Into jazz poetry, Sam Abrams

... close yr eyes you have
to hear the bass ...

from In the Capability by Sam Abrams

I am awake, being aware

of the present note.

By Stratoz

Mystical Mondays ~ Breathe With Wisdom

Translations by Daniel Ladinsky

from Capax Universi

...

The Earth Inhales God, why

should we not do

the same

...

Meister Eckhart

Collaboration mosaic by
Margaret Almon and Wayne Stratz 

Mystical Mondays ~ Rumi on humming and camels

Translations by Daniel Ladinsky

This is not the first statement I have come across on mindfulness that included flowing water, but the camel is new, as is the humming.  May the sound of a human humming forever bring us back to the present moment.  and I hope that we one day notice this humming, which emerges from those who are truly aware, flowing from our true selves.

THE CHANCE OF HUMMING

A

Man

standing on two logs in a river
might do all right floating with the current
while humming in the
now.

Though

if one log is tied to a camel,

who is also heading south along the bank –at the same pace-

all could still be well

with the

world

unless the camel

thinks he forgot something, and

abruptly turns upstream,then

uh-oh.

Most minds

do not live in the present

and can stick to a reasonable plan; most minds abruptly turn

and undermine the

chance

of

humming.

Rumi

Rumi also recommended that we practice looking at those we love who have uttered something nonsensical with eyes that make the speaker feel brilliant.  Good luck.  Margaret and I have been failing all week, but laughing along the way.

Picture of grace... transformation

Picture of grace...
Originally uploaded by shorthorse


Early on a Saturday morning I came across this photo, Picture of Grace, by my Flickr friend Shorthorse.

I left this comment: "I will try to be graceful in my garden today." (click on the photo to see the response I got)

Then I went out into the garden. two thoughts tried to stay in my wondering brain.

Be mindful of your body and how it moves. I was entering into a backyard full of dead squirrels and weeds and who knows what else. A few days earlier my sister-in-law came over while I was at work and I was hoping she wouldn't see the backyard. I planned to be there all day with as many breaks as I could give myself. I thought of dancers and how they must be so aware of their bodies. I tried to be with mine. Then again on Memorial Day and then this weekend.

It is about transformation... the garden is unfolding over time. At one point, I roamed about the back yard where I counted 37 perennials and six shrubs which I have added since we moved here a few years back. It has been a process of slowly filling in the backyard, which started by taking down an invasive tree (Norway Maple) and spending a spring with a pick axe digging out its roots which were spread out just under the surface.

I planted 12 tomato plants and eight pepper plants. I added a few perennials and many annuals. I cut flowers for a vase in our kitchen. I added azaleas to an area that had been weeds. I harvested 1.5 pounds of leeks which had survived the winter then planted Cosmos where they had been. I created a larger arrangement of flowers with ones that came into being this week. I sat and weeded the bed of Hostas which had I moved out of the front yard to fill in along the shady shady shady side of the house. I weeded and swept and weeded and swept the brick patio. I watched robins and catbirds and bees and worms and beetles. I drove to work on a Saturday to water plants in the greenhouse and I brought home seeds for green beans and zucchini and cilantro. I took ornamental grasses to work and came home with our porch plants, which over winter in my classroom. I added some Coleus and Torrenia to the area with the Azeleas. I hauled compost and mulch into and weeds out of the garden... and I thought about my body. and how it moved.

Three days and it has been transformed into a garden that keeps calling my name. in fact, as I finish this on Sunday morning, I have some time... there are those Anaheim Chiles I brought home yesterday, and the front yard needs some weeding, and that area back by the garage...


...

trying to focus away from the shoulds into what can be done

After being passed by all the Rocky Balboa wannabes on the steps leading up to the Philly art museum, I let Mosaic Woman take a photo of me "looking less than hip and maybe a bit old." We had just had quite a filling meal at Zorba's Greek Restaurant so between a full belly and age I was no challenge to the joggers. I did remember to hand the camera over to Mosaic Woman and went over to rest on a larger than life pillar. I've been thinking a bit lately on my ability to keep focused. It's not easy.

But I believe it is what we are called to do, so I kept trying to pull myself back today, especially in church. My mind wonders away and away again. If I am there to worship God, then why am I thinking about a blog post or what is for dinner (Black bean soup).

