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.

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Uppercase Urban Ambles

A long time ago, before we arrived, the stage was all set for matter alive. Each one a rung on the spiralling stair, we all belong in each other’s care.

Namaste, and sincere greetings to all readers. Last weekend, Amanda was back in the capital, on business. With a blog post in mind, she rose with the dawn to take these pics while the streets were free from the morning throngs. And what a beautiful day it was, which seems quite providential when you think about it, because since the weekend we find ourselves scudding through April monsoons once again.

Here in this ancient city, we walk on roads old and new. Here things that came into existence a long time ago endure alongside things now becoming. If this place should stand come two millennia hence, I wonder how much, if any of what we see today will remain.

We belong to our time, as the builders of the wooden ships that sailed from here belonged to theirs. They too walked on roads old and new. If we were they, would we do things differently?

Fortunately, it doesn’t matter, because metaphysical speculation doesn’t increase knowledge. And none of us here are qualified to judge the soul of any other, even though we may taste perforce the rotten fruits of their ignoble labours. However, the divine gift, freely given at birth, which is the knowledge of right and wrong, unites us more intimately with the hearts of our noble ancestors than do all the handmade things they left for us to own, no matter how greatly valued, or even useful they are.

We know only too well the wrongs that were committed by certain ancestors, for we are charged with fixing them. While we observe the blind leading the blind to perdition, divine honour gently reminds us to work hard at keeping our personal lives clean, and above all, blameless. And to know that no matter how painful and difficult our individual lives may be, we are charged with the duty to say no when we are called upon to hurt, steal, cheat, lie and kill. It is as easy as that, where is the confusion?

I love the lonely palm tree, flourishing in exile, and reminding the riverbank of long ago, in a very different time, when lions and crocodiles were familiar feeders around here.

We want to express our gratitude to all who enjoy dropping by, there will be more photos taken during that morning in the big city coming soon. Until then, take care of your thoughts, strive to keep a light heart, and keep in mind at all times the fact that you are a child of the divine creation, no matter what anyone ignorant of this self-evident fact might believe.

Peace from Amras.

Willing to experience aloneness, I discover connection everywhere;
Turning to face my fear, I meet the warrior who lives within;
Opening to my loss, I am given unimaginable gifts;
Surrendering into emptiness, I find fullness without end.
Each condition I flee from pursues me. Each condition I welcome transforms me
And becomes itself transformed Into its radiant jewel-like essence.
I bow to the one who has made it so, Who has crafted this Master Game;
To play it is pure delight, To honor it is true devotion.

~ Psychotherapist Jennifer Welwood.

Photography ©Amanda Moloney.

The Face of The Facade

Greetings, ten months in, and so soon the year is almost done. This pic was taken by Amanda, serendipitously, on a street close to the city centre. I believe it may be on the side of a popular bar.

A quick search to find the artist, (which I hope was successful) came up with the name of Rebecca Wright.

I truly appreciate the scale of the challenge the artist must have faced. A long time ago, I spent a very brief period painting landscapes, and abstract scenes, on living room walls, for a handful of art loving clients. That was me below, sporting a beret. I never received an opportunity to attempt anything of the above proportions, but thinking about it now, I would have loved having a go.

With thanks to all our readers, and welcome to our newest followers. Your good company is deeply appreciated. We are a most talented, and creative crew, each and every one of us here on WordPress. I hope to return with more great photographs very soon. Until then, namaste, and very best wishes for all the good you do. (Written during Diwali).

If the eyes and ears are open, the leaves of the trees become as pages of the Bible. If the heart is alive, the whole life becomes one single vision of His sublime beauty, speaking to us at every moment. ~ Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan.

 

Photography ©Amanda Moloney.

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.

Nocturne

Greetings, I hope you are keeping well. The artwork above was inspired by a photograph taken over a decade ago. What I have done is process it to resemble an oil painting, using software that employs a remote pad and stylus to imitate canvas and brushes. It makes for a very pleasing effect I think.

The night the pic was taken, I was visiting a local lake, supported by Luke, a strapping teenager at the time. When we got there, there was mud underfoot, the surrounding trees stood black against the sky, and glowing faintly, just above the lake, hung a tiny will-o’-the-wisp.

The quote below the title is from one of my martial arts teachers, and feels right for this post.

I want to thank all you kind readers who support this blog, with your uplifting comments, your likes, and your own highly inspiring blogs; so well worth every visit. Simply, thank you.

I hope to return soon. Until then, may the rain fall gently on your fields.

Peace from Amras.

“Finally, may we indeed, keep in our hearts, that our humble blogs are the spirits that keep the World Wide Web humane. Let us use this gift to flourish as people! Let us cherish one another! And be thankful for one another, because at some point, we touch our respective lives.”  ~ Aina Balagtas https://poemsmelodiesandme.wordpress.com

Photo Art © Francis Moloney.