Distillation

I am deeply grateful for the time to be. The time without ideas or destinations or strategies- when the only real activity is to let go, to keep letting go.

I find myself sitting by the Serpentine in London and as I sit, seagulls swoop and flock across the water...lifting together like a heavy cloud before dissolving away from each other and filling the sky with specks. Across the water the sun hits bright metal on the inline skater's skates as he dances through and round and in between his markers. Londoners and foreigners and dogs; people on bikes, people on phones and people in boats travel passed my bench- moving, on their way. It is only just Spring, but optimism has been rediscovered in the simple fact we can be outdoors without shivering.

And I am fulfilled by the chance to just watch: patterns and rhythm, sounds and colours, life in motion- it is enough to see, to have seen, before re-entering the play,

A space to B

On my 21st birthday my godfather wrote to me signing off from his duties, and gave me some advice: 'The important thing is to be happy, for that means you are being sensible and creative; and to make others happy, for that means that you are a rounded and thoughtful human being.'
To be happy and to infer happiness is not only important, it is the main gift we have to give and to receive as human beings. Frequently I find that being reasonable, creative, and having opportunities to be thoughtful is joyful- as well as being practical, logical and what is needed!

There was a deep sense of joy today- acceptance of what was presented happened peacefully. I watched judgements come up and be let go of. There were even brief experiences of freedom, experiences which came in sharing smiles with strangers, feeling sunshine SPILL across the wide sky, walking slowly through the streets, seeing the invisible beggars, elderly and unfashionable, and seeing Spring open its heart again. The misconception here is that freedom is brief but it is in fact a permanent culture-conscious culture. To cultivate it I must nurture that within me which witnesses creation, clears my vision and strengthens my discrimination- the practice of being.

I am once again looking forward to sharing the journey with you.

Change of Address

Today I found the page from the notepad that Remy had first written his name and number on when I met him living on the street. It is a symbol of the friendship that began that day, that came about as a result of seeing something in each other that was not different, but the same. A shared belief that there is always a part of oneself that is perfect and unchanging, that goes about without ideas or limitations and can help where there is a need, can love where there is someone needing loving, can be free and healthy regardless of age or denomination.

Remy is a bright deep soul who has been moved from the mental hospital near Victoria and been relocated to Vancouver, Canada. When we last met this was not what he wanted to happen, but I think he thrives on change and new people, on finding a way beyond his immediate schizophrenia to establish that part of himself which is 100% capable. It resolves my part in the story, knowing that his independent spirit will carry him and ensure he survives, and that really all I ever was, was a mirror for his heart to see he did not to be afraid of himself. The piece of paper is symbolic and I am just like the piece of paper, a symbol of the fact he became able to trust again.

I feel no need to hear how he is, but if I do, that is also easy to meet. Mental health, physical well-being, supportive friends...these are all things I can take for granted. But Remy showed me that these are great treasures, that I am incredibly fortunate and for that, I salute him...Mr Remy John Roy.