Magpies at home

We've been feeding magpies for quite a while now. Given there are Norfolk Island pines in the street, which they love, they are always around. But they choose their times to swoop down for a feed. Sometimes I hear them from the kitchen, and sure enough when I look up the passage to the front door, one is standing on the door mat looking in. Very cute. Obediently I get out the mince and go outside to feed them. There may be only one, or two or three or four. I tell them to behave themselves if they are rude to each other. It seems to work. Once they have had a few bits each they are happy and so am I.

This photo was taken from a front bedroom window. They are peering in on a winter's day, looking to see what's happening. It seems like role reversal - we often think we are looking at animals/other living beings (eg in zoos) but in fact they also observe us. I always say hello to birds when I see them in the street, even if they are a breed I am not fond of, such as miners. Magpies though seem to know that you are talking to them. They factor it into their own speech. They are a special breed.

In Europe I believe they are called 'pie', but are apparently different to the Australian magpie. An American woman singer in our town for the Festival said how much she loves their sound. It is hard to mimic and has a lot of variation. Sometimes I think a magpie is putting together a song just for me - singing for its supper.

On commitment

I found this poem by Goethe, and given that I have commitment issues in a number of areas based on fear (surprise!) here it is (ignore the 'man' stuff):

Until one is committed there is always hesitancy,

the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness,
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,

Raising to one’s favor all manner of unforeseen accidents and meetings
And material assistance which no man could have dreamed

Would come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

  

Daily practice - the social graces

Here is my take on increasing the social graces in your life, if other things take a hold (like busyness) or you have body and mind patterns/old habits you want to break. These aren't in any particular order; they represent a brainstorming session I had with myself. Perhaps that's another one - brainstorm with someone!

• Smile at someone (could be yourself)
• Thank someone (gratitude)
• Compliment someone
• Invite someone out - invent an outing for that person that you know they will enjoy (how nice is it to be included)
• Make eye contact
• Say hello to a stranger
• Start a conversation with a stranger (I've seen someone do this on the bus, and he is surprisingly good at it)
• When someone (could be a shop person) asks you how you are/how your day has been etc, ask them back
• Give someone your time/full attention
• Listen to someone mindfully (no other thoughts in your head)
• Tell someone that you care about them 
• Better still, show someone that you care
• Hug someone or otherwise give them affection (non threatening)
• Really look at someone as they are - don't take them for granted and think you 'see' them just because they are familiar
• Show/feel compassion for someone
• Try to imagine yourself in someone else's shoes
• Do something for someone without being asked
• Help someone or offer to help them (it can be a stranger)
• Commit a random act of kindness
• Pray for someone/wish them well
• Surprise someone with something quirky (eg a secret note)
• Give someone a present (this could just be your time)
• Try to make someone laugh
• Say something positive to someone
• Show interest in someone
• Be polite
• Speak with a pleasant voice
• Put a positive spin on something negative someone says
• Say something nice about someone to others
• Send love to someone with your eyes/heart
• Be friendly to someone
• Say you're sorry (too)
• Be punctual
• Say please and thankyou
• Be patient
• Show someone how to do something
• Put someone else first
• Be inclusive
• Commit a generous act
• Have fun with someone
• Make the most of the moment with someone
• Choose a friend
• Respect someone's personal space and belongings
• Be aware of others around you - focus off yourself
• Loan someone something
• Give someone something without an agenda
• Open your heart to someone
• Make something (eg a cake) with someone (a note on this: if you are side by side with someone rather than face to face, this can loosen up communication and take the pressure off always looking at them)

A realisation while walking

Some people have realisations in the shower (I know of two) and others have them whilst walking/running. I am in that category - when walking.  Today I had a good one, worth noting. How many times do I think I will remember them, only to discover they have become hazy? Here it is.

This week I was reading a manual from a retreat I did in 2002. I remember this retreat well because of where I was at in my personal life and the emotions I felt whilst on retreat. There is nothing like emotion to sharpen your memory. Anyway, I was reading about how to find your sankalpa (a statement of intention to use one's will power to bring about a resolve). There were 5 steps in this process, the first one being:

In a calm and quiet place in body and mind bring back to life a moment in the past when you felt everything was right with you, aligned, simple, and you were one with the universe... When all felt well, at peace, when you felt clear, safe and strong.

