BOBCATS AND BANQUETS

I came up with that title and it means absolutely nothing....Moving on...


I am gearing up to participate in a course that is primarily focused on the creative process and photography.


Through the artists involved in this project there is a certain artistic synthesis that can't help but wearing off on me. It won't be evident in this forum, but will probably turn up in areas that cannot be dissected directly by my self critical eyes.


So...I am pleased. I have been led to some very interesting blogs as well. Here are a couple:


www.sundaricarmody.com
www.ilkasattic.com
www.designsponge.com
www.theselby.com



It occurred to me today as I was taking the time to look at the word "gossamer"...
I don't write this BLOG much these days...Why is that?

Definition of GOSSAMER


1: a film of cobwebs floating in air in calm clear weather

2: something light, delicate, or insubstantial

— gos·sa·mery adjective
See gossamer defined for English-language learners »
See gossamer defined for kids »

Examples of GOSSAMER

a butterfly's wings of gossamer



I think that although writing a Blog is a cathartic modern phenomenon of some sorts. It can be something that might be self interpreted as being on the needy side.


Unless you are selling a service or a book or a film.. writing each day on line and sharing your personal observances of the world around you is surely slightly pedantic and a public example of being self absorbed. (Isn't it?)


Is this scribbled masturbation taking the place of my real friendships, hugs and good old fashioned storytelling around the campfire? Definitely... Although I haven't seen a campfire in 2 years.


I know that as a person that spends a fair amount of time trying to recognize any and all personal acts that might be dictated by my ego, it doesn't always feel right to just pontificate about my toenails and the latest lascivious gossamer that just floats my way.


When I am living with confidence, honesty, and have a certain purity and creative direction, I should not need to sell it as a bill of goods to anybody that might stumble upon it out of boredom.


On the other hand, it is nice to have a "Sangha" to be able to reflect on life's impermanence with, and to savour the emotional wins with.



Truly, I do enjoy the process of writing, I am just not sure that for me, there is any need to put it out there right now. It looks like I am healthy enough to be around for a couple more decades...one day at a time, so why document anything.


There might be some pearls of wisdom, but they might just as well be shared by my lips rather than through Google.



The last thing that is on my mind today apart from the chapter I just read that blew me away from the book "Thundering Silence" (Sutra on knowing the better way to catch a snake )Literally, the whole chapter was making a strong case detailing how the "self" really does not exist. Deep but surprisingly positive.


Is...


The TREE OF LIFE by Terrence Malik. Out now on DVD with Penn and Pitt.


This film is just simply aesthetically gorgeous and for lack of a better word..an audacious piece of work. It struck me today that there has never been a movie that has been shot like this before except maybe "enter the void"....Sublime.


It is filmed as if you the viewer are on the ground watching and moving with the characters from scene to scene. Metaphysically cerebral moments and fraternal love visited and evaluated in a visually poetic way saturated with music from the gods...I don't know...it's life affirming stuff.


It takes a little time to invest in the slow moving shots and cuts to other slow moving shots, but far after the movie is over, I can't help but going back to it, and wondering about the meaning behind some of the scenes. It's like 2001 meets On Golden Pond. Lol. Maybe not. Check it out.



I feel better now...This blog thing may have a purpose that even I don't quite get yet. Perhaps it has to enter me "through another opening" haha Enjoy the balance.



Rick

A SUFI POEM

This really struck me when I heard it recited at a gathering in New York for an event called "Peace Thru People"



"In the bosom of the sacred edifice of humanity,

lies the secret of spiritual architecture,

The Keystone of Love



Noble Soul, sovereign of mystic union,

Always Longing for Allah most high,

Bring ourselves to the one reality, the faculties captivated by love




Intimate allies and the closest friendship and most elevated ideals,


Above the noble pillars of religion,


Beyond formulas and faith, legends and allegories,



Shines The Sheaf...



Example and guide for souls.



The pinnacle of knowledge and refinement.


The subtle model of the mystic way.



Essentializing human activity,

Spiritualizing all phenomena,



And making the HUMAN HEART FRAGRANT WITH THE LITANIES OF BREATH.





It was said by the Sufi Master that this poem is about, the Heart, the Guide, the Master.




My personal interpretation means little, but is that these words reflect the need to shed all the baggage that we accumulate on the outside of our souls in this life. The extensions and ego that block us from our true selves and from the real truth about the unlimited phenomenon of our pure energy, and pure potentiality.



How to access these states minute by minute without years of asceticism and discipline, I am not nearly sure what the simple method to employ is.



Rare and beautiful words though.





RL

SHE DANCES IN THE MORNING

I have a very close person in my life who is recovering from a fairly serious surgery.



This woman is amazing in her daily outlook on life. She wakes up in the morning, with a big smile on her face and her attitude emanates pure joy. (I actually told her that she might need to tone this down, for grinchly people like myself in the morning, how selfish is that)


She is happy to be alive and healing, and she is ready to make a difference. She prefers not to take any pain killers for what is obviously a very painful situation.


