Out of Portland. Early in the morning. Dare I say it, 5.30 am in the morning! Delivered two boxes of books and picked up three splendid meditation mats at Great Vow Monastery. We were given a tour of the buildings. Made bows, offered incense and then a gift as we were preparing to leave. What a gift. Swift and fleet of foot our gazelle like guide ran up the garden and returned with two ripe Asian Pears fresh from a tree. The image of this monk winging his way and the delicious fruit will be my main memory of this temple. Lovely temple too. Hearing the chanting of morning service as my traveling companion and I arrived in the dawn light is still in my ears.
Onwards into Canada. O Canada! I could break into song at the joy of returning to this country. In fact I think we did break into song but not O Canada. It went something like, I was born under a wandering star, wheels were made for rollin’, mules were made to pack. I never did see a town that didn’t look better lookin’ back. From Paint Yer Wagon, Lee Marvin.
Anyway here I rest for the night. Up a mountain, in a cabin. With an internet connection. Obviously.
One of my pleasures while staying at the Berkeley Priory is the Monterey Market. Here is a selection of vegetables, beautiful to look at and tasty to eat. Lotus and Burdock root, ladies fingers, fresh ginger, giant beans.
This market is well worth a visit. Earths bounty is indeed, awesome.
One farmer, Hunters, supplying the market are long time friend and benefactor of the monastery.
It was a beautiful sunny morning as we pulled away from the coast towards Mt. Shasta at about midday. Six hours later we arrived, having stopped a few time along the way. My regret is that I was not able to stop and perhaps meet a reader who lives in a town between the coast and Mt. Shasta. I already knew our journey was going to be unpredictable; time of leaving, stops and last moment business to deal with which might hold us up.
And therein is my thought for this day. Which is: the difference between dealing with and responding to a situation. In a commentary to the Precepts there is the teaching to do nothing whatsoever in a hurry. That is such great advice. Because when in a hurry, one is in the mind of dealing with a situation – quickly. When not in a hurry one is more likely to respond in a thoughtful and rounded way. I’ll remember that next time I am rushing along, as I was this morning, when just going along would be better.
One thing you can’t rush is tea. Taking tea needs to be a thoughtful and full rounded occasion. And Jim and Nancy and I have certainly enjoyed our teas and time together. Thank you, thank you both so much.
A Norwegian Fjord pony, pausing after a ride beside the Mad River.
A few days ago I had a lift (ride) up the coast from the Bay Area with a person doing his PhD at UC Berkeley, in Old Norse. We had hardly crossed into Marin County before my transportation benefactor was regaling me with stories. Old Norse Sagas. His enthusiasm was infectious, I was quickly spell bound. I began to see how these stories, depicted in such monuments as the Gosforth Cross in Cumbria, England and others in the Isle of Man are ways of making sense of the world. Rather graphic ways which I can connect to.
And the pony?:
The Fjord Pony’s ancestors were used by the Vikings as their primary mount. Therefore, it may be assumed that it affected the breeds indigenous to other countries, notably the “mountain and moorland” ponies of Great Britain, and the Icelandic Horse.
From Cowboy Frank’s site.
This is for my traveling benefactor of four days ago. Thank you.
Beach walking near Arcata with friends Jim ‘n Nancy, Muji and Annie
Mid morning. The sun broke through the fog, sandals were strapped on and off we went. More photographs tomorrow.
Found on the wall of the room I’m staying in….
The place in which we truly sit
Is within our own body and mind.
Since body and mind embrace the Universe,
Nowhere can this place be found.
Gosh, that sounds familiar! Wait a moment. I wrote that! It comes at the beginning of an article titled, A Place To Sit written in….1991, or there abouts.
Practice Within The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives
