he butterfly throws itself into the burning fire If you must love, then you will need that much courage At each step, the heart is pushed to its limits, At each breath, it is tested, If you must love, then you will need that much courage.

Who can we trust,anymore? Tiger Woods, Mark Mcguire ,John Edwards,Eliot Spitzer All our would-be idols have toppled themselves. And it does seem to point out the illusion of “heroes”. We would gladly traipse after our “annointed” few and forego the simpler,unadorned practical – albeit healthy – life styles that this country was founded upon.There seems almost to be a fragrance in the air that we dare not miss or else our lives will have been without flavor or even meaning.
Think back on that pithy phrase “If it seems too good to be true it usually is”. The Buddhists seem to have their finger on it – Awareness/mindfulness is the means and also the goal. In the monastery I was given the duty of sweeping a wide path – some 600 meters long. At first I rebelled and dreaded the monotonomous work but as I learned to concentrate and became more aware, I learned to love this work and after several months you coudn’t pry me from my “sweep detail” with a crowbar.So, my dear friends we need very little to bring peace to our hearts. Be content with our allotted portion and remember another Buddhist truth (in this case 4 noble Truths)
All life is Suffering
All suffering is caused by desire
Eliminate desire – eliminate suffering
The 8 fold path:
Right intention,right thinking,right action,right meditation,right prayer,right duty,wisdom and compassion.

The sage said
We might have
A good marriage
In our seventies.

I wondered at the time
What that meant.

For life and marriage
I had found
Were flawed and temporal
At best.

Now,the fruit tree planted
Years ago brings forth
Fruit so sweet
To the taste.

The tap root has gone deep
And the tree rejoices
Tasting deeply the
Nectar of the earth.

In quietness lies the beauty
the understanding and wisdom
Far from the
Winds of change.

The sage was right.

The mind is a funny and cunning fellow. When we set out to do something good; watch carefully – the mind immediately engages with doubts,fears,procrastinations,resentments,injustice,righteous indignation – the list goes on forever. But the fascinating thing about this mental activity is that we see it as real and not as what it truly is – illusion. Just start and continue slowly; don’t worry, just continue .It may take longer than we think – but that’s O.K. – -we will get there. It has never failed for me.It’s so simple and just takes patience.Then you will enjoy the journey and understand that,indeed,getting there is half the fun.