Ganoba, formally Ganpati Krishna Date, was a long-time participant in various Awakin Circles around the world. As with his life, his passing was equally beautiful reminder about the values of 'oneness' that he deeply stood for. People would often seek out his wisdom, but in place of writing formal books, he preferred to share dynamically with each person -- either via FaceBook or comments on Awakin.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What do you understand by our environment being an integrated whole? Can you share a personal experience where you saw the oneness of life? What modern day myths are you practicing dropping from your life so that you can live truly as a human being?
when I was in the middle of a tropical and primary forest with the chief of an indigenous community showing me the interconnection between each plant, flowers, fruits, animals, insects, and trees and the impact of the moon, the sun, the rain,etc..I realized how much I was part of a whole, that I couldn't live without the Nature, I felt totally in fusion with the Universe... such an abondance of wealth!! what else do I need?... this experience helps me quite a lot to remain aware of the "present moment", to "savor" the moment, to thank the Divine for its generosity. It makes me feel happy also gives me strength to pursue my modest daily acts to be the change I wish to see in the world...by paying more attention to others needs, by diving more and more into gift economy...and I receive so much, so much love....
I wanted to share a comment about this week's guest speaker Awakin gathering with Rev. Heng Sure. His stories of being at gunpoint at several points during his bowing pilgrimage made me think about the source of gun violence. Americans value and respect power, and guns can offer a false sense of power and security. From my view as a Jain, homicide is never justified. It was rewarding to hear about how these two monastics continued to wish people well, no matter how much violence or power people tried to hold over them.
You are not alone in this world
You are woven like a tapestry
A million threads combined....
If a single thread is pulled
The beauty of the pattern is damaged
If a single knot is opened
Nature’s balance is disturbed
There is a purpose for each color
Each stitch is measured
Designed with love and care
Keeping in place beauty, balance and wear
Your selfishness may cause an imbalance in the measured spaces
Rise above self, remain conscious and alert
If you ever find a thread pulled or broken
Mend it there and then
Don’t ever wait for the viewers to notice
Support each other such
That none may ever notice
Independent yet together
We create the fabric of life
You are not alone in this world
You are woven like a tapestry
With a million threads combined...
I never appreciated and embraced my environment as an integrated whole to the extent I do now. Six years a dog owner, I am outside more than ever. Just tonight, we walked the high ground (too wet and too dark to walk the valley) and enjoyed the falling snow, moderate temperature and stillness of the night. I especially like when Kobe stops to smell footprints left by the dog that walked before him. As I stand in wait of him, I can fully take in the pure beauty of all that is around me. The world and everything in it is "a gift" and needs to be treated as such.
Our environment being an integrated whole means to me it is all interconnected and deserves to be honored and respected. I've experienced the oneness of life on many occasions, but several stand out. Walking in the woods and feeling so serene and peaceful; my heart felt this expansion as my lungs breathed in the fresh air and listened to the wind softly blowing through the leaves on the trees and the sun filtered down on my face. Small animals that I could not see scurried amongst the branches and forest flow. Birds sang.
Modern day myth dropped: Time is Money. In my life Time is Love. So many of us want to be more connected to one another and to the planet and are working towards that. If you ask some children how they spell love, they will respond T-I-M-E... Also dropped busy = worthy. Just being ourselves fully with love = worthy. Hugs from my heart to yours. Kristin
The third paragraph disturbs me, however it could cause one to question themselves, by saying "Do I do that?" I agree with what he said about money, though I don't think it should be demonized, but respected as what it represents at the time/in the given situation.