A dog that inspires
In her 11-plus years on this Earth, my beautiful and inspiring dog Abbie has been speared in the chest by a buck (very nearly ending her life), survived two vicious dog attacks (one of which left her with more than 50 stitches), consumed an iron packet at the bottom of a dog treat bag that also almost killed her, badly cut her side open on a briar patch (also requiring stitches), cut her paws open twice on glass at the park and even ate a batch of cannabis cookies (yup, another trip to the pet ER!).
Yet, after every incident, she has bounced back even stronger and more resilient than ever before! Like the glorious mountains that she hikes nearly every day alongside me, Abbie’s time on Earth is a testament to the power of courage, heart and spirit in the face of adversity. My gratitude for the many blessings and profound teachings that she has bestowed upon me could never be expressed in words. Truly, Abbie is the essence of living spirit.
The perfect time
At certain junctures in our lives, the distractions of our physical existence can ensnare us like a rabbit in a hunter’s cunning trap. Pursuits of such worldly desires as money, power and fame may seem to fulfill you for a time, perhaps for the better part of your lifetime. But inevitably, the day arrives when you gain a glimpse into the deeper mystery of being through an infinite number of avenues, such as a walk in nature, hearing a beautiful song, ingesting a sacred plant or even witnessing the birth of a newborn.
This glimpse into a deeper reality is a glimpse into God, the Tao and the One itself. In those rare moments of transcendent knowing, it might appear that the barrier between your soul and body has finally been broken down. However, the truth is that there was no such barrier to begin with. It was an illusion. For your soul, the Atman, was there all along, waiting like a glorious butterfly to capture your attention at just the perfect time for your awakening.
Blessings of a wise being
If you’re truly fortunate, a wise being will come into your life. When you meet such a person, you immediately feel that you’re in the presence of someone who really knows something about life and how to live it. Such a being’s individual nuances, background and spiritual point of connection may vary, but always, their soul’s characteristics will be the same. They’re as humble as the roots of trees, are filled with infinite compassion, live to serve their communities and regard life’s most difficult moments as precious opportunities to grow in their faith.
Such wise beings also live simply without any attachment to material things, show gratitude each day and have rascally senses of humour! But above all, those with true wisdom live fully with one foot in this world and another in the spiritual realm. It’s clear, through spending even a moment in their presence, that such beings have discovered an eternal well of love within them. To share time in their presence is to drink the sweet nectar from the Divine itself, and to bask in the light of IT’s grace.
If you’ve met such a being, absorb all of their teachings and model your life after them!
Many paths to the top
Picture hiking up a great and formidable mountain. Then take note of the numerous routes that can be travelled to the top. Some routes up are smooth and direct. Others, more jagged and circuitous. Still, some paths are exceedingly difficult and may be even borderline daunting to the novice climber. Yet, all routes end at the same majestic peak.
Here’s the catch, though: You aren’t aware that there exist alternative routes, until you arrive at the summit and see other climbers emerge from different trails. It’s only then, atop that rarefied peak, when you realize that all paths lead to the same breathtaking pinnacle of bliss.
Our world’s diverse spiritual faiths are those paths, and the mountaintop is the same divine kingdom that they all lead to. There is no correct way to IT. There isn’t only one saviour. All faiths ascend equally to the same exalted peak of peace and stillness.
The sincere seeker
The sincere seeker of truth has no interest in taking shortcuts. For the illusionary promises of comfort, pleasure and security hold little value for such a person. Rather, souls on the path of spirit dive deeply into the river of life, leaving no stone unturned and embracing the inevitable ebbs and flows of being. This, they learn, is how true wisdom is found. Abandon fear, live with courage and wait for the spirit of love to reveal your life’s purpose.
Meanderings down the path
When I first started down the spiritual path, I was consumed by the goal of one day becoming enlightened. Then, I travelled down the path a little more, and that desire began to gradually fade away. Now, as I find myself slightly further down the path, I see that even the concept of enlightenment is a distraction, and a potential trap from getting on with the truly all-important spiritual work of becoming a more compassionate, humble and peaceful being.
The humble pilgrim
Three pilgrims set off by foot on a 90-mile (about 145 km) pilgrimage down a well-travelled path in the mountains. In a bid to impress the other two pilgrims, the first trekker attempted to hike 30 miles (about 48 km) on his first day… far past any reasonable mileage. Consequently, he blew out one of his knees on the 28th mile (or 45th kilometre). Badly injured, the first pilgrim was forced to abandon his journey.
