Just before noon, I looked out of the south window of the entry to our house.  The sun shone brilliantly golden-orange between blue-gray stripes of cloud; I was thrilled with the beauty of it. As I watched the yard outside the window, ever-brightening  golden light revealed the details of glistening ice shapes draping over withered plant stalks. This growing intensity of light also revealed the swirling shapes impressed into the siding of the house. There was a continuous brightening of the scene (as the clouds parted), awakening me to previously unnoticed intricacies.  I experienced a continuous, unbroken refinement of  the details in the landscape in the field of my vision. This is (along with other things) what the “drawing as meditation” process does for me. It increasingly reveals the beautiful details around me that I otherwise would not notice. This requires unflagging attention. This unflagging attention comes about as a result of my longing to become one with that which I behold.

Ultimately, we cannot understand what lies outside of us. For true understanding, it is necessary to become one with the object of perception.

The experience of eternity right here and now is the function of Life. Heaven is not the place to have the experience; here is the place to have the experience.

— Joseph Campbell

As with all my work, whether it’s a leaf on a rock or ice on a rock, I’m trying to get beneath the surface appearance of things. Working the surface of a stone is an attempt to understand the internal energy of the stone.

-Andy Goldsworthy

This morning I found myself looking at the stainless steel, multi-looped whisk that stands up in a ceramic pot with other cooking utensils next to the stove. I thought, “Someone conceived of this and made it happen. If they can do it, I can do it, too.”  I can bring forth what I have to share that will be of use to others.

It’s far more creative to work with the idea of mindfulness rather than the idea of will. Too often people try to change their lives by using the will as a kind of hammer to beat their life into proper shape. The intellect identifies the goal of the program, and the will accordingly forces the life into that shape. This way of approaching the sacredness of one’s own presence is externalist and violent. It brings you falsely outside yourself, and you can spend years lost in the wilderness of your own mechanical, spiritual programs. You can perish in a famine of your own making.

If you work with a different rhythm you will come easily and naturally home to yourself. The soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.

by John O’Donohue

A Blessing for the Senses

May your body be blessed.
May you realize that your body is a faithful and beautiful
friend of your soul.
And may you be peaceful and joyful and recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds.
May you realize that holiness is mindful, gazing, feeling,
hearing, and touching.
May your senses gather you and bring you home.
May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here.
May the Eros of the Earth bless you.

~John O’Donohue, from Anam Cara

We came into the world like brother and brother,
And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.

— William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors

It dawned on me this morning that the house becomes more inhabited through mindfulness practice. Each time I do something in a certain part of the house with mindfulness, that area becomes more alive. This seems so simple, yet isn’t it true that the most potent teachings are simple– simple although difficult (e.g., love your neighbor as you own Self)?

I have often felt strangely disconnected from my house, which doesn’t make sense because I love my house and spend a lot of time in it. It was one of those ambient and subtle feelings that I didn’t think to address, to contemplate. Now I see that it is mindfulness practice that can ameliorate the feeling of estrangement.

While in contemplation I was alerted to this quality that I needed to focus upon. When I was at McGinley’s for the session, I wrote it in my notebook, then began to sketch the musicians. It was Jim Kerr’s birthday, so he ended up being the focal point. Jim Kerr does have a generous spirit, so it jelled nicely.

This morning it dawned on me that I had been considering generosity of spirit only in relationship to people. But it also applies to my attitude toward things, actions, and place. Mindfulness in action, and in regard to things and place is generosity of spirit.

The ultimate generosity of spirit is to surrender to one’s own inner Self, releasing the illusion that we are separate.

To give selflessly to others is such a gift to the one who does it, because it opens the giver to the ultimate surrender to the Absolute.

Since it is the night Santa comes, it’s perfect timing.

This morning I meditated on Nature outside the picture window. Snow was falling and just watching it was mesmerizing. But I was meditating with the eyes open– so I watched my breath for the five minute timed period. I was in the Witness state; I was Self-aware as well as aware of the snow falling, thickening the white carpet that was already there.

Meditating with the eyes open adds a whole new dimension to life.  For me, it is easiest to do this first thing in the morning. When I meditate in the morning, it helps to set my intention for the day– to be present in the moment as much as I am able.

Remember only one quality that Awakening has. That quality is witnessing. Whatever is happening, just be a witness, don’t be identified. You are not the body, you are not the mind, you are not the astral body. You are not the silence. You are only a witness. The witness is the very being of a Buddha.     ~ Osho