Whole

I long for you to hold me, just one more time.

You say the Universe is taking care of us,

but it forgot about me

They say this moment is perfect--

all is one, all is here

Why can't I see it?

I feel sorrow

am I healing?

Don't forget me

I love you

Don't leave me

I've given myself to you.

Come back, come back,

I'm not whole yet,

I'm not free yet...

I'm here, I'm here

I will never leave you

I am always with you

It's not your time to go,

patience little one

I honor you.

Quiet now,

Love is all there is

Quiet now,

Love is all

Love

To Receive the Gift, Just Untie the Bow

I.
Every pedal of the rose
Is appreciated by the nose,
Though the nose
Only smells
The whole rose.

Every one of us is special,
Though the Oneness-of-all-things
Is All
That really exists,
That is.

Every one of us shines
The Light of God,
Though there is only
The One Light.

II.
Every feather of the bird
Can be heard
In the soaring
Of the bird,
But from our earthly perch
We see only
The whole bird.

The Oneness-of-all-things
Is hidden within,
And can only be seen
With the perception
Of our Soul.

The One Hum
Of the Whole Universe
Might be heard
By the soaring bird,
Or by our Soul,
       Lit,
           Free,
                 Wild,
Or by the ears
Of a little child.

May my body
Smell the fragrance
Of my Soul,
And my breath
Soar
As the bird
On the air,
And fill me with Love
(The meaning of life),
So here I can stand,
As I soar up beyond
The clouds,
The birds,
And the limits
Of this boxed-up
World.

“Hey mom,
Can we open our packages now?”
“Yes.”
“Wow!”
                            (Diane 12/2012)

Waking Up from the Long Dark Night into the Light -- A Solstice Poem of the Soul.

And You Shall Know Such Love…

It is the waking in the night,
The dream within the dream,
Where all is lost,
Yet All is found.

It is the dream within the dream,
The waking in the night
Only to find
All you have ever wanted,
There, hiding in the dark.

It is the dream within the dream,
Where all is as you've always wanted,
Yet all is the same as it ever was.

It is the waking in the night
Where you lie unencumbered,
Yet have so much
That you overflow with joy.

And tears flow as they never have.

And you find your home
Inside
The jewel-laden cavern
Of your heart.

And you find
The One
You have been searching for
In the deep recesses of your soul;
And that same One,
In the boundless universe above;
And that same One
Releases you
Into the universe to fly,
Yet never leaving
His/Her arms.

                   (Diane Shavelson ~1998)

Karen Armstrong - Bringing Wisdom of Socrates to Modern Dialogue

Karen Armstrong's wonderful, passionate statement
regarding the value of "ignorance" in Socratic dialogue.

Two Poems; One Subject

I.
Generally,
All we hear
is our own fear.

Can we see
the beauty
of our soul
below?

The stars above
Shine;
A reminder
of who we really
are.

Can we perceive
what we see?
Can we hear
Reality
above the din
of the fears
of all humanity

Who are also
Shining
from within,
And struggling
to perceive
the meaning
of oh
so many
Stars
Shining
?

II.
Contorted habits
of self protection
keeping me
from surrendering
to my Love-lit
Soul.

The past is over,
obviously,
But inside, my body
keeps hiding,
keeps fighting,
keeps running away;
My mind stuck seeing,
in all I encounter,
that which is no longer
there.
My broken heart
refuses to repair;
While the habits,
refusing to break,
their invisible hands,
out of control,
determining my day,
     my year,
          my life.
 
How about pushing
this debris aside
and stepping into
the Soul’s pure Light;
A Soul sunbath!
And your Soul-Light
bathing me, too.
For this is what is
True,
and always was True,
and ever will be
True.
             (Diane, Nov. 2012)

Fissures

Lapses in judgment create spaces to fill with compassion

Already flooded with moonlight

 








I reach out to touch God;
A child
   Jumping up
      To touch the moon,
While there she stands
   Already flooded
      With moonlight.

Looking to become closer to God,
I search,
   Always searching,
Forgetting,
   Again and again forgetting,
That I am already Home;
   Forgetting Who I really Am.

