Light 

The Challenge of Practice

After the initial challenge of developing insight into ones consciousness and seeing a little of the Light for the first time, the next requirement is discipline to maintain that insight. This means the use of whatever practices helped one develop the insight in the first place, prayer, meditation, ritual, silence etc. After some time there is an apparent dulling of the bliss that accompanies the first experience of connectedness and this thereafter may result in eventual disconnectedness and a regression back to the state of prior unconsciousness and day to day unmindful existence. This is where the imperativeness of disciplined practice is paramount. Many factors can present themselves to obstruct the flow of practice and impair this discipline. Steadfastness to the goal is so important. Wariness to the pull of the material world with its motivations is vital. The practice must go on to avoid this.

Honeysuckle  

The Rite of Spring

Ahh! Spring is finally here. So I have this beautifully twisted dogwood outside my large second floor windows that I have seen stark in a cold fall drizzle and outlined in fluffs of wet snow. But one fine day this week, I woke to find it full of tiny pink buds and then a rush of full, delicate pink-sienna blossoms. Its like a perfect Japanese painting except that it is real and very alive. The beauty of it makes me stand there every morning with my mouth agape. The tree has withstood all forms of elements with the same equanmity. There is obviously immense beauty in complete surrender. The trees know it even though we don't.