identifying the enemy: Buddhist Wisdom

If you want to get rid of your enemy, the true way is to realize that your enemy is delusion.

-Kegon Sutra
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000.

Abusing words

We have used words to sterilize life. I am desterilizing my life. Passion and inspiration is dirty, it is messy and seldom "right" by THEIR standards. The dirt and rock path is long and it isn't always clear and definitely not easy but it is worth every stubbed toe and dirty smudge.

I have seen what life is like off along the road less traveled and I like it. I am discovering a new world, I think my timing may be off as well, but adds to the adventure. I am discovering a life of passion, inspiration and it all started within me. I wonder when I will get the key to the city.

Power of words

There is amazing power within words if you allow it.

Once you label me, you negate me. ~Kierkegaard

What words are the "magic" words that help and destroy? I learned that I need to believe, believe in self which is to believe in the world, the universe and in love...but to achieve that belief I need trust and love myself. To achieve the trust and love, I need to forgive. The first person and truly the only one that matters to move forward and achieve the rest, is to forgive myself.

The Power of Play

THE POWER OF PLAY

by Mark Victor Hansen

Think back to your youth. Remember those Saturday mornings watching cartoons while eating your cereal? Were your afternoons spent drinking Kool-Aid and skating?

Those were times when you didn't seem to have a care in the world.
You can still have fun like that. I'm not saying there is a magical potion that will transform you into a child, but you can recapture your child-like nature.

Just because you grow older doesn't mean you have to grow old.

There is power in playing. It is the power of remembering who your authentic self really is, who you were going to be before people told you, you "couldn't" or "shouldn't" or "didn't have the talent to be" the person you were becoming.

When you start playing again you will awaken your inner child and begin to re-discover all the dreams you buried over the years.

Remember:you're either a dream maker or a dream breaker.

from a daily "From the Masters" email

Daily Om

This is a snippet from my "Daily Om" email:

... Just as the summer solstice is symbolic of agricultural growth, so is it symbolic of personal growth. It is a wonderful time to nurture your potential as you would nurture a tiny seedling and let your creative energy express itself fully. On the summer solstice, you may feel compelled to emulate the noontime sun and be at one with the world around you or to let your inner brilliance shine forth at full strength, if only for a single day....

Jealousy

It is amazing when jealousy rears its ugly head. I could be jealous of so much in my life but I have let go of that on so many levels. But then I flip through the channels on the TV and end up on a country music video. It is then my eyes glow green and I find myself jealous of the woman who the song was written for and sung to. I want to be the kind of woman who inspires those words. I want to find a man who wants to say such loving words and sensual words and who will not assume "I already know" That song has affected me so much that I want to hear it but sometimes can't bare the sound.

New day

It takes the perspective of a new day and words from a dear friend to clear the air and make the sun shine within and without. (endearing words from a caring soul that makes me flutter helps too). I have been asleep for so long in my life I don't know what it is like to be awake, to be alive. I admit I had dreams and expectations, and many things have exceeded and a few are a crushing to optimism. I may pout and mope or I may dance and sing, but I know wouldn't go back to being asleep through life. I know that with all my heart.

And it is times like that I know it was good to take the red pill.

forgotten gem

Deep within my soul is a stone that shines brilliantly. I see its reflection when I see my reflection and when I look into someone dear's eyes. It is a stone, a crystal that is so beautiful that it warms all that touch it. But why do I let this gem be forgotten, why do I lock it in a box and let the sparkle leave me and those around me? Sometimes it takes a look, or a word from a friend; sometimes the moon whispering to me; or the angels that sing to me; or the kitty that purrs against my chin to remind me that that gem should never be locked up.

Like never before

I have pondered and thought and contemplated about my life now as it is in reference to how it has been. But I am not the person I was, nor are the people in my life the same people from back then. There is no comparison. Seduction, fear, warmth, giddiness...they all need to be seen with fresh eyes. To not let the fear from the unknown be filled from the experiences (especially bad) of the past just to be satiated.

upon tomorrow

I can hear the water in the pond outside my door, feel the sun as it shines through the windows, and the joy of summer as it eases upon us. There is passion and fun all around me, and I feel it building within me. What will tomorrow bring? What sweet breezes, and good friends and flirtatious encounters will it bring?

Why wait until tomorrow?

fear

Fear is a monster that lives with me. He follows me, wanting to be near me, to hold me, to wrap himself around me so that I cannot see or feel or smell anything but him.

Seduction

I have been trained in the art of seduction. A truly beautify art. One that has kept me well protected, for once one engages in the art, it isn't completely (or sometimes at all) about love, it isn't about the heart, it becomes a test to see how quickly and skillfully I can gain control without the other knowing, how well can I read the person and find exactly what that person needs to be pleased by the flesh.

