Andrew Furst's Blog, page 83
January 11, 2016
David Bowie – Moved On
There is cool, and there is David Bowie cool. On so many levels Mr. Jones set the standard for what is possible in pop music.
I’m reminded of the line from the recent movie “The Secret Life of Walter Middy”
Major Tom, That song is about courage and going into the unknown. It’s a cool song.
Thank you David Bowie for showing us what is possible when we go on into the unknown.
Of the many songs that will be on heavy rotation on YouTube, I invite you to listen to this one, which oddly has been ruminating around in my head this week.
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Thoreau On The Narrow and Crooked Path
Quotes -The path to right view is an arduous walk through fields of manure.
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Are Eternal Imaginary Things Better? – Dialectic Two-Step
Question: Instead of Attachment to Material Things, Isn’t It Better to Attach to Eternal Imaginary Things?
Response: From a Buddhist perspective, you’ve used two loaded terms – attachment and eternal. There is specific meaning around attachment that denotes clinging and the delusion that anything we attach ourselves to will provide final and complete (eternal) contentment. It’s also curious to suggest that an idea is eternal. Ideas are the product of minds. Minds change and as part of the human experience, are subject to death. I’d challenge you to identify an idea that is eternal.
If you can get past these little quirks of human nature (attachment and eternalism) you’ll recognize that all these “things” – material or imaginary – are cool, intriguing, and temporary. Then you’re good. Go for it; take it all in while you can.
Dialectic Two-Step is an ongoing series of my thoughts on questions that come my way.
Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two. - Octavio
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January 10, 2016
What Is This Waterfall? – A Two Minute Meditation
What is this waterfall?
Where is its “waterfall-ness”?
In what season does it begin?
In what season does it end?
What is this waterfall?
Snow Falls Gorge, West Paris, ME.
These Meditation Videos Are Best Viewed In Full Screen
One Minute Meditations is an ongoing series of short videos, poems, and commentary intended as a meditation. Offered as an opportunity to step back from your cyber routine and settle into a more natural rhythm, if only for a minute.
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These videos are produced for those of us who spend an inordinately large amount of time in the cyber-world. They are not a substitute for unplugging from your devices and taking a stroll near trees, water, or a patch of unkempt grass. Getting out into the world - touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing nature is the best way to reconnect with our prime purpose.
What is our prime purpose? We are feeling and sensing machines. We are the universe looking back on itself. We are witness to the wonders and dangers of living in this corner of the cosmos. We are the seekers looking for connection a little further beyond yesterday's borders and boundaries.
But sitting and staring at the screen robs us of the sustenance that we rely upon for wonder and sanity. These videos are an opportunity to bring the sensations of nature to you, while you're in the cyber-world. Its an opportunity to relax your gaze, resettle your posture, and regain some depth in your breath. Listen and watch the video and allow your self to open up and recharge.
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Sunday Morning Coming Down – African Friend (Clem Snide)
My connection to Clem Snide was being part of the Boston music scene in the early 90’s. We also borrowed their drummer, Eric Paull, when we toured. This album had pretty heavy rotation on my car stereo in the late 90’s. My kids were particularly fond of the song “I Love the Unknown”. African Friend was one of several favorites on the album.
Sunday Morning Coming Down is an ongoing music video series. The songs fit my definition of music for a lazy couch bound Sunday morning.
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African Friend
Your beautiful African friend
Next to him I look so white
So white that you turned away
And wanted me out of your sight
To be exotic and I did pretend
In the back yard to slowly undress
As you pull the twigs from my hair
That I’d put there myself, I confess
So come lay on the couch with me
‘Cuz nature’s too wild and free
Come lay on the couch
We don’t have to work on our tans
A beautiful African man
Well, next to him, I felt so white
As white as a page in a book
That I’d read but still don’t understand
So I joked of a forbidden fruit
As we argued into the night
In a city of tanning salons
And TV screens all shining bright
So come lay on the couch with me
‘Cuz nature’s too wild, it’s too wild and free
Come lay on the couch
We don’t have to work on our tans
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January 9, 2016
Timeless? – Say What?
Say What? is an ongoing series of laconic exchanges on Buddhism in the format of a comic strip.
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Where is Peace – Tiny Drops (Photography)
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Roman
Peace at hand bw
MLK
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January 8, 2016
Meditations on Gratitude – Cats
“Oh no. He’s stooped to the level of posting pictures of cats .”
Ok, fair criticism. But if I promise to keep it to one picture and not to mention cheeseburgers, would you forgive this one foray into cat fancy?
Me, I’m something of an introverted extrovert. I can be out there, visible, chatty, and so on. But truthfully it takes energy, sometimes more than I have. So very often I go through cycles. I am very grateful that I have the flexibility to step out of the race once and a while to retreat for some alone time. I’ve been like this from childhood. It’s probably why Buddhism and meditation speak to me so powerfully.
Another constant has been cats. There have been only a handful of years where there hasn’t been a cat or two in my life.
Cats are a particular kind of companion. They reflect some of the qualities I like in a companion. Someone who can be comfortable just sitting quietly with you. Cats are not too needy (yes I’m talking to you dogs) but often know when a lap needs warming or a leg rubbed. They are proficient nappers, a trait that I think all of us could benefit from.
Cats aren’t cryptic about how they feel. Their claws and looks of disdain are unmistakable. You always know where you stand. Granted there are a few bad apples who go from purring to a flurry of claws in a nanosecond.
If there was ever a model for being in the moment, cats are it. Cats are paramount in doing what needs to be done. Of course they do this by doing nothing. Every Taoist glossary should have a picture of a cat next to Wu Wei .
They are masters at showing us the impermanent nature of all things, especially couches, chairs, and expensive molding. They help us understand selflessness, in that they are always there to remind us that it’s all about them at 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM (coinciding somehow with feeding time).
This week my gratitude goes out to all those feline Bodhisattvas.
May all cats get a little catnip once and a while,
May all cats stay dry and not be burdened by dogs,
May they find joy, compassion, and equanimity,
Or at least the complete loyalty of their human servants.
Meditations on Gratitude - A weekly series of people and situations I’m thankful for and a short meditation.
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How Do People Choose Their Path In Life? – Modern Koans
For example, how do people chose to either become a Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Mormon, Atheist?
Look at your feet. There is no path. It’s a metaphor, let’s not forget that.
Making a choice about a religion has little bearing on reality. If there are choices, they are in the actions that we take. Even in this case, much of what we do is involuntary or habitual. Against the back drop of the biological imperative to pass on your DNA this becomes abundantly clear.
There are, of course moments, when we apply ourselves consciously, when we’re actually awake to the world. If there is a meaningful answer to your question, it lies in these moments
What do you think? How important is religion? or beliefs? Do we make meaningful choices? Do we we choose a path?
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important then their answers.
The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton
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January 7, 2016
John Stuart Mill On Pursuing Our Own Good
Quotes -The path to right view is an arduous walk through fields of manure.
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