Well, I thought, as usual I am stuck on step 1! But today whilst I was walking the lovely big black dog at the top of the beach, at the very last hour of the day, with a fresh but gentle breeze reminding me I was alive, I suddenly thought - why can't I just imagine this moment, here and now, is that moment, and that it is a present moment? Why don't I just imagine that this is how I feel in every moment? It seemed like a brainwave, and I am going to try it. Fake it until you make it, everyone tells me. Well, this is one thing very worth faking!

Get rid of that belly flab!

Some stomach muscle exercises for those who are keen. Giving up chocolate and pastries also helps but has to be weighed against life's small pleasures:

1. The plank: lie on your front with your hands next to your shoulders. Take a good breath and raise your whole body off the floor so you are supported by your arms. Hold this position for as long as you can. Lower yourself (or fall) to the floor. Full description
2. Sit ups: start sitting up, legs out in front, knees bent, hands on your knees (or on opposite shoulders), fingers together. Let hands slide up your legs as you slowly lower yourself back onto the floor. Breathe in as you go down. Breathe out as you come back up (slowly for maximum benefit and to prolong the agony) into a sitting position. Be careful to raise your head first to protect your neck. Repeat as many times as you can. Full description
3. Leg raisers: lie flat on your back and mentally prepare yourself for what is to come! Bring one leg towards your body (bent), then straighten and raise your leg towards the ceiling with your toes pointing towards you. Then slowly (of course) lower your leg back towards the floor, keeping it straight. When your leg is really close to the floor but not touching it, raise it back up again. Repeat this movement 10 times if you can, then do the same using the other leg. Then prepare for the worst - keeping the legs and feet together, raise both legs towards your body, then up towards the ceiling. Lower them slowly towards the floor. Try to do this 5 times. Full description

In each of these exercises, I have tried to choose a softer version to link to (yoga approach if possible) as some of us are not trying to be body builders, and the breathing during these potentially agonising exercises is important to me (and to staying alive). One doesn't want to strain one's heart!

World prayer - the Five Remembrances

Courtesy of Buddha:

I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.  

I am  of the nature to have ill-health. There is no way to escape having ill-health. 

I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death. 

All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them. 

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.

Put in context by Thich Nhat Hanh:

When you deny the reality of life, you appreciate it less. Meditate on the Buddha's Five Remembrances and rediscover the magic of life just as it is.

The stages of life, photo taken at Plum Village, France

The quest for happiness - life according to the Dalai Lama

Here are some notes from the Dalai Lama's 'Quest for happiness', Adelaide public talk 21 June 2013 - transcribed from the e-ticket, as I forgot to take a notebook.

Mentally, physically and emotionally we are all the same.

• We should have respect for others, developed out of inner strength and moral principle (right intention). From respect comes non violence. 
• You must develop a sense of others' wellbeing at the mental and emotional level. Harmful actions come from a self-centred attitude. 
• Practice tolerance, forgiveness and love. Every experience comes from previous actions.
• Create a compassionate heart. 
• Constantly check your sincerity and truthfulness (positive anxiety as Lama Choedak says).

Relating to others

• Friendship comes from trust - there is no friendship if there is fear. Biologically we need affection and care.
• It is very important to be warm hearted - a deeper human value.
• Strong self + compassion = good (need inner values)
• Peace of mind comes from the heart - an open and relaxed mind. 
• Heart first, then mind.
• When talking to people, feel that we are all the same.

Approach to life

• Develop single-pointed faith. 
• Look at your problems from a wider perspective - holistically. This reduces anxiety.
• Work in this life is a gift to your next life.
• Learn affection and love - through actions and attitude.
• Forgive yourself - realise more, demoralise past mistakes, make a pledge to be a new person. Practice forgiveness to heal yourself - see others in the 'image of god'.
• Analyse tragedies - overcome them if you can, if not don't worry about it or the problem will increase.
• Think that you will not in future do actions that have caused you and/or others suffering.
• Negative thoughts - emotions disturb you if your thinking is weak. Make your thoughts more equanimous and remind yourself that we are all the same...
• Happiness means more satisfaction - you are 'full' or 'complete'.

