You are a Visitor Here

  

   "Lady Traveler" from Microsoft Clip Art....

 

                                                           I have been experiencing many different lessons of life over the past twenty years.  Early in this adventure, after each experience, I usually would say, "Wow!  That was intense! I am glad that I am through that!"  As I grew older and wiser, I realized that the lessons were the journey. And, as I traveled around the world, I realized that the lessons of life were very much paralleled by the challenges one faces traveling in different countries where we cannot communicate in a common language and thus revert to signing and engaging in a genuine exchange.  Words do limit how another interprets what one says. 

I had pretty much forgotten about my earlier discoveries as I am busy learning new things all the time.  Then, the other day, I found this passage when I was working through some Buddhist teachings.  I loved the phrasing!  It took me back to the earlier times when I was a visitor in so many countries and cities.  

May you enjoy this teaching as I did!

                                      Dhammavadaka

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.

None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end.

Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others.

Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered.

Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead, nurture love within you and and strive to be a friend to all. Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds.

Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself.  
Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.

Despite all appearances, no one is really evil. They are led astray by ignorance. If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light, rather then blame and condemnation.  
You, no less than all beings have Buddha Nature within. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.  

Faith is like a lamp and wisdom makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in the Light. 

Note - I believe this was written by  Shravasti Dhammika ... I thank you for this writing.

Blessings,

Judy

Welcoming in October 1 2023

I love the fall, and the feeling of peacefulness that it brings, as Mother Nature blankets up her charges and puts them to sleep.  I love walking through the dried grass with my dog and feeling the crispness of the grass and the air against my skin.

Autumn in our yard… picture by Judy Hirst

 

Just as Mother Nature cleans up the plants and the trees, and even the water and earth, we, too, need to clean up before the long winter rest.  We need to let go of old hurts, angers, resentments, and victimizations that we have hugged to our souls.  These wounds, for they are wounds, cripple us because we cannot move forward with our lives in ease.  The wounds may also cause us to become ill. The word “ill” by the way, is a word that means “attributing evil or an objectionable quality”, or, “causing suffering or distress”, or “not normal or sound <ill health>”.  One can see from Merriam-Webster’s definition that our hurts fit our ills.

I found a lovely prayer to offer up to the Goddess, who, one must remember is an aspect of Great Spirit.  It comes from Zsuzsanna Budapest, from her book, “The Grandmother of Time”.  She suggests writing out all the names of those people that you have issues with, and that you burn this list, as you say this prayer.

Dearest Goddess, 

I have come a long way this year, carrying my burdens.  I would like to take them off my shoulders and give them back to you to recycle, to bury, to compost.  Here, I offer you my resentments against friends, family, and (fill in you own needs here), and ask you to absorb them into your black universe.  Relieve me of them and allow me to walk more lightly.

    Now – Burn this list either in candle flames or in your smudging bowl.

I feel all light, happy and cleansed now.  Dearest Goddess, you are my true strength and guide.  I thank you for being accessible and answering your children’s call.  I honour you and thank you.

    Now – take the ashes and throw them into living water to let them wash away.  As you cast them off, don’t think about this anymore.

This is an amazing process!  If you are not comfortable using the term “Goddess” even though she is an aspect of Creator, then use the term “God”, or what ever you are comfortable with.  Each term is simply the aspect of Creator that resonates for us!

May all your prayers be heartfelt!

Many Blessings,

Judy

Ox as a Spirit Animal

Image of Oxen from www.afb.org/

Oxen pulled the carts and wagons that helped the pioneers cross North America from the East to the West coast.

 

 

“Dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. Can be stubborn, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding.” This is the description for OX, in the Chinese Zodiac.

Ox is actually a bull that has been neutered either because of its very gentle disposition which makes it ideal for pulling work, or because the bull is not a good breeder. The best Ox is actually one with horns because the horns help the yoke stay in place. The horns also enable Ox to defend against predators. 

Our Ancestors preferred Ox’s draft capabilities over that of a horse or mule where steadiness over speed was required. Ox is sure footed, patient, and generally gets along with anyone or any team-mate. Ox is also stronger, and not likely to injure itself because it is methodical in what it does, and does not jerk or rear against the harness or driver. Ox has also been used for riding because again it will go much longer in the day than a horse will travel.

As Ox is part of the family of cattle and bovines, it brings some of the same messages. If Ox is in your dreams, or shows up in pictures for you, then it does bring you a message. Some of these messages might be:

a) Are you pulling your weight in the world? Ox takes on huge loads and moves them, without protest. Have you been whining and complaining about your lot in life? Are you labelling yourself as a victim? Ox is here to remind you that everything is fair and for a reason. Put your back into what you do, and you will forget about being a victim.

b) Do you help others? Ox is in training for his part as a draft animal by age two to three, and usually will work for four to six years. Ox has committed his life to helping mankind move forward. If you are feeling low self worth, Ox suggests that you find someplace to volunteer. Helping others is the surest way to improve self esteem.

c) Are you working hard, and doing everything yourself? Do you feel unappreciated? Ox reminds you that most animals work better in a team. Why do you try to do it all yourself? Find a good team-mate, and split the work load. Bring your life back into balance.

Ox is a great example of being able to go with the flow in life, and not get excited or emotional.

Many blessings,

Judy