I noticed a child monk—he can’t have been more than ten years old—teaching a group of five-year-olds. He had a great aura about him, the poise and confidence of an adult.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“We just taught their first class ever,” he said, then asked me, “What did you learn in your first day of school?”
“I started to learn the alphabet and numbers. What did they learn?”
“The first thing we teach them is how to breathe.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because the only thing that stays with you from the moment you’re born until the moment you die is your breath. All your friends, your family, the country you live in, all of that can change. The one thing that stays with you is your breath.”
This ten-year-old monk added, “When you get stressed—what changes? Your breath. When you get angry—what changes? Your breath. We experience every emotion with the change of the breath. When you learn to navigate and manage your breath, you can navigate any situation in life.”
If there is one authentic communication it is the grace of compassion. To reach where it truly matters In every circumstance, in every aspect of life and living deeds in compassion and kindness will always make a positive difference in a multitude of ways.
We may not know where and how but the rays travel far and wide influencing and touching many hearts.
To do good for the hurting without expectations of any kind is a sign of a compassionate soul.
GRACE IS A COMPANION TO COMPASSION…
It blesses the doers and envelops them in its infinite and abundant wings. In a jittery world filled with doubts and uncertainty, where in a state of confusion there is conflict and chaos strewn around, these angelic acts of compassion mean and matter much more than what is visible to us.
These humble acts of compassion serve as the bridge that balms the spirit of soul to heal itself. They resurrect the soul and empower the world and correct the imbalances.
Connection is the truth of our being
Our interdependence is so very strength in knowing this vulnerability … for perfection is an illusion yet all is well in perfect balance And profound and awe inspiring is this truth of nature.
Yes, often undervalued by the world for it knows not the power of such acts of grace…it is a relentless consistent work in progress by kind souls for all living beings.
A single act of Compassion has the power to change hearts, and lives. Such is the grace of compassion.
Sharing the poignant yet profound wisdom of these words…
*Autumn Leaf*
I asked the leaf if it was frightened because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling.
The leaf answered, “No. During the whole spring and summer I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree.
I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all.
As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, ‘I will see you again very soon’.”
That day a wind came blowing, and a while later, I saw the leaf leave the branch and float down to the soil, dancing joyfully, because as it floated it saw itself already there in the tree.
It was so happy. I bowed my head, knowing that I have a lot to learn from the leaf.
~ Thich Nhat Han
Autumn at The Old Plantation
Sharnagati
I have started an experimental journey and would like to invite you to be a part of it. Everyday through this week I will be writing and sharing a few verses in flow that you can choose to continue as well. Would love to explore the connection in what evolves through the week and see the interweaves in the interconnects. Verses in Flow DAY 1 Truth DAY 2 : RootsDay3 Reason Day 4 Live
DAY 5 Life
You have had the good and bad Countless times in the circle of life You have been challenged Over and over again.
Value the moments of victory Acknowledge the learning in defeats Take them all by your stride. For the circle of life moves forward…
a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance.
“he needed a boost to his ego”
the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity.
PHILOSOPHY
(in metaphysics) a conscious thinking subject.
A few musings…
Ego & the Dance of Buoyancy
In the case of a human being
The ego is a dance of buoyancy
In the weight of thoughts words & deeds
The being is able to function optimally.
As long as the effect is balanced all is well.
If there is too much flutter
Its perhaps the behavior is creating a stir…
In every human interaction
A discomfort or a delight, talks of ego at play.
Is the ego that is overwhelming
An ego that is self sustaining?
Or is it Self destructing?
All depends on the movements
The trick is to continually balance oneself to stay afloat
Ego is both a boon & the bane of life.
If it is too less life becomes unobservable
If it is too much life becomes unbearable
Life is a dance of buoyancy
Of balancing the ego at play
Every thing has a reason to be.
The evidence of simplicity
A moment of capture
Of ordinary things.
Without the facades.
Simple can be profoundly impactful
For in the very complexity of the matter
Resides clarity of the simplicity.
Simplifying the truth of purpose
In easily understandable ways.
So beyond the flourishes
And aggrandizement
Beyond the exuberance
And unnecessary buildups
Beyond the extravagance
And the ensuing distraction.
The path of simplicity
Needs no evidence
As simple gets across the message
Like no other.
What’s your path like?
What is your take on simple living?
Or do you dream of luxuriant living?
Has it changed or been affected by the years?
Have these times of uncertainty made a difference in the perspectives?
I would love to learn and understand more if you are willing to share your insights.
Umpteen number of years gone by Though I lost the count, Nature got it etched on my trunk. I can’t remember when I was a seed or sapling. Today I stand tall being a witness to the passing seasons. I wither and flourish, With each passing year My branches multiply tall and wide. Though my hands try to reach the passing clouds…
My roots stand firmly grounded on the earth. My secret of longevity I adapt to Nature Withering in Autumn Clad in the snow in Winter Rising to be alive with Rains Flourishing in Spring. Though I may look barren at times My creeper friends cloth me in green Till my canopy is filled with greens. To nurture and nourish withstanding Time.
Anjana
I am truly happy to share the above verses for this is one of my mother’s impromptu poems written in a flow, just a while ago, after I shared the above photo of a tree that I was drawn to capture with her.
Tall trees that seem to touch the sky …
devoid of leaves and blue skies with silver puffs of clouds floating by…
I am currently in France and while sitting in a bus stand admiring a tree at a distance, I decided to take this photo as I found myself drawn to capturing the vision of the sky from the ground below through the branches as a canopy of sorts.
Every manifestation of life is beautiful and significant in its own way. We often assume that a tree devoid of leaves is barren and ignore it. Yet there is so much to see and learn, respect & reflect from it.
I loved the above poem by her for many reasons one of which is because, it reflects the wisdom of nature, that flows through us all maintaining balance and sustaining us in life and living.
A few musings from my mother’s heart that I feel like sharing here today!
When we walk along the path of roses, thorns are unavoidable.
It doesn’t mean we stop walking. Remove the thorns from our way and proceed further
It may hurt. But It won’t last. Let’s keep going.
Life is like a seesaw
It keeps going and down.
The fall and climb are parts of the life. Fret not if our efforts don’t yield results.
The seed needs its own time
To grow into a tree,
The buds to blossom as fragrant flowers,
The fruits and grains, to ripe to nourish
Yet till then they need all the care and nurture
So do our dreams, take its own time n
our continuous effort to become reality.
Waves fall to rise again
Leaves fall to bring
spring again
Day falls to bring a new dawn again
Arere we not a part of Nature?
We may fall, be sure we will rise again
Our dreams are the seed.
Our patience is the time
Our hard work is the nurture
Our Faith and Hope, the nourishment.
