Beautiful People

There are so many wonderful, beautiful people that I have met during the last few years.  If you are reading this you are most likely one of these people.  Go ahead...take the compliment without squirming too much.
My ability to find these fabulous people is directly related to my ability to have an open mind.  So many times the things that I have mistaken as my knowledge have turned out to be prejudice, ignorance or reflections of my own mental gyrations.  Everyone is teaching me something...if I'm sharp enough to remember that I'm in a "University".  From the driver in front of me who is in no hurry to the driver behind me trying to push me down the road...I never know what lesson will be taught next.  What I'm trying to remember is to stay awake in the classroom and catch the lessons as they are presented...and to not put my spin on them.  I'll try to keep a clear mind and remember to follow my breath.  I'll practice patience and kindess to the best of my ability.
Have a wonderful day in school beautiful people.

Sometimes Silence

In a world amidst the constant bombardment of stimuli, silence is truly golden.  With the increasing presence of electronic screens...personal and public...noise of traffic, construction sounds, leaf blowers, people yelling into their cellphones, etc., it can be a challenge to find a quiet place.  As the external stimuli increase it raises the stress levels of individuals (been proven in noisy labs with rodents and humans).  Do we try to block out the outside noise by cranking up our noise of choice?  Headphones anyone?  Have you noticed the amount of people wearing them in every possible location and situation?
With all the concerns (rightly so) about the amazing human capacity to pollute we can manage to decrease our auditory footprint (earprint?) by turning off or reducing unnecessary noise.  Can we use a rake and broom instead of the double whammy polluting power of a gas fueled leaf blower?  (When did a leaf on a yard become a crime?)  Can we be aware of those around us when we are using our cell phones? 
Try to sit and listen quietly to the world around you.  Sometimes silence is the most wonderfully powerful sound.

What Have I Gained?

Someone once asked the Buddha sceptically,"What have you gained through meditation?"
The Buddha replied, "Nothing at all."
"Well, what good is it then?" they asked.
Buddha replied, "Let me tell you what I lost through meditation: sickness, anger, depression, insecurity, the burden of old age, the fear of death.  That is the good of meditation."
Please invest some time in reflection and meditation.  This is a rare opportunity to invest; hoping that you will lose something.