Spring Nuptials The Japanese Maple was wearing a crystal veil this morning― All dressed up like Nature’s blushing bride― an aura of rouge about her silhouette― and crystal beads of rain in the lacework of her twiggy branches and emerald velvet sleeves― (Spring 2021)
Merak, M108, and the Owl Nebula. Photo courtesy of Andy Ermolli.
It’s all about the negative space now— the shapes made within and between the branches of our lives. I never could see it before, or only glimpses— all foreground, blinded by the obvious beauty of form and sense— black lines against a grey sky missing the interplay of polygons and the fantastic show of kaleidoscopic … Continue reading “Emptiness” by Maria Walton
It seemed appropriate given the arrival of the spring equinox and the current state of the world to revisit the equanimity phrases that I use in my practice in hope it might be of benefit to some of you. May I have peace in the midst of conflict May I have wisdom in the midst … Continue reading Spring Equinox Equanimity Phrases & A New Spring Poem
Tune in to the latest episode of my bonsai guru, Ryan Neil’s podcast Asymmetry for a table turning interview with Ryan himself by environmental ethicist Kate Brelje. This fascinating discussion explores a variety of topics around the state of our old growth forests and ethical bonsai collection, the role that art can play potentially in … Continue reading Bonsai Life & Death, Environmental Ethics, and the Role of Art In Shaping Our Inner and Outer Landscapes
Probably not so random that this song came up today in light of the state of the world. https://music.apple.com/us/album/army-dreamers/696884485?i=696886774
Do not try to savethe whole worldor do anything grandiose.Instead, createa clearingin the dense forestof your lifeand wait therepatiently,until the songthat is your lifefalls into your own cupped handsand you recognize and greet it.Only then will you knowhow to give yourselfto this worldso worthy of rescue.
Let lovers go fresh and sweet to be undone And the heaviest nuns walk in a pure floating Of dark habits, keeping their difficult balance.
When despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingswho do … Continue reading The Peace of Wild things by Wendell Berry
Just a quick note to apologize for all of the less than final drafts that have been getting published accidentally. It finally dawned on me that when I was publishing my posts and then doing a couple final edits after that that all of you were receiving that less than perfect final draft. Sorry about … Continue reading Editorial Note