All day "shoulds" have been floating into my brain. It is the last day of a long break and so there is the list of things I had hoped to do and should do before it is over, and a list of things I should do to get ready to go to the school tomorrow. And the seed order hangs over my head and the Eagles made the playoffs, so I combine those two activities with soup making and weed down the flower choices as the game and dinner goes in our favor. Sometimes shoulds do move us into a needed action, but they can also distract us from the present moment. There is a line there to be drawn.

And the "epic project" moves on with only 17 of the 91 pieces left to cut out of glass. I based it on a quilt square called "Bear's Paw" and since she asked for a peek here is the original design still on the drawing table...

Kabat-Zinn police

Yesterday in my classroom I introduced my students to the Kabat-Zinn police.

It started many places but here are some of them.

1. Quantum Theology Woman wrote some posts about Latin in the past year, which made me wish I knew some Latin.
2. Years ago we bought a book called Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
3. Sitting in a meeting with staff working the summer program, I blurted out, "I'll teach an English class." My offer was accepted and I was handed the best readers on campus for this summer.

I knew what I wanted and the bookstore had it. A book which had Latin and Greek words, their meanings, and the English words which have sprouted from them.

which brings us to Thursday night when I read about ESSE, which means to be. Many a word have come from this word, some being ... essential, absence, essence, represent, interests, is, and present.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a doctor at the University of Massachusetts, has had great success treating people with chronic pain by introducing them to the concept of mindfulness... living in the present moment.... choosing to be.
Many a wise person has entered our lives and they often seem to speak of mindfulness so when Mosaic Woman gets stuck on a thought for days and days or I can't keep my mind on the present moment because my mind floats to 10,000 thoughts in 15 seconds, we say... "The Kabat-Zinn police are going to be knocking on our door." Yes, arrested for living away from the present moment.

A Jesuit once preached to me that it is a great sin to miss out on God's unfolding universe. There it was again. To be stuck in the past or the future and to miss out on the present moment... being unaware of what God is creating in our life is truly a sad thing. We are being absent from God's presence which is essential... being of the utmost importance

Maybe those Kabat-Zinn police are angels sent by God, you know...representatives.

It made for an interesting lesson, but I left out that final thought. The angels came about at a more recent moment and would have been stretching what I am to say in my secular classroom.

After the visitors-- part 1

Mary and Joseph received visitors in both Luke (shepherds) and Matthew (wisefolk) after the birth of their son, but what they did next is not something I want to tie together in a historically accurate timeline. In the silence of Wernersville, I sit with each separately and imagine the possibilities of each. Take the child to the Temple or flee to save his life.

LUKE 2:22-38 First time I went with them to the Temple I was amazed at the awareness of Simeon and Anna.

Before going into silence, we chat at dinner where a woman is talking about Zen and mindlessness. I think I see what she was trying to say, but I am baffled, and say that I see it as mindfulness. The call to be present. The will power to be aware of God's unfolding creation. And later reclining in my easy chair, I find two servants of God whose eyes glance upon a poor couple with child and see the savior. I have it so much easier. Four Gospels, thousands of years of tradition and established churches are all here and now to tell me Jesus is my savior. Can I see it as clearly as they did?

Ten hours later I am again traveling with the family to the temple. I hear Simeon's speech to Mary as if it is being directed to me. It ends with these words "... and a sword will pierce your soul too." How did those words sit with Mary? How much for one woman to take? Anna enters the scene and knows that finally her savior has arrived and announces it to all who are seeking the redemption of Israel.

My handout for the spiritual exercises this week reminds me that my goal is to get to Know Jesus, to Love Jesus, and to Follow Jesus. That means I am headed to the cross. Mary will have much more to endure. Mother to a savior is painful business. I know the story, but for her it is still unfolding. But that does not mean that following him 2000 years later is easy.

It takes me to Julian whose sound byte is "all things will be well" But God starts by telling her, "I may make all things well."

Exactly one year ago I flew to California where my sister was suffering. Two strokes, a few blood clots, and then surgery to remove cancer from her ovaries had left her wiped out. The chemo had not even started. Would I have guessed that she would visit us 12 months later? Coming by herself? Are all things well? I don't know. But I do know our God given human bodies can heal in mystifying ways and if there is a 5 year survival rate, than some survive. Sophia renews all things. Jesus reconciles all things. We are small in the midst of all things, but we are a part of it. I think of the strength in my sister's hug after I fed her strudel a few days ago.

