Tonights Study Topic: The 3 Difficult Practicesteachings By Pema Chdrn

Tonight’s study topic: The 3 Difficult Practices —teachings by Pema Chödrön

1. Notice when you’re hooked. 2. Do something different. 3. With enthusiasm, make this a way of life.

Grateful to Pema, for her devotion to the practice.

Grateful to her root teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who shared the concept of and teachings on Basic Goodness.

“Basic goodness, available to anyone, at anytime, just by connecting with the immediacy of our experience. Take heart. The more we practice in this way, the more confident we become in our basic goodness, the more access we have to our inherent openness and wisdom.” -Pema

May all beings be free from suffering and the root of suffering. May all beings know happiness and the root of happiness.

Trip to the Orchid show at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens today. The exhibit ends in a few days so the orchids were pretty much on their way out. However, it was my first trip to the gardens and well, plant therapy. Look how the papaya tree grows (4th photo). All the symmetry does my heart good.

We just finished watching the movie Contact. It’s such a positive message (minus all the political stuff). I especially appreciate when the lil’kid at the end asks if Jodie Foster’s character thinks there’s life out there. She asks him what he thinks and he says he doesn’t know. Her response? “That’s a great answer.” Wish more of us were encouraged “not to know”. I think curiosity is an important trait in a person. It sure takes a lot of pressure off, ya know?

Canadian photographer, Rob Miller. When I consider how much about a photo is out of the photographer’s control, and see images like these, I appreciate the art form even more. Mr. Miller’s Blog: @mill24-ph

Bonsai Fruit Trees Next Hobby Learn More: http://mentalfloss.com/article/73607/bonsai-trees-can-grow-full-sized-fruit

Sometimes, hanging out with your snails is the best medicine.