That was yesterdays rodent relocation mission.

This is today's ohmygosh what is THAT challenge.

For those who don't know, and I was one of those people, the critter on the porch of the OBC HQ at Shasta is an Opossum. Defined by WordWeb as a nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America. From that description this Opossum was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We take care to do as little harm as possible so live traps are employed to catch the mice that invariably stray into places we don't want 'em. Cyril was making a good living in the kitchen storeroom before being apprehended. Apparently rodents will return from a distance of up to four miles from where they are trapped. I opened the trap close to the Interstate 5 Highway close to the town of Mt. Shasta. He paused for a fraction of a second and then scampered off into the long grasses. Goodbye Cyril.

We routinely give a name and the Buddhist Precepts to animals. It is the least we can do. They teach so much about compassion - and love too. On first sight the Opossum severely stretched me in the compassion/love department. It looked like the largest rat in existence - but I was wrong.

Scott Valley.
Coming upon a clearing in the woodland these waving grasses quite took my breath away. Like living velvet. Balm for the heart and no mistaking it.

Twas a great day out.

For armchair travelers see Fort Jones, a small and historic town in the Scott Valley.

From The Central Garden At Shasta Abbey from Mugo on Vimeo.

During one night in January a huge amount of snow fell at Shasta Abbey which is located in Northern California, USA. The particular quality of the snow had it clinging to the trees creating a huge burden of weight. Very many of the trees simply fell over causing damage to buildings and other trees. Saplings bent under the weight and remained bent over after the snow had gone. Fruit trees and broad leaf trees shed limbs and tops snapped off in many cases. A sad event for trees. Now in the aftermath there is much clearing up to be done. This evening I helped one of the monks to collect kindling before the relentless wood chipping crew sweep through munching everything in its path.

For those not able to watch the video there is a message towards the end of the clip which is basically a plea to exercise compassion - for the trees and for oneself and towards others. More photographs on the way.

This post was edited soon after I put it up because what I'd written might have been interpreted as I had not intended. And that would have been a great pity.

Here at Shasta Abbey, having arrived late Tuesday, I finally hit the wall. This afternoon after over a month of constant activity I gave myself over to doing nothing. Gradually my system booted down and I slept the sleep of the truly exhausted. Ah, wonderful!

Earlier: After I'd listened several times to the classical music loop on the 'planes audio offerings I slipped into semi consciousness. But before that, just a couple of hours into the ten hour flight, I was already wondering what I was going to do with myself, with my mind, for the rest of the flight. So much for my pious words about doing the work that comes to you and not getting ahead of oneself. I'd become a constant motion machine. It's hard to just sit and sit with the constant background burrrr of the 'planes engines, with nothing to do. Nothing at all to do. The steward made the trip though. He was like the kind uncle I never had. So very kind. I didn't even feel obliged to be a good passenger as is sometimes called for with more brisk stewards.

In the end Alice in Wonderland came to my rescue. Ah! In-flight distractions! And in no time we were flying over Mount Shasta and getting ready to land. Just before we buckled up for the last time the kind uncle came up, bent low to my ear and with genuine sentiment said, It has been a pleasure. I could have wept.

There has been so much kindness all along the way. Thats from leaving Throssel, through visiting the temples of our Order in the UK and Germany, to arriving here in Northern California. How much that is appreciated. Indeed, It has been a pleasure. A pleasure to be out and about and now a pleasure to be here where I spent my early years of training.

Avebury
Sometimes one stands and talks, and sometimes one just stands. And stands and stands. Upright. You have to hand it to these rocks - they have been through a lot. And they are still standing - perhaps talking too!

In 2005 I made a journey to East Asia. It was a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage to visit temples and people that form the roots of our linage. In one sense such journeys are not necessary and in another sense they are. And I am very very glad I went and perhaps there will be an opportunity to go again.

While I was at the temple in Germany last week I talked to a small group about the actual significance of Dharma connections and about ways of honouring them. Basically we honour them by giving expression to, keeping alive, the heart connection that exists by going to the roots, or the source as it is sometimes put. Sometimes that is given physical expression by going somewhere, as I did. To visit a temple, a teacher or grave marker.

I have been thinking of ancient times, say in Tibet, when devotees actually walked to a pilgrimage site. A holy mountain or shrine. They used their legs to get them from A to B. Often this involved spreading out their entire body in a full prostration between every step. One step, bow. One step, bow. Huge act of devotion, growing faith and resolve along the way.

The devotional aspect of journeying is less obvious now with mechanical means to get from A to B. But as I prepare to fly to the US on Tuesday bound for Shasta Abbey, there is a sense of joyous anticipation. This trip has a strong element of giving expression to, showing my love and devotion for, my direct Dharmic connections. What does that mean? Yes I'll offer incense and make bows at the Stupa that marks where my Master is buried. Yes, I will connect up with trainees lay and monastic and that will be wonderful. We will sit together, sing together, eat ice-cream together no doubt! What does that all actually mean though?

Well, again at the temple in Germany, it came to me that while it is essential to grow deep roots and a strong stem of faith if one fails to look up and see the magnificent blossom attached to the top of the stem - well one has missed the point completely. And sadly that happens.

Patiently we wait
When already
the lotus
blooms.
And smiles eternally.

That's it! The smile in the heart is there, in every step. Pilgrimage? A journey without a destination. While holding aloft the smiling lotus.

Thanks to Tony for the photograph.

This post was slightly edited June 3rd.