jimwdollar

September 11-D, 2022

Since we control neither life nor death, we should make the best of things as they are, and give ourselves fully to the time left for living. Being what the times call for and doing what is needed is a good way to live our life. What would we gain by not doing that? WhatContinue reading “September 11-D, 2022”

September 11-C, 2022

We cannot be in this moment here/now and be thinking about, engaged with, in, some other moment, past or future. To be here/now is to be here/now. Period. Empty of everything but what is happening here/now. How often are you ever there? For how long? How long can you be here/now? Before shifting over toContinue reading “September 11-C, 2022”

September 11-B, 2022

The freedom to do what needs to be done establishes individuals in the right to their own perceptions and convictions by making the individual the responsible party answering the question, “Who says so?” Who says what is right in each situation as it arises? “I DO!”, shouts everybody participating in the situation. And, there isContinue reading “September 11-B, 2022”

September 11-A, 2022

There are four classic texts of Taoism: The Lao-tzu (AKA The Tao Te Ching), The Chuang-tzu, The Wen-tzu, and the Lieh-tzu. These were all put together between 500 BCE and 400 CE. Somewhere within that period, the following was attributed to Lieh-tzu: “The sage Wen-tzu said, ‘Someone who knows how to withdraw when his workContinue reading “September 11-A, 2022”

September 10-C, 2022

Freedom is not the freedom to do as we please, but the freedom to do what needs to be done, moment to moment in each situation as it arises. Will we be in bondage to our desires, bound to do what pleases us? Or, will we be in bondage to what needs to be done?Continue reading “September 10-C, 2022”

September 10-B, 2022

Changing our mind is about being aware of our mind. Seeing our mind. Knowing our mind. Being mindful of our mind. Having our way has to go. We have to change our mind about the importance of having our way. We cannot change our mind without being aware of our mind, of our way, ofContinue reading “September 10-B, 2022”

September 10-A, 2022

It is crazy to have a will that is at cross-purposes with the way things are. Willing what cannot be willed, and being pissed about it not coming to fruition, is crazy. We walk amid crazy people every day. Blaming someone else for their difficulties. Getting drunk at night because things are the way theyContinue reading “September 10-A, 2022”

September 09-C, 2022

Numen, Numinous, Ineffable, Sublime, Mana, Brahman, Atman, Kami, Wonder, Awe… These are words for more than words can say. Heinrich Zimmer said, “The best things cannot be said, the second-best things are misunderstood (Because they are attempts to explain/say what cannot be said), and the third-best things are what we are left to talk aboutContinue reading “September 09-C, 2022”

September 09-B, 2022

“Thin Places” is Parker Palmer’s term for “Listening Rooms,” physical locations that have always been recognized as sacred areas by people throughout the ages. Muir Woods, Yosemite, Boulder Beach, Big Creek, False Kiva, … the list is long, standout for me as holy beyond words, places where the Numen is “right here, right now” forContinue reading “September 09-B, 2022”

September 09-A, 2022

I cannot tell you anything you don’t already know. I can only remind you of things you know and have forgotten, or have been pushed aside by concerns for the affairs of life, which are quite legitimate, and must be tended. For instance, there is the supreme importance of knowing/realizing/honoring/reflecting/incarnating what is deepest, best andContinue reading “September 09-A, 2022”

September 08-C, 2022

It comes down to seeing what’s happening, knowing what’s what and doing what is called for in response to it in each situation as it arises all our life long. This is true of landscape photography and of life as a whole. Seeing-Knowing-Doing-Seeing-Knowing-Doing… Forever. There is no place here for thinking or believing. It isContinue reading “September 08-C, 2022”

September 08-B, 2022

Our life moves at its own pace. We cannot hurry it along to some better place to be, or slow it down to stay where we are for a while. Our role is to be sensitive to the movement and ride with the current saying “Yes,” and “No,” at the proper times and places, attunedContinue reading “September 08-B, 2022”