• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    The Island of Self

    The mornings predawn light

    Our true home is what the Buddha called the island of self, the peaceful place inside of us. Oftentimes we don’t notice it’s there; we don’t even really know where we are, because our outer or inner environment is filled with noise. We need some quietness to find that island of self.

    Thich Nhat Hanh, Silence

    It has been a beautiful morning here in Colorado. I felt the need to spend part of this morning within nature so I headed to Pineridge Natural Area for the gift of quiet this new day brings. I found my rock, setup my camera and tripod then sat in the quiet. A group of 30 or so magpies noisily flew over. I wonder how often they make the noise just to draw attention to themselves or just to annoy me or both. And, is it noise to them? Yet, I would have it no other way. The pink along the horizon was just what I needed. I had the area pretty much to myself (and the magpies). I brought along one of my flutes and played a couple of songs, sending those notes and a couple squeaks (noise for sure) out across the meadow. I did rather well with Cherokee Morning Song but Zuni Sunrise needs more practice. Anyway it was a great place to embrace the quietness of that island of self. I will meet Eric shortly for coffee and conversation. I hope you enjoy your weekend.

  • campus,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Wherever you are…

    The scene from Saturday morning’s bicycle ride across campus as I headed for Mugs

    Wherever you are can be a sacred place if you are there in a relaxed and serene way, following your breathing and keeping your concentration on whatever you’re doing.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    The above quote is true for me because I experience many places as sacred. Sitting in my Adirondack chair and journaling, my mornings at coffee shops, times spent in Natural Areas, drives to the open vistas of the eastern prairies, and my bicycle rides are all sacred places and times for me. Because I feel that way it is also my responsibility to treat each of these with respect as a sacred place. I watched a man walking yesterday, without a dog, but picking up after someone else’s dog. He was doing his part in keeping the sidewalks as a sacred place. I see him as a good teacher! Now, may I be a good student and thus be a good teacher!

    It looks to be a wonderful fall day here in Colorado. I am pleased to have friends Earl and Bonnie visiting from North Carolina. I met Earl via our blogs and actually was able to meet with him in Charlotte one evening for dinner over 10 years ago. I had never met Bonnie until yesterday when we met up for lunch. They are pleasant, warm and inviting people. We are going to meet this morning and venture up into the mountains. I will report about our adventures later.

  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    My need for silence

    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!

  • landscape,  quotes,  reflections,  sunsets

    Like the waters of this pond…

    When we surround ourselves with people who are committed to understanding and loving, we’re nourished by their presence and our own seeds of understanding and love are watered. When we surround ourselves with people who gossip, complain, and are constantly critical, we absorb their toxins.

    from Silence by Thich Nhat Hanh

    It is hard to imagine we are halfway through the month of August. For sure time moves much faster on this downhill side of life. I have had a quiet day, surrounded by the presence of nature. It has been calm like the waters of this pond. I hope you experienced a similar calm, also!!

  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  silence,  sunsets

    Stocked with chocolate…

    Colorado sunset – March 2020

    If we listen from the mind of silence, every birdsong
    and every whispering of the pine branches in the wind will speak to us.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    I had an enjoyable bicycle ride to coffee but had to face a stiff wind on the way home as a cold front moves in. Snow expected later today and into the night with frigid temperatures over the next few day. Looks very similar to the whole nations forecast. Stay warm, stock the fire and enjoy the weekend. And, make sure your stocked with chocolate!

    And today is special because my dad is celebrating his 96th birthday!! I love you! ❤️

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Watching the Changes

    Predawn at Pineridge Natural Area – 28 sec at f 22.0 and ISO 200

    It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not. We need to learn to appreciate the value of impermanence.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    Nature is a good teacher of about impermanence. If we watch closely nature is always in flux. In this scene the movement of the clouds is blurred during a 28 second exposure. Yet, as we stand and observe this scene we are not necessarily aware of the subtle changes with them. I now enjoy taking the time to watch the changes as they happen. I took a total of eight images from this same spot and each one is subtly different. Photography has and is helping me learn to appreciate the value of impermanence. It looks like much of the nation is dealing with wintry weather. So stay warm, be safe!

  • coffee life,  quotes

    I’m spoiled…

    We are our thoughts; but we are at the same time much more than just our thoughts. We are also our feelings, our perceptions, our wisdom, our happiness and our love.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    It was a cold bicycle ride this morning to the coffee shop. The high humidity made it sink deep within. Yet a beautiful fog had moved in and I saw a half dozen snowflakes in my headlight. Snow is predicted for this afternoon. My barista was Meg. She greeted me with her beautiful smile and made me an Old Town Mocha (see above.) Life is good! There is no doubt, I’m spoiled! Stay warm.

  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Surrounded by Pink

    “The quality of our being is the basis of all our actions…The quality of our presence is the most positive element that we can contribute to the world.”

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    This morning’s ride to coffee found me surrounded by pink. This is looking west across the intramural fields on CSU campus just before sunrise. So glad I was present and stopped. The Old Town Mocha I had later was just what I needed to warm up.