                             (Diane ~2000)

Dialogue Everywhere - a first statement

A first statement of my desire for a "dialogue everywhere" campaign. I'm being pushy because I really, really feel it's important.

Sometimes I think I remember

Sometimes I think I remember
     creating myself
it was long ago in a mist,
    in the beginning,
        there was no time,
only the grand feeling of birth arising.
I was looking down upon myself,
the Universe smiling at the fantasmagoric life ahead
Earth beckoned you
the world was pulling us inside out
each moment a new opportunity
so glad I am awake today,
and thank you for being here
so that I can Love those things
that call out in suffering:
it's the only thing bigger than the Universe--
there's nothing left to do but love you

The tighter you grasp

The tighter you grasp,
The less you can hold.
Open your hand completely
And you can hold the Universe.
                           
                                 (Diane ~2000)

Autumn Leaves

It is said that sometimes the only thing left to do in a horrible situation is to laugh to stop yourself from crying. Yet, there are times where we laugh so hard that we begin to cry. What a paradox; the marriage of sorrow and joy.

Twenty/Twenty

There are many times when our actions don't reflect our intentions. When they negatively affect others it can feel like someone else has enacted them. So, who is this dark figure? The one who causes negativity. Is there a light figure who creates the positive?

It is like being thrown into the book, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The same person who has two identities: the light Dr. Jekyll and the wicked Mr. Hyde. There are some events where you feel like Hyde, others where you feel like Jekyll. While it seems these two are playing out their own lives, it always returns to a single choice. Sometimes choices are reactions and there isn't enough time to choose what we believe to be as best but regardless we are not born split into two pieces. There are choices which bring light and others which cast darkness. It is the ability to see our actions and their consequences which illustrate that we are complete. It's only through Hyde's eye that we can see Jekyll at all. Our choice is then picking what we want to nurture. Thank Mr. Hyde as much as you do Dr. Jekyll; it takes both eyes to see the full picture.

Sweet Somethings

We whispered

sweet somethings

in each others'

ears,

For the “nothing”

of love

is all that lasts

through the years.

And even love

that is "lost"

has more “something”,

than a fortune

handed down

through generations

of the citizens

“of substance”.

Though unlike

the parable

of the camel

and the needle,

I know there are

many of those

“fortunate”,

who would toss

all their jewels

away just to hear,

love’s

“sweet nothings’ ”

warm breath

on their ear.

For Love

is always

God,

no matter

whose heart

has sent it.

And Love

is always

the heart’s

inhabitant,

no matter how life

has bent it.

          Diane Shavelson (October 2012)

Updates

By changing the resolution on our computer screen the image we see becomes clearer. How is this any different from life? By changing ourselves, we change our perceptions and are able to see life more clearly. Isn't time we upgrade our operating systems?

Fluorescent Bulbs

Have you noticed that after going for a walk outside you tend to feel better? I'm going outside to 'get my head on straight.' Stop your head from spinning; go breathe in the fog or the rain or the sun. You can find stillness in the thickest of fog.

Attic

It's natural to feel alone. It's something we all share, together.

Soldier On

Who wants to know

All that is gold is rustingNo one will knowWhen seasons cease to change and:
How far we've goneHow far we're goingIt's the here and the nowAnd the love for the soundOf the moments that keep us moving

Waves crash alongThe battered, lonely lighthouseTomorrow she's goneAnd if not, someday somehow
Are these hands a waste?
Well this side of mortality isScaring me to deathTo death

Don't think about it at allJust keep your head lowAnd don't think about it all

Soldier on, soldier onKeep your heart close to the groundSoldier on, soldier on, keep your heartClose to the ground

Don't think about it allJust keep your head lowDon't think about itAt all

Soldier onSoldier onKeep your heartClose to the ground

Smiling is something everyone does in the same language.

Sparklers

It's so easy to get caught up in emotion. It seems to set off so many other feelings and like a firework it explodes all at once. It's natural to be a firework; it's just about knowing when to show your colors.

Mosaic

a shell under the sea
     can't hear the waves
but when you listen to it
     it sings their song

Immerse yourself completely. When you return from meditation, bring the stillness back with you. Maybe, it will remind others what they've been hearing their entire lives.

Freedom

Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing,
there is a field. 
I'll meet you there. 

