Before I confuse you further with the mismatching of the post title and its beginning, I must very quickly come back. Straying, as you must be quite aware of by now, comes so very naturally to me.
So Buddha, the great Gautama. Neither am I spiritual, nor am I a regular reader of his teachings, The Dhammapada, like my father and his childhood friend. It's just that face, that radiant, reverberating pool of wisdom and serenity. Those quiet, half-closed eyes and the kind lips curled into a forever understanding smile. They are my collective refuge, from the woes of inconsiderate, loud neighbors, the downsides of staying in a ground floor apartment and the soot making its way into our lives from the nearby, always running highway. Sure, one cannot immediately find a new place and afford to go through the settling-in drama all over again, one can only hope to adapt. To the noise, the blackening doom and the growing restlessness. The face muffles it all, for a while at least.
~ Buddha
Hello Suman:
ReplyDeleteIt is so strange how the merest whiff of a scent can transport one into a different time, a different place or even a different country. Your mustardy mashed potato sounds wonderful. As we love all things potatoey we shall have to give this a try.
And, how wise it is to say that 'peace comes from within'. In our experience we have seen people in the worst of situations with an inner calm that is as close to divine as we can determine. And yet, for others, their lives are chaotic no matter how advantageous their circumstances.
Your writing always gives us pause for thought and for that we thank you!
Dear Jane and Lance, the pleasure is all mine. You are as always so very kind and I must say, I am glad that my hastily sketched posts strike a chord with you.
DeleteRegarding the roasted potato, I promise, it won't be a disappointment!
Hello Suman
ReplyDeleteYou say it well when you say "peace comes from within" The movie "Life is Beautiful" demonstrated this when the father in keeping up morale pretended their hiding from the Nazi's was all a game.
Your potato dinner sounds delicious
Helen xx
Hello Helen, that is a very befitting example and one of the most beautiful movies too.
DeleteHope you had a great weekend.
Perhaps the first peaceful stirrings originated with the decision made about dinner? :-)
ReplyDeleteSmells are very evocative, I only have to have a whiff of woodland mustiness and damp and I am instantly transferred to a childhood spent in the woods of my home country. Nostalgia overwhelms me every time.
Absolutely Friko, the potato nostalgia settled it all! And I'm glad, I'm not the only one who tosses and turns at the slightest of the reminiscent moments.
DeleteWait, I know that "woodland mustiness" too well; it straightaway takes me to Seattle, that perennial rain city.
"Peace comes from within". We need a life to learn this lesson. Buddha is my shelter. I really love his quotes/words.. It's very inspirational. By the way, I like the statue. A red Buddha is not usual.
ReplyDeleteThe roasted potatoes sound great !
Yes, his words are truly inspiring.
DeleteI found the red bust recently, one more to add to my ever-growing Buddha collection. It's difficult, resisting that face!
I always feel peace and calmness whenever I think of buddha or visit a temple with monks. This is a lovely red bust.
ReplyDeleteDitto my feelings, Alexandria!
DeleteBeautiful writing! I really want to visit your house and see all your creativity! :)
ReplyDeleteSwati, you are more than welcome, you know. Thank you for the kind words.
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