Now it's been something seeing you again

And in this time we've had to spend

You've been so good to be around

I thank you for that special thrill

Keep me going on until

The next time I'm in town

Though I won't be back here for a while

Or hear your laughter, see you smile

And I'll remember what went down

I can't tell you how or when

But I'll be seeing you again

The next time I'm in town

Now the places and the faces range

'Cross the bridge of time and change

Once again I'm homeward bound

There's one thing I promise you

That's another rendezvous

The next time I'm in town

Now it's been something seeing you again

And in this time we've had to spend

You've been so good to be around

And I thank you for that special thrill

Keep me goin' on until

The next time I'm in town

'Til the next time I'm in town

'Til the next time I'm in town

Mark Knopfler,

The Next Time I'm in Town

There Must Be More

Bright but hidden, the Self dwells in the heart. Everything that moves, breathes, opens, and closes Lives in the Self. He is the source of love And may be known through love but not through thought. He is the goal of life. Attain this goal!   The shining Self dwells hidden in the heart. Everything in the cosmos, great and small, Lives in the Self. He is the source of life, Truth beyond the transcience of this world. He is the goal of life. Attain this goal!   Take the great bow of the sacred scriptures. Place on it the arrow of devotion; Then draw the bowstring of meditation And aim at the target, the Lord of Love. The mantram is the bow, the aspirant Is the arrow, and the Lord the target. Now draw the bowstring of meditation, And hitting the target be one with Him. The Mundaka Upanishad, translated by Eknath Easwaren Being human is not a simple thing. We come into these bodies, into this world, with no skills whatsoever. Anything we may have picked up in past lives are of necessity forgotten. Many of us end up with parents who know next to nothing about child-rearing, and whose own life skills may be lacking, who parent by trial and error, or simply by expediency and happenstance (for when you're struggling to figure it out yourself while making enough money to support a family and building a career and "working on" your marriage/relationship, much subtlety can fall by the wayside).    Then we go to school, to be taught and socialized, and what they teach us is not how to be in the moment, how to be present to each other and to the world; rather they teach us, mainly, to memorize, to speculate, to break things down into their constituent parts and leave our understanding of the movement and operation of the whole to someone or something else. We are taught to follow orders, often without knowing the "why" of things; we are taught to conform, all of us saying the pledge of allegiance together (do they still do that?), often dressing alike, being asked to "behave" alike; we are taught to see what's wrong with things: remember those puzzlers? "What's wrong with this picture?" and there'd be someone riding a bicycle that is upside down, and someone with three hands, and you'd go through and circle all the "wrong" things?   Then we're sent out into the world and told to thrive.   It's no one's fault. We can teach only what we know, and what most know is only what they were taught by others who didn't know.   Eventually, though, we realize there must be more. We begin to seek. And eventually that seeking leads us back to ourselves and we must find the way to transcend this relative world, transcend our limited thinking, transcend our narrow experience of life; somehow finding our way to experience the wholeness of life and our place in it, rather than our felt separation from it..   Our meditation is one way. One way to have an actual experience of Being. An experience of our true Self. It is not the only way, but it is a way that works, consistently, and that consistently leads us in the direction of the joy and bliss of Being that is our birthright. And as we embrace this practice and the world view from which it comes, we become able to pass on to our own children some ideas and some tools--of wholeness and peace, joy and compassion, endless possibility--the sum of which will grow in them the ability to find for themselves a meaningful life, a joyful existence. And that makes the first part of all this worth going through.   Today I will have compassion for myself, and others like me, for those learned beliefs and behaviors that have ceased to work, and that have kept me separate from the world and from my fellows. I will dedicate myself at least once today to knowing what I am beyond these beliefs and behaviors.   All original material copyright © 2015 Jeff Kober

Celebrated Thanksgiving a day early with my daughter, grandson (he's taller than me at age fourteen!) and granddaughter at my tiny home. Good times had by all!!

One thing [Jesus] said was 'Blessed are the peacemakers for they are called the children of God'. He did not say a Christian, Hindu, Muslim, a Jew or a Sikh. If he or she is a peacemaker, he is a child of God. He also said 'Bless those that curse you, do good to those who hate you'. This is the complete opposite of what we usually want to do when someone curses us.