When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.

~Rumi

Lock and Key

"A million things running through my mind. You don't have to be in jail to be doing time."

Confinement within yourself; within your mind. Your thoughts can become your shackles. Your mind can become your cell. It's a sentence where no judgement has to be passed from the outside; no judge or jury necessary.

There is a freedom from the mind though; those thoughts which can bring darkness to the light inside. This reprise comes through the act of daily meditation to remind you that the stillness is always present.

We have rights; ways to be free from the mind. Turn your solitary confinement into freedom. You have the right to be free.

Is REALITY all there is?

All the moons and all the suns

Hold me Spirit,
Protect me today.
Share your infinite Love
with little me--
to have the warmth thwart the cold,
to have the Light dissolve the darkness

and Lover!
While I was waiting for you
I realized,
I was only waiting for me

Your celestial body
with all the cellular stars and planets,
All the moons
and all the suns
are in my Heart

University of Colorado Approves Concealed Carry in Classrooms

Happiness

Happiness is all around you. 
You just have to let it in. 
                --Chinese Fortune Cookie 

Universe

We're so lucky

to live in the 

universe.

I Sight

After a long and stressful day, it's helpful to engage in activities that calm and relieve the anxiety which has built up after many hours of work. This can be done through many methods: mediation, taking a hike or simply watching the sunset. Yet, there are other methods to unwind and sometimes they seem more appealing due to the quick relief they provide. It seems so simple to use a method which delivers instant gratification. This is only temporary. Look at an object though a bottle. The image which you see is skewed due to the refraction of the light. By attempting to use this method to unwind, it skews what is truly present. It's incredibly different then what is seen by the unaltered eye; it is a broken image. Don't refract the light after a long day by looking at it through a bottle; embrace the last rays of the setting sun.

Time Crisis

Frantic!
That feeling
you get
when all of
the things
you've been expecting
over time
happen all at
once
the mind spins
and its hard to concentrate
on one
thing
at
a
time

Deep breath. What's the most important task right now? Work on that. Everything else is out of focus for the 'time being.' Spend your time just being in this moment. Another deep breath. Now aren't you more peaceful and effective?

Dominos

People's perceptions can cause us an immense amount of stress. We feel limited by their point of view and it limits our perception of self. That's alot of power to give to a person. The cycle continues though; they are judged by others and become limited too. So much limitation. Let's break free.

Moving through memories

Moving through memories

as if I'll have

endless time before

entering eternity's gate

(A reflection off of Vincent van Gogh's At Eternity's Gate.)

We murder the innocent

We murder the innocent,
As we were murdered,
And coerce them to join us
In our fruitless quest
To be the best, the most, the newest.

We murder the innocent,
As we were murdered,
Out of our fear of seeing
That our "there" is "here";
Claw and scrape to the top
Of the bottom.

The innocent in me,
Set it free!
And fly with me
To the bottom
Of my/our hearts.
               Diane Shavelson 1991

Do you have a dream?

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream. So did Gandhi and Cesar Chaves. So do great writers, artists, businesspersons, and parents. Truth is: we all have a dream. Perhaps, first encountered early in life. But it's forgotten or beaten down by parents and teachers. Forgotten by years of being "on track" with homework assignments, and one planned activity after another. Listen deeply now to your heart. What's your truest, deepest life purpose? The purpose that fullfills your longing to express and do love's work out in the world? Take time now to look and feel? It may be difficult; many false dreams may come. You may delightfully discover and celebrate that you're living that dream now. You may currently have what appears to be a "meaningless" job, but (at the same time), be sure to keep alive a connection to your dream today.

Environmental Sabbath Day - A Simple Proposal

In our efforts to reduce greenhouse gases we often overlook the cultural dimensions. These days, we love the idea of “24/7” – that production and services run “24 hours a day, 7 days a week”. Certainly this makes for higher production of goods and services, as well as greenhouse gases and general degradation of life on earth! What ever happened to the “the Lord’s Day” or the Sabbath? One day in every seven set aside as a Holy Day; on that day, no work. Yes, things shut down; instead talk with family and neighbors, and walk around the neighborhood; that sometimes included not using machines, such as automobiles and aircraft. With a weekly “Environmental Sabbath Day” we would save upwards of 10% of energy use! Plus, get back the time to slow down, relax and have more humane lives. Good for the environment, good for us.