A seductress is never as naked as when that wall has been taken down. And never more confused when that art is then called upon, whether verbally or not. What others find intimate is not what the seductress finds intimate. For a seductress it is the kind eyes, the kind words, the soft hand hold that is true intimacy. Yet the world is sad when she finds someone who is the mirror of she, who gives freely of the kindness and who intimacy is seduction.

I am eager to find the soul that it no longer is about the art, and instead it is about the magic of two people together in love and utterly in the moment of passion.

the colors of love

The flow of a warm mist has left my heart, and found its way to another. Winding around and looping to meld with the mist that encircles all of us. What is this mist that has left me? Will it find a soul and create magic that great romances are written about or will it find a soul in need of a friend or will it find a soul in pain? The colors of the mist collide with others and explode like the northern lights. One cannot anticipate what the mist will bring or find no more than one can read the northern lights. I am but a vessel traveling through the ocean of life hoping that one day that the mist will fade and unveiled before me will be a pure soul that is my destiny.

a hand

A hand has such great power and yet we rarely notice it. It takes someone else's hang to step into my world to really realize how amazing one is. It reaches for mine for sweet warmth as I walk down a chilly downtown street. It touches the small of my back that is bare as I lean forward, bringing warmth, comfort, and yet quick chills that reach my toes. It reaches around my face and brings me toward the other bringing comfort, a sense of security, and enables the world around to fall away. Without a reach or a tug, it holds my heart.

It is rough, but not abrasive; strong, but not crushing; hot, but does not burn. Yes sometimes it takes another hand to make me appreciate how much power they possess.

Dragon and Tiger

Who knew that when Dragon and Tiger meet, that it would result in Tiger an equal duel with one exception, Tiger doesn't have armory near her heart. She has sharp teeth and sharp nails and strength that has won many battles (or at least made her ably walk away to fight again) and mostly scared off the would be opponent, but Dragon is cunning and strong. Tiger doesn't know if there will be a victor in this duel, nor does she know if she wants one. A worthy opponent on so many levels makes her the curious cat, and yet, also ready to accept the challenge, even if it means her destruction.

winds have changed

Deep in the waters there is no wind, there is no rain, there are no tornados. Soaking in herbs and water change the winds about me, the flickering of the candle dies down and the flame shines bright. This is when I know I am getting back on the right path.

3 year old rampant

The love for a three year old should be genuine and patient and understanding and respectful, but I have learned personally for the 3 year old that rests within me, I need to also set boundaries, for a 3 year old that is unchecked is one that can wreck havoc, with the utmost positive and genuine intension.

The art is to learn how to balance all the parts of us that we have disenfranchised or hated in our lives. And as much as I hate to admit it, it does start with my first memory and my accurately my interpretation of that memory over the years. Which makes me think an adult unchecked can wreck havoc with the best intentions as well.

Personal Power from Higher Awareness

Personal Power

“The deep root of failure in our lives is to think, ‘Oh how useless and powerless I am.’ It is essential to think strongly and forcefully, ‘I can do it,’ without boasting or fretting.”

-- Dalai Lama

Angeles Arrien says that whether we are male or female, we need to develop three kinds of power. People who hold these three powers cannot be ignored.

1. Power of presence – Being really present in each moment
2. Power of communication – Speaking my truth
3. Power of position – Being willing to take a stand

“A man’s true state of power and riches is to be in himself.”

-- Henry Ward Beecher

“We are no longer puppets being manipulated by outside powerful forces; we become the powerful force ourselves.”

-- Leo Buscaglia

received in my daily email from Higher Awareness (which always seems to send the right thoughts at the right times in my life)

enjoy the silence

I have been told by many that my main issues, other than not balancing my health through the normal channels (exercise and vitamin and meds etc) is I can't enjoy the silence. That I don't listen to the whispers of the wind and the great spirits of the world. That I don't listen to what my cats tell me without a sound. Who is speaking to me from across the world. And most of all I am not listening to the universe which is God which is the true me. When your mind screams what do you do to silence it. Or worse what if you are afraid of the silence?

a storm

I have felt the storm brewing, all the signs have been there, dark clouds, strong gusts, and unexplained silence, that heaviness in the air. Little did I know the storm was brewing in me. Fog rolled in early this morning, followed by a charged lighting storm. There was a bit of mist, but now showers or drizzle came about. The earth shook and a small tornado touched down for a few moments, but now there is that eerie calm. What weather will show up next, what is in store for my evening, when will this storm front pass and bring the sunshine I have come to love and now appreciate even more since it is absent.

visited states (how cool!)

