Rapture of Being Alive . . .

Yes.

Music and Life. . .

Of music, goals, gurus, life coaches and dance . . . . . a video from a man who used words far better then I ever could. On the list of people I have admired and learned from, place the late, great Alan Watts right at the top.

"Civilized people, whether Western or Eastern need to liberated and de-hypnotized from their systems of symbolism . . . . the so called physical world, and the so called human body are a single process. Differentiated only as the heart from the lungs, or the head from the feet."
- Alan Watts


You can't be a true atheist if you have not read Alan Watts.

"Each entered the forest that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest"

The miracle . . .

The miracle of love

comes to us

in the presence of the uninterpreted moment.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy , not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.

In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony.

- William Henry Channing


Follow your Bliss.

Notes on risk. . .

The courage to Love is the courage to affirm against tradition whatever knowledge stands confirmed in ones own experience.

And that love is always perfect confidence.

A note from the late great Joseph Campbell:

There’s one quotation I ran into in La Queste del Saint Graal which hit me as being the essence of what I’d call the European or Western spirituality. The knights of King Arthur’s court were seated at table and Arthur would not let the meal be served until an adventure had occurred. And, indeed, an adventure did occur. The Grail itself appeared, carried by angelic miracle, covered, however, by a cloth. Everyone was in rapture and then it withdrew. Arthur’s nephew Gawain stood up and said, "I propose a vow. I propose that we should all go in pursuit of this Grail to behold it unveiled." And it was determined that that was what they would do. And then occur these lines which seem to me so wonderful:

"They thought it would be a disgrace to go forth in a group. Each entered the forest that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest."
- La Queste del Saint Graal


I am headed overseas until June. . . . .carve your own path. It's always ready for you, provided your prepared to ignore everyone else who claims to know what you should be doing instead.

Most people are not prepared for that, not by upbringing, not by religion, not by school, and not by birth. They never will listen to their own inside voice, in exclusion to the authorities. It becomes not a life less ordinary, an adventure, joyful, unique and built solely for you. Rather, it's played safe, and instead it is nothing but the wasteland. Their is a better way, and it doesn't involve teachers, gurus, clergy, psychologists, new agers, or 'life coaches'. It involves just you, your heart, your soul, and a little silence.

"Each entered the forest that he had chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest"

Namaste.

Walking needles. . .

A friend of mine here in Portland told me this today.

“If you look at the wisest people, you will find that most of them live alone.

It’s not because they are playing the field, chasing skirts, or anything like that. That would be equally painful. . . . It’s because they look outside at all this we see (waves arms around) and they realize that’s not it.

Sure it’s all attractive, the beautiful woman, cars, possessions, money . . . but they have realized that all of it is temporary. And all of it brings suffering.

They have learned through experience that they have to look within, that the happiness is inside, not outside, reached through self inquiry."


He continued. . .

"You know, you really can’t tell anything from the cover, from a persons looks, from the wrapping outside. We all claim to know that, but I am always still learning it.

Take her for example. . .(referring to a very pretty young woman we both just saw). . she is beautiful no doubt. Thin, nice breasts, pretty eyes, sexy haircut, cool clothes, all that stuff. . .but inside, inside she’s terrible. . . . .”She’s angry?” I asked. . . . yes, she’s just awful. See you just can’t tell from the outside. . . .”she’s angry then” I repeated. . . .part of it’s hormonal, sure.

But no, she’s just viscous inside. See you just can’t ever tell."


He continued. . .

"See there are primarily two types of people in this world. Think of them as giant walking needles.
One type comes at you, pushes in the needle, and sucks all the life and energy from you that it can.

The second type comes at you, inserts the needle, and injects this poison drug inside you. . . . .walking needles".


He continued. . .

"I was out on New Years eve, and I decided to take a walk down the waterfront. And it was a beautiful evening, and as long as I was down there on the waterfront it was really nice.

But, just one block away, one block up, by the Dixie Lounge and Chinatown. . .just one block up, it was hell. . . . . “drunks everywhere” I said. . . .Yes, woman drunk, all pushed up, sucked in, decked out. . . men drunk, blind, stupid, all of them looking so incredibly hungry.

It is a hell. . . .hell for sure.

Those are those needles I am talking about."


He continued. . .

"But there is another type of person. They are very rare, extremely rare. It’s someone who brings you pure joy. It’s very rare, and it’s such a blessing when you find them.