How to gain more wisdom

This is an excerpt from A beginner's guide to changing the world: for Tibet, with love by Isabel Losada.
Isabel finally meets the Dalai Lama, and asks him (pp 354-5, 2004 edition):

But for the average person...If we assume that we are using wisdom for good things, then how do you gain more of it?

The Dalai Lama replies:

 It's a kind of intelligence or awareness. It's thinking longer. Wider perspective. We also need something happiness, something good today. Animals only thinking immediate, not next year or next generation but we human beings can think long term and sometimes even we have the courage to sacrifice immediate things for long term and next generation. More spiritual sight, awareness, more inner values and thinking about mind and about consciousness and how it works. Understanding emotions. Inner wisdom. So wisdom, you identify wisdom as a spirituality or something good.

'Simple kindness' are his final words. This seems like a good summary of a way to live your life. The longer version is contained in books and teachings of great masters (in my opinion). Meditation, devotion and compassion.

Dharma

I keep reading and hearing about Dharma and I think I know what it means (or should know) but am vague about it.
Here is a Wikipedia definition:

Dharma is to cultivate the knowledge and practice of laws and principles that hold together the fabric of reality, natural phenomena and personality of human beings in dynamic interdependence and harmony.

This definition is relatively simple and contains terms such as 'interdependence' and 'harmony' that I really like and know are important.
And further:

In order to attain wisdom one must understand the nature of things (the dharma) and part of the practice of Buddhism is the investigation of Nature...This means to adopt an objective, scientific approach to understanding the causal relationships between various phenomena. In particular it refers to the dispassionate self-observation discussed in teachings such as the Satipatthana Sutta, 'The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness'.

Here is a simple definition by Pema Chodron in When things fall apart: heart advice for difficult times:

[Dharma] is total appreciation of impermanence and change.

I like it.

Breathe: you are alive

This small book (63 pages) by Thich Nhat Hanh 'on the full awareness of breathing' is amazing for its simplicity (in most sections) and easy-to-apply exercises.

Some gems

• Breathing affects our mind and our mind affects our breathing.
• Breathing is an aspect of the body and awareness of breathing is awareness of the body.
• Breathing is an excellent tool for establishing calmness and evenness.
• The mind's functions include feelings and perceptions. When we are aware of every bodily and mental action, we are aware of every feeling.
• Calmly abiding in the present moment, immense joy arises.

Breathing

1. Focus the mind at the tip of the nose and be aware of the first moment of contact of air at its place of entry into the body.
2. Gradually the rough uneven breathing will become delicate and subtle. Finally all discrimination will disappear.
3. You will then feel fresh, light and at ease.
4. Follow this sign and you will enter concentration.

Categories and methods
1: Following the breath in daily life (methods 1-2)
3. Awareness of the body - unity of body and mind (method 4)
4: Nourishing ourselves with the joy of meditation (methods 5-6)
5. Observing the feelings (methods 7-8)

Every time you practise a sitting meditation, you should begin with 1 and 4.
Every time you notice your state of mind becoming agitated, dispersed, ill at ease, you should practise 5.

Methods 1-2
As you do things in daily life, say 'I am breathing in and ...' (this can be difficult unless you take deep breaths, not a bad thing to be forced to do). This means combining full awareness of the breath with movements of the body. Stopping both the random progression of thoughts and living in forgetfulness is a giant step forward in meditation practice. Use this method to harmonise your breathing.

Method 4
Be aware of 'the body in the body' (sounds weird but this wording is a way to remind yourself that you are not separate from your body, that is, you are not subject and object - separate - but one with your body). The mind does not stand outside of the object to observe it. When you breathe in, the air enters your body and calms the cells of your body. Each cell of your body becomes more peaceful and so do the cells of your mind. This method brings calmness to your body, breathing and mind.

Methods 5-6
At the end of the day, light a stick of incense, sit cross legged, and practise breathing with a half-smile.