He also said, 'Lay treasures in your heart where no thieves will break in and steal'. This is what we were just talking about. This treasure is the spark of the Supreme Being that resides in the heart of each and every one of us. 'Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you.' It is a Vedantic statement. Its very nature is peace, bliss and happiness. If you hold on to that, you will need nothing.

Can you imagine someone saying, 'Bless them that curse you'? This can come only from a person who has a pure heart.The way of the world is to bless those that bless you and catch those that curse you and beat them up.

Our religions may be different, our ideologies may be different, we may come from different places, but we should remember one thing - we are all human beings and we all seek peace and happiness. When the Jew says Shalom he means peace. When the Muslim says Salaamhe means peace. And, what do they do? Sometimes, in this world, people do exactly the opposite of what their religion says.

And for us, in the ancient Hindu system of thought, everything starts with 'Om Shaanti, Shaanti, Shaanti.' When you go to a temple and you get prasaad - it means may you have peace. If you look up the meaning of the word prasaad in Sanskrit, this is what it means - peace.

There is nobody who does not seek it. In this, we are all the same - we all desire peace and happiness. As human beings with the same desires and same yearnings, we are One and are not different from each other.

Sri M, in a talk at the Nirahaar Satyagraha against Terrorism and Violence in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, October 20, 2015

Q: I must begin with some absolute truth. Is there any?

M: Yes, there is, the feeling: 'I am'. Begin with that

Q: Nothing else is true?

M: All else is neither true nor false. It seems real when it appears, it disappears when it is denied. A transient thing is a mystery.

Q: I thought the real is the mystery.

M: How can it be? The real is simple, open, clear and kind, beautiful and joyous. It is completely free of contradictions. It is ever-new, ever-fresh, endlessly creative. Being and no-being, life and death, all distinctions merge in it.

from I Am That,

Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, pp. 324-25

There is a Universal Wholeness seeking expression through everything. We are calling it simply Life. The religionist calls it God. The philosopher calls it Reality. Life is infinite energy coupled with limitless creative imagination. 

...[Life] is the invisible essence and substance of every visible form. Its nature is goodness, truth, wisdom and beauty, as well as energy and imagination. Our highest satisfaction comes from a sense of conscious union with this invisible Life. 

All human endeavor is an attempt to get back to first principles, to find such an inward wholeness that all sense of fear, doubt and uncertainty vanishes.

All quotes from Ernest Holmes,

This Thing Called You

Don't

Surrender

Your loneliness so quickly.

Let it cut more

Deep.

 

Let it ferment and season you

As few human

Or even divine ingredients can.

 

Something missing in my heart tonight

Has made my eyes so soft,

My voice so

Tender,

 

My need of God

Absolutely

Clear.

Hafiz,

My Eyes So Soft

This journey has taken its toll
     My body, older, less agile
          Struggles as it faces
The cold, the rain, and...
                                       uncertainty.

Yet, my heart knows where I must be.

As I shed these ill-considered
    Personal choices, commitments,
          And, yes, relationships

I find myself inner resolve, focused
    On what I know
          Is best for me.

What I seek has been inside of me
    All along, ...and, now,

It will be fulfilled, and
   I'll be transformed into who
        and where I'm meant to be.

The universe is programmed to manifest, through you, the highest possibilities for your creativity and joy. And that never, ever changes. In God's Mind you are never too old; in God's Mind you are never inadequate; in God's Mind you are not your resume or your failures. In God's Mind, there is no mistake that you are not given the opportunity to correct, nor anything anyone did to you that cannot be compensated for when you forgive and move on.

 

Nothing about your material circumstances has the power to stop the engine of cosmic intention that you be blessed. And you are blessed "eternally," which means moment after moment after moment. In any instant, regardless of what has happened in the past, the universe has arranged and is continuing to arrange infinite possibilities for you to prosper. If you cannot see this now--if despair and anxiety hang like a veil before your eyes, preventing you from mustering any faith in God at all--then in this moment lean on mine. One mind joined with another, regardless of their position in time or space, can remove whatever chains would bind us and deliver us to that sweet, sweet realm where things come full circle and there is always a chance to begin again.

Marianne Williamson,

The Law of Divine Compensation

Spiritual experience is a fact. Spirituality may be defined as an atmosphere of good, the realization of God. It cannot--and does not--borrow its light from another, no matter how great or noble that other may be. It springs from within, coming from that never-failing fountain of life, which quenches every thirst, whose Source is in eternity; the well-spring of self-existence. It is a revelation of the self to the self, putting one back on the track of his own self-dependence on Spirit, his own at-one-ment with Reality.

