Thoughts: True power
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. ~ Lao Tzu
Poetry of music: “The Dark Side of the Lens,” with Micky
This amazing mini-film is a statement by Micky Smith…and a statement not just by the words (amazing enough) but with what he’s doing with his life as well. His focus isn’t on money & fame & all that, and it’s as well-washed & well-presented as his continued attempts to get a better shot & a better wave…
I’ve watched this perhaps seven times over the past week, showing it to folk, and won’t mind watching & hearing it again. Love it, and am inspired by his picture of living life for today, fully.
Darkside Of The Lens from mickey smith on Vimeo.
Whales: Keller & the dolphin both make each other’s lives better….
What do you do when a friend asks for help? Easy answer.
Keller Laros was diving when a dolphin came & asked for help. I honestly believe this little video will change your day.
Thanks, Keller & Martina (who shot the footage)!
Whales: Attack by killer whale…unlikely, according to expert
Human/killer whale attacks are rare, which prompts this expert in New Zealand to suggest this event was unfortunate, but more of an accident – here’s more:
An expert on marine animals is skeptical about reports of an orca grabbing a free diver’s catch bag and dragging him underwater until the rope became free.
Whale rescue co-founder, Far North-based Jo Halliday said it was not unheard of for such an incident to occur but she doubted it was a case of “whale attacks man”.
Levi Gavin, who was diving for kina and crayfish two weeks ago at Horahora estuary, on the coast east of Whangarei, said he was dragged beneath the water for about 40 seconds after the orca grabbed the catch bag tied to his right arm.
Mr Gavin described being down to his “last breath” in a death spiral, and trying to relax to conserve his breath as the huge creature dragged him deeper and deeper.
Poetry of music: Blake, and morning
To Morning
William Blake
O holy virgin! clad in purest white,
Unlock heav’n’s golden gates, and issue forth;
Awake the dawn that sleeps in heaven; let light
Rise from the chambers of the east, and bring
The honey’d dew that cometh on waking day.
O radiant morning, salute the sun
Rous’d like a huntsman to the chase, and with
Thy buskin’d feet appear upon our hills.
Writings: Find the shampoo
The drug store on the corner just changed owners & its name.
I was glad to see they kept most of the workers from before the change.
Really needed some shampoo. Went & asked the woman who was stocking the shelves (who I believe has the biggest smile in the place )where it was, now.
“Oh, we moved it!” And she walked me over to the dish detergent.
“Oh, it must be over here.” Looked at another place, not there.
We walked kind of all over, and then she asked someone else. “Over there,” he pointed, and so it was.
“You must be sorry you asked me,” she laughed.
“No…you make it more fun to look for stuff. Glad I asked you.” And we both left it there.
That’s the way it is, sometimes, hey – it’s really not that important that we hang out with people who know it all. It makes for a better trip (I think) if they care as much as we do about looking for the goal (or whatever we’re striving for), but isn’t it great to have someone along who makes you wish the trip was longer?
We’re all gonna get there, eventually. Even better if we get there together, still smiling.
Love you, and glad we’re on this trip –
Brother Ian
Writings: Notes for traveling companions, with Ram Dass
The great fun of traveling is to see things differently, ’round the edges of our path, and sometimes to bring those differences into our own lives. Those changes may be welcomed by our companions, or questioned, or downright rejected. This leads to a new set of challenges, which offer a chance to see it all, even more clearly, but not necessarily without pain or even grief. Here’s more from one of my favourite teachers, Ram Dass (here’s the original posting):
Your understanding of what the universe is all about changes as you proceed further along the path towards enlightenment. As your vantage point or perspective changes, you begin to understand more and more of “how it is.” With this greater understanding comes greater compassion… an acceptance of “how it is”… an ability to see the divine plan in everything, even in your failings and failings of others.
In the course of your journey it is most likely that your day-to-day companions or friends may change. Some may fall away as your interest in the Spirit pulls you from the worldly interest which brought or kept you together, but new friends who share your current interests will appear.
Of course, some of your existing relationships will move easily into this new domain and the relationship will become deeper and calmer… coming to exist in the eternal present.
This transition as traveling companions is a delicate and troubling matter. To find that someone whom you assumed shared all your values and interests over many years has no interest whatsoever in enlightenment or in becoming more conscious or coming into the Spirit is a shock. You want to share this “trip” with them in the same way as you shared others in the past.
