The road to Shambhala

I'm in about the 5th or 6th book from Chogyam Trungpa and have had a very good experience reading these writings.  It is, perhaps, good that I came upon these now, as oppose to earlier in my studies.  I think that I am much more prepared to understand these teachings and have experience of my own that they explain and, or, elaborate on.

Creativity

One of the things that has come up a bit in my readings on Buddhist thought that stands out to me is the inclusion of creativity as something good, and healthful for those pursuing a path of compassion.  Creativity, art, is something that appears to be deeply unique to our human experience.  It can, not only, help us to see from a different perspective, with a different sense of value for time, and matter, and relation to all beings, things, but it can also do the same for those who experience any art that we create.  It should not be like the paintings of the old masters that are just used and financial investments, or strictly as a means to gain money, but should be approached with thought about what it can do or say to help in the life of others as well as ones own life.
I have always gotten great joy from music, mostly music made by others, but also from my efforts to make my own, and by the challenge of learning to play music, or sing it.  I am no gifted musician, and all the music is effortful, but it is a joyful effort, like most good things, the work is relative to the reward of it.
Today, and for the past few days the rain has been pouring down.  This gives me good excuse to stay indoors and work on music.  It is also good to be outdoors enjoying music too.

while waiting for the truck to get some new tires, Chilly and I
Enjoy the shelter of a gazebo in the park.  The sound of the rain, the creek
the traffic and the guitar all make it seem as though I am playing and singing with a
large band

 Make music where and where you can, on an instrument, with your voice, or in your head.  Or, you can just listen to the soundtrack of the world, it is always playing and interesting.
My guitar is a found gift from a friend.  He found it in the trash, on the side of the street, broken in several pieces.  I put it back together and it serves me just fine.  Other peoples trash is now my treasure.

Books for the path

Just read:

The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path

By

ETHAN NICHTERN

I learned a thing or two, or three, or four.........  Well written.  I recommend it to anybody curious about this topic.

Film/Video

"The 11th Hour" film from 2007

Watch The 11th Hour Online | Hulu

Dharma Gaia

I just finished reading a book that was published in 1990, Parallax Press, called "Dharma Gaia"  by Allan Hunt Badiner.

25 years old and just as important as ever, if not more so.  A friend found it and gave it to me.  Now that is a good friend.

Pond

Edges of the pond free of ice

Take off my cap

First butterfly, first muskrat

Flying Virginia Opossum

Ice and snow all gone

Cars go faster

sleepy opossum meets disaster

tending wandering hens 

a moment of silence

flattened fury friends

Black feathers shine

rustling in the leaves

Vultures dine

opossum yesterday

meat today

Soaring Turkey vulture tomorrow

Winter hibernation

Spring migration

Summer's feathered elation