He that plants trees

He that plants trees loves others besides himself.

Thomas Fuller

Butterfly or man?

Once upon a time, I, Chuang Tzu, dreamt I was a butterfly,

fluttering hither and thither,

to all intents and purposes a butterfly.

I was conscious only of following my fancies as a butterfly,

and was unconscious of my individuality as a man.

Suddenly I awakened, and there I lay, myself again.

Now

I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly,

or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.

in Spectrum Summer 1991

Hear the Silence

Hear the Silence.

Touch, taste and smell the silence.

Silence is peace.

Silence is God.

Silence is the music of the soul.

Swami Nada Brahmananda

Be alert

Be alert to all your thoughts and feelings, don't let one feeling or thought slip by without being aware of it and absorbing all its content. Absorbing is not the word, but seeing the whole content of the thought-feeling. It is like entering a room and seeing the whole content of the room at once, its atmosphere and its spaces. To see and be aware of one's thoughts makes one immensly sensitive, pliable, alert. Don't condem or judge but be very alert. Out of seperation, out of the dross comes pure gold.

J. Krishnamurti "Letters to a Young Friend" Page 9

Posture

Posture is the position assumed by the body either by means of the integrated action of muscles working to counteract the force of gravity, or when supported during muscular inactivity. Many postures are assumed by an individual during the course of 24 hour, and at any given moment posture comprises the positions of all the joints of the body.
Dynamically and statically, an efficient posture:

1. is stable
2. minimises stress and strain on the tissues
3. minimises energy cost

Subtle departure from an optimal posture is common and subjects the body to routine, eccentric and increased mechanical stress.

Alison Middleditch & Jean Oliver "Functional Anatomy of the Spine" page 327

Practice

Practice transforms us. We need to eat less, because we assimilate more and therefore there is loss of unneccessary weight. We become more beautiful, our faces change and our walk gains in elasticity. Our way of standing is steady and poised, our legs are firmer, and our toes and feet spread out, giving us more stability. Our chests expand, the muscles of the abdomen start to work, the head is lighter on the neck (like the corolla of a flower on its stem moving easily with flexibility while the wind blows). To watch these enchanting changes is amazing.
A different life begins and the body expresses a happiness never felt before.

Vanda Scaravelli "Awakening the Spine" page 36

Soar into the skies

The trees were so stately and strangely impervious to man's tarred roads and traffic. Their roots were deep down, deep in the earth, and their tops stretched to the skies. We have our roots in the earth, which we have and must have, but we cling or crawl to the earth; only a few soar to the skies. They are the only creative and happy people. The rest spoil and destroy each other on this lovely earth, by hurt and likewise gossip.

J. Krishnamurti "Letters to a Young Friend" page 9

Sacred Season of Autumn

O sacred season of Autumn, be my teacher,
For I wish to learn the virtue of contentment.

As I gaze upon your full coloured beauty,
I sense all about you
an at-homeness with your amber riches.

The cycle of growth has ceased,
and the busy work of giving life
is now completed.
I sense in you no regrets:
you've lived a full life.

I live in a society that is ever-restless,
always eager for more mountains to climb,
seeking happiness through more and more possessions.

As you, O Autumn, take pleasure in your great bounty,
let me also take delight
in the abundance of the simple things in life
which are the true source of joy.

From the Taize Community