Namaste ... I have just posted in my Gallery two new buddha images...BuddhaFace 93 and 92.  I am still doing my count - down from 108 Faces of Buddha.  My intention is to spread peace through the awareness of our own buddhanatures.

As with the other pieces, I create the image and the mantra for me and for all of us in the big picture.  We are human and sometimes we get angry and bent out of shape (is this called suffering?) when people and things don't conform to our picture of how the world should be (is this the cause of suffering). 

These two pieces both humorously question my personal buddhanature at those moments when I find it difficult to see compassion and beauty.  The mantras are:  I am a Buddha ... in Disguise and Am I ... a Buddha?  

Oh, yes ... I know I am human and on the pathway of seeking more awareness, but some things and some people are challenging to my peaceful world.  The two BuddhaFaces were created as reminders to witness myself, say "yeah, this is happening and it is unpleasant and I know what to do about it"  (is there a remedy for this feeling?)

Thich Nhat Nanh prompts us not to feed the seeds of anger but to go within and cultivate lovingkingness toward all beings.  Yes, we must have patience with ourselves and practice (is this the Eightfold Path?).

I believe I just went through the Four Noble Truths... 

Thank you so much ... I hope you enjoy the two new pieces ...

Buddha in the Banyan tree

                   Meet the inspiration for my current clay project!

Namaste ... Aloha Friday ...

Things that I have been thinking about:

What is illusion?

Witnessing my thoughts and actions ...

Using everyday experiences for transformation ... an evolution in consciousness ...

Co-creating my life ...

Quantum entanglement ... the connection between people and people and objects ...

And what is the Buddhist definition of suffering ... 

These questions seem to be the topic of the times ... more thoughts to come on these subjects ... thank you ...

Namaste ... to You ... thank you for being here ... I was just thinking about how I have always reached out to the spiritual teachers for helping me on my pathway ... and I am fully aware that those teachers are you, too ... every interaction brings me a special message and lesson.  And, then, there is me witnessing myself ... being aware of my thoughts and actions.  Oh! what lessons I get there.  Anyway, all is well ... it was Wayne Dyer (way back) that through his books taught me to bow and say "thank you" to all beauty and every challenge.

Being a seeker of understanding the ways of the Universe, led me toward pathways of higher consciousness.  Books and books, teachers and teachers, traveling and traveling, and a degree in religious studies has brought me to this place on the path.  And I am still here working on knowing the truth of our Oneness in every Moment.  What I want to say is that I still am open and look to reminders of peace and love in the way of art and teachers.

When I first started working with clay, I was drawn to create the peaceful buddhanature images.  I was aware that they reminded me of my inner beauty and brought about a calmness.  

This explanation by Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen teacher Lama Surya Das so aptly expresses my thoughts:

As a longtime meditator and student of Buddhism, when I myself see a Buddha statue, I intuitively sense that I'm looking in a mirror at my highest, deepest, truest, and most authentic best self. It is not merely something to imitate -- in dress, shape, or hairstyle -- but something to emulate in terms of seeking what the Buddha himself sought and found, in order to find it in myself along with recognizing that in others, and then acting accordingly. The Buddha is actually an archetype representing enlightenment, an icon symbolizing inner wisdom, a pointer towards the possibility of a level of spiritual awakening embodying the fullest actualized potential of human beings.

Thank you again for being here in the little and big picture.  I hope I am expressing these thoughts in an understandable way.  As always, I will post this piece, but there is a chance I will edit it.  Like I have said before, every thing is written on water ... thoughts disappear and change so rapidly.  Have a beautiful day!

 

 

Namaste ... I bow to the whole Universe on this beautiful morning after a beautiful night.  Thanking the visionaries and thinking of YOU, I bring this painting and poem to your awareness ..

Let us see how Van Gogh saw!

.

I thought these words from Pablo Neruda would inspire all.

"And I, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
I felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind."

Thank  you for joining me and seeing the artists  and writers as our teachers!

Namaste ... Happy Mother's Day to All ... Here's to honoring the Feminine Divine and the mother within all of us ... I wanted to post this again ... these are words from Neem Karoli ... also known as Maharajji ...

