Janet Dane

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The Inner Pulse of Nature

Cityhall

The hotel where I stayed for a few days this summer is right in the heart of Toronto, surrounded by glass towers, every surface nearby covered with concrete. Yet they have 30 foot high trees growing from the 3rd floor poolside, and they have an open air waterfall garden that is home to sparrows. 

As I looked out from my window to the trees down below, I marvelled that they can hold the same wonderful energy as trees "in the wild." Surely this strong man-made environment must somehow deplete or taint the natural energy of the trees. I watched them and felt them, to see what differences I felt. What I discovered was that they still carry the deep vital energy and joy of the living tree. Nothing was missing. 

On reflection, I realized that trees in the wild are never 100% perfection. They have to deal with forces beyond their control and conditions that may not suit their optimal growth. Even in untouched-by-man wilderness. 

I took my observations farther and got a sense of the concrete and metal and glass. I discovered that even the 'non-living' environment of concrete carries some of its previous natural energy - the lime and the stone and the water that made it bring together a man-made energy signature that is very similar to the old, deep unfathomable and wonderful energy of ancient rock. I get the same strong sense of depth in the heart of the city as I do when I drive north of Toronto and stand on the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield.

Maybe it's what we pay attention to that matters. If I'm wishing there was a better concrete-to-tree ratio then I might miss the life of the concrete, I might miss the joy in the trees planted so far from the ground. Perhaps sensing the inner pulse of nature in the heart of the city helps me remember we're not as far from nature as we might think.

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Baby Birds

Wrenparent

I set up a bird house this Spring hoping that a family of House Wrens would nest there. I climbed the TV tower and zip-tied the house to a rung that I'd be able to see from my desk in my office. As I type, babies are calling for food and the parents are bringing in food and removing waste in an almost constant rhythm. What a treat!
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And here's a few seconds of the sounds of the nestlings clamouring for supper, and one parent standing by and calling an (I think) caution. You may have to turn up the volume.


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Ocean of Grace

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Jeff Wilson wrote, "for as long as we live, no matter what our circumstances, we are floating on the ocean of grace." He was speaking of the Other Power that is always supporting us and drawing us toward the Realm of Bliss.

Judy told me about a dream she had. In her dream, she was in a small boat in the middle of the ocean. The boat capsized and she was left treading water. As she struggled to keep afloat, God said to her, "You can fight Me if you want."

This week, when I did a reading for myself, it was suggested that I "become one with the ocean."

When I think of the ocean of grace, I see Judy's decision to stop struggling. I feel the grace of life itself buoying me up,. I remember that I arise out of grace, I am supported by grace, I am a part of grace while grace is a part of me, and I am being led towards grace.

Jeff's book: Buddhism of the Heart, Reflections on Shin Buddhism and Inner Togetherness. 

Donna Williams & Bullying

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 Donna Williams is an autistic woman who was bullied as a kid. When interviewed by Anna Kennedy and asked, "How do you stop bullying in mainstream schools and in the community?" part of her answer was this:

"Why do we presume that constantly inflating people’s egos is the best motivator? Why do we fixate on who is winning, superior, gorgeous, exceptional, most talented, fashionable? Why do we rely on and promote extrinsic rewards? Why do we encourage children to identify with their expensive goods, their clothing brands, the hair style/tattoo/piercing they have, the drink can they prefer? Why do we emphasise heros instead of becoming the person we could most trust? Why do we overvalue pride and specialness and and confuse it with self esteem which comes with integrity, humility, a sense of our own equality?"

I love her answer.