Best Of

I just finished reading Buddha, Socrates and Us, by Stephen Batchelor. Some interesting material on Socrates and other Greek philosophers and playwrights, plus the author's thoughts on Secular Buddhism, with which I was already familiar, and with which I do not disagree.

I am now reading Is A River Alive? by Robert MacFarlane. It introduced me to the rights of nature movement, something I was only vaguely aware of previously, and got me so wound up I registered with the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature organization without a second thought.

The book is basically a narrative of the author's visits to three rivers, one in the cloud forests of Ecuador, one in India, one in Canada. MacFarlane is a damn fine writer.

This is is is supposed to be the season of blossoming and promise
(Or of shift to preparations for winter coming, between the heat of Summer and the Chill of winter.) Either way, a season of change, beauty and celebration or contemplation.
Given the idiocy of fools in high places, it can be difficult at this time, but do try to enjoy even a moment of peace, beauty, and celebration of life.

Peace to all

Change is a never ending process.
With it is the choice. It is not a choice of rejection or acceptance.
The choice is to grow, learn, awaken
Or to walk in darkness
The choice to embrace life or to suffer in the darkness of ignorance
The choice to live or to merely exist
The choice to embrace and celebrate this which we call life.
Ther are those who would have us surrender, to stumble , to give up the power we each possess.
"I know and you don't"
"I only can save you"
"Trust me, not yourself or others"
Your choice - to empower yourself or to surrender your power to another
Your freedom - to grow, to embrace life in all it's complexity, to celebrate your life and all life to take responsibility for your life. To grow to love yourself that you may love others. To see all life as treasures. To honor your life and to equally honor others.
To recognize change as opportunity and celebrate.

Peace to all

The mind is the cruise ship . The body is the anchor. Awareness is the captain .