Image source

Helping a blind man

"Amelie has a strange feeling of absolute harmony. It's a perfect moment. Soft light, a scent in the air, the quiet murmur of the city. She breathes deeply. Life is simple and clear. A surge of love, an urge to help mankind comes over her."

Amelie spots a blind man at the curb who is about to cross a busy street. She has seen the man a couple of times before in short glimpses. Now...

"Let me help you. Step down. Here we go!
The drum major's widow!
She's worn his coat since the day he died.
The horse's head has lost an ear!
That's the florist laughing.
He has crinkly eyes.
In the bakery window, lollipops.
Smell that!
They're giving out melon slices.
Sugarplum ice cream!
We're passing the park butcher.
Ham, 79 francs.
Spareribs, 45!
Now the cheese shop.
Picadors are 12.90. Cabecaus 23.50.
A baby's watching a dog...
that's watching the chickens.
Now we're at the kiosk by the metro.
I'll leave you here. Bye!"

Who's fishing who?

Wonder

Dustin Hoffman & Natalie Portman

*Dialogue starts at :41 (not my commentary at 3:14 )

Quick Context: Mr. Magorium is about to pass away and is comforting his protege and best friend Molly Mahoney. As most of us do when we are about to lose something we love immensely, Mahoney tries to hold into Magorium for his final moments; she loves him too much to lose him. Magorium's response  to her has helped me get through tumultuous times and moments of intense change. Moving forward can be  so difficult, yet it only takes that first step or final sentence to turn the page.

Next Page

Welcome back dear friends

Someone comes home and their friend says, "Where have you been?"

"Strolling about in the hills..."

"Well, where did you go?"

"...I went out,
following the scented grass;
and came back,
chasing the falling blossoms..."

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD

I am currently re-reading the Will to Power by Friedrich Nietzsche. It’s an intoxicating read if for nothing else but his use of language. I’m not sure I swallow Nietzsche whole, but at least I pride myself at digesting ideas that stretch my imagination and thought. You see, for me one of the crowing stars of “humanitarian civilized life” is literacy

In my belief system, if one is able to read and write then one is able to understand the world around them, and absorb the issues that create that world in both good and bad ways. As a result, opportunities increase, as do choices, and as an informed participant in the world of reality, one is able to guide their life in a positive direction and away from oppressive and exploitive situations. By continually choosing “good” one optimizing their life and a few fortunate ones eventually become Enlightened. In other words, literacy is a direct path to one’s highest and best use of personal attributes whatever they may be.

Simultaneously, I believe in spiritual attainment. I practice meditation, and devote a large portion of my life to a self-designed modern monk lifestyle. No, I don’t beg for a bowl of rice, nor do I live in a barren one-room monastery. However through good action, minimization of hubris and greed, I feel I have found the good and to a small degree experience heaven on earth, albeit with all the bumps and curves in the luscious road of life.

With that context in mind, I recently received an email from an Ashram in India who wanted to do some publishing business with me. I was delighted to receive the email, and wanted to participate in their efforts. We exchanged emails and shared information to gain a better understanding of each other. Then I received an email that contained this statement:

(Our Swami) …is a saint who is void of worldly education, yet internally organized by the grace of accomplished Guru that becomes possible after a long practice of meditation. He considers writing as an obstacle on the path to the Supreme Beatitude …

Okay!?!  CONFLICT TIME!

All of a sudden a fork in the road on the path to Enlightenment appeared in front of me. One the one hand, the basic tenet of literacy in upgrading an individual’s life versus remaining absolutely true to the soul and letting the spirit of the universe, the It, the All, completely guide the way, not words.  

Mind cramp!

When I thought about it, Jesus didn’t read and write. Yet, I’m sure Buddha did because of his royal upbringing. God wrote the 10 commandments down, creating a propensity to read as a fundamental understanding of human morality. I’m not quite sure about Lao Tzu, but I can’t think of too many examples of illiteracy in the spiritual world.

