I'm simultaneously reading a book of ghost stories and a book on Buddhist mindfulness practice. OK, I'm not reading them at exactly the same time - that is beyond my limited ability to multitask, but I'm trading off as my mood changes. The ghost stories appeal to me aesthetically, and the Buddhist book is interesting in a spiritual way. I especially like the point that our suffering is caused by craving (are yearning and craving the same thing? - these are the kinds of questions I ask). It also has a lot to say about being really here - being in the present. Or, you could say, being present in the present. This is the time of year to be thinking about presents, after all... except presently, I'm a little short on cash. Oops. My mind is wandering again. This reminds me of something a psychic coworker once said to me long ago - "sometimes you're just not there."
This is true. I must work on being here. It's harder than it sounds. My mind often slides sideways into elsewhere. Maybe it's a defense mechanism. Who knows?
3 comments:
I wonder if you are reading the work of Thich Nhat Hanh. It sounds like Peace Is Every Step. As a educator and naturalist you might read his book with Alan Weisman The World We Have: A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecolgy. His writing has informed near to every area of my adult life.
Also, thanks for the blog encouragement. You are too kind. I do not believe that I will last, but it has been an interesting experiment.
I envy you the ravens and the moonrise.
~L
Oops, back after realizing my typing error...moonSET/sunrise. On that day, these were tightly nested together. Today the gap is quite large. It is coming clear to me that you work nights. ???
I'm technically the "evening program specialist" right now, which means I put the science campers to bed and get them up in the morning, and deal with any issues that come up over night. It means I get to see the moon and stars a lot. When I add in all of the student teaching and other obligations, it means very little sleep. Still, I love my job.
The book I'm reading is "The Issue at Hand" by Gil Fronsdal - he teaches at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, where the book is given out free. I haven't been to the Center, but a friend who goes there passed the book on to me. I read some Thich Nhat Hanh years ago, and remember being impressed. I will follow up on your recommendation and read The World We Have. It sounds like essential reading.
And do keep blogging! It's always nice to read the words (and see the photos) of like-minded people. You're definitely off to a great start!
all the best,
John
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