On Trying To Be Buddhist

Eyes and Seeing

Just an odd observation.  There are at least three states of being with one's eyes closed - first, sound asleep; second, eyes closed preparing to sleep - not seeing anything; three, eyes closed but looking and seeing anyhow.  That is, there are times when I close my eyes but stay awake and aware - I am looking, in essense, at the back of my eyelids, as people sometimes say.  I don't see much, but it's not the old blackout curtain effect of shutting my eyes in order to sleep.  There's an almost luminous quality - something to experiment with.......

Two Quotes

For years I've loved Annie Dillard's writing.  An American Childhood is one of the most wonderful books I've ever read. But here are two quotes that hit me hard as a meditator (or someone who hopes to become one.)  First,

A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time.

And second - downright piercing -

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

Of course - I forget this over and over, as I think all sorts of grandiose stuff, while actually doing almost nothing.  Something to take to heart.