Mixing with the wise

Indeed, he who moves in the company of fools grieves for longing. Association with fools is ever painful, like partnership with an enemy. But association with the wise is happy, like meeting one's own kinsmen. ~Buddha [Dhp.207]

 

Now this means something to me ..... not quite sure what??

I think it shows me that when I am with people who are caring and loving and supportive I will not long for them because they are there and trustworthy.

What does this mean to others - I will wait and read with anticipation

 

It is a reminder about the longing I have for JH - it was not right for me. I keep forgetting that amd just cling on to the pain and loss. He was unwilling to be honest and open because he could not be what he said he was wanting in the same way I did - monogamy. I do not want to be with a person who is not monogamous or at least able to maintain boundaries when temptation is in the way - makes them untrustworthy.

I needed that reminder.

Of course the Universe provides when I am open to learn

 

Bliss

XX

Water slides from the lotus leaf

As water slides from a lotus leaf, so sensual pleasures do not cling to a great being.
v.401

Ajahn Munindo says ....
A great being is great because he or she is free from obstructions in their relationship with life. We are not so great because we get caught in feelings and make a problem out of life. We create obstructions by the way that we deal with the eight worldly dhammas: praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and suffering, popularity and insignificance. Out of delusion we relate to these worldly winds heedlessly - indulging in what we like and resisting what we don't. Wisdom on the other hand simply sees the reality of the sensory world. It knows the space within which all experiences arise and cease. Such knowing means a great being doesn't even have to try to let go; all inclination to cling automatically falls away. He or she experiences sensual pleasure but adds nothing to it and takes nothing away.

As I was reading and writing this I felt an annoyance and a sadness. I understand I think what is being said  but somehow if a person is going to feel passion, as I can for a piece of art, or as I did for JH or as I do for my friends, then it will matter if they go. I loved the sensation I got by standing in a room of Schiele's work. I was able to leave and I could let go as I have the memory. I am finding it difficult still to heal from the loss of the love I felt with JH. I let go of the person, I had no choice. But the passion that I felt cannot leave me overnight. And if it is that easy to let go I wonder if it is as meaningful at the time. On the other hand is this actually allowing that passion and understanding the sense of loss? Knowing that there is a sensory response to everything we do and people that pass through our lives and experiences of the worlds little wonders as they touch us. It is momentary I suppose. Everything changes and perhaps the praise needs to be recognised as praise in that moment and the other person cannot be blamed for being different in another moment. To have also means it is possible to lose - and this sense of enormous loss I can be awash with when I think of all that has been in my life and can be no longer, it's natural. The problem with the depression I am in at the moment means I am clinging on to the feeling. The thoughts go around and around in my head. The bigger world I know is wonderful and there is always more to experience. Yet I keep my world small right now. The path is certainly narrower as I do no wish to engage with things that might be considered addictive etc., because that can bring pain. On the other hand perhaps if I were to just encounter what I encounter - like the experience with SL, potentially dangerous but an experience nonetheless. I do not need nor wish to repeat it but it came onto my path. Similar with all the people. I am sad that T is leaving but I am so so glad that I embraced the friendship whilst she passed by my path. I wonder why I am so sensitive to loss? I think I always have been, since a little girl everything has mattered when it matters to me.
I do not understand the last sentence - .... but adds nothing to it and takes nothing away. Surely if I am experiencing sensual pleasure I a adding to it by my mere presence and sensual pleasure. That doesn't happen in isolation. It is my sensual pleasure. If it is another person then there is an effect on each other - positive or negative. The encounter cannot happen without something occurring. And memories exist which is adding. Nothing is taken away of the person or thing in a material sense. But when a person is gone they are gone so something is taken away.
I do understand that wisdom is understanding that there are emotions and it's how I respond to those emotions and I can move away as the wind turns. I understand not clinging on to things just because I don't want to lose them. That requires strength and then the patience of letting the emotions subside and heal the loss, the gap.
I am not entirely sure about this wisdom. I have a lot to learn about it. I would be interested in what other people think.

TUT says ...
There's never been a conflict, Bliss, from which both parties didn't have something very cool to learn.
That's why we call them parties.
Gr-r-r-
    The Universe

Bliss
XX

Made by People

Mindful writing prompt #5: Made by people
In the January River of Stones we read hundreds of beautiful stones about the natural world. Small stones about birds, animals, and about the weather. This week we'd like you to write about something created by humans, rather than by nature. What have you encountered that was made by a person, or by people, that inspires you? It might be a building, or an object, or a piece of art....

Write a small stone, or poem, or prose piece about it, and share it with us.


Two things came to mind - Egon Schiele and the still and peace at Cittaviveka Buddhist monastery.
And then whether to write ion the form of a poem or prose. A small stone doesn't quite seem appropriate somehow.



It can seem crazy how in death this piece of paper has become so much in demand that it costs millions to purchase. Though I completely understand when I stop to glance again. A plain piece of paper, taken by a young man. Her eyes. In her eyes he draws his love. Capturing a nonchalance in her suggesting her ease with him. Even so its more about him with her. He presents her dignity and beauty. This painting is exquisite. Simple lines, space. Colour placed so lightly and delicately. It's as if he is stroking her arm, touching her cheek, breathing in her scent. She is real to me. I see her breathing. I feel honoured to be in the presence of Edith, looking over to me where he once stood. Lovingly observing the details of his intense love. I feel like crying. Beguiling young time. Were they but to know, the brevity of this time, long since gone, living on each time a passer-by stops to look. I stand here and the passion lives on and on and Edith is adored still by strangers like me. I know them. I am close. I feel for them. To stand and behold something so created, that enchants hearts today and becomes worth money beyond anything imagined in that instant of togetherness. It wasn't about money though! Who could have thought that others would love Edith the way he did. To stand in a room and be with her looking at him. A precious moment. My thanks to you for inspiration and awe. I gasp an appreciation of time, past and present and think into the future. My appreciation of a glimpse into love. Just three days between you in passing, your time spent sketching your love. Thank you, thank you.