Ernest Holmes,

The Science of Mind

One basic truth that is of inestimable value and usefulness is this dictum: all fear is fallacious and not based in fact. Fear is overcome by walking directly through it until one breaks through into the joy that the fear is blocking. The joy that follows facing any spiritual fear comes from the discovery that it was merely an illusion without basis or reality.

David Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D., 

Dissolving the Ego, Realizing the Self

Of all the world Those who want Freedom are few. Those who are burning for Freedom are even fewer. Those who strive one pointedly are even fewer. Those who do not return to the senses are even fewer. Those who go on the razors edge are even fewer still. Those who do not fall off this edge are even fewer still. Those who attain the Self are so few! Strive, strive, it is so rare that you are here. You have a mountain of merits to bring you here. Do not waste it! Strive! Sri H. W. L. Poonja, The Truth Is

You should have
             heard him.
                      his voice was
unforgettable, irresistible, hi voice
was an imaginary garden woven though with fragrance.

Did you ever have a family?
                      Their eyes are closed.
That's how I know
            we're there
                      inside it.
it's made of sound and steam
that weaves between dark
dining room, bright kitchen.
We're there because I'm hungry,
and we'll all be eating soon
                     together, and the hunger's sweet.

                       -- Alan Shapiro, "Song and Dance"

Questioner:  How are we to treat others?

Ramana Maharishi:  There are no others.

I have been thinking of the difference between water

         and the waves on it.

Rising, water's still water,

            falling back,

                     it is water,

will you give me a hint

         how to tell them apart?

 

         Because someone has made up the word

                     wave, do I have to distinguish it from water?

 

         There is a Secret One inside us;

         the planets in all the galaxies

                     pass through his hands like beads.

 

         That is a string of beads one should look at with luminous eyes.

    Kabir

In these troubling times, it is well worth the time to ponder these words from the late Gorge Carlin.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

Our relationship has had it's ups and downs, 
     Occasionally, they have been rough,
           And, seemingly, unrepairable.

You say why go on, there's nothing that's right,
     But the deep love we share for each other
          Has never diminished. 

There are times when you feel despair,
     That's there no end to your journey
           And, you've reached the end of hope.

I've never given up on you, or we,
     Living in the moment,
          We've created a safe haven for love.

When we both turn inward,
     We find the burning glow of love
          That gives us insight.

For true love for each other is not a gift.
    It is forged in difficulties, doubt and pain.
       And as these trials complete,

We realize that what carried us through, was pure love.

Woke up

     Too warm and in need

          Of a cool breeze.

Went to the window

     I had left the shade up.

          As I stared out into a night of diamonds.

Within seconds a brightly bit of brilliance

     Fell from the sky

         A flash of insight, innocence and hope.

Was this a stark reminder?

     Out of the fathomless darkness

          A treasured gift of hope.

Long ago I was taught how to explore myself, assessing my strengths and weaknesses. And, dealing with the difference between lonely and alone.  Here is something I refer to whenever doubts enter my mind about who I am, where I am headed and what I expect to find when I arrive.

Own the uncomfortable in-between where you experience the mélange of weird and wild. Play around in the lingering space that the world calls “loneliness.” Dance in your thoughts and make sure they don’t get too boring. Feel out the difference between your mind and everyone else’s and appreciate your inner-monologue as your longest standing friend.

Be alone. But never, ever, for as long as you live, be lonely.

I have been in love in numberless forms, numberless times.
     In life after life, in age after age, forever.

My spellbound heart has made and remade itself.

I take you a gift, which you wear in your many forms,
     In life after life, in age after age, forever.

I force myself to examine what substance, if any, 
     my cherished views possess.

I dare myself to comprehend 
     the emptiness of my stated position.

I challenge myself to determine whether I own the capacity 
     to embrace effortlessly the quiet mind.

I realize the emptiness of notions of ownership, 
     and find my true home. 

I understand the emptiness of selfishness,
     only then do I touch upon true wealth.

For my granddaughter...

Finding out who you are
requires searching,
seeing,
hiding your eyes from distractions. 
Not believing you should 
never open
your soul. 
Nor, hoping someone
will save you. 
And knowing,
realizing,
that only you can.

