrounded me. I then enjoyed my second period of prayer and meditation this morning. Have a wonderful day!!
Wonder – that edge state on the rim of understanding, where the mind touches mystery – is our best means of loving the world more deeply.
Maria Popova
This is sunrise 3 days ago. This morning we had 61 degrees, 99% humidity and overcast skies so it looks much different today. It made for an invigorating bicycle ride to the coffee shop, but well worth it. Those clouds have burned of slightly, a bit of sunshine is out but rain is expected later today. Yes, the wonder it all!
What a blessing it is to outlive our self-judgments and harvest our failures.
Rachel Naomi Remen
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’m learning how to play the Native American style flute. I simply love its earthy sound and it’s so very simple. It does not require electricity or a battery, just my breath, intention and of course practice. I’m finding it to be a great teacher and helping me to let go of my negative self-judgement. It’s teaching me to be patient with myself and not be critical, and as the quote above suggests, to harvest my failures. I have much to learn in breath control, fingering exercises, learning mouth positioning, rhythm, and keeping squawks, squeaks and whistles to a minimum. Eventually I will learn a few songs as well as the ones found within me. More practice.
I see the Native American style flutes as beautiful works of art as well as musical instruments. This is an image of a second Native Sunrise flute I ordered made by Ron Stutz. My other one made by him is in the key of A and made of Spanish Cedar. This one is made of Cherry wood and in the key of G. To me they are works of art. I have a small rack to put these two flutes on along with the Joe Loftin flute and they become art in my home. Now back to practice.
The sage would remind us of the following:
Tao Te Ching (78) By Lao Tzu by: Julian von Bargen, John Braun, Jr., David Warkentin
None should rule who hold themselves above the people.
Only by living, working, suffering alongside them can one truly be a leader.
One of the blessings of growing older for me has been the discovery that mornings are a gift. Since I’m not the party animal of yesteryears, going to bed early and getting up early are the norm. There is something that comes alive in me when I experience the quiet and stillness of this time of the day. I feel more alive than I did when chasing things that I expected to help me be alive. I am aware of the need to participate within the world, to experience it, and receive it as a gift.
It’s interesting to note how clouds are always shifting, changing shapes and colors. It is almost unperceivable to the human eye. Yet, a 28 second exposure lets us know of their gradual changing. Observing that is a gift to me. I am heading out to meet friends who are in town and catch up. Have a wonderful weekend!
What you need, what we all need is silence. Stop the noise in your mind in order for the wondrous sounds of life to be heard. Then you can begin to live your life authentically and deeply.
Thich Nhat Hanh
I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area for a few photos and spend time in nature. I came home with a lovely photograph of Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon, all in alignment. The eastern horizon was a beautiful red, pink, and orange. Several bats were having a feast on insects as they circled above me. I drove home feeling renewed then had my meditation and morning readings before bicycling to coffee. I am now in a much better place to authentically live my life. We are noticing a lot more new faces at Mugs as students return to campus and the almost 6,000 freshmen class invades us. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
Dalai Lama
Without them humanity cannot survive.
This morning I stood surrounded by the scent of sagebrush, listened to the happy songs of robins and meadowlarks, and felt fully alive in the cool morning breeze. For me this is a sacred time of the day, a time of quiet and prayer where words are not spoken. Is there any better way to greet the rising sun and the gift of another day? How can I not smile? And as I headed back to the car I reached down and rubbed sagebrush onto my fingers, taking its fragrance with me along with all the gifts shared with me this morning. It’s these moments that remind me of my humanity, my love and compassion in this wounded and troubled world.
Since I was awake early, I decided to get up and jump into my day. Well, not exactly jump but you know what I mean. I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area to experience the awe and wonder of the predawn light and silence found in nature. I was the only car in the parking lot and no traffic hum in the distance. I had the place to myself. Venus and Jupiter were the two bright stars in the eastern predawn sky. I took this image at about 5:20:12 am with a 30 second exposure. Sunrise was another 45 minutes later.
Back home, I had my quiet time, made a smoothie, and enjoyed my readings. I mounted the red steed and rode to coffee, taking a loop to Spring Creek park on the way home. A nice 11.5 mile round trip. My schedule today is rather quiet except for having a late lunch with Duane. So I will do some reading and writing today. The backordered brake cable for my e-bike has come in so I am scheduled to take it in next Wednesday. They will need to keep it overnight as they have to run the cable through the frame of the bike. I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy your day’s adventure.
Why do people keep asking
Mary Oliver
to see God’s identity papers
when the darkness
opening into morning
is more than enough?