You are not alone

When it comes to having big dreams, I know it can feel like you're kidding yourself.

And when it comes to making big decisions, I know it can feel like you're all alone.

Would it help you to know that you're a really big deal here? That you've already moved mountains?

That you will do even greater things than you can now imagine?

-The Universe

It's so crowded in here...

I seem to be of two minds, if not three or four. Sometimes the noise seems to be relentless. Seeing multiple points of view and having multiple points of view is very taxing. I don't think it should be so hard to stay focused on one thing but for some reason it always is. Is this the normal state of being, or is it a result of past existences bleeding through? The overwhelming desire to pick up the sword is only equaled by the overwhelming desire to pick up a pen. The desire to protect and fight equaled by the desire to assist and heal. Why two minds, why isn't one path clearly brighter than the other? Why the constant internal debate, dialogue, struggle? Is this is why people engage in outrageous activities, to drown out out, to minimize, to quell the mental chatter? Is this all really me or is my mind an antenna for entities around me? And what exactly is me? Am I one mind, multiple minds from multiple points in history? Is my brain really just an antenna?
At this point I am not so much looking for peace, as I am looking for clarity and focus.

Does this make any sense to you?

In Balance

The bodhisattva ideal begins with the smallest acts motivated by concern for others. This feeling, this wish to be more kind and helpful, is the beginning of the bodhisattva path itself, and the treading of this path—for most of us, for most of our practice-lives—will mainly consist of small acts of kindness and concern, brief moments of putting others before ourselves.

- Majushra, "An Everyday Aspiration"

Next Phase

Steps have been taken, discussions had.
Destination unknown, but no less real.
Does it know we are coming before we do?
Does it draw us invisibly to itself?
Does it latch on to our heart, our mind, our soul?

Do forces conspire to confound the plan, rather like how the darkness increases on your path to the light?
Or does it just seem so?

So live your life...

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."
~ Chief Tecumseh

Grateful

I am grateful for a beautiful and peaceful day. Time spent with and talking to family and friends.