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peace, love, happiness & understanding 1/20/22
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)