When you see the man with a woman like that, so joyful, you know he’s found that. . . . . .Somehow, she just knows how to nourish the joy in you. . . . . . .It’s amazing to see the change.”

“Don’t forget that. . . . .remember that”,

he said as I left.

You is. . . .

. . . time.


You IS Time

Fortunate Son. . . . .

“Whether the Universe is a concourse of atoms, or nature is a system, let this first be established, that I am part of the whole which is governed by nature; next, I am in a manner intimately related to the parts which are of the same kind with myself.”
- Marcus Aurelius


This also is vanity
- Ecclesiastes

It’s been awhile since I have updated this BLOG. . . . .it’s been about family, friends, and the Portland Summer, with the colors of Fall giving way to 90 degree weather, and a cool breeze.

There has been loss of friends and loved ones. Reminders to remain Authentic in relationships, and grateful for knowing those that meet along the way.

We can’t be free in any fashion if we hold the hand of fear. But we can always be thankful.


I spent one of the best Months of my life in Iceland.
I had my back tattooed.
And I jumped out of an airplane at 10,000 feet.

I went to Canada, then Singapore, an amazing zone on the map of Asia. This was followed by Nevada, and then the UK and Scotland, where I am currently.

Words of advise, count your shots when in restaurants, and count your blessings when you melt into rhythm while standing in a natural hot springs and experiencing the sensation of cold hail hitting your shoulders

I don’t have anything to express regarding all this except thank you, to those I’ve met, and those at home. I am fortunate.

“Loss is nothing else then change. But the universal nature delights in change. . .and will. . .to time without end.”
-Marcus Aurelius


We are all one.

I could go on about the land of ice and snow. Or my beautiful friend who shares a drink and smile with me when I come back to PDX. Or the Indian man that sat next to me on the way to Canada and began explaining how nice it was when you meets you. Or the question of the Month about “Why is he smiling when she is standing on him” . But at this moment that ain’t happening.

Instead I will just say that the only real demon/daemons I can actually locate, the one we all face in our own perfect time (myself included always), seems to be fear (which is a story / thought). And it has so many faces. . . .and it’s better then okay. Absence of fear, even if for a moment, is the joy that can’t be faked. And right action at right time is found there. In that there is no trying, no potential, no loss, no gain, no effort, and no rules. If someone is trying to sell that to you, don’t buy. It’s always free, and always you.

Don’t be afraid. And if you are, don’t worry. You will get home one way or the other.


“Either the gods have no power. If, then, they have no power, why do you pray to them? But if they have power, why do you not pray for them to you give you the faculty of not fearing any of the things which you fear, or of not desiring any of the things which you desire, or not being pained at anything, rather then pray that any of these things should not happen, or happen?. . . .. Not to pray: How shall I not lose this. . . but to pray: How shall I not be afraid to lose this? Pray this way, and see what comes.”
-Marcus Aurelius

My perspective at this moment is as follows. . . .hold those you love, and let them know how you feel. We never know how long they will be here for that. Listen carefully, something fantastic is reaching out to you in all those moments. And it’s only found when you stop trying.

“Let us be honest, let us have the courage and candor to say: “We do not know”. If by any possibility the existence of a power superior to, and independent of, nature shall be demonstrated, there will be time enough to kneel. Until then, let us stand erect.”
- Robert Ingersoll


Nobody in hospice ever wished they worked more. But they do want to know about this planet we share, and the regret of not traveling enough is topped only by the desire for more authentic and open connection in human relationships. More love and openess, more time with those they cared for all Years. Those are the only regrets.

The rest is profit for greedy old men, and the worship of Mammon.

There is no value in that.
Even if you win the rat race,
your still a rat . . . .


Serve something more meaningful. . . . . .and when that genuine smile pops up, the one that arises without effort and despite your opinion. . . .in that authentic space, just to the left, that’s where I’ll meet you. It’s the autonomous free zone. . .our real home.


After all. . . . .all spiritual practices are illusions, designed by illusionists, to escape illusion. And the illusion is that you are not already free.

With
inner freedom
from the snare
of image induced
illusion, delusion
and obsession,
two or more
can merge
and flow
into
the Eternal Sea
of
Love’s
Infinity,
with
myriad millions
expressing
Love and Life
in ceaseless
and joyously
changing
expressions
of
rhythm
color
and tone.


Ultimately they shall find for themselves that there is in reality only one “I”, which appears as innumerable egos, which are in fact all as temporary as passing shadows.


Parvati is calling me, I gotta go.

***