Challenges and Changes, Compassion and Celebration

It is time to publish a new essay for you. I have been working on a couple, but they are not ready. So, I will sit down and write something new for you right now.

This past week was a challenging one for me and for many. Two long-time colleagues passed, including one of my Buddhist teachers, Larry Ward. I had recently quoted him in my July 21st essay. I have been busy doing exercises, walking, and therapy to strengthen my balance. The National Guard is occupying Washington, D. C., and other cities may soon be occupied. I have been posting a lot on Facebook.

The one-year anniversary of the devastation of Hurricane Helene here in Swannanoa, NC, is approaching, reminding me that there will be more. The three-year anniversary of the passing of my younger brother Duncan was nine days ago. I had a twelve-hour episode of very uncomfortable atrial fibrillation (rapid irregular heart rhythm). I recently enjoyed having lunch with children and grandchildren.

I have been viewing podcasts about the complexities and mysteries of consciousness and artificial intelligence. For our neighborhood homeowners’ association, I have arranged for a vision and action planning workshop and for volunteers from nearby Warren Wilson College to help with climate disaster preparedness and recovery. It has been a busy and challenging few days for me and for many people.

What about you? How are you doing in this time of chaos and suffering? For what are you grateful? What are your self-care practices? What actions are you taking to care for family, neighbors, friends, society, and the living Earth of which we are part?

In this mysterious universe, vast beyond imagining with trillions of stars and untold planets, we living Earthlings, each one of us, are rare and unique and precious beyond measure. May we know ourselves as family. May we recognize each other as pure gift. May we cherish all of ourselves. May we create a world that treasures each living being and desires and honors its flourishing, its unfolding, its song, its genius. Wake up, wake up, wake up . . . .

This morning, when I woke up, I recalled that I am of the nature to grow old, to have sickness, and to die, that everyone and everything I love is of the nature to change, and I will become separated from them, and that my actions are the ground on which I stand.

Our body-minds appear, change continuously, disappear, and transform. Countries and civilizations do as well. Our planet has been transforming for 4.5 billion years and is continuing to do so.

In this first month of my eighty-second year, I vow to save all sentient beings, to let go of desires, to understand all phenomena, to practice and realize awakening, to take compassionate actions, moment by moment, and to let go when it is time.

May you realize peace and happiness, moment by moment. May you care for your body-mind and for all beings everywhere, moment by moment.

May it be so.

On August 26th, please join the celebration of the compassionate life and continuation of Larry Ward. Register here for the Zoom memorial.