Chai Time at the Vegetable Market, Palayam (Old Market of Calicut) Kerala, India
(Click to enlarge.)
Contrasts… Diamonds are “Forever” Billboard and Old Man in Palayam (Old Market of Calicut), Kerala, India
Turtle Tears
It is before dawn on a moonlit night. The moon has swept the trees and grass in silver. I await the sun. The moon wakes me to whisper about the silent beauty of the predawn hours. The yard is white magic and I imagine a monarch butterfly now sleeping, awaken to find a turtle to drink its tears. Monarch butterflies drink turtle tears. Why are the turtles crying? They cry for the ailing earth. They cry for those who suffer. They cry for the dying. They cry for those striving to become one with all. They cry for the sap in the trees flowing. They cry for the animals who are constantly on guard for their lives. They cry for the bird egg which will not ever hatch. They cry for the dying stars in an ever expanding universe. They cry for the unawareness of the high and mighty. Turtle tears are like diamonds sparkling in candlelight. like dew drops on a drooping Lily of the Valley. Come now to drink my tears, dear Monarch. Your beauty gladdens my heart. Your heart drops manna from the heavens into my soul. Come now, dear Monarch. Come lick the dew drops in my eyes.
Street Food, Palayam (Old Market of Calicut), Kerala, India
Cooking Paratha Bread
Scrambled Eggs on Banana Leaves
The End of a Long Day, the Beginning of a Longer Night, Vegetable Market at Palayam (Old Market of Calicut), Kerala, India
The Eyes, the Windows to the Soul, Fruit Vendor in Palayam (Old Calicut) Market, Kerala, India
In These Times of High Anxiety
The only meditation that works for me is that of a Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, or Thay, as he was known endearingly. He taught me to breathe and this is the only natural way I know to calm down. He has changed my life in my short time with him. I found him on the day he died. And now I breathe with him every day, sometimes more.
Here is his story if you are interested.
https://plumvillage.org/thich-nhat-hanh/biography/
Take 15 minutes and listen and let him guide you in taking a breath and calming down. You WILL find peace.
MOONSIDE 