onto shore.

we can do this.
these things we go through,
we all go through.
we've been going through.
sometimes the reason is beyond our scope of vision.
but trust in yourself.
you have your own tests to take in this lifetime.

let's choose joy together.

"There is no insurmountable solitude. All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. And we must pass through solitude and difficulty, isolation and silence, in order to reach forth to the enchanted place where we can dance our clumsy dance and sing our sorrowful song - but in this dance or in this song there are fulfilled the most ancient rites of our conscience in the awareness of being human and of believing in a common destiny."

-Pablo Neruda

these times.

i doubt i'm the only one.
i know you feel it too.
seems like it comes from every angle at times.

slow sigh.

chanda.

'chanda' means a burning desire amounting to will or resolve, a preparedness for any eventuality. for example, suppose the entire universe was covered with sharp-pointed spikes, and suppose it was certain one could attain buddhahood only by crossing it, the boddhisatta would never hesitate to cross it. or suppose this universe was filled with glowing charcoal, the bodhisatta would not have wavered.. it is said that if the bodhisatta tried to cross, those steel spikes would turn into a vast stretch of rubies (in respectful recognition of his sincerity and resolve). likewise, the burning charcoal would turn into a sea of lotus flowers.

-ledi sayadaw.

living room.

up rooted.

nature's oracle.

the nth wonder.

maybe the commitment is to something greater.

practicing perfections.

In one of the innumerable existences of the bodhisatta, he was born as a monkey chieftain. A brahmin lost his way in the forest and fell into a chasm that was as deep as the height of a hundred men. Seeing his plight, the bodhisatta took pity on him and exerted himself to rescue him. Eventually, the brahmin was carried up onto safe ground. The bodhisatta was, by then, quite exhausted, so he fell asleep, unsuspectingly, on the brahmin's lap. The brahmin thought to himself, "I've earned nothing today. My wife is going to be upset when I get home. What a delightful idea if I were to bring home monkey flesh. How pleased my wife would be!" Satisfied with his "bright idea," the brahmin took up a stone lying nearby and dealt a blow to the monkey's head. It was such a vicious blow that blood gushed out of the wound in all directions. Stupefied and covered in blood, the bodhisatta leapt up into a tree. He could not believe that such a thing could happen! "Oh, there are such people in this world." Then the thought came to his mind how to lead the man home safely, for the forest was full of leopards, tigers, and other dangerous animals. He said to the brahmin, "Now you should be starting for home. I must show you the way out of this forest, but I cannot trust you. You can follow the trail of my blood as I jump from tree to tree." So, in this way the brahmin got home safely.

-venerable Ledi Sayadaw

dreaming the dream that the dreamers dream.

waking up to this dream ive been living.
in dream am i truly awake.

contemplation.

caught.

coyoacan, distrito federal. summer, 2007.

inspirational intent.

to let it out.