Sitting
And this moment is my path
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Breathing
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” Thich Nhat Hanh - So Breathe Deep!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday, May 18
I began the journey toward accomplishing some of the summer goals yesterday. A grueling spin class that was made enjoyable by Jeff's leadership. Still reeling from the all-day lawn work session on Sunday, the muscles ache! But, a bit of progress was made.
Last evening I worked just a bit on the Chopin Impromptu, which is predictably tricky, but not terribly difficult. The Scriabin Prelude--Op. 11, No. 1 is treacherous. Big sonorous waves of sound with few notes. But the notes that are there challenge the hands to stretch in his trademark intervals of perfect fourths and fifths.
Re-reading the Dhammapada: "He abused me, attached me, Defeated me, robbed me!" For those carrying on like this, Hatred does not end."
The Buddha reminds us that remaining in a mindset of victimization halts our ability to notice the wonder of the present. That accepting all things--good and challenging--are part of our path.
Last evening I worked just a bit on the Chopin Impromptu, which is predictably tricky, but not terribly difficult. The Scriabin Prelude--Op. 11, No. 1 is treacherous. Big sonorous waves of sound with few notes. But the notes that are there challenge the hands to stretch in his trademark intervals of perfect fourths and fifths.
Re-reading the Dhammapada: "He abused me, attached me, Defeated me, robbed me!" For those carrying on like this, Hatred does not end."
The Buddha reminds us that remaining in a mindset of victimization halts our ability to notice the wonder of the present. That accepting all things--good and challenging--are part of our path.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Goals for Summer, 2010
First, some fitness goals:
Run 5 5Ks, 5 10Ks, and the Metro Health Grand Rapids (Half) Marathon. I'm also joining RunGR. I have to drop about 12 lbs and work on proportionality.
Summer reading:
I've become increasingly interested in John Muir, so I will read at least one book of his collected essays. On the stacks right now are: Geography of Bliss, At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream, the Dhammapada (again), and Walden.
Summer music:
A nice set of Chopin, probably the "Harp" Etude, and the first Impromptu, Op. 29. Review and finish up the Scriabin set: Etude Op. 8, No. 5, Etude F#, Op. 8, No. 2, and the great Prelude in C major, Op. 11 No. 1. And finish with the Liszt, Les Jeux d'eaux a la Villa d'Este.
And one painting...probably of the interior of the Castillo San Cristóbal.
Kierkegaard wrote, "There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know how enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming." So, there's a good reminder!
Run 5 5Ks, 5 10Ks, and the Metro Health Grand Rapids (Half) Marathon. I'm also joining RunGR. I have to drop about 12 lbs and work on proportionality.
Summer reading:
I've become increasingly interested in John Muir, so I will read at least one book of his collected essays. On the stacks right now are: Geography of Bliss, At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream, the Dhammapada (again), and Walden.
Summer music:
A nice set of Chopin, probably the "Harp" Etude, and the first Impromptu, Op. 29. Review and finish up the Scriabin set: Etude Op. 8, No. 5, Etude F#, Op. 8, No. 2, and the great Prelude in C major, Op. 11 No. 1. And finish with the Liszt, Les Jeux d'eaux a la Villa d'Este.
And one painting...probably of the interior of the Castillo San Cristóbal.
Kierkegaard wrote, "There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know how enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming." So, there's a good reminder!
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