That desire to proselytize, to turn him on, to show him, to bring him to the light… is a reflection of your lack of wisdom. For only some people can hear. Only some can awaken in this lifetime. It’s a little like seeing a friend drowning and being unable to catch his hand. You want so badly to do something. But in truth you can only BE… be as straight and as open and as HERE as you can be… and if your friend can hear, he will hear.
And if he cannot hear, he will turn away from you. No blame.
What is important is that you get your house in order at each stage of the journey so that you can proceed. “If some day it be given to you to pass into the inner temple, you must leave no enemies behind.” – de Lubicz
This getting straight not only applies to people but to things as well, such as favorite music, disliked foods, special treats, avoided places, all your toys, etc. Everything must be rerun through your compassion machine. You must revisit, at least in meditation, all your old attachments and re-see them in the light of the Spirit.
As you do, they fall away…unless, of course, the attachment to them is so strong that you are not able yet to re-see them with pure compassion. To stumble in that way on the path merely indicates the work yet to be done. Thus it gives direction to your sadhana, which is to work on those desires that cause you to stumble, by bringing them into the light of mantra or the witness until they fall away on their own.
– Excerpt from Be Here Now by Ram Dass
Posted: http://www.ramdass.org/getting-straight-on-your-path/
Poetry of music: Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins
Got a picture of two amazing guitarists, sitting down & making it look so easy.
Here’s Chet & Mark, in ’87…with “I’ll see you in my dreams” and “Imagine.”
Love it.
Writings: The Ten Most Important Things, by Brother Ian
About three months ago, drawing on wisdom passed down to me through a bunch of lifetimes & teachers & events, I posted “The Ten Most Important Things.” The list itself came to me in a vision, and is recorded here in the order & words as they were presented to me, for you.
Have you looked at them? People who have reviewed them tell me there are some that resonate with their faith expression, some that match up with their sense of hope, and some that they have shared with other folks, in other places.
They are posted at the top of this page (Ten Things to Teach & Know), or you can click here to see what they are.
Let me know what you think, my dear traveling companion. I will watch for what you share, in the comments below.
The Ten Most Important Things
Flying Monk: Young monks begin their service very early in life in their studies in the monastery. This monk was young and energetic and decided to “fly” in his exuberance for life. Bonnie Stewart /National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest (here’s more)
Writings: Dr. Martin Luther King’s thoughts, on love..eros & philia & agape
As luck would have it (and all monks know they are lucky – why else would we win so often, with each roll of the dice?), I grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, in the Southeastern United States in the time of Dr. King. Those marches & changes & speeches & rallies & protests all happened in my hometown.
The changes they brought ’round have been a key part of why I believe anything is possible, anything good can prevail.
Did then. Does now.
I’ve always loved it that the word “agape” (uh • GAH• pay) is spelled the same as the way we look when we see something amazing, and we stand with our mouths agape (uh • GAPE). It’s an accidental overlap that semantics can, at times, provide, because I believe when that kind of love is rolling over & around you, and through you, it can leave you openmouthed with amazement.
Here’s how Dr. King ties all that together:
Agape Love
By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Greek language uses three words for love.
It talks about eros. Eros is a sort of aesthetic love. It has come to us to be a sort of romantic love and it stands with all of its beauty. But when we speak of loving those who oppose us we’re not talking about eros.
The Greek language talks about philia and this is a sort of reciprocal love between personal friends. This is a vital, valuable love. But when we talk of loving those who oppose you and those who seek to defeat you we are not talking about eros or philia.
The Greek language comes out with another word and it is agape. Agape is understanding, creative, redemptive good will for all men.
Biblical theologians would say it is the love of God working in the minds of men. It is an overflowing love which seeks nothing in return. And when you come to love on this level you begin to love men not because they are likeable, not because they do things that attract us, but because God loves them and here we love the person who does the evil deed while hating the deed that the person does.
It is the type of love that stands at the centre of the movement that we are trying to carry on in the Southland—agape.
(source: http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/the-power-of-non-violence/)
(also: http://www.ramdass.org/featured-teacher-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/)
About Brother Ian
Over the centuries, Brother Ian has been collecting stories & information & discourses for the purpose of elevating the human condition as needed, dissecting it when necessary, and building the case for hope.
In the spirit of noting that organized crime, organized baseball, organized labour, and organized religion tend to engender controversy & occasional discord, I promise to be neither organized or critical of those who are.