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

countries visited

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

anticipation

The air is thick with anticipation, not my anticipation but anticipation by the world around me. The birds have stopped to listen and the frongs are silent straining to hear. The trees hold still, with not a slight bit of wind to make their branches sing. The air is round and heavy, waiting. What is it that they wait for? Do they know?

inspiration

Inspiration can be found in so many places, yet so elusive so often. I lay here feeling the fleece pillow case against my skin. So warm, so soft, so pink. I often forget that the inspiration I find sometimes comes from the 3 year old child within me that just wants to have fun yet wants to feel safe and loved. I think I am finally understanding love.

to find the key...

Why is it so hard to release ourselves from our own shackles? If someone else put them on us we would fight to the bitter end, but our own we endure almost with enjoyment, of course we say we hate them and are always trying to get them off, but when left to our own we often fortify them and strengthen them.


Those rare times we loosen the shackles a bit, it feels like the world is fresh and new, the grass is fresher, the sunsets more vivid, the smells of the season almost overwhelming the senses, the feel of rain upon our face feels like the kiss of a long lost lover, the breeze filled with sweet nothings that you could never share with another.


Then why when the sun is finally set and the doors are closed do those shackles tighten up and a blanket of guilt and shame is wrapped up around us as if they were able to provide comfort and warmth.

listening?

Have you ever wondered how much of blogging is to "hear yourself talk" and how much of it is wanting to know someone is out there listening?

meditation....

June 7, 2006
-:- -:- -:-

The true Sage keeps his knowledge within him, while men in general set
forth theirs in argument, in order to convince each other.
And therefore it is said that one who argues does so because he cannot
see certain points.

Chuang Tzu

------------ --------- -----
DAILY and WEEKLY Wisdom from different sources since Dec, 1997
http://www.deeshan. com

rain drops on my head

During the Relay for Life the rain started, and I got to fufill one of my life long desires, to walk in the rain with no shame, no embarassement and no rush to get out. Each drop screamed freedom to me, liberation from the rules of society. It was all so raw and pure and magical.

my shoes await

I am half way prepped for my Relay for Life. I pray for good weather, but bought a slicker anyhow. i see the moonlight shine up one the roof top and think how wonderful it would be to stay in that moment, to hang on and just live there. Make myself at home.

I am humble and await.

the good, the bad, and the explored

So stating your mind and opening up to possibilities and overcoming fear is great. Rejection is hard, which I am finding out first hand, but not as bad as regretting if I hadn't tried. I need to lick my wounds and wish that that could be done with more time, but alas I am walking tomorrow! So kick in the butt and get over what could have been and worse the dreams that filled the head of possibilities. They are still there just on hold. And I need to make more of them come true alone. But crying isn't bad either. A good lesson as well. At least I can say, I did it. I took a risk and put myself out there and it felt damn good.

ruby and peridot eyes and silver fingers

It is late, I will be tired again tomorrow, and I hear the rain pounding above me. I cleaned up my jewlery chests. Yes more than one. So many shiney sparkles glared up at me with tarnish in their eyes and length, wanting to know why I had let them stay in the darkness so long. I didn't have a good answer. Fear, is the truth. Fear of judgement. Many many years ago I showed just a portion of my collection to a friend and she said "In the future I want to get a lot of jewlery like this, but real of course" And when I looked up at her and told her it was all real, her demeaner got soft, and I suddenly felt embarassed. I am not rich, in fact pay check barely to pay check is how I live but these trinkets, are gifts I have given myself, or are gifts from grandmothers, friends, or ex boyfriends. Each hold within it not only the moments of me but the moments of the past and future. It is time to be bold and let them out of their hiding and let them sparkle in all their splendor and if people think that is gaudy or gauche then so be it. I need to be me and I need to encorporate the old me that collected these into the new me that showcases them and me together.

chardy

I love this dog, Chardy. I love this picture...so I am sharing. It is from a few weeks back and you know what that means? I was heavier! wowsers eh? anyhow enjoy!

peculiar

I have been called many things such as eclectic, unusual, strange, blunt, weird, goofy, esoteric, different...and I embrace and truly love all of those within me, plus a bit of crazy in the good way sprinkled in. It is when I meet another one that is of kilter a bit like me that that makes my heart flutter and my stomach do a flop. But alas when it is someone at work, I can't be my blunt self and tell them that. It doesn't mean I am looking to hook up or anything, just I feel a connection. Why in this age of information and communication, is true communication so difficult? Also is it wrong that I always thought Clark Kent was hotter than Superman?