Siddartha's Pools - Buddhist Teachings/ Dalai Lama Downloads

        Lotus pools were made for me at my father's house solely for my use; in one, blue lotuses flowered, in another white, and in another red," says Siddharthain ancient writings attributed to him. "A white sunshade was held over me day and night so that I would not be troubled by cold or heat, dust or grit or dew." (This translation is from Rupert Gethin's "The Foundations of Buddhism," Oxford University Press, 1998.)
           When Gautama was 29 years old, he discovered there was much suffering in the world around him. Traditionally it is explained that he suddenly recognised the problems of sickness, old age and death when visiting the city. Being shocked by the suffering of all living beings, he decided to search for way to end it. He left his wife and child, the palace and even his royal clothes, and started out on a spiritual quest.

                                    

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Ponds Weekly - You're soaking in it

      It's been a rainy, somewhat eventful week at the pond. The water level is high, but quality still murky. My hypothesis is that the crayfish ate all the snails  ,so it's not cleaned or just that the amount of animals is too much. Over 15 crays have been relocated to the upper pool. They are starting to clear out the seaweed that took over that tank. The water is clear with fish. As i was gazing down into the depths, a toad swam up to be face to face. He just stared for a while, when i felt him saying "What the hell are you doing, bringing all those crayfish in here. I live here and it's not very big and those guys are wild and
voracious." (thinks he understads animal's thoughts). I then explained, thinking in pictures, what we were planning (thinks he can talk to animals). He sunk down a little, eyes half under water, which made him a look skeptical, and then dove under, disappearing in the weeds...I hadn't thought about the few toads who lived in that tank. The lavender lilies are ok. One day at the lower pond, while watching the fish being very competitive for the sparse algae, a cray stuck his claws around the lily roots, one of their food sources. He then came up toward my face, brandishing his pinchers. I made a sound and honored his warrior status. I've been feeding the fish some odd things lately - puffed millet, just things that are around. I circle the pond and let all be fed...
        Today, while observing a crayfish mowing down the algae , i tried to flip him out of the water- unsuccessfully. Am using a tool from the forest: a stick(learned that from watching chimps on tv). Tried again and got one. Got a little worried as he wasn't moving and i didn't want to kill him. Searching for an appropriate device to move him to the pool, i found a large enough leaf  (amazingly laying around ). He was still out but gave a few twitches and i got him on for the ride up, where he was placed on a lily pad and water started covering him. I flashed back to the two birds i shot with slingshot and bb gun when 11 and 12 years old. Back then i had decided to retire from hunting. A sect in India called the Jains wear a mask over nose and mouth to not kill the bugs and life in the air. They sweep in front to avoid stepping on bugs. Although this makes them caring and sensitive, it is impossible to not kill on this planet, a planet of  birth and death. One needs to avoid these pitfalls by consciousness. So - i left him on the lily and when i came back he had awakened and submerged. The only hunting i've done since childhood, was for truth, and i've retired from that as well as it is said: "Grasping at things can only yield one of two results: 
Either the thing you are grasping at disappears, or you yourself disappear. It is only a matter of which occurs first."  Goenka - Seeking, hunting, desiring, asking. allowing, aligning - truth is all encompassing...

               

Toad Nature

      They gave me a laugh, to look in the trap ad see two toads on top of each other. They and their tribe from the pond were probably up all night in nature's dance of life with it's relentless drive to continue. This may be one of the drivers of mankind's often destructive thirst for more/bigger/better/newer/more.  The sacred beautiful act of creation becomes a double edged sword. It helps to think that it didn't start out only like that, and that it will not always be like that. And that all the landfills and toxicity we made will someday return to a mass of atoms. These creations show the alienative  (?) relationship, with the earth, that modern man has. The will to grow,create and expand needs a loving steward. The feeling is different, the when the cycle is functional and nature thrives. It is mysterious how the soul and body interface, and how things seem to rise and fall. And how it all interacts. With the toads, I noticed at sunset last night - that time of the moon - they were moving around outside. Amazed by the varied and detailed creation in this pond of ours --  moments of nowness  --- Then another surprised laugh when i look four inches in front of my face - another toad in the grass (obviously hungover). Have missed the hormone vitamin d. Now in autumn till spring, Drs(Chopra,Oz, S. Khalsa) say supplement if above latitude line at Atlanta, Ga. You can feel the sun in your bones. This can bring up issues of Southern and Northern people but gonna leave that for another time.  Listening to master Po - (Kung fu http://youtu.be/uR6qocmTwhA) helped me to understand the harmony of nature. Theoretically, i knew if all is one, it must interact with itself, but as complicated as it can be, it can be in harmony. It can also be affected to be out of harmony, like this time of the world - with the industrial revulsion. Probably, when designed, it was more functional and has deteriorated in this time, with man misusing freewill. Or?  Shalom...Shanti...Salaam...

Territorial - a place called home

    It happened last week and today - checking the trap, and finding a crayfish in there, with no food in it. Haven't been going to the pond/sun sessions lately,due to health issues. Nothing very serious, but enough to go to the er(first time) and though the Dr. wanted to do surgery( an ez but unnecessary remedy). Then there was the meds mixup - the nurse on the phone said don't take anymore of it -
"don't worry - if you had the worst reaction, you would have been dead yesterday" ( So - i thought - today is a pretty good day). They are so surprised when someone takes the lead on certain medical decisions.  The patient often has more insight because of being able to feel what's happening. Research and second opinions are valuable. Of course, physical problems always have an internal source. There are methods to determine if your body is alive or not, just for reference(Tibetan book of the dead, etc.) Like looking at your feet, clothes, or in the mirror. If one attains lucid dreaming skills, the soul is practically free...
     So, in the pond, entities compete for resources and seek a place or den where it is peaceful and safe. Even if the food is gone and he could have gotten out. We stake our territory(maybe subliminally) and defend and use it. This may be the greatest source of conflict along with the others we've mentioned above. This mentality can be remedied by building our sources of enjoyment on inner values. Also, by remembering the temporary nature of the material world. Desire will continue the day to day happenings - but desires can be CHANGED - thank heaven. By awareness and communication, and the thirst for deeper feeling/meaning - one can see and desire a healthier reality...

The Unique Way We See Things

Reminded of a certain ability , i realize some improvement in this skill. Maybe through age, energetic escalation,  or experiences. ---- It is thinking about something as if you "were" someone else or "from" somewhere else ( essentially by empathic feeling their emotions and thinking -or - at least - trying to visualize from how that personality might possibly see things - mostly concerning real people you are interacting with(being more functional) and then comprehending the dynamic of the situation) - then being able to communicate more effectively. These three reasons - and more - have been valuable. Each perceives in their own unique way. Evolution, Earth origins, creating of events - these all seem to be part of the mystery. The human primate needs a group or tribe, and seeks and forms bonds naturally. This time in earth history, as the groups are having contact through technology and geography, there is great opportunity for groups and tribes to understand the commonality of their experience which harmonises a planet that has endured much pain and suffering from tribal wars and conflict amongst peoples.  - When i was in 9th grade, i had an idea for a story while walking the daily 1 mi. to the bus stop. I would walk two blocks over and get on the next stop. When i did - i saw myself - already on. (Good thing- didn't spend much time writing that one). Something already in one's nature for many.  Mostly, though, a few years back, i thought - "you mostly think about "yourself"(probably depends on which "self")- one reason i came to work at place - and practice.  We have had experiences - especially as a child or teen, that make our identity that forms the ego self. -- So it is a skill that can be learned or practiced and it is valuable also... for peace for your place... and acceptance...and gratitude...