Photo # 1  Yellowstone, August 28, 2018 (all photos by Abe Green)

 

THE OPEN ROAD

peace, love, happiness & understanding

 

January 20, 2022

 

Photo #2   Yellowstone, August 28, 2018

 

Photos 1 & 2

 

Yellowstone River (Paradise Valley). In 1806, the Core of Discovery, upon leaving Astoria area and re-entering Montana split up—with Lewis traveling via Marias and Missouri Rivers, and Clark the Yellowstone. I often bring DeVoto’s edition edition of Lewis & Clark Journals along on floats here to read aloud by campfire to my fishing friends.

 

Friends!

 

I feel like I’m a member of this fantastic community of humans engaged in the fine art of self-realization! Like Stretch Armstrong (remember him?), I’m trying to stretch myself beyond the social, cultural, and religious structures that permeate our modern world.

 

The big question is: “What the hell is really going on here?”

 

The big answer: Well, stay tuned. I know as I read the pages of peace, love, happiness & understanding and Meditation & Mindfulness Dialogue, listening to the discourse therein, that we are helping one another.

 

And we are going in a good direction. I read somewhere,

 

“Walk in a good direction, end up in a good place.”

 

I thank you all—staff, contributors, and readers. My spirit prospers as a result of your earnest endeavor to be authentic.

 

As a parting gesture, I would like to suggest two books that have had an influence on my thinking and how I do that thinking:

 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth by Jonathan Rauch

 

Peace and Wellness…

 

Abe Gren  

2022

 

Photo #3  Northwest Montana

 

I see this often during Winter and Summer. The view is looking east into Glacier Park from the top of Whitefish Ski Area. In Summer you can ride the lift with your mountain bike, get the same scenery, and then trail ride down.

 

Photo #4  Spring Crocus with bee

 

Dew & Honey

 

Sip by sip in thimble cup

the meadow bees will drink it up

then ferry home to bounty’s hive

flower’s flavor, hum and thrive

to show us how through word and song

by gestures small and patience long

in spite of our old foolish ways

We may fashion better days.

 

So, my friend, come sip and savor

syllables as crumbs of pleasure—

by honor in each conversation

we begin a better nation.

 

—Singer Come from Afar by Kim Stafford

 

 

Photo #5  Storm over Fresno

 

Weather cell moving east after furious rain/hail storm at Fresno Dam (North Central Montana)

 

Rain

 

The Beauty in the rain is expressed

as wildflowers on the hillside.

The gift in the rain is accessible 

as the bounty of our table.

Bemoan not the lack of sunshine

but rejoice in rain’s gift of life. 

For without the rain you and I do not exist.

 

—From the Other Side: Poetry and Stories by Neall Ryon

 

 

Photo #6  Beartooth Mountains peak (South Central Montana)

 

Since you’re not merely a body, it is inestimable how much of the cosmos lies within the folds of your mind. I wonder if you know how much light, love, and peace you carry around.

 

—Love & Blessings: The Autobiography of Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati

 

 

Photo #7  Clouds over Bearpaw Lake (North Central Montana)

 

Nature offers up gifts of incredible beauty every day.But first we have to be there with eyes and heart wide open, to witness in order to receive these precious gifts. Doesn’t matter where you are: backyard, county road, mountains, city park, even a prison yard! They’re for everyone, with no barriers of color, gender, economics, or religion. She says, “Come one, come all.”

 

Photo #8  Hiking Glacier Park in August (Northwest Montana)

 

“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.”

 

Photo #9  Cutthroat Trout

 

I see in this fish, in the grass, in a bird, a tree, an ant, and in myself the identical notes and words of a song played and sung across the cosmos.

 

Photo #10  Reflection

 

All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. What we think and what we believe creates the experience we have in life. As sure as the cart follows the ox, we are what we think.

 

—Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, c. 520 BC

 

 

Photo #11  On Big Horn River (North Central Wyoming)

 

Finding delight in the moment, no matter what the circumstances! One of my most favorite photographs.

 

To be continued…

 

 

Abe sent 22 photographs, with accompanying texts. Look for the rest in the next issue of peace, love, happiness & understanding.  (JS)