26 November 2012

walkabout

helloooooo...


this pic is inspired by a talk I recently heard from Pema Chödrön
where she gave the image of intense emotion as the water raging in a river.

becoming swept along *in* the water is a form of distraction,

while observing the water (emotion) from the riverbank
actually allows us to connect and *be with* it.

many of us are conditioned to believe it's the other way 'round.
as if we're not truly feeling an emotion if its intensity doesn't envelop our whole being.

we are human, we slip into the river from time to time
and get bounced around on the river rocks.
in simply becoming aware of this
we see that we have the choice to come ashore
and in doing so, allow ourselves
to also see and possibly release whatever is drawing or holding us in the water,
be it fear of the emotion itself, guilt, unhealthy habit, beliefs, etc.,
and see the whole of the situation more fully and compassionately.
(my interpretation)



a wish for us all.


in and out.