The wind and rain are wild today.  I kept expecting Mary Poppins to drop in as the windchimes swing announcing change.  In my study of the four elements of which we’re composed, earth, water, fire, and wind, for some reason wind can sometimes be elusive for me. 

I know it is the breath, spirit, pushing, pulsing, moving, vibration and support, so I feel awareness and awakeness blowing through, and then I pause, and listen. With that, the tolling of the chime slows and stops, for a moment.

I’m reading In Praise of Listening by Christian McEwen.  Two tidbits round my thoughts.

John Cage, a composer and musical theorist wrote this about listening for the muse.  

When you start working everybody in your studio – the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas – all are there. But as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you are lucky, even you leave.

And there’s the inspiration of the Zen name of Leonard Cohen who practiced Zen meditation for more than thirty years. His name in the monastery was Jikan, “the silence between two thoughts”. 

A friend  spoke recently of feeling his hands as clouds.  I know the sky above today’s gray, roiling turmoil is blue, even as the clouds of touch, change, thoughts and feelings blow through.

Today we honor those who’ve served our country in the armed forces.  My grandfather served in WWI.  My father, uncle, and aunt served in WWII.

I honor and revere contribution, connection, and sacrifice.  On this day, where I am, sun beams peace.   

I round on this poem by Linda Hogan, “The Way In”.

The Way In

Sometimes the way to milk and honey is through the body.

Sometimes the way in is a song.

But there are three ways in the world: dangerous, wounding,

and beauty.

To enter stone, be water.

To rise through hard earth, be plant

desiring sunlight, believing in water.

To enter fire, be dry.

To enter life, be food.

~ Linda Hogan ~

(Rounding the Human Corners)