I was questioned about the status of a family member and I replied the person was doing well. The person who asked the question stood before me and became visibly upset. In fact the person was quite irritated for quite a while afterwards. I went about wondering to myself how I have been upset at someone else's good fortune or peace of mind. Part of the work I'm involved in deakls with the alleviation of suffering, yet the person who I interacted with of is also involved in a similar charge. I had to wonder when I sit or practice the asanas do I actually come away with less baggage or even aware that I have it at all. I have to come to the realization that I am not above this person nor possessing anything more or less than this person. Perhaps by being capable of riding through the waves that arise in the mind and being with them yet not allowing them to become my oppressor but see them as what they are. Just thoughts and nothing more. I have to go and sit.

Winter is here

I venture from my warm apartment to head to work and find the sidewalks encased in translucent ice. The air is moist and cool and rain falls in large drops upon the encrusted ground. I wrap my face with my scarf and carefully place my feet one in front of the other. The is hardly any traffic. There is hardly any sound except for the sound of water traveling into the gutters. No wind to speak of. I search for places where my footing will be sure. I hardly find any. I am forced to seek the streets for such surety. A frozen empire unfolds before me. Trees laden in moist crystal. My eyes see grey skys. No sunlight pierces the bleak dome above my head. All if before. I consume the view around me. I am armored in processed plastic and synthetic material. The occasional bare wrist is touched by the cool. I am reminded of the quote by Bankei, "See with your eyes. Hear with your ears. Nothing is hidden."