Visionaries

5,000 year old Callanish Stones, Notherwest Hebrides, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Visionaries

7/29/10

We are being asked,

called, demanding of us

to become the shamans,

alchemist Merlins, that manifest

a new humane order

in our individual lives

and that of community,

state, nation, and world,

where stewarding our life

reflects how we care

for others as collective,

plus Earth, creatures, plants,

this whole Sacred Dream,

while believing in magic

enables anything as possible,

more probable, when engaged

by highly expansive ideals

resonating to soul's core

activating visionaries through ages.

Minority

Roman Emperor 'Hadrian's Wall' ordered in A.D. 122 to separate Scotland from England.

Near Newcastle on the Tyne, England

Minority

7/28/10

A majority of older Americans

are invested in status quo

because retirement benefits are linked

to Wall Street and stocks,

that whole legalized gambling system

not written into our Constitution

yet implemented by power brokers

who want to keep money

and resources for exploitive ventures,

no matter the social distortions

arising from military industrial complex

ostensibly funded to protect assets,

their holdings, way beyond necessity,

meanwhile recipients feign false civility

occupying time with daily distractions

like major league sports teams,

entertainment, mongering their vices galore,

while denying their obvious culpability

a minority of people recognize.

Eventually

Once just an image in my mind, motorcycling through the northern Highlands of Scotland.

My pony, BMW 1991 K75RT, ex-police bike.

Eventually

7/27/10

Images arrive in mind

that induce certain feelings,

thoughts, which are familiar

from past living experiences,

or even previous life

perhaps sharing same residue,

some are newly original

having 'altered state' quality

both ethereal, and real,

yet off in future

where meaning is nebulous,

though exuding rare quality

as if fated destination

calls my participation forward

in no uncertain terms

through undeniable soul language,

saying if I reaccept

pre-birth pact with Source

I'll eventually fulfill Destiny.

Self-care

My 'lean to' sleeping quarters on first motorcycle trip through England and Scotland.

My rented Honda Pan European motorcycle performed beautifully.

Self-care

7/26/10

Sleeping

past

normal

after

feeling

body

communicate

'more

is

needed'

emphasizing

ultimate

importance

of

honoring

physical

nature

through

self-care.

For Granted

Mountain stream run off after winter rain on Scridain.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

For Granted

7/25/10

Miracles abound relentlessly

in magnificently prevalent

inexhaustible available diversity,

flooding while absorbed

within every pore,

speck, Creation allows,

that 'It's' persistence

inhabits pervading quintessential

omnipotent, omnipresent 'is-ness',

now rarely witnessed

like Ancestors before

as pure Essence,

inexorable Cosmic Flow

sustaining life, love,

every Sacred Dream's

evolving nature, which

becomes transparent veil

no awakened soul

takes for granted.

Interludes

Immersed in Monterey Bay at Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Interludes

7/24/10

We get on our path

after erratic distractions fall apart

from questioning truth and answers,

our illusory house of cards

filled with objects deemed necessary,

plus goals attained, societal accolades,

any number of comfort stories

that reassure our ego vanities

in charge of protective fortress

keeping marauding fear at bay,

yet, 'What we resist, persists.'

until spiraling soul purpose journey

refines itself at circling apex,

and distortions simply fall away

because we've become embodied Source

willing to walk naked, vulnerable,

into jaws of the Unknown,

witnessing boundaries dissolve, territory expand,

within courageously immersed Love interludes'.

Dreams

The little village of Salen during the winter.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Dreams

7/22/10

Thoughts are like clouds

drifting through brain environment

often snagging on peaks,

mountaintop illusions deemed reality

born from emotional eruptions

ignited by inner judgments

that place wrongdoing blame

on world and people,

in contrast, there's joy

as ocean of possibility,

fluid, deep, rippling feelings

playfully reflecting magnificent sky,

the changing shimmering light

humans can bask in,

let soak into pores,

enlivening will to create

our own unique heaven

out of magical stardust

we, and dreams, are.

Change Course

A stream through the Highlands near the coast of northwest Scotland. 

