Life Passes….

With all this wind and rain and blowing and rushing waters the fleeting nature of existence seems to be up and around calling for attention. The full moon is out this evening, but not in sight where I am. There is something special about this autumn moon.

Here is a scrap of teaching that comes to mind. Life passes as quickly as a flash of lightening. Quickly the body passes away, in a moment life is gone… And a quote by the Venerable Bede.

The present life of man, O king, seems to me, in comparison of that time which is unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through the room wherein you sit at supper in winter, with your commanders and ministers, and a good fire in the midst, whilst the storms of rain and snow prevail abroad; the sparrow, I say, flying in at one door, and immediately out at another. Whilst he is within, he is safe from the wintry storm; but after a short space of fair weather, he immediately vanishes out of your sight, into the dark winter from which he had emerged. So this life of man appears for a short space, but of what went before, or what is to follow, we are utterly ignorant.

Ecclesiastical History: Book II

Thanks to Walter for the above quote.

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4 thoughts on “Life Passes….”

  1. The rain and wind are here in Germany as well, the Moon peaked out a few times in the dark that comes so early now. Life does move very quickly, and I feel this deeply at the moment; we just found out that cancer is in my Mom’s liver, spine, pelvis and other bones. It was rather a surprise since she had survived two previous cancers and had gone to the Mayo Clinic for only a check-up. I talked to her on Friday and she was very lucid and clear. She knows she must make a decision about hospice or getting a hospice bed at home. She is very much living in the moment and still making difficult decisions about the coming days. She told me how much she enjoyed sharing an order of French fries with my Dad in the park. She told me how wonderful the morning in Arizona was, she told me how much she loved me at least five times. Tomorrow I’m going to a retreat at the Temple here and then next week I’ll probably be heading off to the States. Life is short, a bubble, a dream, the wind, the rain…the lovely taste of a French fry with sweet ketchup. The important words of: I love you.

  2. Yes, it is the little simple things that turn out to be the ‘big’ things. The moments and events that stay with you, for years and years.

    As for your Mother. You know how you can best help her now and going to the temple is a great thing to do before flying off to the States. My best thoughts are with you and your family as you all get on with next steps.

  3. Hello Jack, your words make it possible to feel the special ease you must have in your relationship with your mother, the love is clearly evident.

    I’m soon to head out for a retreat as well and will have you, your Mom,and your family in my heart. Thank you for your training.

    In gassho, Jim R.

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