Calendar June 2016

A visit to Barcelona. We had been to see the Miro Museum; we stood in awe at the unfinished church by Antoni Gaudi - La Sagrada Familia - and we had walked along Las Ramblas looking at the items being sold to tourists. We were now tired and wished to sit down with a cup of coffee. In a side street, we found a cafe with tables outside and as it was a hot day, we choose to sit in the shade. A woman took a table at the same time, but she chose to sit in the sun. This is the image from where we were sitting.

Keeping this bandaged self in motion
A rest from the aimless stroll

In very regular ways, we all seek some form of comfort for ourselves. A rest in the shade; a cup of coffee; putting our feet up; taking time off. Our practice is to observe these choices; to watch the way we operate in the world around us.  The bandaged self is not something that is in the way, it is not an obstacle; it is simply the activity that is us and this is the stimulus that presents itself for investigation.  We can observe our arising thoughts, the changes in our body, taste, touch, heat, the way we are. Our practice is to investigate all of this and as we do, our sense of freedom expands and our compassion and wisdom increases.

"The moon reflects
even on dirty water,
this realised, 
our mind clears up"

Zen saying