Remembrance Day November 11 2024

This poster says:

For those who leave never to return.

For those who return but are never the same.

We remember.

Prairie Chicken In Snow - Spirit Animal

Yesterday, when I went out to my vehicle, there were three prairie chickens in the middle of the cove, pecking away at seeds.  They scurried away when I walked too close to them.  Then, today, when the I took my dog walking in the park, at the exit, there was a small flock of six prairie chickens.  This time, they flew away instead of scurrying, I think, because of my dog.

It is apparent to me, that Prairie Chicken has a message for me because it is appearing two days in a row, and the number of critters is multiplied by two.  This really illustrates how message totem animals work.  

“A Message Animal Totem usually is bringing you a self growth, spiritual message, or a cautionary warning. It is often a wake up call or slap in the face. It will usually be a very unusual experience making it very powerful at that time and very impartial. A Message Totem is a brief period of time, a day, a week, and occasionally as much as a couple of months but can be immediate for just a few hours.”

Now, it is up to me to figure out what the message is because the animals did not stay around to give the message to me directly.  Prairie Chickens, and many chickens and quail, and even grouse, are about community, about feeding or nourishment, and about protection – especially fleeing at the first sign of danger.  This means that chicken is also about being ultra aware of one’s surroundings.

The message that resonated for me as I meditated on Prairie Chicken and the chickens’ actions is:

• When the unknown approaches and it feels threatening, simply flee and then observe it from a distance.  Warriors are careful.
• Finding the best place to eat and creating the best food will keep your group very strong.  Nourishment is part of spirituality for the body must be kept healthy.
• Feeding people is a small sacrifice that shows that you are in service.

 Blessings,

Judy

Buddha Talks - Recognize the Ego Mind

I was looking at some of the speeches from different politicians in different parts of the world.  It made me think of this lesson from Buddha.

When we look for the mind, we can't find any shape, or color, or form. This mind that we identify as the self, which we could call ego-mind, controls everything we do. Yet it can't actually be found—which is somewhat spooky, as if a ghost were managing our home. The house seems to be empty, but all the housework has been done. The bed has been made, our shoes have been polished, the tea has been poured, and the breakfast has been cooked. The funny thing is that we never question this. We just assume that someone or something is there. But all this time, our life has been managed by a ghost, and it's time to put a stop to it. On one hand, ego-mind has served us—but it hasn't served us well.  – Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, "Searching for Self"

Blessings,

Judy