2012.02.08 _ 51

To my surprise, I didn't know Eliza's song, even though it was released in 1967, when I followed most of what came out. Interesting twist, that the title is "Reach Out Of The Darkness" but that the song lines are "Reach Out In The Darkness" (http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/friend_and_lover/reach_out_of_the_darkness.html). Perhaps we label and title our life one way, trying to escape from darkness, while finding out that the point is to actually stay in the darkness, and reach out? edited 15:52, 8 Feb 2012

Pema, you reminded me of a treasured poem:

First blooming in the Western Paradise,
The lotus has delighted us for ages.

It's white petals are covered with dew,
Its jade green leaves spread out over the pond,

And its pure fragrance perfumes the wind.
Cool and majestic, it rises from the murky water.

The sun sets behind the mountains
But I remain in the darkness, too captivated to leave.

-- Ryōkan

-Long night walk, enjoying the company of shadows standing in the stead of the full moon obscured under thick sheet of clouds. Along the way noticing that I am mantra-ing without meaning to but happy to oblige. edited 00:43, 9 Feb 2012

Prostrations in the morning. The Tai Chi class in the evening was also working with the doing vs. allowing theme - a more practical variation.

Perhaps reaching out IN the darkness is accepting and realizing the mysteriousness of life and accepting it? Not trying to escape...

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Self-healing path no 4: As I leave home yesterday night around 6:30 pm, I'm startled by the perfectly round, radiant full moon hovering just over the roofs. My heart leaps of joy. This moment will be listed in the "moments of joy" list I'm going to create so I can refer to it when upsets release toxins in my blood: joy is a great healer and can wash out toxins off the body. In the afternoon, I had successfully used new skills I just learned in order to pacify a slightly turbulent relationship with someone not close to me. I walked towards the powerful full moon of February, knowing that for my own sake, health and general well-being I have to pacify all troubled relationships, even the most turbulent ones bringing up memories, karmic knots and a wide variety of sufferings. #timestamp edited 00:07, 9 Feb 2012

Under the same brilliant full moon
Somehow experience of being seen

It shines on these pages
So many reflections in these words