A couple of people have asked how my trip to Telford went over the week-end. Sorry to say it didn’t happen. On Saturday morning, when we were due to leave, there was a blizzard in progress and the prospect of driving out in that was not attractive. And it would probably have been down right dangerous to be out driving anyway.

There are photographs on the Telford Buddhist Priory web site. One of the reasons for my going to Telford was to witness a very long time lay practitioner within our Order receive a brown kesa. It was given in recognition of her contribution to Buddhism which has been well beyond the call of duty.

It had actually been weeks since we had last seen her smile, we weren’t even sure that she could anymore.

Tuesday. Tuesday is a wonderful child. She has survived and lived longer than anybody could reasonably expect. Her devoted mum and dad have devoted their lives these past six months and more. They have held out hope, lost sleep, worried much and continue in hope. All the while knowing that Tuesday will sooner rather than later, die.

February 1st. Her dad turns her on to some funky music, just for fun. And this is what happened.

I remember when my ordination sister was close to death back in 1987 I think it was. My teacher went to see her and I remember her saying something about her not smiling, not being able to smile. Seeing Tuesday’s inside smile, coming out, reminds me of those last days back in 1987. Don’t know why.

There are a number of reasons why the smile. I know people who smile so big it cannot be contained and spreads out past their body. And most of us have a social smile, which is fine, and better than snarling any day!

I think the smile is the heart bursting into song and the song’s so loud it breaks out all over the face.

Have a thought for Tuesday, her parents and also all those parents awaiting a new arrival, very soon and later.

This is a copy of a comment I left on a previous posting titled Landfill Fodder.

I’ve given away books a number of times, only to regret it later. I’ve lost a whole box of my basic Buddhist reference books and then found them again four years later in an attic. I was really glad to be reunited with them too. So there is a shifting population and a shifting relationship to books for me.

When I went to the US to be a monk in 1980 my belongings were in a backpack, which I could lift and carry. There was also a box of books, which came via mail. That’s all I had in the world and it felt good to be traveling light. Very soon however I found out the greater weight was what I carried in my mind!

If I had talked to somebody about this drastic shedding of my belongings before entering the monastery I’d probably have kept more stuff. Some of it would have come in handy later on in my monastic life. So, if you are thinking of following up on a monastic vocation, the physical stuff doesn’t need to all go. Just the clinging to it.

Here is a young chap writing about his journey with accumulation, and his journey with letting it go.

It is so easy to lose perspective and forget where ‘up’ actually is. So the little chap in the middle of this cartoon is pointing to a really helpful life tool. And I am not talking about the rainbow!

A woman who I hold in high regard told me about the mental and emotional benefits of raising ones arm and pointing UP. When I first did this in her presence she said that’s not up. Indeed it wasn’t, it was up’ish!
Sometimes when all is misery me or earth earth, as one of our scriptures says, I take a moment and point up and mentally follow where my hand is pointing.
Does wonders, try it why not. This is a private practice incidentally.

Note: This image is a scan of a card sent me by an old sangha friend and blog reader. Very many thanks.