108 Faces of Buddha: November 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Namaste ... to Everyone! I awoke many times last night with the glow of the full moon illuminating our Earth. I got out of bed at six o'clock this morning hoping to catch a view before she dropped below the horizon ... and I did!

Kauai Moon

Good Morning, Moon!

Thank you for your intricate part in the Wheel of Life!

I like to think of the many people that

join together with eyes on the Moon during

the three-day-span of full moon energy.

Thank you for being here!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Namaste ... It is full moon time again ... displaying to us once again the cycles of our existence. Here is a sweet Tibetan painting of the Buddha pointing up to the full moon after his enlightenment ...

Koyakashi Issa (1763-1827), a well-known haiku master, wrote this wonderful poem that I have quoted many times:

Under this bright moon

I sit like an old buddha

knees spread wide

Thank you for joining me under this full moon!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Namaste ... to all of YOU! For some of us, there are holiday thoughts in the air ... a time to set aside and call into our awareness our feelings of thankfulness. We gather with friends and family and share our love, our food, our ideas.

I imagine a new beginning of being in the state of gratitude in every moment. I am thankful for all that is good in my life and I know if there are some struggling areas, everything keeps changing.

Blessings to ALL.

I AM...Thankful

I close my eyes and smile...the gratitude fl0ws...

thank you...thank you...thank you...

to all living things, to the Earth, to the Sky,

to the Waters, and to the Air we breathe.

I AM THAT!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Namaste and Aloha Friday ... Today is an Earth Activist Day for me ... This morning I watched my partner open some sort of package that was made of the hard plastic and some cardboard. He was diligently separating the cardboard from the plastic for he had found the little triangle which was slightly hidden and noted that it was recyclable. Thank you to the manufacturer and to Dennis for their awareness!


Earth witness mudra by Eley Kaa

I found the most perfect words by Za Rinpoche on the subject of our Earth:

"Understanding unity helps to solve humanity's

biggest challenges. There is no such thing as an

              isolated problem. By injuring any part of the
                     world's system, you injure yourself.
              There is no such thing as a win/lose situation.

             Think of life on this planet in terms of systems
                            and not detached elements.
               Broaden your field of vision and assimilate
                              the knowledge you have.
                 See that the environment does not belong
        to any single country to exploit and then disregard.

           You cannot afford to think of your relationship
                     with the earth as a one-night stand.
             There's no such thing as a free glass of milk.
                             It's time to buy the cow."

Thank you for joining me in Earth Awareness!

And thank you to the artist Eley Kaa!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Namaste to the whole Universe ... I am thinking of the complexity of life giving us so many experiences ... fun ones and challenging ones ... all leading us to discover who we really are when we witness ourselves in the quiet moments of meditation.

A few years back when I gathered children

together in a Sacred Circle,

I guided the young ones to sit and be.

The older brother teaching the younger one!

One of our wise Indian teachers, Ramana Maharishi, reminds us of the importance of meditation . ..

"Happiness is your nature.

It is not wrong to desire it.

What is wrong is seeking it outside

when it is inside."

Thank you for being here and

joining me on this pathway to Awareness!

WHAT IS 108 FACES OF BUDDHA?

Simply, it is about 108 (and more) steps toward peace!

This is how it all began ... Early one morning, I had a thought of the mala that is used in meditation (like the one pictured above) to be symbolic of the connection of all things. They are connected… all 108 beads with each bead being used as a counter of our mantras (our prayers).

If you are familiar with malas, you know the love energy they emanate. You hold them, your fingers caress each bead, you invoke the mantra with each bead...108 times.

I had already begun to create clay pieces… peaceful meditating images with each holding a mantra. Then I realized each of these clay images were like the beads of a mala… all connected… all infused with love and inspiration for me and YOU on the pathway toward the realization of our loving- kindness for ALL.

My life, my art, and my spiritual practice became one. Here... I AM...

UNDER THE BODHI TREE IN HANAPEPE

MORE ABOUT MALAS AND MANTRAS...

Traditionally, a mantra would consist of a Sanskrit word or syllable which is chanted aloud or silently. A mantra is a spiritual tool that can be used along with a mala in a different kind meditation. One would use each bead to recite the mantra over and over again. The 108 beads help you to do that...and keeps track of the counting.

With my clay BuddhaFaces, it is slightly different... each piece is invoked with a thought while I am working with the wet clay... of course, the mantras are for me, but they are also for YOU. The affirmative mantras are directed toward spiritual growth, for gratitude, for health, for happiness, for peace...I let my heart lead me.

When gazed upon, these images serve as a reminder to realize our intrinsic loving and wise natures within. They also work on a subtle level of putting blessings out in the Universe. My personal commitment is to make 108 of the Buddhafaces... and they are here to share...

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: "Silence vibrating is Creation. Silence flowing is Love. Silence shared is Friendship. Silence seen is Infinity. Silence heard is Adoration. Silence expressed is Beauty. Silence maintained is Strength. Silence omitted is Suffering. Silence allowed is Rest. Silence recorded is Scripture. Silence preserved is Our Tradition. Silence given is Initiating. Silence received is Joy. Silence perceived is Knowledge. Silence stabilized is Fulfillment. Silence alone is." Thank you, Maharishi, for bringing Transcendental Meditation and your teachings to the Western world. You opened a door.

Walt Whitman ... Coming out of the 19th century, this poet is known as the father of free verse. He had the courage to live and to write his truths. With insight he could see people, nature, the cosmos and the inter-relationship between all things ... believing "a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars." When he said, "I am large. I contain multitudes" he shows his understanding that he does not stand alone. Thank you, Walt Whitman, for truly looking deeply into our human nature.

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