Well, it took a bit to sit through this short video considering the kind of weather we are having in Britain right now. Watching the waves crash against rocks or seafronts or rivers against bridges sets me a bit on edge given the kind of damage water can do when at it’s most ferocious. As it is today and into the night I suspect. Anyway enjoy the energy of the waves and know it’s in another country entirely.
Monthly Archives: February 2020
Mistaken Action and Dynamic Acceptance – Dharma Talk
The other day, Wednesday, it was my turn to give a talk to the resident lay people at Throssel. Quite an informal setting and there were perhaps four people present. I recount my experience of trying to rescue a baby Harbour Seal on a beach in Southern Oregon. That was probably 2008.
Rev. Mugo tells an unwise animal rescue story to illustrate the teaching of the Three Pure Precepts. Cease from habitual action; do that which is good; be good for others and respond with dynamic acceptance. She also gives a wider definition of vocation and the importance of learning from one’s mistakes.
Mistaken Action and Dynamic Acceptance. The talks lasts under 20 mins. Hope it is of interest and help in understanding the Three Pure Precepts.
Why Write?
Years ago I was talking to a chap who studied creative writing, ‘Why write’ I asked him. He replied, ‘There is only one reason and that’s to understand oneself better’. This holds true for me to this day. Yes, there is altruism involved in the case of writing for Jade Mountains, to offer the teaching, however, the element of understanding myself better is lurking in the background. Here is what I’ve said in the past about my purpose in terms of ‘offering the teaching’. Oh, and a bit about the history of Jade, started propper in 2005.
The following has been copied from a post from 2012 titled Looking Back Looking Forward. This website had just moved from a program called Drupal to WordPress. It is no small thing to migrate all the content from one ‘platform’ to another. With the change I found myself reflecting on my original purpose for writing this weblog and the refining of that. So here is a bit of history for those who are relatively new readers. My first post, Entrenching Tool explains my background intention.
With the aid of the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, I retrieved Jades original About page published sometime in mid-2003. I didn’t write a lot back then however I was glad to see the post The Road Not Taken was logged in the archive and so I have pulled it back into the current site. And at such times as these, moving house, it is perhaps good to reflect on the original intention that inspired me to maintain an online presence in the first place. So here is my first post, The Entrenching Tool!
Reflections on why I write from November 2011. Edited 2020.
On first sight Jademountains might look like an exercise in self-indulgence! A monastic going on about herself. However do explore the Archive, there’s frequently teaching embedded within a post where I’ll be talking about something I’ve experienced, thought about or otherwise found interesting and worth passing on. Hopefull the material ammased here will be a useful ‘tool’ to find inspiration, information and encouragement to continue to practice. Return frequently. Do subscribe if you want to have posts come into your inbox.
The underlying teaching is Buddhist practice is not separate from living an ordinary daily life what ever ones circumstances.
Springs In The Air
Ah! the light
the still air
Nose numbingly
thrilling for
spring
I Did Not Die
I find both peace and joy in this poem. I hope you find that too.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye