WW: Old and new trillium

(Two Trillium ovatum - iconic wildflower of the North Pacific spring - apparently growing from one bulb. The clean white blossom is the newer; they often turn purplish with age.)

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

Orientation

(From the pen of one of my most influential teachers.)

WW: Tomatoes from heaven

(A few days ago the tide left these two luscious giant tomatoes on the beach. They'd washed up about 50 yards apart, in perfect condition, and did I mention they're huge? I have no idea how they ended up in the bay, but I'm glad it happened here, where water temperatures remain at refrigerator levels year-round, and not, say, Australia, where I probably couldn't have made several meals of them. In fact, I still have half of one in the fridge.

A lifetime in, on, and by the sea has left me with countless memories of similar blessings. Some edible [and sometimes highly timely, appearing when I badly needed them], others material, but all of them delightful and welcome.) Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

Good Article on Depression

It's old now – 2012 – but still entirely germane. In a nutshell, Psychology Today author Alison Escalante's position is that depression is a logical response to environment, not a medical disorder. And as I've often mentioned here, that's my belief as well.

Says Dr. Escalante:

"When we think of depression as irrational and unnecessary suffering, we stigmatize people and rob them of hope. But when we begin to understand that depression, at least initially, happens for a good reason we lift the shame. People with depression are courageous survivors, not damaged invalids."

Have a look:

We’ve Got Depression All Wrong. It’s Trying to Save Us.


(Photo courtesy of JJ Harrison and Wikimedia Commons.)

WW: Winter swamp

(Ever notice that I upload quite a lot of swamp pictures here? What can I say? I've loved them since I was a child.)

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

Afterlife Kyôsaku

"One of the most powerful teachings that [Thich Nhat Hanh] shared with us before he got sick was about not building a stupa for him and putting his ashes in an urn for us to pray to.

"He strongly commanded us not to do this.

"I will paraphrase his message:

"'Please do not build a stupa for me. Please do not put my ashes in a vase, lock me inside, and limit who I am. I know this will be difficult for some of you.

"'If you must build a stupa though, please make sure that you put a sign on it that says, "I am not in here."

"'In addition, you can also put another sign that says, "I am not out there either," and a third sign that says, "If I am anywhere, it is in your mindful breathing and in your peaceful steps."'"

Senior student Phap Dung, on his teacher.


(Photo of a second century BCE frieze of Buddhists worshiping at a Shunga dynasty stupa courtesy of the Freer Gallery of Art, Wikimedia Commons, and a generous photographer.)

WW: Early spring haiku

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.