It’s raining here, and I’m due for my COVID-19 vaccine shortly. I’m planning to rest today. This was an intense week, and the tension around the country was both sad and jarring.  Hate is a poison. Meditation is an antidote. Elon Musk appeared in a dream last night (he was dancing in the pasture). I meditated this morning with the dogs before a wood stove fire. I’m crazy enough and sometimes hyper; I don’t need that outside energy if that is what it’s called.

Warmth and the affection of our dogs is an excellent way for me to start a meditation.

I’m mostly alone, often with Maria, but the animals are spirits, too, and I find that sitting with them brings me a lot of peace of mind.

I hope you enjoy this video; it’s (mostly) silent.  The scene speaks for itself.

The spiritual person dwells on the same ground as the rest of us – the world of birth and death, permanence and self.  Some thoughts for the coming week:

The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh wrote that by looking deeply into ourselves, we can free ourselves of the fears associated with the business of existence, of coming and going, of birth and death (of politics?). “In this freedom,” says Hanh, “we ride the waves of birth and death in perfect peace. We can remain in the world of waves while abiding in the name of water.”

In my meditation, the dogs are guides, helping to bring me inside and calm me down. They know what’s going on inside of me.  This is love that can be used. See you later.