"See all women as mothers.  Serve them as your mother.  When you see the entire world as your mother, the ego falls away."  

This is so simple, but not so easy.   I  am on the pathway of working toward that transformation in consciousness where in every moment I see the Oneness.  This takes practice.  It takes the discipline of going within, keeping my thoughts flowing in the right direction, hanging out in nature, keeping the right attitude ... 

And then in those special enlightened moments, I may get glimmers of the true nature of our existence.   The understanding will be with me and I see All things swirling and dancing together to the rhythms of life ... being awed by the blatant harmony and the co-existing of it all ... realizing I am here because of all of that.  Feeling the wonder surrounding all of us ... and this wonder of interconnection has given all of us birth ... I am smiling with you.

So I keep practicing and practicing until I have the infinite enlightened moment and the truth just is.

"The Earth is Our Mother"

Thank YOU for being here ... and thank you for remembering that we are all caregivers ... and that "the Earth is our Mother ... we must take care of her."   

 Thank you, to our Earth Mother!  Thank you!  Thank You!  Today is a day of gratitude!  And I will continue working toward seeing the entire world as my mother.   

Thank you for joining me in our Awakening.

Namaste to YOU ...  we have another day on the pathway of life.  I came across the following story and wanted to share it.  I know it will make you smile. 

Om Mani Padme Hum

There was a avid meditator who had heard of a hermit who was on the pathway of enlightenment.  He wanted to meet this man.  The hermit lived alone on an island at the middle of a lake, so the meditator hired a man with a boat to row across to the island. The meditator was very respectful of the old hermit. As they shared some tea made with herbs the meditator asked him about his spiritual practice. The old man said he had no spiritual practice, except for a mantra which he repeated all the time to himself. The meditator was pleased: the hermit was using the same mantra he used himself -- but when the hermit spoke the mantra aloud, the meditator was horrified! 

"What's wrong?" asked the hermit. 

"I don't know what to say. I'm afraid you've wasted your whole life! You are pronouncing the mantra incorrectly!" 

"Oh, Dear! That is terrible. How should I say it?" 

The meditator gave the correct pronunciation, and the old hermit was very grateful, asking to be left alone so he could get started right away. On the way back across the lake the meditator, now confirmed as an accomplished teacher, was pondering the sad fate of the hermit. 

"It's so fortunate that I came along. At least he will have a little time to practice correctly before he dies." Just then, the meditator noticed that the boatman was looking quite shocked, and turned to see the hermit standing respectfully on the water, next to the boat. 

"Excuse me, please. I hate to bother you, but I've forgotten the correct pronunciation again. Would you please repeat it for me?" 

"You obviously don't need it," stammered the meditator; but the old man persisted in his polite request until the meditator relented and told him again the way he thought the mantra should be pronounced. 

The old hermit was saying the mantra very carefully, slowly, over and over, as he walked across the surface of the water back to the island.

If you are like me, words get mispronounced especially ones not of our own language.  And, sometimes,  we may have our own interpretation of a practice or prayer.  I believe this story to help in "lightening up" on ourselves ... and just do the best we can and know that our intention is what counts.

Thank you for being of the pathway of awakening with me. 

With all of the moon energy we are celebrating now, I am bringing my Blue Lotus Moon peace to the moment.  Thank you for being here.

I AM...a Lotus Moon...When I close my eyes, I feel the energy of me spiraling in the direction of change...full, light, powerful ... the lotus of me is open...receiving this energy and trusting the Universe... knowing that  I AM forever going in the direction of Oneness.  

Thank you Thank you to our beautiful Moon.  So many

of us have been brought together in 

our hearts honoring our sacred 

moon.  With all eyes gazing toward

the sky, we danced to the rhythmic sounds of Earth.   Embraced by the moon's

illumination, allowing the empowering energy fill our beings, our wisdom of Oneness is revealed once again.

Thank you!

Under this bright moon

I sit like an old buddha

knees spread wide  - Issa

A portrait of Issa ... a Japanese haiku master.
1783-1827