32 •
  • # that man's existence is inseparable from sorrow
  • # that the cause of suffering is craving
  • # that peace is attained by extinguishing craving
  • # that this liberation may be brought about by following the Eight-fold Path:
    • 1: right attention to one's understanding
    • 2: right attention to one's intentions
    • 3: right attention to one's speech
    • 4: right attention to one's actions
    • 5: right livelihood
    • 6: right effort
    • 7: right mindfulness
    • 8: right concentration (through sitting yoga)

At times in my life I have practiced several kinds of yoga and meditation, same as I have studied all the major religions. Today I still practice certain yoga and meditation techniques, but I've laid aside all the religions, and even the Four Noble Truths have come to seem flawed. I can no more identify with "Man's existence is inseparable from sorrow" than with "Man is born in sin." Also, I suspect any creed based on "right" anything. However, for me, "peace is attained by extinguishing craving" comes close to hitting the mark.

This week the forest has been profoundly deep and dark, and with that worrisome blackish tinge like a minor chord being struck during a vigorous melody in C, I have walked the fields sometimes with a brooding mind. However, it has been a great pleasure deciding to rededicate myself to certain aspects of the Four Noble Truths.

This week, memories and meditations have been like bright wildflowers blossoming out of season, just when they were needed.

*****

FROG EGGS & RELIGIONS

One morning this week while listening to Public Radio I wandered over to the little pond beside the barn to check on the frog eggs mentioned earlier. While admiring them and cogitating in the manner outlined above, the radio reported that officials in Georgia sought to remove the word "evolution" from that state's school curricula.

That juxtaposition of my frog-egg reverie with the news from Georgia cast me into a certain combative mood. How dare they seek to rob me of one of the most important words I use when cataloguing the wonders I ascribe to the Creator. This news from Georgia got me to thinking this: Maybe now is as good a time as any to clearly and concisely explain why I am so anti- religious -- why I am a hardcore, dyed-in-the-wool PAGAN.

 

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