Don’t do anything,
don’t call it anything,
just sit and look at the wall.
I’m not able to attribute this quote at the moment.
Just…
Category Archives: Teachings
The Geography of Dakota
This is Dakota.
She is a dog,
always moving,
constantly changing.
She is soooo beautiful,
like all of us,
fundamentally.
Dakota is in Whitefish, Montana,
and I don’t care what anyone says!
Appearing is constantly changing.
Thanks to Dakota’s people for strawberries an’ ice cream and charming company, as always.
Telling Dreams
A woman of my acquaintance had been given a compilation of writings by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. There wasn’t time to look at it that evening so the tome was left beside her bed, on a chair. That night, in her dreams, she was joined by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett who spoke wise words about meditation. Later she found the exact words in Rev. Master’s writings.
Such dreams are just dreams, nothing more. If they bring about a change of heart for the good or a sense of peace and resolution, that is good! However if they become another story to tell, then that’s what they become. A story, a beautiful dream.
However, sometimes it is good to speak (take Refuge) with a trusted friend, a senior religious, your spiritual director or wise-one of your aquaintence. To thus speak in confidence can allow the dream to fade, along with the teaching or comfort it might have brought. This is a wise way to help oneself.
Why? Because anything, even good stuff, can become a burden.
Illusions have no substance, however they can become weighty. Dreams come, dreams go.
BTW. I always ask before publishing emails, letters or snippets from conversations. In order to preserve privacy I do not publish full names, or in some cases omit them all together.
For the Love of Lucy
I hear that Lucy arranged herself just so.
Just as if she knew it was time to go.
And finding a position for her limbs, she passed.
The posting titled Animals and End of Life Issues, has stimulated quite a bit of feedback. The following letter is from a former congregation member in Edmonton and I know just how hard it was for her during and after the family dog Sandy died. So I was especially pleased to receive this letter. I believe it is not uncommon for this kind of resolution to come via a dream. Some dreams have a particular quality to them and can convey a teaching or, as in this case can console and help set grief and loss to rest.
Dear Reverend Master Mugo,
I caught up on your website and enjoyed your recent postings about animals. I especially appreciated the writing about Peter the cat and the kind act that the neighbor performed. I was holding onto a little regret and self-blame with Sandy’s death – it really hurt to think of the suffering she endured near the end. About a week ago, she appeared to me in a dream. I gave her a meal and she stepped up to place her paws in my hands- we were standing face to face. She was completely content and joyful and communicated the utmost gratitude towards me. It really helped me to start to let go of those feelings of regret and guilt.On this note, could you please offer merit to Jasper the dog? When Chris was here last, we happened upon a dog that had just been hit by a car. It was in front of a neighbor’s house and the dog was just a pup. It was really admirable how Jasper’s person handled the unfortunate situation. I could tell that she was upset but she remained calm and was most worried about the woman who hit Jasper who was very shook up. She consoled the woman and tried to assure her that it was not her fault. I ran into my neighbor last night and she informed me that Jasper had been put to sleep. His leg was broken in two places. She thinks that Jasper was chasing a butterfly when he got in the way of the van driving by.
I last saw Lucy in Montana four years ago when this picture was taken with one of her loving companions. The list is long. Leo and Buddy come especially to mind this evening. Perhaps we will all meet in our dreams.
I’m in Whitefish Montana.
Afterthoughts
The Peace of Wild things
When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come to the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Wendell Berry
The following is part of a comment left on a previous posting titled Animals and End of Life Issues.
The situation of Peter Cat reminds me that, just as for humans, it’s helpful to have written Last Wishes for one’s animals in case they die while under the care of another person. Continued…
Be it forethought of grief or afterthoughts of grief, rest in the grace of the world. In wild places.
Many thanks to Nic for another great poem.