Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Spiraling into Control

Diamond Head by Ted Trimmer



Palila bird

"Seek simplicity, and distrust it." - Alfred North Whitehead


"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."
-Thomas Jefferson


"I went to a restaurant that serves 'breakfast at any time'. So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance." - Steven Wright

Aloha mai! Welcome-
First, a give away. I love the splash of moonlight that shines on water, lake, pond, or puddle. That is called a "Moon Glade." One of my favourite words. My gift to you.


Every day the small fry in the harbor are bigger. They swim and sport with growing skill & beauty. Sort of restores your faith in regenerative nature. Even saw a first-time seahorse the other day! Oh, and a shooting star last evening. Just standing outside, drinking it all in, reflecting on worries and glories of the day. There it was like a sudden love note from eternity: "It's all gonna be OK."
Seems to me that lots of things are being re-evaluated, and re-valued today; like mortgages and your retirement account. It's a good time for a fresh look at what we value; not with our words, but in our day to day actions. We post-moderns have gained much materially, but we have surrendered lots of the real texture, flavor and meaning of life. Now the spell of "more & more" seems to be melting away. The things left standing: a warm bed, a healthy body, the wealth of fond family & friends, a quiet moment to contemplate the night sky, while riding the earth as it ticks off time in seconds and in ages. There will always be details, but we've taken our eyes off of treasure to specialize in details and have become dull. As I go about renegotiating the values in my life a passage comes to mind: "They shall mount on eagles wings." This is a heroic cliche` of an image to someone who lives in a city as I did. But once I got to Hawaii and watched the IO, the red tailed Hawaiian Hawk, circling over the Big Island, what I saw was a bird going around in circles. They don't fly straight to the heights like a superman, or a rocket. No. As in a flying meditation they retrace the same circumscribed repetition in the sky. Over and over. But I noticed something else too: each circuit takes them imperceptibly higher and higher till they are friendly with the snow covered tropic mountain, Maunakea, and conversant with the clouds and early moon. Finally, their view is unrestricted. Stress and striving don't buy them that view. They attain it by following their true nature. Perhaps the groaning of the world economic system will lead us to lives of paradoxical richness? But just for right now: go outside into nature. (after you leave your comment ;-) Play with a child, pet, or childlike adult who you know well, or just this moment met. Stop and breathe and go to your heart. All the answers you need are there patiently waiting. I've found that stress defeats itself. The experiments were exhaustive and went on for years! So take it from me: Walk the gentle path . . . and you may just find yourself spiralling into control. . . effortlessly. Mounting on the wings of your grateful heart.
A L O H A! Cloudia