The second pilgrim, in a vain attempt to impress his friends back home, tried to record his entire pilgrimage on his phone. However, on the first day, he covered only two miles (three kilometres) before falling off a small cliff, while trying to capture a dramatic “selfie.” He, too, was forced to abandon his journey due to breaking his arm during the fall.
Meanwhile, the third pilgrim went humbly upon her way, at a moderate pace. She stopped along the trail for brief intervals, to give thanks to the spirit of the mountains that guided her feet and soul in tandem. After seven days and 90 miles (about 145 km) of walking, this pilgrim at last arrived at the destination: a glorious mountaintop where soaring eagles greeted her with blessings of acknowledgment for a pilgrimage travelled without hubris or vanity.
A miracle in the town square
One day, an arrogant and wealthy politician encountered a monk at the centre of the town square. The monk, clad in a flowing orange robe with a begging cup in hand, didn’t pay the politician any notice. He just strolled slowly by the prominent man, with eyes staring straight ahead, as he was absorbed in a walking meditation.
Enraged at the lack of ackknowledgment, the politician ran up behind the monk and aggressively grabbed him by the arm, saying: “Don’t you know who I am? Everyone bows down before me!”
The monk locked eyes with the politician for a few seconds, and then suddenly began laughing hysterically out loud. Growing even more enraged, the powerful and famous man raised his fists in the air and threatened the monk with violence. He then demanded to know what was so funny. Still laughing, the monk pointed down at the politician’s feet.
The politician looked embarrassingly down at his feet, and saw that he was standing in a pile of fresh cow dung! As the politician bent down to clean the dung off his shoes, the monk stood over him and said: “I think I remember who you are now. You’re that former politician turned humble servant of his people. Now, allow me to help you clean the cow dung off your shoes.”
At that moment, it has been said that a great miracle took place. An arrogant and wealthy politician was transformed into a kind and humble servant for the poorest and most oppressed among his people.
What was your original face before you were born?
One variation of a Zen koan asks: “What was your original face before you were born?” Here is my (perhaps foolish) attempt to answer this question!
What face?
Emptiness.
No form.
A dog chasing its tail?
Sublime perfection.
Too many words?
The blind leading the blind!
The bardos between births.
Your Buddha nature.
Something not quite human but the essence of it.
Beyond space and time.
The past, present and future merging.
Fingers pointing at the moon.
Pure awareness.
Oneness.
Too clever?
Think less.
Meditate more!
The Heart Jewel
In the lotus of the heart
there is a jewel
so precious and so rare
that not even a seasoned gem hunter
can find it….
Not of this world,
but yet in it
this jewel vibrates to the beat of love
like noble saints marching
to and from their temples
serving all beings with boundless compassion…
This pure jewel,
living in your heart centre
can always be heard
chanting its eternal song:
OM MANI PADME HUM.
Dig Deeper
You can study the key tenets of Hinduism,
you can memorize the essential Sutras of Buddhism
and you can philosophize about Taoist practices,
but can you grasp the incomprehensible reality of Brahman?
Can you discover the essence of your own Buddha Nature?
And can you learn how to harmonize your life with Tao?
The intellect only takes you so far…
Dig deeper,
like a groundhog burrowing into the Earth
to see who you really are
and what lies beneath this.
Loving Awareness
You are the stars and the moon
and you are the sun rising and setting
You are the eagles soaring
and you are the seasons passing
Open and present
to whatever greets you
Nothing can ever prevent you
from being everything and nothing
Loving awareness is who you are.
The Eternal Balance
Life is an exquisite balance
of holding on and letting go
and of storing and releasing
There is nothing to grasp on to
when everything but your soul
is impermanent
Coming and going
just like waves in the ocean
So,
prepare to meet birth and death,
success and failure,
as well as the highs and lows of life
with calm detachment
And always remember:
You are one with this moment.
The Perfect Morning
Wake up
Meditate and pray
Read sacred scriptures
Tend to the garden
Hike through the forest
Swim in a mountain creek
Write some poetry
Eat breakfast mindfully
Give thanks to the One
to be alive another morning.
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image 1: Forrest Rivers; image 2: Pixabay