Then again, maybe everyone along the way compromised with the world, negotiating a treatise of social harmony.  Minimization and deflecting intrusion is certainly a must for a soul-filled life, but the inability to scan SFGate, the New York Time or the Huffington Post seems mind crunching and maybe a little ignore-esque

Okay! Maybe I need more time to digest this dilemma. But for right now, I’m settling for the resolution of BALANCE and MODERATION.  However, I also like cream and sugar in a cup of strong French Roast coffee. Maybe I’m just a moderate at heart. 

Elliptical Trainer

Heavy. That describes many emotions and situations. It sits on our minds and bodies. At least, it feels like it does. How real our thoughts can become to the point of putting physical strain on us. Become depressed and its hard to move or get out of bed. Become happy and you seem to float on air. That's quite a bit of power to surrender to something as fickle as the mind. But, when you stand in your own power, these thoughts have no effect on the body. We can always become stronger by weightlifting; the act of meditation. Its the simplest exercise you will ever do, though, probably one of the hardest. You don't have to lift anything to gain power, on the contrary, you let go. Don't hold onto the strain; don't lift it. See how powerful, yet light you've become?

For Today...

Today,

put your hand over your heart;

your pulse will remind you that you are alive.

Today,
close your eyes;

it will remind you that this drama,

the movie which you think you play out as the main character
is just another story.

Watch this drama unfold...

Focus on your breath.

Breathe in the life that pulsates around you.

It will remind you that you are not separate.

You are the pulse

which reminds others

that they too 
are alive.

When do you know you are trying too hard?

Online Imperfection

We spend too 

much time working out

perfect metheds  methods (!)

of online communication.

                                  I say - honor the

                                  imperfections - here

                                  is the human touch.
One had  handwritten letter

is worth 100 printed  

store bought cards.

Editors note: Written back in 2006.  While still using Windows ME!

Tears

Tears cleanse the soul of the past - bringing release into this present moment.

Truth Wealth Realization is Needed - Now!

We are born with true wealth, but constantly forget to realize the wealth we already have. Failing to acknowledge our true wealth we keep grasping for more, like hungry ghosts who are never satisfied while constantly eating! Thus, we go about despoiling the earth, corrupting relationships, and twisting societies into grotesque forms that promote needless suffering for ourselves, others, and the earth as a whole. Realizing true wealth leads to personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal fulfillment. Furthermore, the long-term survival of life on earth depends upon true wealth realization.

We need deep psychological and spiritual healing of individuals, groups, communities, nations, and the earth. The bedrock of this healing is a return to this present moment, not in a selfish, narrow way, but in a way that includes the totality of what is here–there as well as past–present–future. It is nothing less than the ancient ideal of enlightenment of all sentient beings.

(This is part of an article titled "Realizing True Wealth" that first appeared in Verna Allee & Dinesh Chandra (Eds.) What is True Wealth & How Do We Create it? Indigo Press, A Division of Print and Media Associates, New Delhi, India, 2004.)

SILENT ILLUSION

 I was approached by a new college graduate recently, a very delightful young woman, intelligent with a fairly good work ethic in school. The real world seemed to throw her for a loop. She was expecting something quite different from her degree. Instead, she has an enormous debt, no job, and is looking for answers to her situation. When she was going through high school we use to discuss philosophy, art and life so it was fun to engage with her again on a new level of problem solving.

She spent a long time grappling with the problem of life, its confusion, its salesmanship, its hypocrisy. I found myself nodding in agreement, without any valuable input to her situation. From my viewpoint, many people at many levels were sharing her frustration.

Then all of a sudden she stopped talking, and spent a few moments gazing into her head. I could hear the wheels churning. Then slowly she looked up to me and said, "You know, it might all be an illusion. It could be that I could reconstruct the way I see the world, and maybe devise a new approach!" I was dazed. I nodded my head in agreement, and after she left with a jovial good-bye, I sat and stared at the wall for a long time with Vivaldi playing in the background. I finally sat down and produced my thoughts in the video below. I credit this young woman for her bravery and innovative thought. To me it showed the essence of an enlightened soul.
.

