On The Surface

I hope all readers are growing in strength of spirit, and remembering that for sudden, the worst turns the best to the brave. When we know one or more who grieve, our duty is to give them what comfort we may. It is fitting to rejoice too, if grace allows, for the sake of those who have departed in righteousness. However, and despite how difficult this might be, I feel that perhaps we should also take a moment to pray earnestly for those about to depart in unrepentant wickedness. 

When my immune system was compromised, in 2004, I was forced then to adopt a form of ‘social distancing,’ as a way of life – which I’ve practised ever since. It has kept me incarnate. I used my scarf for a face mask throughout this time, and it’s worked very well.  Habitual cleanliness should go without saying. I dare say I will continue to live thus when the world has recovered. Although we are born without any choice but eventually to depart, what happens next belongs to the balance of the choices we are making here and now. If we gaze for too long at the the dancing reflections on the surface of things only, then fear will creep triumphantly in. Where there’s faith, there’s no fear. Faith and fear refuse to exist side by side. Faith fosters courage. Courage reminds us that our duty is to each other – and lends us the strength to do right. Even when we are stuck indoors all day long. 

And now, it’s time to change gear, by introducing a little levity…

“Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps ‘I think my friend is dead! What can I do?’ The operator says: ‘Calm down, I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.’ There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says ‘OK, now what?'”

I want to thank all readers and followers. I do appreciate your dropping by – and if I’m slow getting back to you, please bear with me. Finally, before I forget, the above pics were taken in March 2007. Be well everyone. 

Now we know that for those who love God all things are working together for good…

Romans 8:28

Photography ©Francis Moloney.

 

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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.

An Enchanted Ingress

Hello there to all readers. This whimsical pixie doorway exists somewhere in England. I suspect it’s hidden from mortal eyes, normally; yet Amanda spotted it, serendipitously, one day during her travels. Hence the pic.

It reminds me of a time, long ago, when I allowed a friend to take me on a journey by way of a guided visualisation. I became a case study for his psychotherapy assignment. This doorway is just like the one he bade me walk through at the beginning of our first session. Looking back, I remember it was a fascinating, and revealing experience, and one which I would recommend any keen psychonaut to undertake.

The last few weeks have continued to challenge my health, and I find myself quite exhausted for much of the time. As a consequence of this, it can take me a while to catch up with online developments. Please bear with me, and thank you so much, as always, for dropping by.

So, with the sound of hooting coming from the tawny owl perched just outside my window, it’s farewell from the faerie realms, (and until next time, along with prayers of peace for our human world, it’s best wishes from me).

 

The ego wants what you do to be important. As a way of intruding on your spirituality and delaying the truth, it tries to make what you do in the world important and special.
How can anything that occurs in an illusion be important if you actually understand it’s not real?
Only forgiveness and your healing matter. True, that kind of a teaching may not be the basis for a popular religion that takes over the world and tells everybody else how they should be living their lives – but it is definitely the truth.
~ The Disappearance of the Universe

 

 

 

Photography ©Amanda Moloney.

Universal Love

From all of us here at Amras888

May we walk together, in Peace, from this day on.

Line of Sight

Roads go ever ever on

Under cloud and under star,

Yet feet that wandering have gone

Turn at last to home afar.

Eyes that fire and sword have seen

And horror in the halls of stone

Look at last on meadows green

And trees and hills they long have known.*

Namaste dear readers, and welcome to all new friends, and followers.

I took the above pics in 2007, from my wheelchair, somewhere in Devon, England. My legs a seat, four wheels my feet, I always need a push. On that day, my wife, son, and brother each took a turn at pushing me. For days like these I feel truly very grateful.

While life on the outside flows with fresh challenges, I will never allow myself to forget that place of stillness on the inside, symbolised by this chapel, standing alone in the fields.

And though the journey be a noisy one, I will always keep that silent chapel in my line of sight.

Until next time, Peace from Amras.

 

When you become aware of the presence within, you awaken from a deep sleep.  You become aware of the beauty around you.  Things that once seemed a burden are no longer a burden.  You become aware that nothing is yours and yours alone.  You are aware that all things and all people belong to God.  You know you are his child and you see that if you are a child of God, all others are children of God.   

Gerald O’Donnell .

*Tolkien.