Beautifully said, thank you--I've long identified with this kind of dance of perception, but especially in the last month as I've taken on a little project to record a detail every day, often natural, and often glimpsed in the way you describe. https://annethomas.substack.com/p/detail-diary/
A lovely piece, a valuable reminder to us to be open to beauty and joy, and what better place to practice that than Monhegan. I have spent the last two weeks of September at the Trailing Yew for the fall bird migration every year for many years and feel like I saw the two of you walk over to George’s on your wedding day--or perhaps a couple just like you--happy anniversary! Hope you feel better soon and are able to return to the island together for your next anniversary.
Hi Kristen: Indeed, we stayed at the Yew that night before shifting to Tribler for the rest of our trip. We met you then and at least once since. Hoping to cross paths again someday to talk Monhegan, birds, and poetry. Thanks so much for your note.
Thanks for sharing that lovely writing and the window it presents into your indeed fortunate life. Be ever grateful and you, in part, requite the gifts. Buddhists talk about something they call the "Fortunate Aeon" but really the hidden meaning is that each life, whether it be blessed with happiness and beauty and peace or burdened with tragedy and unpleasantness, is the Fortunate Aeon whether it be the shores and woods of Monhegan or the flavelas of Brazil. Peace, beauty, love, compassion and sheer radiance are always all around us, even in the stormy days of the Anthropocene.
Thank you, Michael. Love that last line: "Peace, beauty, love, compassion and sheer radiance are always all around us, even in the stormy days of the Anthropocene." Nicely said.
And thank you Jason for your exquisite, perceptive poetry masquerading as prose! If I could exert my full strength I couldn't surpass what an ancient said, "The whole Body is nothing but eye."
Two I think. One- Jesus said something like that in the NT. Two
- an old Ch'an.worthy, Ungo?? Said something like it. I read it years ago and it stuck in my mind ever since. I didn't understand it at the time. I'll Google it and report back.
Been wondering about that, since Kristen and various flocks of birders were all around. Too bad I couldn't catch you on our anniversary trip. Next year!
Beautifully said, thank you--I've long identified with this kind of dance of perception, but especially in the last month as I've taken on a little project to record a detail every day, often natural, and often glimpsed in the way you describe. https://annethomas.substack.com/p/detail-diary/
Thank you for the kind words, Anne. I'll take a look.
A lovely piece, a valuable reminder to us to be open to beauty and joy, and what better place to practice that than Monhegan. I have spent the last two weeks of September at the Trailing Yew for the fall bird migration every year for many years and feel like I saw the two of you walk over to George’s on your wedding day--or perhaps a couple just like you--happy anniversary! Hope you feel better soon and are able to return to the island together for your next anniversary.
Hi Kristen: Indeed, we stayed at the Yew that night before shifting to Tribler for the rest of our trip. We met you then and at least once since. Hoping to cross paths again someday to talk Monhegan, birds, and poetry. Thanks so much for your note.
Thanks for sharing that lovely writing and the window it presents into your indeed fortunate life. Be ever grateful and you, in part, requite the gifts. Buddhists talk about something they call the "Fortunate Aeon" but really the hidden meaning is that each life, whether it be blessed with happiness and beauty and peace or burdened with tragedy and unpleasantness, is the Fortunate Aeon whether it be the shores and woods of Monhegan or the flavelas of Brazil. Peace, beauty, love, compassion and sheer radiance are always all around us, even in the stormy days of the Anthropocene.
Thank you, Michael. Love that last line: "Peace, beauty, love, compassion and sheer radiance are always all around us, even in the stormy days of the Anthropocene." Nicely said.
And thank you Jason for your exquisite, perceptive poetry masquerading as prose! If I could exert my full strength I couldn't surpass what an ancient said, "The whole Body is nothing but eye."
Oh, that's a great line. Which ancient should I thank for it?
Two I think. One- Jesus said something like that in the NT. Two
- an old Ch'an.worthy, Ungo?? Said something like it. I read it years ago and it stuck in my mind ever since. I didn't understand it at the time. I'll Google it and report back.
For Jesus Christ, it's in Matthew 6 22 23.
For Ch'an, it was probably Tozan Ryokai's teacher, Ungo. Main line of Soto Zen
"flavelas" should be "favelas" of course.
I mighta been there on your wedding day! Belated congrats nonetheless! 😀
Been wondering about that, since Kristen and various flocks of birders were all around. Too bad I couldn't catch you on our anniversary trip. Next year!