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Midnight musing   4 June 2009
Every night, somewhere between ten in the evening and one in the morning, I walk the dogs around what I call 'the block' (in deference to the US part of the family). It is otherwise known as the 'ceinture': a 500m pathway around our park, circling through woods and shrubs.

In some parts the overhanging trees form a tunnel which can be delightfully shady on hot summer days, then it opens out as the path tracks the Vienne river, about 100m wide at that point: and your eye is taken across the valley

We have some beautiful mature trees: cedars from the Atlas mountains, magnificent horse chestnuts, weeping silver birches, American oaks, a large flowering tulip tree and an enormous copper beech. In my mind I often say thanks to whoever created the landscape.

Tonight as I walked past an ancient, regal cedar, as usual I reached up and felt the always surprising softness of it's needles. Then a funny thing happened - I was not touching the needles, but feeling the tree. I felt as big as the tree - felt it's size and majesty. As I walked on, my attention shifted to the ground beneath my feet, and I became aware of walking across the surface of the earth, rather than treading on the ground.

That's all - just wanted to share a nice feeling. Goodnight.


Posted by Nicholas Moore    11:27:49 pm
3  Comments for this post (now closed)
      venika  commented...

Thank you for sharing this nice feeling. I am looking out of Kevni's window at some beautiful trees in the warm sunlight. As I contemplate these beautiful things it makes me sad that we are living in a world so full of strife and stress. It also reminded me that it might help to tune into the 'shanti path' peace mantra. I believe it is from the Atharva Veda.  I must have learnt it when I was around 3 or 4 years old. It has probably been chanted many billions of times over the years.

I teke the liberty of placing a version of it below and have attempted a simple translation. You might try repeating it, saying it aloud is best.

May it bring you the internal  peace that it brings me whenever I remember to say it!

 "Om dyauh shanti, antarikshagun shanti, prithivee shanti, rapah shanti, roshadhayah shanti, vanaspatayah shanti, vishvadevah shanti, Brahma shanti, sarvegum shanti, shanti reva, shanti sama, shanti redhi. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti."   

May peace radiate in the sky and space, may there be peace in heaven and on earth. In all herbs, trees and creepers. May peace flow through the universe. May the gods and Brahma give peace and tranquility. May that peace come to me and all beings. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

 


   
Posted at 3:49:03 pm on 5 June 2009           
     
      nicholas  commented...

Venika - thank you for the blessings.
   
Posted at 12:14:43 am on 6 June 2009           
     
      chris  commented...

In case anyone wondered:

Shanti = Peace

:-)


   
Posted at 5:35:02 pm on 19 June 2009           
     



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