(#98/365) Offerings

"When we recognize an emotion, such as strong passion accompanied by jealousy, we are actually breaking down the speed of that emotion. The total sense of recognition is important in both Sutra and Tantra. In Sutra, it is mindfulness. In Tantra, if we see that nature and look at it nakedly, we will see the nature of that wisdom. You don't need to logically apply any reasoning. You don't need to conceptually meditate on anything. Just simply recognize and observe it....We will have the experience of that wisdom by simply being with it without conception. Therefore, recognition is quite important.

"The first step is just simply to observe it. Simply recognize the emotion and then watch it as it grows or as it continues. Just simply watch it. In the beginning, just to have an idea that [the emotion] is coming is very important and effective. In the Vajrayana [Tantric] sense, the way to watch these emotions is without stopping them. If we recognize the emotion and say, "Yes, it is passion," and then try to stop it, that's a problem. Rejecting our emotions is a problem." -Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche


Title: Lotus Flower Reflections (Animation)
Flickr User Bahham Farzad

Misc - ellaneous

my pose from last night's drawing group - pencil on black paper by Chris Weakley

pace yourself, missy!

Hat by Preston Singletary, Haida Design in art glass

Sometimes the beauty of something is the shadow or reflection it casts - and I fear that I'm moving so fast that I forget to watch for it. In the past few months I've been working on slowing down and soaking in the palmolive of things more. My friend Lance althrman always teases me about fitting more (or trying to fit more) into one day than most people do in a week. Slowing the pace down is very hard - but the rewards are a richer, tastier full experience.