Locke Rush, PhD » Uncategorized

Snowstorms and peace

Locke — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:48:59 +0000

I live in the country 100 yards off a small lane. A few days ago the snowstorm came through and as it finished depositing its 24″ of snow, I looked out the window at the driveway and thought to myself, we’re snowed in for at least the next four days….

Read the rest of this post on my blog at the Huffington Post…

love

Locke — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:15:45 +0000

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.

a crazy world.

Locke — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:40:36 +0000

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.

marriage

Locke — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:07:40 +0000

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.

Getting there is half the fun

Locke — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:43:29 +0000

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.

Receiving misfortune

Locke — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:33:28 +0000

From the tao te ching;

Receiving fortune is
Receiving a trial,
Receiving misfortune is
Receiving grace.

I have found,in my own life, that when I receive what I consider “misfortune” it is usually a gift from God,in disguise, as it forces me to dig deeper in myself and unearth the hidden wisdom/fortitude/understanding that resolves the issue and brings me to an even better state.

Who serves you?

Locke — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:02 +0000

I am reading a wonderful book with a foreign langage title. Suratur Rahmah (The Form of Compassion). I quote:

The good thoughts and good qualities are what serve you.This is what heaven is.This is what heaven truly is.this is what places you in an indestructible state.

The book is published by The Fellowship Press in Phila.The first chapter of some 28 pages is about as complete, succinct and poetic a description of why we are here and what we need to do to find peace, that I have read anywhere.

the wise traveller

Locke — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:26:55 +0000

The wise traveler
Begins his trip
With many bags,
And ends with none

control the horse

Locke — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:34:49 +0000

Control the horse and guide it
If you guide it
the horse of the breath* will obey you.
then you can reach the place
In which the Almighty One dwells.

The Dhikr is the essential spiritual exercise in which the in breath consists of :
“Nothing exists but You,Oh God” as the out breath.
And,”Only You exist,Oh God,as the in breath.

the two sections,our choice

Locke — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:56:52 +0000

On the right side we have a soul. Most of us believe that, and even the skeptics acknowledge that it probably exists. All of history ,all spiritual traditions,all the wise beings we respect,love and admire have told us this over the milleniums,and have lived their lives accordingly.

On the left side we have the body – the 5 elements (earth,fire,water,air,and ether).And out of these arise mind and desire.Everything in the physical world relates to these elements and we struggle to keep them in balance and to take from them what give us sustenance and pleasure.

The ego,which belongs to the left side, dictates,consciously or unconsciously, our behaviour.Yet even with both sections operating, one factor always emerges as the essence of our lives – Peace. With it we need nothing and without it we may have everything the left side offers but we will still lack peace and hence be unhappy .

Back to the beginning – the soul is made up of the qualities of God -patience,tolerance,forgiveness,compassion,wisdom,understanding, faith,certitude,determination,love,forbearance,peacefulness,justice,truthfulness,generosity,fair play,love for all beings,duty,conscience,and unity.

When we act with these ,we have peace – our lives have fulfillment and we are then in the state ,we are able to bring peace to others. . Goodness brings peace. It is simple but it is true and it is a wonder,this soul,this life,this kingdom of God ; right here and now.