Oh, Larry. I’m so glad you gave this beautiful piece the space it deserved.
I love the way you turn the idea on its head. Not only is beauty transient, but so is pain. The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to the wisdom in that, and in Buddhism in general. Life is so fleeting, and it is so easy to miss it if we aren’t present to the moment-by-moment experience of it.
This is such a moving piece, and I really admire both the wisdom and vulnerability it took to share it. Major kudos.
Beautiful photos of the mandalas. I'm in awe of both the monks' artistry and your amazing ceiling art. Thankyou for sharing.
I was watching an interview with someone who was reflecting on a horrible time she'd had in her past. She said she'd repeat "This too shall pass" to herself to remind herself eventually things would change. But whilst she was suffering through the event, it felt like it would last forever.
I was struggling with the beast, who I call the 'black dog' at the time of watching. I was also in a horrible situation and her words really resonated.
They became my mantra.
Recently it was my birthday. I was reflecting on all the things I'd have missed out on had I stayed convinced that depression would never end - unless I ended it, if you know what I mean.
Everything did pass, and I did get better.
The mandalas are such a beautiful reminder of how things can change very quickly. And how even though they are destroyed, it leaves space for another beautiful piece of art.
So very helpful Larry. Ironically, your willingness to write down this story and share it is now a permanent source of help that is going to be exactly what some people need to hear in just the right moment.
Feels such a Larry moment talking about leaf blowers and then the monk replied! Wishing you never have another depression episode like what you described again
That was a lovely work of ceiling art, Larry. I hope you post a photo of your new one when it's completed. I know too well the beast of which you speak as it has ridden my back for many years. It is indeed difficult to bear in mind that it is impermanent. My experience has taught me to attempt to keep that in the forefront of my brain, and do my best to not listen to the lies it whispers in my ears.
Oh, Larry. I’m so glad you gave this beautiful piece the space it deserved.
I love the way you turn the idea on its head. Not only is beauty transient, but so is pain. The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to the wisdom in that, and in Buddhism in general. Life is so fleeting, and it is so easy to miss it if we aren’t present to the moment-by-moment experience of it.
This is such a moving piece, and I really admire both the wisdom and vulnerability it took to share it. Major kudos.
Beautiful, beautiful post. Helpful reminder about impermanence.
I can hardly believe some of your outdoor adventures. That hike must’ve been epic.
Beautiful photos of the mandalas. I'm in awe of both the monks' artistry and your amazing ceiling art. Thankyou for sharing.
I was watching an interview with someone who was reflecting on a horrible time she'd had in her past. She said she'd repeat "This too shall pass" to herself to remind herself eventually things would change. But whilst she was suffering through the event, it felt like it would last forever.
I was struggling with the beast, who I call the 'black dog' at the time of watching. I was also in a horrible situation and her words really resonated.
They became my mantra.
Recently it was my birthday. I was reflecting on all the things I'd have missed out on had I stayed convinced that depression would never end - unless I ended it, if you know what I mean.
Everything did pass, and I did get better.
The mandalas are such a beautiful reminder of how things can change very quickly. And how even though they are destroyed, it leaves space for another beautiful piece of art.
I hope you're doing well.
What a lovely, heartfelt response.
So very helpful Larry. Ironically, your willingness to write down this story and share it is now a permanent source of help that is going to be exactly what some people need to hear in just the right moment.
Feels such a Larry moment talking about leaf blowers and then the monk replied! Wishing you never have another depression episode like what you described again
That was a lovely work of ceiling art, Larry. I hope you post a photo of your new one when it's completed. I know too well the beast of which you speak as it has ridden my back for many years. It is indeed difficult to bear in mind that it is impermanent. My experience has taught me to attempt to keep that in the forefront of my brain, and do my best to not listen to the lies it whispers in my ears.
I enjoyed this piece. Good work!
This was absolutely wonderful