Between lines

Between Heaven & Hell
Stands a story
Of love, passion & hate

Between the lines
There's no-story
Only bright light

Steady, eternal

To the Anonymous Commenter

http://philosopher-at-large.blogspot.com/2012/08/time-goes.html

“What happens when you feel so far from the light? I read about stillness and peace here but they are just concepts to me. I want to be one with everything too. I want to be happy like you.”

I've been meditating on this all day and I have got to say that it’s incredibly difficult to respond to this. I want to say that you are always one. That you are not far from the light because you are a part of that light. Peace and stillness are always there whether we experience them consciously or not because they don’t need to be conceptualized.

These statements, I believe, are all true.

But I feel it wouldn't help. They would just become more concepts, especially when you feel like this. I know because I was here yesterday. I wanted to say to everyone, “I want to be happy like you!” Yet, unlike you, I didn't. I didn't have the courage.

I wrote a post entitled ‘Bad Day’ but decided not to publish it because I felt it was too out of place. The post was about separation; a choice to see separation and do nothing about it. I couldn't post that. No way. It wasn't peaceful, spiritual or helpful at all. But you had the courage to do something which I did not. You confronted your feelings of separation to reach out and express how you felt. 

I can't tell you how to feel peaceful or still or even happy. All I can say is that in our feeling of separation, you and I are one. You can't be far from the light, my friend, if it is your light which gives me the courage to post on a bad day.

"Bad Day"

Pure light is right behind this cellophane wrap. I can see it. I could touch it even...only if I made the choice to finally tear it away. But it’s that choice which is the hardest. To shed everything and step towards it. Be one; truly luminous. I can see the cellophane. But I don't want to walk through. I'd rather compromise and continue to watch the pretty light...

morning cappucino

There's something about sitting in the morning at the coffee shop in the city. It's empty, and you observe people coming in, slowly. Perfect time for reflection and getting minor things done. Cappuccino was good, wifi was even better.

Tonight I'm watching alone and for myself for the first time: Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (1958).

Time goes

Time goes building
days, years, lifetimes.
Nothing stops at my door,
the train always moving.
Still, real Mind is still,
eternal, one.

Image Source: touchn2btouched

Truth and Freedom

Tell me. How do we live the
truth?

It's been said and
written: the truth shall make
you free. But, to know the
truth that makes you free is
to live, to embody the truth.
I believe that we must strip away
one illusion after another.
So that we are not distorting
reality. We must learn what's
below our senses; learning
how our emotions and
special personal interests color
our responses to reality.
To know both what we can
and cannot change.
To live with our
shadow, shades of gray,
and the light -- all at once.

THE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

My wife and I were enjoying the calm, soothing ambiance of my favorite Japanese restaurants, eating our favorite dishes and talking about the philosophical issues of life. It has been a long held family tradition to discuss philosophical matters and on this particular night we were talking about the bane of materialism, the crushing pressure of life, the time poverty of modern existence when our waitress came to the table. I turned and asked where she was from and she answered China. She had been away from her homeland for a long time and readily acknowledged that a lot has changed in China from when she was there. I asked her more out of a whim than anything else what she felt was the main difference between the two countries.  Now, I honestly thought the answer would verify the points I had been making about materialism overtaking our lives. However, after reflecting about it, she turned to me and said, “FREEDOM!” 

She explained that she could go here, there, anywhere without restriction, without government intervention, without fear.  It was paradise. Her answered stopped me cold. Freedom! Movement! Lack of spatial restraint. I had never thought of that before. Here I was dwelling on useless buying habits,  as I inadvertently overlooked the subtle freedoms that go into moving from one geographical space to another.  I realized the diversity of humanity is based on its ability to move from one location to another throughout eons of history. Maybe spatial movement is a deeper part of us that we don't always understand or recognize. Maybe we should see life as a dance not only through space but mind. Anyway, it certainly was an eye opener for me, but then again that's why I love going to my favorite Japanese restaurant.

Emerge

sing the song of breath

fresh perspective will emerge
as cicadas do

So Lost Without You

We've all experienced a situation which has caused us an immense amount of pain. It's easy to start hating life and become cynical; it creates an illusion of safety from these feelings. Yet, by fully experiencing that sadness, it can turn out to be something truly beautiful.

