The Amazing Secret

I hope our readers are well today. These pics were taken in June, by our regular guest contributor, Chris. He took them on his home stomping ground, somewhere in the mystical hills of Staffordshire. In ancient days a stone circle stood here; but in later times, sadly, it was destroyed by vandals.

The following text is from an inspiring Tibetan meditation. I completely forget where I found it, but I hope very much that you enjoy reading it. The complete text is to be found on our 2012 post “A Lofty Alcazar”. *

“Can you see the words on this page? Then 100% of Spirit is present, looking out through your eyes. Can you feel the book in your hands? Then 100% of Spirit is present, taking the world in its hands. Can you hear the sound of that bird singing? Then 100% of Spirit is present, listening to that song. 

You cannot look for this Spirit, for it is doing the looking. You cannot see this Spirit, for it is doing the seeing. You cannot find this Spirit, for it does all the finding. If you understand this, then Spirit is doing the understanding; if you don’t understand this, Spirit is doing that. Understand it or not, just that is Spirit. 

Hence the amazing, secret, ultimate truth that slowly starts to dawn: the enlightened mind-pure Spirit itself-is not hard to attain but impossible to avoid. How could you ever be without that Spirit which is reading this sentence right now?” ~ Tibetan.

Until next time, and beyond – I hope you live in peace.

I sang of leaves, of leaves of gold, and leaves of gold there grew:

Of wind I sang, a wind there came and in the branches blew.

JR Tolkien.

* https://amras888.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/a-lofty-alcazar/

Photography ©C.H.

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Hope Returns

Greetings. During May, when these pics were taken, there was a daily die-off of the bees that grace our garden. Little bodies of every variety lay everywhere. Throughout June I didn’t count a single bee. The extreme cold, and wet of June gave way to a dull, but warmer July. We have never, by the way, used weed killers, pesticides, or any suchlike chemicals on our garden. Today, at last, I saw one living bee hovering amongst our wild roses. Hope returns; there is still time for our bees. 

This post, as promised is the last of three. Next time, we will leave May for June, and fly together to a remote location somewhere in the mystical green hills of England.

Before I go, thank you to all who stop by – and if you are willing to read a little bit more, I would like to offer you these words, taken from an Irish blessing: “May you always remember when the shadows fall – you do not walk alone.”

The sun, the moon, the stars, the seas, the hills and the plains,- 

Are not these, O Soul, the Vision of Him who reigns? 

Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Photography ©Francis Moloney.

Just Happy to Be

The highest of all places, and every corner then I see, reaching to the ground, is full of glory.

Over here we have endured the coldest, and the wettest June in memory. The sun has now returned, at last. I spent the hot afternoon beneath our trees in shady comfort – just happy to be outdoors again. This is the second collection of pics I took in May, part three will follow soon.

Before I go, I wish again, to thank you all who stop to read this blog. I would spend more time here, if I only could. May your ways be strong and sure, and your heart life’s praises sing.

Beyond my tree, the heat, it never faded.

How cool it was today, where I was shaded.

But if I thanked the tree, you know, a pagan I would be. And so 

I do not thank the tree, but He who made it.

Photography ©Francis Moloney.

As Hot as June

 

Continuing our marathon picture posting period, this time at our local garden centre. It was a March day, as hot as June, and time to pick some garden blooms. With its friendly tea shop, and pleasing atmosphere, our time in the see through nursery was well-spent.

As you can see, while Amanda was busy, choosing flowers, I was relaxed, sampling tea.

So, until next time, I will raise my cup and say a hearty cheers to all our readers.

 

Those whose eyes are open do not need to go to a church and look at a picture or statue of the Lord. In the eyes of every infant, in the smile of every innocent child, they receive the blessing of Christ.

Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

 

 

 

 

Photography ©Amanda Moloney.

Give it A Go

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to squeeze in one more post for the merry month of May. Thanks to my computer and connection issues, writing feels like I’m typing only one letter per minute, while racing to beat the next connection outage. Peculiar, isn’t it.

Today, however, I’m determined to give it a go. Amanda visited the Victoria & Albert museum, in London, and took some great pics, a few of which are above.

The V&A is my personal favourite museum. I spent hours and hours during my early years visiting the local museums and art galleries. I used to take along my sketch pad, and had a thing about drawing skeletons; an interest that came in handy when I made my living by mending broken bones for the NHS.

I hope you like the pics, and, all being well, I may post some more from Amanda’s latest trip.

With our heartfelt thanks to all readers, and followers: may June bring peace, and blessings for all.

Namaste from Amras.

 

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

~ C.S. Lewis

 

 

Photography ©Amanda Moloney.