'I am breathing in and feeling joyful, I am breathing out and feeling joyful. I am breathing in and feeling happy. I am breathing out and feeling happy.'

Set aside the stress and complications of your day! You only need to be aware of the existence of happiness to have it immediately. You can transform neutral feelings into pleasant ones, and nourish yourself. When we are nourished constantly by the happiness of meditation, we become at ease with ourselves and others.

Methods 7-8
When you have a feeling (either good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant), see that you are this feeling (eg I am this irritation) in the present moment. Treat this feeling with compassion and non-violence. Face the feeling with a heart filled with love. Every feeling is a field of energy. Under the light of awareness, an unpleasant feeling can be transformed into an energy which nourishes.

Feelings originate either in the body or our perceptions. The practice of full awareness is to look deeply to see the true nature of everything and go beyond our inaccurate perceptions.

• If we keep our body in good health, we can diminish painful feelings that originate in the body.
• By observing each thing clearly and opening the boundaries of our understanding, we can diminish painful feelings that originate from perception.

Nourish your awareness of a painful feeling through breathing. This helps you to see the true nature of the feeling (method 7). By observing the true nature of any feeling we can transform its energy into the energy of peace and joy (method 8).

My thoughts
This is by no means the whole of this great little book, and I haven't put the actual methods here as I've probably plagiarised the book enough!

Years ago when I became aware of the shallowness of my breathing, I somehow realised that the breath is key to much of our lives. Apart from just keeping us alive, it can slow us down (crucial now that we are so speedy in the western world) and can help to keep us in the present moment. It is a challenge, however, as it is involuntary and as such we don't pay any attention to it, unless for some reason (eg fear) it changes dramatically. This book gives you the chance to practise some simple exercises that bring it more to the conscious mind. Worth cultivating...

It is an ideal hand luggage book that I have with me at all times - on public transport etc. I feel as though I am studying it, as I pick it up and read a bit of it to keep mindful about the practices. I've never done this before with a book, but it is very effective!

Bricks and mortar

This house has very high walls. It was built in 1907 so is Federation-style. This means that if you want to change a light globe it is a life-risking (and muscle developing, given that my ladder is made of heavy metal) experience. The 'up' side is that if you throw your hands spontaneously up in the air they don't hit the ceiling (and if you had a ceiling fan...).

When I first bought this house 25+ years ago, the chimneys were in need of re-mortaring. Two years ago, they were still in need of re-mortaring. I am not a procrastinator, it's just that it was a 'too-hard basket' job. No tradesperson was putting up their hand willingly, which means that quotes for the job were exhorbitant ('$2,500 for the chimneys, lady, not including scaffolding' ...and the rest).

Finally the opportunity came through my mad mate Andrew (that's him lovingly tending one of my two chimneys on my high roof, in close proximity to a very tall street pine) who is clearly not afraid of heights and was in need of a buck. It suited both of us - a win win. Up he went, and my years of lying in bed waiting for bricks to come through the ceiling and land on my head - killing me instantly - every time the wind blew (which can be often at the beach) were over. At last I sleep in peace (well I don't really but at least there is one less reason not to).

Black house spider

I have a 'pet' - a black house spider - 'a common species of cribellate Australian spider, found throughout much of Australia and New Zealand' (Wikipedia). She (I presume) is 2 years old (I presume) and has been living in the corner of the bathroom window for that span of time. They are not supposed to live for much longer than that but she has had a relatively stress-free life - no kids, no partner - so maybe that explains it. I allow her to live there because I always know where she is - she never leaves the window. A huntsman that wandered all over the place I would struggle with. She can be relied on to stay where she is. She has remained unfound by a male black house spider. Why I don't know. Now if she had chosen the shed....

However, she must sometimes be very hungry. Not much edible food wanders into that part of the bathroom, or into the bathroom at all. What was she thinking when she chose that spot? It isn't location, location, location. Although they like habitating around light sources (eg a window) that may attract insects.