Nothing, No-thing

The hardest part of the
spiritual journey is dealing
with nothingness. Yes, nothing,
no-thing! If we want all-that-is
to be objects or things,
we get very stuck in having/not-having
gain/loss, pain/pleasure, and
so forth. But what if, at
the bottom (if there is
a bottom!), there is nothing,
no-thing? Now, I say no-thing
because I still have this
sense of a field of light,
of power, of love
which is pervasive, more
fundamental than things. Call
it the light, call it love,
call it God, call it the
Nameless. We, as "things" come
in and out of That.

PATIENCE IS PASSION TAMED

SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN

Something should happen

I know it should.

But then it doesn’t

Then sometimes it would

I sit watching old movies as if they were new

When I should be laughing with friends at a cool coffee club zoo

Then as usual, I don’t

But, then sometimes I do

I gaze in amazement as I watch the world churning

My head starts to spin and my eyes light-up burning.

Climatic trashes

Deprivation rashes

24/7 news flashes

Bifocal clashes

Yet, sometimes fame’s fortune seems silently waiting

Around corners and street lights, inaudibly baiting 

An Indie label seeking a hot hip-hop star

Lascivious top models at the Polo Lounge Bar

Entourage crammed limo blaring “Purple Rain” Prince

To a Villas Palace Mansion after a second crème rinse

Then reality hits and I burp up my up riches

Mellifluous digressions, tattooed unctuous road witches 

I settle back into my big comfy chair

Tremulously waiting for something happening to flare

Because sometimes it does

Then sometimes who cares

Producer Note: 

I wanted to take the time to explain why I would post this poem on a Philosopher's forum. Many people find themselves feeling left out of the things happening around them. There is so much activity on our screens we feel that our own life styles just don't live up to the activity surrounding us. We dream about being discovered, having our works published and recognized by all the world. But when we sit down and really think about it ... well ... it's not all that it seems. We have it pretty good after all. To me that's an existential challenge and a philosophical conundrum.  

Midas Touch

You know that feeling when you are terrified of a moment which will happen in the future and it feels as if there is ice covering your entire body? This thought of a future moment can't be real. It never can. Since the exact details of the future can't be dictated by us, the thought also can't be dictated by us. You're responsible for your actions but what actually happens can't be known. That's a blessing and a curse. Look at it though, how many curses have turned out to be blessings; more than we give thanks.

PEET'S LEARNS TO SPEAKS GERMAN for $1 BILLION BUCKS

One of my warmest memories of going to UC Berkeley, was my wonderful times at Peet's Coffee. There was something about Peet's that screamed "perfect". I don't know if it was that dark roasted coffee had a taste I couldn't find anywhere else in the world. Maybe it was the ambiance of standing in line, the mulling around outside on the concrete on Walnut &Vine discussing the most grave philosophical issues of the day, knowing that what was determined over that cup of French Roast would shape the world into a better place. It might be the early school mornings when the smell of Peet's would ramble through the air as Vivaldi's Four Seasons's played in the background. We would all rush around gathering our daily dose of Peet's coffee heavily dosed with sugar and cream. 

I never lost my love of Peet's, even though I knew I was witnessing an industry bitten by the same franchise sprawling so familiar to our modern, fast-food age. First it was Starbucks, then coffee itself was stamped with a veneer of "social cool" that had nothing to do with the dark roasted taste (unless you only read the labels). It reminded me or the suburban sprawl occurring, never ceasing, always leaping into meadows, cherry orchards and open fields. 

Yes, it happened. Peet's sold out ... BIG. It was sold for $1 billion to the German conglomerate Joh. A. Benckiser with a happy group of newly minted millionaire unanimously approving the deal. 

Am I sad? Well, I think I'm now resigned. If Peet's is gone, it seems time has moved on, memories are in fact merely memories, albeit good ones, and a new era creeps into humanities fold ...

... ring! ring! 

... Oh! Excuse me. I have to answer a text message on my iPhone ... 

…  AAR8 / ADAD / BBL / B4N / MTFBWU … W/E            

Little Boxes on the Hillside

Hey!

I have your attention.

What do you hear around you?

The whir of the laptop. Cars passing. Crickets?

What's just beyond this screen?

Look around you.

