His name was Spencer-Chapman, he’d come to address the school after the annual prize giving. I settled down, best one could on the wooden floor of the gym, to zone out for the speach. These occasions were usually directed at the ‘winners’ and I wasn’t one of them. However something caught my attention and I stayed in the room. I listened to what he had to say.

“…and for those of you who have not received prizes I want you to know that…” I can’t remember his exact words. The gist of it was about valuing personal integrity and that ‘succeeding’ in life not being dependent on passing exams and winning prizes. What he said, I heard and it went straight in, and stayed there to this day. He had recognized my inherent worth, and I believed him. Life was a struggle but deep in there what he said remained. What a gift, one that everybody is capable of giving too.

We have a saying in Buddhism, “When the disciple is ready the Master will appear”. I am so grateful that this man made his brief appearance just at the right time. I was ready to hear what he had to say, for that moment he was my teacher. People think they need to find a Master or teacher in order to progress in practice when what is needed is to listen more carefully.

I once had a copy of Spencer-Chapmans book “The Jungle is Neutral” about his days in the S.O.E. in Malaysia.

In the last days a number of people have asked me the same question. The words were different, the question fundamentally the same.

And the answer?
“Yes! Meditation, preceptual living, exercising compassion, expressing kindness…are all worth the effort“.

“Yes! Transformation happens”. “Yes! and that occurs to a schedule not of our own making.”

So patience is the watchword.

Emily the guinea pig.

The reasoning behind posting this photo is fairly convoluted: Back in July at the Reading Buddhist Priory, at Ian and Rachel’s wedding, I met Rachel’s dad…see posting for July 21st. (I will always remember the softening of his face as he watched his daughter make her vows.) A couple of days ago I found out, by chance, that the dad is seriously ill in hospital. The truth of impermanence is ever present, sometimes it shouts in your face.

Ian and Rachel keep these cute little critters in their kitchen. Photo posted and merit offered for Rachel’s dad and their extended family.
The source of my information was dated November.

Phew! I had all sorts of plans for a posting today but then ‘life happened’ and I’ve run out of time. As good fortune would have it somebody (Michael you’re a brick) sent me this photograph and poem so here they are:

All beings are by nature Buddha,
as ice by nature is water.
Apart from water there is no ice;
apart from beings, no Buddha.

-Hakuin Zenji, “Song of Zazen“

Now there is something to ponder on…then move on!

This image of Hotei interests me. (The picture was taken in a bus stop in Calgary; with a shopping cart behind it, and behind that an old church. Hotei back on the street…in Canada!)

This image speaks of fundamental transparency, our luminous (Buddha) nature. Which cannot be hidden, although most mortals have a good try.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”
Marianne Williamson

Maitreya (whose name means “Loving One,”)–in the form of Hotei–embodies the spirit of unbounded loving-kindness. A practice that ‘sees’ right through our vain attempts at hiding. By the way, red is often associated with Compassion and Love which makes this photograph all the more relevant.