My stoic self melts.

paired down

Steve Nelson on vibes and Dave Holland on bass
Originally uploaded by Justin Oakman Photography

Last night there were no drums, horns, piano, or vocals; but Dave Holland brought his bass and Steve Nelson showed up with his vibes. And part one of Lafayette College's jazz series, which are all duets, began.

Easton, PA is a bit of a drive, but it is familiar territory for this guy from the Lehigh Valley. What we experienced was beauty. Two masters who have known each other for years having fun; playing together.

I thought of collaboration and doubts arose that I would never experience what these two men were experiencing. I thought of my life with Margaret. I thought of how radically different this seemed from the music I heard on the Dave Holland Big Band CD, which I had once checked out of a library. I thought of how these instruments are usually drowned out in larger groups. I began to see it as two solos constantly intermingling. But as important and profound as these thoughts might be, what I wanted to focus on was the music and stopping my ever floating brain became the problem.

On the silent retreat I had wondered how a person could be aware of being with God and being mindful of the present moment. My brain concluded that it was impossible.

In the ten days which I have been home, I have discovered that an internal chant of "I am here" or "Be still," has led me to be able to focus on everything from hugging Margaret, to praying liturgy at church, to listening to jazz duets.

so much for conclusions of my ever so large brain.

special thanks for Justin Oakman who took his camera to a jazz concert and caught the two men alone in one image.

comings- final sermonizing

Coreopsis Bloom

Jesus, self-described as a thief in the night, will come a second time. This weeks gospel (Luke 12:32-40) tells me so. The message is clear. Be awake. Be in the present moment. Be aware. Be mindful. Be in relationship with God.

One wonders why. Surely one would not miss this event. Prophesies of this great event have the dead being raised, last judgments being passed out, new ages beginning, and a new Jerusalem with come down out of heaven.

Maybe Jesus doesn't want us to be shocked. If we are ready, then it will be smooth sailing?

And whether or not it will happen while I am alive is a huge uncertainty in my mind. Odds seem to say it would not be a safe bet.

Maybe Jesus was a trickster and knowing the benefits of being mindful and being in relationship with God he came up with this thief in the night story. If it was a trick, it does great things even if it is hard work. The thoughts, that come into my mind, guide me into more intimate relationships or onto healing paths. The other night I turned back to my basic teaching desire: create a place of joy for my students. It came while doing what Saint Ignatius called a daily examen. I faced an interaction I regretted with a student and asked for the strength to move into better relationship with all of my students. The next day, when a student said, "You are in a great mood today." I felt blessed.

This morning I had a thought... get away from the computer and visit your garden. I took my pruner and camera with me. While dead heading our coreopsis a flower spoke to me. Well it caught my attention and as M just said it made for "one funky picture."

These are the comings that arrive when we are mindful of our faith. Our hope is to be ready to catch them like a thief in the night.

The eye of the zinnia

The eye of the zinnia stares at me and captures my attention. "Slow down," it shrieks at me; for it knows it is hard to get my attention as I rush to get the gardening tasks completed. The first zinnia bud spoke to me several years ago where I garden with my students. Now I anticipate seeing them every summer, however, what other buds have I missed?





I am still reading Here and Now by Henri Nouwen and this morning he spoke of being in a hurry:

"I am constantly puzzled by my eagerness to get something done, to see someone, to finish some job, while I am fully aware that within a month or even a week I will have completely forgotten what it was that seemed so urgent. It seems that I share this restlessness with many others."

When I am trying to get all the over-the hill blooms deadheaded, what do I miss in the process? My eyes are so focused on the dead and dying that I know I miss what is becoming. When I explain deadheading, I joke with my students that it is a good thing we don't treat old people the way I treat old flowers. "Get rid of them so we get more blooms." But if I spend all my time searching out the dead and dying, what use is getting more blooms? In the flower garden it is blooms that we want, but first come the buds.


Here are two more I discovered by slowing down with camera in hand:



This is leadwort. I have become a lover of plants that end in wort.










This is a vuurvogel which could sound even better than wort, but I don't know how to pronounce it. Maybe somewhere dahlias are known as a wort.



When one slows down one can experience the moment, the beauty of becoming.