secret notebooks • wild pages: Like holding a bumpy marshmallow

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Like holding a bumpy marshmallow

The mind, the Buddha, living creatures — these are not three different things.
— Seng-T'san

13 comments:

sukipoet said...: cute little fella. did the man who jumped die?; August 29, 2009 8:15 AM
priti.lisa said...: How sweet! And the quote is perfect!
xox, Lisa; August 29, 2009 8:53 AM
Gigi said...: Yes, that quote is perfect for these pictures. What a gorgeous little creature.; August 29, 2009 9:00 AM
m. heart said...: Suki, yes. They think he was a homeless man and haven't identified him yet. For a small town, Northampton has a pretty big homeless population.; August 29, 2009 2:48 PM
Wanda said...: LOL...I read BURPY marshmallow. That was pretty funny, too.; August 29, 2009 3:09 PM
Bethany said...: oh, look at his little toes hanging down. love that photo. great quote too. and the metaphor is perfect; August 29, 2009 11:56 PM
robin bird said...: marshmallow?! yes i can see that... and he is so tiny and cute!
i revere the quote. i must copy that one down for sure.
xo have a good sunday!; August 30, 2009 12:55 AM
m. heart said...: Bethany, it's funny, I had a few shots where his face was facing the camera bit more, but this was the only one showing those cute toes, which is why I chose it.; August 30, 2009 1:40 AM
moongipsies said...: love love love the little guy; August 30, 2009 4:15 AM
m. heart said...: Burpy marshmallow, lol.; August 30, 2009 9:09 AM
layers said...: I like your imagery, short quotes and poetry.; August 30, 2009 11:25 PM
quiltcat said...: I love the little toes hanging down and the "hand" on your thumb...did he pee on you the way toads often when alarmed??; September 2, 2009 3:59 PM
m. heart said...: Quiltcat, he didn't, though I expected it!; September 2, 2009 4:39 PM

Meditation on Affliction

Assailed by afflictions, we discover dharma and find the way to liberation. Thank you, evil forces!

When sorrows invade the mind, we discover dharma and find lasting happiness. Thank you, sorrows!

Through harm caused by spirits we discover dharma and find fearlessness. Thank you, ghosts and demons!

Through people's hate we discover dharma and find benefits and happiness. Thank you, those who hate us!

Through cruel adversity, we discover dharma and find the unchanging way. Thank you, adversity!

Through being impelled to by others, we discover dharma and find the essential meaning. Thank you, all who drive us on!

We dedicate our merit to you all, to repay your kindness.

— Gyalwa Longchenpa

Who Says Words With My Mouth?

All day I think about it, then at night I say it.
Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing?
I have no idea.
My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that,
and I intend to end up there.

This drunkenness began in some other tavern.
When I get back around to that place,
I'll be completely sober. Meanwhile,
I'm like a bird from another continent, sitting in this aviary.
The day is coming when I fly off,
but who is it now in my ear who hears my voice?
Who says words with my mouth?

Who looks out with my eyes? What is the soul?
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.

This poetry, I never know what I'm going to say.
I don't plan it.
When I'm outside the saying of it,
I get very quiet and rarely speak at all.

— Rumi

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Like holding a bumpy marshmallow

13 comments:

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