Friday, July 29, 2005

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Buddha!

Happy Friday!


"One day a young Buddhist on his journey home, came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him , he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier.

Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river.

The young Buddhist yells over to the teacher, "Oh wise one , can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river"?

The teacher ponders for a moment, looks up and down the river and yells back, "My son, you are on the other side".


Q: Why don't Buddhists vacuum in the corners?
A: Because they have no attachments.


Q: What did a Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?
A: Make me one with everything.


Q: How many Zen buddhists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Tree falling in the forest.


Q: Why are there so few Buddhist rhythm and blues bands?
A: Because Buddhists don't have any soul.

from A Lighter Side of Buddhism

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Expression

I am the owner of my emotions. No one else is responsible for how I feel.

I am the owner of my karma. All I do, say, and think has consequences.

I am responive to, but not responsible for the happiness of others and I look to no one else other than myself for my own happiness and peace of mind.

I can only live in higher awareness and have authentic power to the degree I choose to forgive others.

I believe each person holds the power to discover the Truth that exists in being centered and still-for themselves and by themselves. There is nothing that is not made known when we seek and when we ask.

I acknowledge a higher consciousness and energy, present in all things and that this Spirit is most evident in expressions of joy, peace, and stillness.

I acknowledge this presence “can do no more for me that it can do through me”.

I recognize a beautiful and mystical connection existing between all sentient beings and that we are, by design, interdependent upon the existence of each other and all living things. The eloquent dance I have been invited to attend must be inclusive of everyone and everything.

I understand all that happens in my life happens for a reason and that all outcomes are moving me closer to the realization of my wholeness.

I am more than my personality, possessions, and limitations- I am authentically empowered by how I choose to understand my purpose in existence and by how much love I create and acknowledge.

I accept that how I choose to live my life speaks louder than any words I can speak.

I affirm that death is nothing more than an illusion and is nothing to be feared in so much as I acknowledge fear has no reality in an existence within the all encompassing presence of Love.

I affirm there is no escaping the reunion of all beings with higher consciousness and Spirit and that this homecoming with Love is the true “second coming” and is nothing more than our arrival into the gentle arms of our higher-Self.

No kudos of any sort are needed nor desired in my posting of this personal manifesto. I have not discovered something that I am seeking to teach to others- this Truth is known, present and waiting for each person to realize more fully. The purpose is in expressing onlyand in realizing that our expression is our gift from Spirit and that what we withhold and do not allow to flow through us, for whatever reason, interferes with divine order.

I believe each of us must decide how we choose to see; each of us must open our eyes to some reality. This is the reality that makes most sense to me and in my posting, my intention is to allow others to know me more fully, and have the courage to come to know themselves and understand their gifts more fully through their expression. There is courage in abandoning the smaller self and in trusting in and expressing one's gifts.


I believe we are here, on this plane of existence to realize who we really are and to exercise our authentic power for each other’s well being instead of using force against each other for our own selfish benefit.

Namaste-

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Inescapability

"Oh Mara, you cannot imprison me again, the rafters are broken, the ridgepole is sundered. I have seen the builder of the house!"
Siddhartha to Mara, Lord of Illusion

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Growing Up


Tommy with Sifu Tim Quikmire after receiving
his orange sash in Hung Gar Kung Fu.

All of a sudden.... they're not little boys anymore.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Authenticity

What I Learned In The Mountains

1. A six-pack of 4th of July sparklers can get a campfire going in no time.
2. Guiding a four-person raft alone is no easy feat.
3. Kayaking in the rain is awesome!
4. My son is my master teacher.
5. One beer can still give me a headache- no matter how great the taste.
6. Mountain folks are such nice people.
7. Driving to the top of a 4,000- foot mountain on a narrow, gravel road is an adventure.
8. Getting lost leads to greater experiences.
9. I can hike the whole width of the Appalachian Trail very easily!
10. Having no set plans most often makes for a richer experience.
11. Cold showers in the dark are relaxing.
12. Use sunscreen or keep your shirt on when on top of a 4,000-foot cliff.
13. My little nephew is as tough an outdoorsman as they come.
14. The only constant in the mountains is change.
15. Every being is unique, precious, and purpose- filled and our lives together interconnect and layer to a degree we cannot comprehend.

"Our deeper understanding (of evolving from five sensory into multi-sensory beings and realizing our capabilities) leads us to another kind of power, a power that loves life in every form that it appears, a power that does not judge what it encounters, a power that perceives meaningfulness and purpose in the smallest details upon the Earth. This is authentic power. When we align our thoughts, emotions, and actions with the highest part of ourselves, we are filled with enthusiasm, purpose, and meaning. Life is rich and full. We have no thought of bitterness. We have no memory of fear. We are joyously and intimately engaged with our world. This is the experience of authentic power."
Gary Zukav, The Seat Of The Soul

Tuesday, July 12, 2005


The Steady Eddy- best organic coffee shop in the world!


Our very own spa on the Painted Creek


Sleep where you drop


Lonesome Pine Lodge, our home away from home


Clouds clearing


Lunch on top of the world (elevation 4,000 feet)


We are all amazed with the view and hungry!


The view from Black Stack Cliffs


From the top of Black Stack looking back to where I shot the first picture of the cliffs


Black Stack Cliffs over looking the Nolichucky River Valley and Tennessee


Near Black Stack Cliffs


A very high water mark, some 8 feet higher than the creek is now. The force plants a railroad tie in the trees by the trail.


Jebbers builds a cairn!


It doesn't mean a thing if you don't look good!


The Laurel Creek running high after tropical storm Camille


On the Laurel Trail


James (Boo), Danielle, and Jebbers


Dreaming is still free! (My son, Tommy)


Our guides


On the trail (The Appalachian runs through downtown Hot Springs, some 280 some odd miles on the 2,150 mile trek- also the first stop for beer!)


Hot Springs, NC Population 645 (2000 census)


Looking down on the French Broad and rafters


High above the French Broad on "Lover's Leap"


The Edge of Surprise Falls


Surprise Falls


The French Broad River, Hot Springs, NC

Monday, July 04, 2005

Holiday

Will be in Hot Springs, NC on holiday for a while.

Many pictures and thoughts upon returning.

Peace out!

Independence Day

As we mark Independence Day I am thankful for those who are in harms way and for those who fought before to preserve the philosophy of a higher liberty. There are several thoughts with me regarding independence and I cannot help but think of personal independence and interdependence. I am reminded that Buddhist teachings show us we should be independent of our desire to attain that which we most seek.... to just be a witness of our desire to attain 'enlightenment'.

In truth, there is nothing to attain- we already are 'enlightened' but only to the degree which we are able to show compassion and kindness towards others. We are already awakened, only to the degree that we are able to know there is nothing outside of ourselves to attain. We are already one with the Clear Mind behind all. Now, all we are to do is live with kindness and compassion guiding our every action and word and enjoy the unfolding of this life.

Whatever comes, whatever occurs has its place and order. Thinking more into life, confusing ourselves with dogma, creeds and religious ecclesiastics no longer serves a purpose. We are free with the knowledge that we are one and that each of us plays a unique part all our own. In our freedom, we still need each other. This holds true for individuals as well as countries.

Blessings-

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