Relative power...

“In the world people think they can attain glory by having cows 

and horses, elephants and gold, family and servants, fields and mansions. 

But I do not call that glory, for here one thing depends on another. 

Utterly independent is the Infinite.” 

Chandogya Upanishad

On revenge

“This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge keeps his 

wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.”

Sir Francis Bacon

Protecting our remaining natural habitat!

One of the many aspects of life that I have become more aware of during my stay here, is that regarding the role of the Forestry Department in preserving and protecting what is left of our pristine flora and fauna. These remarkably brave men, with only the most basic of support structures available to them, look after and protect the precious remaining  forests, caves and waterfalls - spending weeks in the jungle looking out for poachers, illegal loggers and individuals that cut down the forest for their own purposes. They are often outgunned and outnumbered. The poachers or illegal loggers are well equipped and perhaps supported. On Thursday 12th 2013 at around 10.00 pm 2 officers were killed after a shootout with 5 poachers trying to take out the endangered remaining tigers at the Umphang East Thungyainarasuen Wildlife Sanctuary. The poachers were arrested but this is little consolation for the loss of life that ensued as a result of greed, gross ignorance and cruelty.

These protected habitats provide us with oxygen, clean water sources, bio-diversity, are a source of natural food and medicinal herbs and are also the home to spiritual energies as all those pursuing their own spiritual path know. Once the natural energy of the earth is destroyed and degraded decline always follows as does trouble.

Deer can safely wander about at Kao Yai National Park

Senior officers undergo regular training

Deer calf resting in the park

Officers undergoing refresher training usually cover vast surface
areas and spend weeks in the jungles acting as protectors

This specialized force training!.

Deer are protected and mingle with park visitors and staff

For more information and statistics please visit:  http://tscwa.org/forests/index.html

 Beauty in floral variety!

 Serene and peaceful abodes!

 Rivers originate in the mountains 

 Clean streams!

 Watershed! Source of life and livelihood!

 Forests home to many species

Waterfalls and caves

It is purely my opinion but I can't help wondering why the folks that teach our children and protect our vital resources are often underpaid, work long hours to make ends meet and generally receive little recognition.

This brief reflection is dedicated to all those officers who risk their lives daily, work under strenuous physical conditions and help to safeguard the most beautiful aspects of our planet.

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING OUR EARTH!

On pure giving...

“Giving simply because it is right to give, without thought of return, at a proper time, 

in proper circumstances, and to a worthy person, is sattvic giving. 

Giving with regrets or in the expectation of receiving some favor 

or of getting something in return is rajasic. 

Giving at an inappropriate time, in inappropriate circumstances, and to an 

unworthy person, without affection or respect, is tamasic.” 

Bhagavad Gita 

On Now!

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. 

One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, 

so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live. 

HH The Dalai Lama

Persistance

"Persistence is to the character of 

man as  carbon is to steel." 

Napoleon Hill

Inner self...

“The inner self perceives the outside world, made up of earth, water, fire, air, and space. 

It is the victim of likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain and delusion and doubt. 

It knows all the subtleties of language, enjoys dance, music, and all the fine arts; 

delights in the senses, recalls the past, reads the scriptures, and is able to act. 

This is the mind, the inner person.” 

Atma Upanishad

On calm abiding...

"Calm is his mind.

Calm is his speech.

Calm is his behavior.

So is the tranquility;

So is the serenity;

of one freed by the insight

of right understanding."

Dhammapada

On Samsara...

Photo credit: Awakening.realityblogspot.com

via Google images

How foolish to spend your lifetime without meaning,

When a precious human body is so rare a gift.

How ridiculous to cling to prison-like cities and remain there.

How laughable to fight and quarrel with your wives and relatives, 

who do but visit you.

How senseless to cherish sweet and tender words

Which are but empty echoes in a dream.

How silly to disregard one’s life by fighting foes

Who are but frail flowers.

Jetsun Milarepa

Renunciation

“If you desire the world, you may try to renounce it in 

order to escape sorrow. 

Instead, renounce desire! Then you will be free of sorrow 

and the world will not trouble you. ” 

Ashtavakra Gita

On peace of mind...

"Our peace of mind increases in spite of suffering; we become braver and more enterprising; we understand more clearly the difference between what is everlasting and what is not; we learn how to distinguish between what is our duty and what is not. Our pride melts away and we become humble. Our worldly attachments diminish and, likewise, the evil within us diminishes from day to day.” 

Mahatma Gandhi

On seeing...

Photo credit: indianetzone.com

“That very seeing does not see Itself at all. 

How can something that cannot see itself 

See another?” 

Nagarjuna

Inner Light...

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame
by an encounter with another human being. 

Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those
who have rekindled this inner light.” 

Albert Schweitzer

Robes...

He who, depraved, devoid of truthfulness & self-control, puts on the ochre robe, doesn't deserve the ochre robe. But he who is free of depravity endowed with truthfulness & self-control, well-established in the precepts, truly deserves the ochre robe.” 