Now, Google Earth in your mind.

Go out and out and out...

There is plenty which you haven't seen 

Or didn't even know

Was there.

Listen and see.

Play with that.

And if you notice you cant hear the background noise

Or see the color of the car ahead of you

All you have to do is say...

Hey!

Now you have your attention. 

Look, Mummy, no hands

Remember the fair, Ma

The two of us there, Ma

By the merry-go-round?

I stood there entranced

As the bright horses danced

To a magical sound;

Just a dollar for pleasure untold:

And I rode in a whirl of scarlet and gold;

Look, Mummy, no hands;

I'm riding the roundabout all by myself;

Look, Mummy, no hands;

I called as I passed her,

Faster and faster;

"Hold on tight, darling!" she called out in fear;

But I laughed and pretended that I couldn't hear;

How careless we are when we're young.....

Remember the years

Of the sulks and the tears?

Do you recall?

I hated you when

You said "Be back by ten,"

I knew it all;

Always asking to know what I'd done;

When as far as I knew, I was just having fun;

Look, Mummy, no hands;

I know how to take good care of myself;

Look, Mummy, no hands;

Please don't be a bore,

'Cause I know the score;

She tried to warn me, but I wouldn't heed her;

I was grown up, I didn't need her;

How careless we are when we're young.....

Remember the daughter 

And all that you taught her?

She's grown up at last;

With a child of her own 

She struggles alone

As the years all rush past;

But now you're not there to answer her calls;

You're not there to catch her as she stumbles 

and falls;

Look, Mummy, no hands;

I'm having to do it all by myself;

Look, Mummy, no hands;

I used to dismiss you,

Now I just miss you;

As my child grows away from me, I feel my

heart sinking;

Then I look back and smile, and I find 

myself thinking

How careless we are when we're young.....

For Grandfathers

a poem by Rich Pauloo

in the forest

tangle

a circle of young trees

sprouts

from some

empty

origin

it is because

once

long ago

an old and

dying

tree

sensed his mortality

like a loving grandfather

and called

his children

to draw near

in a circle about him

to send shoots into the sky

to carry on the parade of Life

to exalt the wind and minerals

to expand

to inhale

the aroma

of the world

at his

last
gasp 

of air
did he pause
to think

how life
does stretch

such lengths

at death

to continue
breathing?

Mendocino, CA

Summer 2012
photo courtesy of Mark from: http://marks-talesfromthetrails.blogspot.com/

Glenn Gould Playing the Goldberg Variations

Just perfect!!!



Again, just perfect. 47 minutes long and worth it.

The Solution is Love

"The solution is never at the level of the problem. The solution is always love, which is beyond all problems."

- Deepak Chopra

FRIENDSHIP

I have been friends with Americ for over 30 years. We have shared many adventures together, and oftentimes it seemed almost coincidence that he was there at the start of a new direction in my life.

I would like to share one such story that happened  many years ago when I first started in audio. I was sitting underneath a huge cypress tree at Lake Merritt in Oakland. It was a beautiful spring day, and I was resting my head on a laptop, my wife sitting serenely beside me, as my three young children romped in the park, running and jumping like little kids do. I had my eyes closed, when suddenly the thought of AUDIO came into my mind. It literally was a spark in the mind's eye. Yes, I said to myself, I would try audio and do voice over to see if conveying ideas through sound would help people understand this world a little better. I opened my eyes and Americ was standing over me looking down at me. I told him my idea and we shared the moment of inspiration together. I went on to do audio and voice, and  they became an integral part of my business effort in Internet Communications and Broadcasting.


If I could tell people how many times in my life that has happened with Americ, that is, being there at the exact moment of creation, they would laugh and say that such occurrences were not probable. Yes, they are improbable, but they are also possible, because they, in fact, happened to me. 


As a result, I was thinking about friendship and what it means, when I came across this short poem in my readings that I would like to share with you.

The young mendicant had been meditating deeply. Suddenly he awoke with a profound thought. He turned to the Buddha and exclaimed: 

"Lord, I've been thinking- spiritual friendship is at least half of the spiritual life!"

The Buddha replied, “This is not so, young priest. Spiritual friendship is the whole of spiritual life!"