At the Beginning and at the End

At the beginning and at the end

In the morning when you wake up, reflect on the day ahead and aspire to use it to keep a wide-open heart and mind. At the end of the day, before you go to sleep,  think over what you've done. If you fulfilled your aspiration, even once, rejoice in that. If you went against your aspiration, rejoice that you are able to see what you did and are no longer living in ignorance. This way you will be inspired to go forward with increasing clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Pema Chödrön

Pema is the resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery for Westerners. She has written several books: "The Wisdom of No Escape", "Start Where You Are", "When Things Fall Apart", "The Places that Scare You", "No Time to Lose" and "Practicing Peace in Times of War"

 A couple of photos I took when we visited Gampo Abbey in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I hope to return there in 2012 or 13 and stay awhile.

 

Pagan Sphinx Photo 2009 © All Rights Reserved

Yard Art on Thursday

I saw this tranquil little scene in the front yard of a yoga studio in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.  The village of Shelburne Falls is off  Rt. 2 on the Deerfield River and about 20 miles from where I live.

Namaste

Yard Art Thursday
Thanks, Mary!

Weekend Reflections

 The New England Peace Pagoda
Literal and Spiritual Reflections

A Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace
(wikipedia)



It was an absolutely perfect day in The Valley (Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts) today and WP and I took a drive to Leverett, to one of our favorite places - The New England Peace Pagoda.  There isn't a direct website for The Peace Pagoda yet so what I've linked to here is a general wiki article on peace pagodas or stupas. And the following excerpt is from an architectural page on pagodas.

Mary non-Buddhists who helped out for a few days or even weeks during construction were perplexed by the lack of any apparent access to the interior of the dome, which in the finished stupa is permanently sealed. Visitors still wonder why there is no "inside," no clear destination, as they watch saffron-robed monks and nuns circumambulate the outdoor walkways beating hand drams and chanting. There are many possible replies to the lingering question. Rev. Clare Carter, a nun at the pagoda, suggests one of them: "Our teacher was always trying to make the point that heaven is also this world. Our life here is a creation of this heaven through human effort."

 

 On the grounds near the temple is a this lovely pond surrounded by prayer flags.  One can see the reflection in the pond water of the lower tier of prayer flags. A peaceful place to sit and reflect.

 A prayer flag with a personal touch

Weekend Reflection

Thank you for visiting. This is my first Weekend Reflection submission!

Ruby Tuesday

Manhattan Billboard
July, 2008


Thank you to Work of The Poet for sponsoring Ruby Tuesday; a most inspiring photo meme.
And while you're there, say hello to The Teach, who makes it possible.

Ruby Tuesday

A huge thank you to Work of the Poet for sponsoring Ruby Tuesday

New England Peace Pagoda

Sky Watch Friday

This is my first Sky Watch post.

New England Peace Pagoda
Leverett, Massachusetts

Bowing Deeply With Palms Together

Gampo Abbey

Nova Scotia, Part II

We left Meat Cove and drove to the eastern shore of Cape Breton to find Gampo Abbey, a Tibetan Buddhist community and retreat. We arrived on a Saturday, not knowing that they're only open to visitors Monday through Friday, but we looked around this beautiful, peaceful place and walked The Path of Enlightenment. Thanks to Susan for the tip on Gampo Abbey.





On the path, we came upon these two young monks, blowing their horns into the wind. I wonder of the specific purpose of this. I so loved getting a glimpse of this ritual but I tried to keep my distance.

I hope you enjoyed the walk