She tries to stretch her time as far as it will go, always staying alert and willing to think about creative ventures and positive ideas for the future.


She talks constantly about how she can help some of her friends that are suffering in various ways in their lives.



This woman is selfless to a flaw sometimes. Sometimes I think that she should concentrate a little more on making herself feel good.


She inspires me to be a stronger and a more giving man. Very often I feel that despite my various spiritual technologies that I employ to keep me centered and egoless, there is still a long road to travel. I need to know that the work is never done.


I choose to think of this woman as a wonderful mirror that lets me know that its ok to hurt, as long as you do something with it......Help others, hug a duck, make a difference. Write a book about your shortcomings, so others can benefit. Something.



I am grateful on many levels for this woman's powerful and prophetic prescience in my life. "Everything happens for a reason" she always says....I used to just brush that statement off as a parable of the times. However, I really am starting to believe that meeting her, was certainly no accident.



It was a very bright moment in the light, that was obviously meant to be.





RL

THE DOCTRINE OF HAPPINESS

"Too often we confuse temporary pleasure with enduring happiness because the trappings of the physical world are highly seductive and potent When we are able to distinguish between the two, we will find true happiness. Pleasure is usually associated with egocentric desires, whereas happiness is linked to the longing of the soul.


By and large, our desires emerge from the selfish side of our nature. What we covet is not necessarily what will bring us lasting fulfillment. Happiness eludes us when we chase after what we want, as opposed to what we need. Our desires and cravings generally bring misfortune and turmoil after the initial pleasures and immediate gratifications have worn off.


Be careful what you wish for."


Amen to this. I am finding now that real gratification comes in the form of simple connection to the people you really care about, and the ability to be open to the strangers that wonder into your world.


There is alot of happiness that manifests in the ability to accept and embrace the perfection in simplicity.


RL

IN THE DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES

At a younger point in my life......I was lucky enough to meet a family that had fantastic friends, salads, wines and just marvelous times.

I just loved them all like a bertollucci film.....


They got older and had wonderful families of their own....I am still in awe of the whole process and the diverse nature of some of the choices made.......but.....I was there and I was welcomed........it was a real blessing........


Names are being avoided, but one name I don't want to avoid is my friend Chef Cory.
Worked his way through many ventures, took many courses, and is in my opinion, one of the premier chefs in the country.


Love his prowess and tenacity and just.......him.



RL

DONT MESS WITH LIZ

Softly you whisper and you are so sincere.............



NOW I COME TO WITH OPEN ARMS............who would know the resonation of these silly 80s words......


I have a friend Liz who is a cancer survivor and embodies strength.....

Her dog recently had to be injected up her bum with Ketamine to help her infection.

As she was hallucinating with such strength during the worst Thunder Storm in Ontario history.



I started worrying about my possessions etc etc etc etc etc.



People can be amazing...............Julie



Liz is doing a job that criss crosses saudi and Dubai and London and it is all hers, as she takes care of her family and her true family.................a beagle............


My worries can be put on hold.


RL

THE WAY WE WERE

Sometimes there is a fine line between creating fiction in your moment to moment existence, and believing that your own family are really freaks and pedophiles, and... that the strangers you meet are the actual warm wonderful friends.


You know that when you fall in love for real, it will take you to some Island of obscurities and every palm tree that got planted in the general vicinity will be your living mantra for a week.



Being subdivided as a species is very confusing..We need love and affection, but yet we hate to be told what to do.


Love our neighbours wives, but yet, are hugs alright?



Strange stuff.. Some days your uncle could champion you , and then turn out to be the main muffled character in his own personal version of William Friedkins Cruising.




It's not always cut and dry....... Love my girl.(I do)..Concerned about my families future, as they age and degenerate. I am..As the Buddhists taught us....getting ready to mourn.



However as some of the greats have reiterated, time doesn't really exist and all of our worries and tribulations are actually completely meaningless. Who the FK knows..


I worry about the millions of these innocent animals that wonder the earth in vain. Nothing could be more sad than the wild dogs of Asia

Its a strange and tense time.



Love you my lovely special girlfriend Julie and wish the best for you too Meegwun.




I always wanted to be Robert Redford and then he got older and started Sundance...Eloquently.



Sydney Pollack from Eyes Wide Shut has his eyes permanently wide shut now..Will we ever get back to the way we were?.. Let's move on and appreciate the moments.



And Ian you crazy artist from Queens, still love you too.


And just when you thought that this crazy metaphor of mammoth proportions was too much for any newborn child...You realize that there is always the last poignant scene of THE SUMMER OF 42. Living on, if you need to access the beauty and sadness...




Let's get the kids off of their ipods and cellphones and back into anything that resembles, camaraderie and spiritualism .......This will take more than a village.


Oh and when I finally hit 40, I hope all of this will change and I will become and pragmatic optomist

























RICK