This past few days I finally knew 
what I had to do. 
Voices around me kept
kept promoting their bad advice.
But I did not stop. 

The wind pried with stiff fingers 
at the very foundations
of my resolve. 
It was already late. 

But, gradually, I left
those voices behind.
The stars burnt 
through the clouds. 
And, I heard a new voice.

Slowly I recognized it as my own.
It kept me company 
as I ventured 
into this vivid world.

Determined to accomplish 
the only thing I knew I could do.
Determined to save 
the only life I could save.

(after Mary Oliver)

The melody will not be denied,

     Gleaned from dreams,

          Crafted with skill and grace.

The tune reveals itself in black on white,

     Echoing into ivory,

          While a full moon prowls rakish clouds. 

The stillness outside belies the churn within,

     The refrain encases the song,

          As darkness unlocks perfect symphonies.

You see, easy just happens, 

      but simple is planned, carefully curated, 
            
            well executed.

                                -- minimalists.com

Thankfully, there are many ways we can add value…

Create something someone can use
Inspire someone to take action
Lend a helping hand
Be a shoulder to cry on
Show someone how to do something
Show someone a better way
Provide a new perspective
Lead by example
Listen more
Give your full attention
Just be there for someone
Love them.

From The Minimalists...http://www.theminimalists.com/value/ 

The one who follows the crowd

     will usually go no further than the crowd.

The who walks alone will likely find himself

     in places no one has ever been.

                                              -- Albert Einstein

I'll throw my voice into the stars,
     and, maybe the echo of my words
          will be written for you
              in the clouds when the sun rises.

All I'm trying to say:

                                I will love you through the darkness.

I thought this made a lot of sense and explained a few things.

If you start with a cage containing four monkeys, and inside the cage, hang a banana on a string from the top, and then you place a set of stairs under the banana, before long a monkey will go to the stairs and climb toward the banana.

ALL the monkeys are then sprayed with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with same result -- As soon as he touches the stairs, you spray ALL the monkeys with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put the cold water away. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new monkey. The new monkey sees the banana and attempts to climb the stairs. To his shock, ALL of the other monkeys beat the crap out of him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original four monkeys, replacing it with a new monkey. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment â with enthusiasm – because he is now part of the "team". Then, replace a third original monkey with a new monkey, followed by the fourth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.

Now, the monkeys that are beating him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs. Neither do they know why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. Finally, having replaced all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys will have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, not one of the monkeys will try to climb the stairway for the banana. Why, you ask? Because in their minds, that is the way it has always been!

This is how today's United States House and Senate operates; and this is why, from time to time, ALL of the monkeys need to be REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME!

Disclaimer: This is meant as no disrespect to monkeys.

Source: The movie, The Contender, starring Jeff Bridges and Jane Allen.

Waiting in the rain, a cold winter’s night.
Calm as I am. Hair blowing in the wind.
My eyes they close; as I breathe in deep.
You run through my mind.

I open my eyes, but you're not there.
No one takes your place.
With you my heart I share.

A cold afternoon, hands as cold as ice.
Thoughts go through my mind
Laying in your arms; we’re the perfect match.

The distance discourages.
Waiting under streetlights,
Nobody compares.

I want to cleanse my soul

With your indecency and brevity.

I want to linger in our sin.

Feeling your toxic essence, I delve in....

Exfoliating my soul,

You rub me raw with your presence.

My past I erase,

Beginning the endless chase.

I desire to leave this place

In the least state of disgrace.....

Clarity of vision, desire for truth,
     Centered on this moment.
         No distractions.

Discard yesterday's debris.
     Strip the mind bare.
          Embrace the purity surrounding me.

Ignore those whose journey contradicts me.
     Laugh, exuberantly, like a child.
          Let tears form from fond memories.
               Absorb nature's energies.

Recognizing the truth,
     After denying, for oh so long,
          Cuts deeply...permanently.

Love, even perceived love,
     Creates illusions,
          That dazzle the heart and soul.

You cannot impose your personal
     Expectations on others.
          They'll only disappoint you.

So...
     Trust and believe in those
         Who actions match their words.

And, those who do not or cannot,
     Let them be...
         Their lot is to find themselves.

In their own way.
     On their own time.
          Only, to realize, eventually,

How much they lost,
     And will never have.