We have just sent out the Field of Merit August Newsletter.
Yearly Archives: 2012
Shared Intention
Emerging from the forest – purple fields.
I have just spent a great few days in Nottingham visiting with a couple who are part of this vast network called the Buddhist sangha. On many levels we know each other connecting through interests in common and shared history. Yes, and shared sense of humour too. But talking this evening we touched on that more subtle level of interconnection. The spiritually level, the spiritual merit level if you like. There is nothing substantial that can be measured or easily talked about without massive leaps of faith being required.
then yellow and purple together.
My thought right now is that when two or more people come together with shared intention, to sit and meditate, to act in harmony with the Buddhist Precepts, to work or play together good flows and all benefit without discrimination. A good that is greater than the sum of the parts. I’d also say it is a power to a good which is beyond ideas of good and bad in the ordinary way we conceive of those words.
So I will leave it there for you to ponder on. And with thanks to my two wonderful hosts – we had some good walks and many good talks and we all moved together. Onwards. And for me onwards to west Wales – off grid. Posts will resume next Wednesday.
Dwelling On Huts
Huts in an orchard in Wales
How was the night in the hut? I was asked by PA in the comments to the last post. It was hut like I’d say. And as many readers know I tend to gravitate towards huts. Traditional huts. Wooden huts. Four walls and a roof huts. And preferably with a porch. But there are other types of dwellings suitable for secluding oneself with the intention of looking within. Contemplating.
This evening I was introduced to a completely new, to me, type of dwelling. The generic name being earth ships. At first glance they look good. Perhaps reminding me of happy hours as a youngster digging holes in the bottom of our garden. I’d cover them with tin and earth and then…sit in the dank darkness!
Advice For Teachers
The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I (Bertrand Russell) should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:
See Brain Pickings for the list. Number one is:
Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
I always enjoy catching up with Brain Pickings. There is always so much of interest and I especially like lists so these ten commandments by BR are rather special.
It is amazing how the days have sailed by. There have been hours of driving, a night in a hut in a garden in Wales, and this evening meeting a charming little boy of two. He has been saved the indignity of being talked to in baby talk resulting in a child who doesn’t baby talk. Happy and bright and smiling. A joy to be with. I hope his teachers of the future will take note of BR’s advice.
Therefore am I…
Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods,
And Mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty world
Of eye, and ear – both what they half-create
And what perceive; well pleased to recognize
In Nature and the language of the sense,
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.
William Wordsworth