Over summer there were blowflies in the house for a while and that must have been feast time for her. Every time I caught one I would fling it into her expansive web. She would wait a polite (cautious) amount of time before heading out of the corner to get her catch. The fly, once in the web, would stop struggling - a survival strategy probably. But there was no hope. She is big, about the size of my thumb and about the same shape (body and legs included) and she knows what she is about once the food is in the larder. Lately though there hasn't been much happening. I caught a moth the other day and flung it into her web. She didn't wait a seemly amount of time but raced out to get it. She seems to be able to survive on not much food.

Sometimes when I am in the bathroom cleaning my teeth at the basin, she will come out. I think she has realised that I am not going to hurt her, and might in fact be her main source of food! In the middle of the night if I go to the bathroom, I sometimes see her well out of the web, looking as though she is smacking herself on the bum. In fact she is producing the stuff her web is made of (so I'm told). It's a very cute-looking activity for a creature who would not normally be described as 'cute'. Studying her through living with her has made her a 'person'. She is a spider like no other, because I 'know' her. She is not really my pet of course - I don't own her - but we have a relationship.

There will come a day when she dies. Not sure what the signs will be but it might be a 'curl up' affair. I will be sad; she has become part of my life in this old house.

Meanwhile, my black house spider is not only in the web, she's on the web!

What is meditation?

Meditation is my most favourite thing!

But apart from that:

From Ani Tenzin Palmo, Reflections on a Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism:

'As we begin to develop awareness of the mind, the mind itself appears to divide into two. A new aspect of the mind arises. This is referred to variously as the witness, the seer, the knower, or the observer. It witnesses without judgment and without comment. Along with the arrival of the witness, a space appears within the mind. This enables us to see thoughts and emotions as mere thoughts and emotions, rather than as "me" and "mine". When the thoughts and emotions are no longer seen as "me" or "mine", we begin to have choices. Certain thoughts and emotions are helpful, so we encourage them. Others are not so helpful, so we just let them go. All the thoughts and emotions are recognized and accepted. Nothing is suppressed. But now we have a choice about how to react. We can give energy to the ones, which are useful and skillful and withdraw energy from those which are not.'

From Dzogchen Ponlop, Mind Beyond Death:

'We should think about how we can make the best use of our practice so that we get the most out of it in the short time we have in this life. We do not have the leisure of wasting our time here by delaying the benefits of our practice. We have to use these situations as effectively as we can.

Before you begin any practice, first think very carefully about your motivation. When we are engaged in the threefold process of study, contemplation and meditation, we should be very specific, very clear about why we are doing it. We should remind ourselves, "I am doing this to transcend my negative emotions and my ego-clinging." This is a general example of a specific intention. However, to be more precise, we need to consider the unique make-up of our own individual kleshas [intense states of suffering, and ignorance]. Once we have identified our strongest emotion, then we can focus on the practices that will alleviate it. We begin with whichever emotion is strongest for us and then we move on to the next strongest, followed by the next, and so on.

It is important for us to prioritize our practice in this way. We have to keep our intention very clear in all three phases--in our study, in our contemplation and in our meditation. During shamatha or other practices, when thoughts come up, we recall that our purpose is to overcome our disturbing emotions and kleshas. We have to have a sense of willpower or determination in our minds. In order for the remedy to work, we must tell ourselves, "Yes, I am going to transcend this anger. I am going to work with it." Otherwise, if we do not have a clear idea, if we simply sit there with an indefinite or vague intention, then the effect also will be vague. We may have sat for one hour and although that time will not have been wasted, because it was not directed in an intentional way, the experience will not be so sharp, to the point or effective.'

[This relates to the blog post Resolutions for contentment]

These quotes are from A view on Buddhism: Meditation practice

To be added to ... there will be more! If you have a great definition for meditation to share please please let me know.

In the body, out of the mind

For an in the body and out of the mind experience, do a walk in Deep Creek, South Australia, like we did the other day. 14 kms of up hill (to a cliff overlooking the sea) and down dale (to a waterfall in a gully) in 33 degrees heat (that's the crazy bit). Actually it wasn't totally an in the body out of mind experience but was definitely physical.

