May 04, 2005
LISTENING TO ASPENS DYING
Listening is a far more difficult process than most people imagine. Really to listen in the way that is meant by the masters is to let go utterly of ourselves, to let go of all the information, all the concepts, all the ideas, and all the prejudices that our heads are stuffed with. If you really listen to the teachings, those concepts, which are our real hindrance�the one thing that stands between us and our true nature�can slowly and steadily be washed away.
- Sogyal Rinpoche
My first Teacher, whose Presence Graced my childhood from age 9-16 was an auspicious Black Wolf whom i named, Apache. His primary Transmission to me was two-fold; the Vital Importance of Daily Breath and Agile Movement and the Art of Listening. It was through Apache that i developed WF Lifestyle Principle #1; Breath and Posture. Apache taught me that invaluable quality of being able to listen to such simple things as wind through pine trees, snow falling, snakes rustling through gramma grass, and trout splashing. my time here in the Big City is nearing its end, and it has been Apache's Grace that has enabled me to cultivate deep Beauty from concrete cracks, crows feasting upon garbage, and a child in a stroller smiling at graffiti upon a freeway underpass. That which you seek, Yogin, is inside. photo: San Francisco Peaks, outside Flagstaff, Arizona earlier this week.
i dedicate this DL Entry to my Beloved stands of Aspen trees that are vanishing, irreversibly at a rate of 50% per season and not being replaced by younger saplings due to decades of man's ignorant ab(use) of Mother Earth. 85% of my beloved Family; high altitude Aspen trees that winked at me during summers and shouted at my spirit during their renown autumn firework like displays of falling leaves only a decade ago, are now dead. May all Beings, including the Tree People, be happy.
If you, yogin, have yet to LISTEN to Aspen's 'quaking'...this summer and autumn make it a part of your Practice to climb the fuck out of your car, and hike, no...run to where they live, around 8,000'. then lie beneath their shimmering leaves and they will dance against Father Sky, just for you. Do it this year, for my Beloved Family is dying quickly and i want you to meet them. Don't know where to find Aspen trees? i do. drop me a line.
On behalf of those who cannot Speak in words,
Listen!
that is all,
your feeble teacher