Tag: ease

MEEK

       Most of us think of meekness in a negative way. We think a meek person is somehow also a weak and timid person – someone who is easily buffeted by the forces of the material world. In fact, our world tends to venerate the opposite of meekness – qualities like physical prowess and intellectual cleverness. We tend to admire the aggressive person more than the tender and gentle one. And yet, when we look at the natural world, we see something different. In nature, it seems that the placid, laid-back, and yielding things have the greatest power. There is nothing softer than the water of the ocean, and yet it can hold ships of enormous weight, and, when it is storming, can overwhelm any material thing in its path. The waters of the ocean yield easily when we dip our hand into it, and yet their tides are strong enough to destroy whole towns. In similar fashion, wind is both one of the gentlest and one of the most formidable forces in nature. If we hold our hand up, the wind passes smoothly by it, and our hand feels only its softest touch. Yet, this same wind can topple trees and rip rooftops off houses. Today, I want to meditate on these truths, and hold in mind that true power resides in true meekness. I don’t need to be aggressive and pushy today, because I am part of the infinite power of the Universe, a power with the same kind of gentle strength as the ocean. Like the wind, I can exhibit the power of ease and peacefulness, passing among the events of the day with both unassailable power and compliant mildness. 

RELAX

WORDS LIKE LIGHT

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

         Relaxing should definitely be part of my daily routine, because it’s assuredly a large part of the Universe’s lifestyle. Winds and breezes are constantly loosening up among mountains and homes and seas around the world, and sunshine does nothing but take it easy as it spreads itself smoothly among us. Wherever dust is, it’s always resting, and, as I’m typing these words, the blood in my hands is lounging along in its reliable and laidback way. Life itself – except when I interfere with my worries and self-centered displeasure – is always lightening up as the moments pass effortlessly by. Is time ever tense as it moves along? Don’t days invariably flow along  in unruffled ways? Yes, I am sometimes anxious and edgy, but the Universe itself never is. The sun always rises in a leisurely way, thoughts inside me stream along with ease and mastery, and events materialize precisely as they must. Today, I can be brave and daring and do what needs to be done for the good of all, but I can do it with peace and composure. I can relax like light does as it unceasingly shines up the universe.  

Below, scenes from our walk on Napatree Beach (RI) this morning, with Delycia striding ahead in the distance …



RELAXING, ONE DAY
(Sharon Z., 82, Blessings, CT)

Strange, but she saw a rock relaxing 
one day, just sitting beside a fence 
as though it was smiling. Then she 
saw clouds calming down all across the
sky, sort of softening and resting
as they strayed here and there. Soon
she noticed the wind unwinding, like
it was sick of rushing and just wished
for some leisure time, and then,
surprisingly, a sparrow settled on 
a chair and composed itself, as if 
it was loosening up after its morning’s 
search for food. She stood still, in
wonder. The wind stroked her softly.