Last bit of the recipe is to do it with other people, a lot of water, and carryable food (but not food that will go off). If you want to extend the experience you can camp, but we didn't. Instead we went swimming up the road (and some of us swam at the waterfall in rather swampy looking water) in the sea at Normanville. You can also have hot chips at the Victory Hotel, top of Sellicks Hill, and wash it down with a beer (my first for many years). Then home to see the effects of this huge effort (slightly sore legs the next day from the climbing up and down hills, including using your hands to pull yourself up on a very rocky path).

No photos to prove it, and no enlightenment (lots of heavy breathing), but it's a great end to the old year (2011) and a great new year's resolution for 2012 (more of the same). Let's all get outdoors and into it, doing natural things in a natural environment! Reads like an ad for living in South Australia, and it is!

View Deep Creek Cove the easy way (on Flickr)

Random notes - Value of values

My random notes from a recent meditation session run by Stephen Taylor (may my blog make you famous) go as follows:
What is your passion?
What light your heart?
Most of us are a living a lie
Help yourself to become free
Follow your bliss
Passion vs addiction
What is worth doing?
Here's a good one: AS WE RELAX THE GEM STARTS TO GLOW (why is relaxing so hard?)
Looking can get in the way
Cleanliness - means not just washing on the outside but also on the inside, and not just metaphysically but physiologically (great big words) - detoxing makes you more sensitive (found this with salt) and can also mean dropping judgements (one for me to work on)
Meditation = dropping, relaxation, quietness, naturalness and more
Pathway to self knowledge - be aware of the pattern but cast aside all else (garbage)

And finally, the 'value of values' - here they are, all 20 of them from the text of Srimad Bhagwad Geetha (courtesy of Krishna Prasad):
1. Amanitvam
2.Adambhitvam
3.Ahimsa
4.Ksanti
4.Arjavam
5.Acharyopasanm.
6.Saucham
7.Sthairyam
8.Atmavinigraha
9.Indriyartheshu Vairagyam
10. Anahankara
11.Janmamrtyujaravyadhiduhkhadosanudarsanam
12.Asakthi
13.Anabhisvangah Putradaragrahadisu
14.Nityam Samachittatvam Istanistopapattishu
15.Mayi Cha Ananyayogena Bhaktih Avyabhicarini
16.Vivikthadesasevitvam
17.Artih Janasamsadi
18.Tattvajnanarthadarsanam
19.Adhyatmajnananityatvam
20.Jnanam
As I get wiser I may say more about these - referring to my notes of course!

Telecommunications and transport

Otherwise known as phone and car - the two hardest things to live without in the western world in my opinion. Even I can't do without them at this stage, yet at one time it was perfectly normal to live without them. I was a young child when we got a phone and car and can't remember which order they came in but suspect it was both at the same time!

I lived without a phone for a week, and when it was reinstalled the first two calls were from spruikers, which made me wonder why I had wanted it back on so badly. I deftly got rid of them, but know now why I wanted the phone back on. So I had the freedom to make contact with the world when I wanted to, regardless of whether the world wanted to contact me.

In the transition to peak oil when there will be implications for every one of us car owners in who knows how many ways, there may come a time when the car is no longer convenient or necessary. Whilst I am keen for that day to come on a number of levels, who can say what other implications are in that outcome, and how it will affect people?

No thanks, non merci, nej tak, no gracias, etc

All of these 'nos' are to nuclear energy wherever it is being produced. I remember 'nej tak' being a slogan from the 80s (?). What has happened to our position on nuclear energy? It seems to have eroded, and sadly some influential Australians have participated in this process by proponing nuclear energy as the answer to the energy issues of our future (what future?).

Well with limited knowledge on my side to argue soundly, I still say 'no thanks'. The mistake we are all making in my eyes is to think our lives can be lived as they are now (why would you want to anyway but won't go there). We are putting our heads in the sand if we assume that. There are too many of us on the planet and a certain percentage of us are using far too much energy, and our 'needs' and lifestyles are destroying the planet, which, we should remind ourselves, is a living thing with innocent life that we are dragging down with us - no, pushing in front of us. As usual we are prioritising ourselves over everything else. Most humans would have to agree on at least this point. And most humans who are contributing to this waste of life are not admitting that they have a problem with species being threatened - they are able to avoid relating to the pain of an arctic bear that has to swim for miles simply to find somewhere to lob his beautiful white body, not to sunbake but to survive. It is harder to feel sorry for sharks perhaps as Australians have a fear of them and see them as the enemy, but the reality is that sharks play a crucial role in our ecosystem. It is big picture stuff and requires a very big step away from ego-driven needs and wants. And who wants to feel that world pain? I would rather not but it is always with me.