Dhammapada, 1, translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

On giving food...

Monks, in giving a meal a giver gives five things to an almsman. What five?

He gives life, beauty, ease, strength and wit but giving these he becomes a

partaker of each quality, in heaven and among men.

Anguttara Nikaya

Light...

“Let a person be a light to himself and learn wisdom. When he is free from delusion, he will go beyond birth and death. No one whose thoughts are only of this world can be a follower of the awakened. All things in this world are changing, but enlightenment remains forever.” 

Dhammapada

On imperfection...

“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing 

from God as my successes and my talents, and I lay them both at His feet.” 

 Mohandas Gandhi

Awakening...

Photo not credited: unknown

“Yesterday I lived bewildered, in illusion. 

But now I am awake, flawless and serene, beyond the world. 

From my light the body and the world arise. 

So all things are mine, or nothing is.” 

Ashtavraka Gita

On suffering

“Within the framework of the Buddhist Path, reflecting on suffering has tremendous importance because by realizing the nature of suffering, you will develop greater resolve to put an end to the causes of suffering and the unwholesome deeds which lead to suffering. And it will increase your enthusiasm for engaging in the wholesome actions and deeds which lead to happiness and joy.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Hafiz...

 

“For a day, just for one day,
Talk about that which disturbs no one
And bring some peace into your
Beautiful eyes.” 

Hafiz

Clarity...

“When everything is clean-clear in your own mind, 

nobody can create obstacles for you.” 

Lama Thubten Yeshe, "The Bliss of Inner Fire" 

Compassion, faith and devotion...

"There is only one way of attaining liberation and of obtaining the omniscience of enlightenment: following an authentic spiritual master. He is the guide that will help you to cross the ocean of samsara.
The sun and the moon are reflected in clear, still water instantly. Similarly, the blessings of all the Buddhas are always present for those who have complete confidence in them. The sun’s rays fall everywhere uniformly, but only where they are focused through a magnifying glass can they set dry grass on fire. When the all-pervading rays of the Buddha’s compassion are focused through the magnifying glass of your faith and devotion, the flame of blessings blazes up in your being".

DILGO KHYENTSE RINPOCHE

On supporting ...

Just as a cow with a young calf keeps an eye on it

 even when it is eating the grass, so it's proper for a person to 

keep an eye on all that can be done for others who 

are following the path.” 

Majjhima Nikaya

Sutra wisdom...

Photo credit: empowernetwork,com

“From the time there appears in this world one who has seen the truth, a fully awakened one, blessed by the truth, abounding in happiness, a teacher of wisdom and goodness, a Buddha. He, by himself, thoroughly knows and sees this universe, and knowing it, makes his knowledge known to others. The truth, lovely in its origin, lovely in its progress, lovely in its consummation, he proclaims. A new life he makes known, in all its fullness.”

Tevigga Sutta

Tolle wisdom...

Photocredit: ramdass.org

'Forget about your life situation 
and pay attention to your life. 

Your life situation exists in time. 
Your life is now. 

Your life situation is mind-stuff. 
Your life is real.'

Eckhart Tolle

On Manifestation...

    "Cherish your visions and your dreams as 

they are the children of your soul; 

the blue prints of your ultimate accomplishment".

NAPOLEON HILL

Upanishad reflection...

“From his divine power comes forth all this Magical show 

of name and form, of you And me, which casts the spell 

of pain and pleasure. Only when we pierce through this

magic veil Do we see the One who appears as many.” 

Shvetashvatara Upanishad

Blessed Rumi wisdom

If ten lamps are in one place,
each differs in form from another;
yet you can't distinguish whose radiance is whose
... when you focus on the light.

In the field of spirit there is no division;
no individuals exist.
Sweet is the oneness of the Friend with His friends.

Catch hold of spirit.
Help this headstrong self disintegrate;
that beneath it you may discover unity,
like a buried treasure.

Rumi

Nagasena and the King

“The king said: 'Nagasena, he who escapes reindividualization [rebirth], is it by reasoning that he escapes it?' 'Both by reasoning, your Majesty, and by wisdom, and by other good qualities.' 'But are not reasoning and wisdom surely much the same?' 'Certainly not. Reasoning is one thing, wisdom another. Sheep and goats, oxen and buffaloes, camels and asses have reasoning, but wisdom they have not.' 'Well put, Nagasena!'”

Milindapanha 32

Blessing prayer...Gampopa

Grant your blessings so that my mind may be one with the Dharma.

Grant your blessings so that Dharma may progress along the path.

Grant your blessings so that the path may clarify confusion.

Grant your blessings so that confusion may dawn as wisdom.

GAMPOPA

Taoist reflection

The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. 

It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. 

It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, 

it gently influences.What other body could pull an entire 

ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its 

nature and its power is never diminished. 

Deng Ming-Dao