Aging gracefully

Herman

(Sept 2, 2014)

How steady

My trials continue
On and on
Now I'll see
How steady
My mind really is
- Daito (1282-1337)

Ivan Aivazovsky -- The Tempest

Buddhacarita, on careers

Whatever people do, whether they remain in the world as artisans, merchants, or officers of the government, let them put their whole heart into the task; let them be diligent and energetic. And if, like the lotus flower, which grows out of muddy water but remains untouched by the mud, they engage in life without cherishing envy or hatred; if they live in the world not a life of self but a life of truth, then surely joy, peace, and bliss will dwell in their minds. - Buddhacarita

Vulgar Boatmen

Here's a few books the lead singer wrote. https://smile.amazon.com/Robert-B.-Ray/e/B001IU2RRU/

More than 10 years before this tape, I took his class at U of F called "French New Wave Cinema".  I still love those old movies.  Godard, Rohmer, Truffaut, Resnais, etc.

My soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/mike-dayoub-1/sets/mike-dayoub

I don't claim to be a good musician or singer but I like writing songs anyway.  Let me know if you want to re-record any of these or give me a good drum/guitar/vocal/other track for one of them. All these songs could use help!

The Church of Interruption

That moment of silence. Golden.

"As soon as you decide that someone has nothing of interest to say, you become a Barker in their eyes. If that happens too often, it becomes a habit – and you might never talk with another human again.”

He fixed me with a hard, bright eye. I shivered. Kindly, he changed the subject.

  Here's the essay in full: https://sambleckley.com/writing/church-of-interruption.html

Randy Newman's "Gainesville"

Sung by Linda Ronstadt on the album "Faust"

I was born in Gainesville, Florida
And my father was a tailor
Andmy mother ran a cafe near the university
And she didn't raise a fool when she raised me

Sacred Service

Sacred Service

I AM SPIRITUALLY FULFILLED WHEN MY UNIQUE GIFTS ARE DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.

I am a spiritual being expressing in a limited human form. That expression is a combination of talents and gifts that are unique to me. As I learn to express those gifts, my life becomes progressively easier and more rewarding. But I soon recognize that focusing on the quality of my own life is too limiting for the spiritual being I truly am.

Whenever my experience feels challenging, I turn my attention outward to find ways of serving others. It is a spiritual paradox that only by being of service to others I most fully express my unique gifts for myself. In serving others I am fulfilling my highest spiritual purpose, and the energy of love with which I serve becomes my own life experience.

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.–1 Peter 4:10

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/sacred-service-sunday-march-11-2018

The lonely zen master

If you're climbing Cold Mountain Way,
Cold Mountain Road grows inexhaustible:
long canyons opening across fields of talus,
broad creeks tumbling down mists of grass.
Moss is impossibly slick even without rain,
but this far up, pines need no wind to sing.
Who can leave the world's tangles behind
and sit with me among these white clouds?
- Han shan