 Friends         | Hello, I'm a retired expatriate American seeking online friendship with people who have progressive ideals and believe in kindness and peace. If you would like to know more about my belief in the essential goodness of humankind, please read my frequent blog posts. Writing poetry is a recent activity for me. I began these attempts to express my innermost feelings about the human condition shortly after I joined Wireclub's Religion Room as a regular chatter in 2014, and look forward to many more years as a peaceful contributor. Inspiration for peace can be found in this poem by the great 13thc. Persian poet, Sa’adi (1203-1291). It is inscribed on the entrance to the United Nations building in NYC. "Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain. If you have no sympathy for human pain, The name of human you cannot retain!" Leave a comment (or a simple like) and let me know your thoughts. Your friend ..... Tao  tularcitas: Exquisite! 3 years ago • Report 0  original tao: Dear Sarra, If we can think it, it will, surely, someday be Thank you for your kind review...Tao. original tao: Hi Sarra, Interesting confluence of juxtapositions in this video. The visuals and lyrics are also a good fit for my little poem. I'm glad you liked it. Kind thoughts...stay safe...Tao. original tao: Hi Sarra, dear friend, I liked dioing this peace, too. I wish I had the courage to forward it to Greta Thunberg or Elon Musk, or any of the millions of well-meaning people who could probably say what I said with far more effective emotive heart tugs, and with a more elan sense verse and purpose than I could ever match. Oh well, I'll keep trying when the spirit moves me....Tao. original tao: HiSarra, I hope you and yours are faring well enough for the continuities in this rebirth to play out to their inevitably profound points of soul-learning...Kindest thoughts...Tao (Post deleted by original tao ) original tao: HiFriendSarra, I hope you and yours are faring well and keeping safe. Kindest thoughts...Tao original tao: HiWonderWoman1, I'm so pleased you like the sentiments ably presented by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. He is one of the most revered monks in Thailand. Phra Thanissaro is an American born monk who, for more than 20 years, has practised the Kammatthana Forest Tradition of Thai Theravada Buddhism. Kind thoughts...be safe...be well....Tao original tao: HiSarra, Thanks for being a kindred spirit who recognizes that mind is the generative prime in every outcome. If we are focussed enough to direct ourselves to just sit and be, or just walk and be, or just lie down and be, or just run and be, we will gift ourselves the mental 'space' to sort through what needs sorting, and leave all the rest, at least for now. Be safe...never let down your covid guard...that's what the mentally challenged we see on the news are doing...and sadly, they and countless others, many of whom shall remain unknown to the mentally challenged one's whose claims, dubious in every way, will lend their thoughtlessness to sicken the defenseless, and possibly end the lives of kinder, nicer people than they'll ever be. Kindest thoughts...Tao tularcitas: I love this Tau..Someone once told me that the mark of a true warrior(ess) is someone who knows how to turn enemies into allies. original tao: Hi Sarra, The challenge is, rather, for the practitioner who is hated by an enemy to develop and maintain sincere, unwavering love for that enemy, without end. PLease forgive my alteration of your emphasis for this quote's main thesis...Tao And, just to make a point, it is an unknown until attempts are made, as to whether a particular enemy would posess the qualities needed in an effective ally. Trust, loyalty, and intelligence, and a fourth, too, comes to mind: that a commitment to eschew violence is agreed between the former enemies. original tao: Hi Sarra, As a person who has known a fair measure of fear, I'd have to agree with Vanessa. When fear creeps up and swoops in for a landing, unexpectedly, only those with the advantage (won by dint of commitment to mindfulness backed up by practice) of clarity will manage to maintain and grow lovingkindness. That is not to say there is anything easy about managing such focus amidst all of life's distractions, and seeming finalities. Kindest thoughts...stay safe...Tao  wildrose62: Would be a better world. the word has become corrupted along with too many of the people said to be "in power". original tao: HiSarra, I had hoped this piece would appeal...and open some hearts and minds. Thanks for kind review...Tao tularcitas: Thank you....This is very true, We CAN correct patterns if we have the intention to do so!  original tao: HiFriendSarra, Like many people, I was completely unaware of the idea that my mind had established 'patterns' of thought based mainly on comfort in the familiar. It took the best efforts of a number of very special teachers and spiritual friends over many years, to help me first gain awareness, and then help me try to change the patterns of thought that I had become habituated, and addicted to. I was so lucky to have a life that brought such people into my orbit, especially given that some of the practical things I was going though were extremely challenging health and business issues that required my full-time attention, and created great swells of confusion and vacuums of trust in my mind and heart. Kindest thoughts...be safe...be well...be happy in the moment...Tao |
