Landing safely...

This is another piece that I wrote in 2009....
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In order to land safely I had to trust the process of falling. How did I learn to trust the process of letting go and giving up that which is familiar? I do not know. It is often a painful process; making decisions that will effect others as a result of my strong "gut feeling" to pursue my dreams. I know I have hurt and disappointed some family and friends. Yet, there is no denying a feeling that presents itself over and over again. 

gut feeling
trust
falling
land
safely
breathe...............................

I think that about covers it, for now.................

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Landing safely in the realm of Amida's Compassion....
forever embraced
never abandoned
Namu Amida Butsu



Jishin
5/2/13

Sweet Cake and a Dead Body

For several years I worked as a Hospice Chaplain in Anchorage, Alaska. I came across this journal entry I made in 2008.  

It is an honor to care for the dying. 

Namu Amida Butsu.

__________________________________________________________________________

Sweet cake and a dead body

Life as well as death needs to be nurtured and cared for in such a way that we can honor both states of being with equanimity.

The face I gaze upon is pale, solid; eyes staring off into a place unknown, mouth open as if calling out one last time for help. I will wash, perfume and dress this body in preparation for cremation. As I slip my hand under the body I encounter warmth of skin; remnant of a life once lived. It may seem strange to wash the dead. Why should this be a privilege for the living?

The family members bring us food. It feels absurd to be sitting, eating cakes and cookies with a dead body in the room.

The Dharma conquers the absurd.

12/31/08

Namu Amida Butsu

Jishin

Amida's child...

(Reading my book "Amida's ABCs" to the Dharma school children at the Oregon Buddhist Temple 4/2013)




Amida's child
full of life
full of love
full of doubts
full of fear
full of laughter
full of tears

I am but a child on the Dharma path set before me...
Amida, my friend, my guide, my teacher...

Namu Amida Butsu!




Jishin
4/29/13

Fear

Fear is a powerful emotion.
It eats away at my very core at times.
Fear becomes so powerful within me that
I am frozen and can not move forward.
Fear fills me with a darkness that only Amida can penetrate.
Some days I do not have the strength to shine bright.

Amida Buddha
shining bright
light
life
wisdom
compassion
kindness
love...............always calling me home.....

Namu Amida Butsu








Jishin
4/30/13

My mind can not comprehend....

My mind can not comprehend
the idea of the Dharma not being a part of my life.

My mind can not fathom the idea of Amida Buddha
not being a part of my life.

The Dharma, Amida Buddha, the Nembutsu....forever infused in all that I do...

Namu Amida Butsu

Always grateful.



Jishin
5/1/13

Amida in my life

Amida in my life..

Amida in my heart..

Amida in my mind..

What more could I ask for?

Nothing more...

Nothing but Amida...

Everything is Namu Amida Butsu...

Jishin

5/2/13