So what am I saying now that I have rambled down the path of love and emotion? That we must consider a different life path, one that is inclusive of all living things. At the moment we don't even include our own species let alone others. And saying yes to nuclear energy is not doing this, it is thinking we can solve a problem that is getting bigger and bigger. It is thinking we are smarter than we are. In fact a species that would 'progress' towards its demise is not smart at all. As the American Indians have said, No tree has branches foolish enough to fight amongst each other. (This is a quote from A Dare a Day)

Arborophobia

What a great word! It was apparently coined by Robin Boyd, an urban critic, and means 'hatred of trees'. You could certainly believe it in the urban Adelaide of today, where people use leave busters and other human-made objects to get rid of the mess made by trees which insist on dropping their leaves and generally doing what trees do. Palms are acceptable because they do not drop leaves and do not send roots into plumbing or lift up house foundations. 'Yuppies' are notorious for loving palms and they abide in many Adelaide gardens, along with the must-have urban pool.

More about the tree

I have decided not to cut down my frontyard pine tree. The offer was to pay for cutting it down and replace it with a suitable tree in an advanced state of growth (you can buy them at about 3 metres tall). The pine is not an Australian native and everyone knows that pine needles can be a pain. So whilst it was a difficult request to deal with it was put in the most attractive way by the new owner. It was still a hard decision as I have lived with that tree for more than 20 years and it is much older than that. When you buy a house it takes years to get to know not just the house and its foibles but also the garden if you are lucky enough to inherit one. And the seasons, and the birds and other wildlife (which unfortunately includes rats).
In recent years I have seen the suburb change, as you do. Houses have been bulldozed to make way for flats/units, some of which are 2 storey. In the process trees and shrubs have also been cleared. There is a vacant block up the road that has a beautiful old gum at the front. It cannot be removed because it is 'significant' - that is, the trunk 1 metre above ground is 2 metres in girth or more. I am wondering if it will survive the building process and how much it will be respected. Some of the work is pretty rough on the surrounds whether intentional or just the outcome of big machines.
We all live in changing times and suburbs, and many want both worlds - a nice environment but one that doesn't impinge on their lifestyles (in the form of having to pick up leaves, trim branches and the other inconveniences of nature). We are all so busy that the old ways, when home owners used to enjoy doing things around their property on the weekends and saw it as part of their role, are dying. Now we want patios and home entertainment that is more clinical, and doesn't rely on nature for comfort. (My pine tree provides valuable shade in summer as I don't have air conditioning. This is 'significant' - last year we had 10 days of over 40 degrees centigrade heat.) However, one day this conflict between lifestyle and the environment will have to change. It may be too late by the time it happens, that is my concern.

It's over till it starts again

As the weeks roll by in 7-day lots, this phrase 'It's over till it starts again' seems an apt epithet (what a tongue twister!). I work 4 days a week in a workplace, and when Thursday is over there is a 3-day space of time before Monday. When you are old (if you are lucky enought to get there) and you look back over your whole life (if that is what you do), is this how it appears - as chunks of time organised over 1-week periods? I used to be able to account for every year of my adult life, and probably still could. Partly because I did a lot of applying for jobs and structured my life according to what year I had done what. Lately the structure has been more 'project-based' (eg it took me 7 years to do a Masters degree).
Which approach slows life down, which is what it would be really nice to do? Or is there a completely different way of 'measuring' life? The answer in buddhist or meditational terms would be to take each moment as it comes. This removes the routine-like aspect of time.
As usual I started this post with a different sense of where it would go. That is writing for you. Not sure now what I was really trying to say...except that I was excited that this was a 6-word description of my current life.