Change Course

7/21/10

Most mornings I adapt

to thoughts, feelings presented

often contrary to plans

made the previous evening,

and that's a luxury

many people don't have,

or exercise, for happiness,

it's called 'claiming power',

being one's own boss

no matter society's constraints

plus ideas we entertain

about other people's judgments,

even our own inside,

yet when internal compass

is set True North,

toward Source of Joy,

then anticipation brings courage

for peering Unknown, boldly

instructing I change course.

Adapting

A bloom from the succulent below, in my garden.

Adapting

7/20/10

We are primordial soup

of continuing cell evolution

electrically bumping against itself

sparking infinite Creation shifts

that spur new life

in form previously ethereal,

just dreaming a possibility

will begin cognitive motion

toward what wants experience,

'inception, birth, living, death,'

the cycle nothing escapes

on this physical plane,

where our responsibility becomes

willingness to manifest uniqueness

within all we do,

'You alone are you!'

never to be repeated

from Earth's multilayered DNA

always playfully adapting blooms.

In Service

Gear mechanism at old water driven grain mill in town of Bunessan.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

In Service

7/19/10

There is reservoir of joy,

love, and expanding good feelings

that come from being channel,

a vehicle, for arriving beauty

born out of Infinite Mystery

when opening to 'What's needed?'

in any given life breath,

and best when not forced,

where 'allowance' becomes the mantra

opening to greater Cosmic Dance

than puny ego could imagine

as cogged karmic wheels interconnect,

like gears of fine watch

keeping time for unforeseen Destiny

playing out it's perfect Grace,

inspiring laughter about turning events,

how serendipity acts as lubrication

separating 'effort' from our 'doing',

'being' Tao, while in service.

Conspiracy

A conspiring matrix of elements creating destined morning mystery.

Conspiracy

7/18/10

Events often seem to transpire

for reasons beyond any understanding

when things anticipated fall away,

and then space gets filled

by unexpected turn of events

where if we follow Flow,

by paying attention Life's inclinations

or repeating message that resounds

within sensory Inner Guidance system,

then adventuresome curious child emerges

to join Great Mystery's matrix,

made of flimsy looking threads

yet are flexible and strong,

weaving interconnection which vibrates wildly

rippling sparks of electric energy

that begins manifestation wanting birth,

even if there's no idea

of how we'll be changed,

consumed, by conspiracy within Tao.

Finally

Cleaning my magnificent purity in the outside shower.

(photo by Art Durand Photography)

Finally

7/16/10

When it boils down

to what is worthy

in how we live,

there can be quarrels

amid the many personas

that make up ego,

with it's frailty, stubbornness

wanting to be known

for doing something wonderful

extraordinarily so, for recognition

we didn't waste life

but stood up, acted,

performed for societal accolades,

yet the real acclaim

is the simple loving

of self for 'being,'

magnificent in our purity,

finally embracing miraculous embodiment.

Uniqueness

 Dear loving friends, Deborah, Heidi, and Kevin.

Uniqueness

7/15/10

Everyone, everything is expression

of diverse Great Mystery

which is good reason

to celebrate the rarity

each of us embody,

like preciously cut jewel

never to be repeated,

yet many find fault

in self, one another,

comparing inner and outer,

suffering by hosting thoughts

they should be different

interpreting some ache inside

as proving flawed nature

when often it points

toward gift to give

after healing internal split,

finding and filling hearts

with our love's uniqueness.

When Over

Santa Cruz Wharf and Lighthouse at sunset view from Seabright Beach.

Santa Cruz, California

When Over

7/14/10

Everyone goes through it

at sometime in life,

we enter intense period

that challenges inner equilibrium

because of strife, illness,

limits being extremely tested

where ground beneath shakes,

what was true dissolves,

until new world emerges

from rubble of last

while it crumbles away,

and if we panic

we'll miss miraculous transformation

born from feeling emotions

through loss, pain, defeat,

by holding on tight

to once valued expectations,

unwilling to loosen grip,

let go, when over.

Daily Perfection

Winter sunset viewed from Santa Cruz Lighthouse.

Santa Cruz, California

Daily Perfection

7/13/10

When we pay attention

to 'is-ness' of life,

of what exists now

without any egotistical judgment

while inhabiting Soul perspective,

whether that's even possible

if everything is subjective

with corresponding opinion residue,

then worst human travesties

like war, genocide, famine,

ecological degradation, have place,

purpose, in evolutionary wave

longer than individual life,

becoming 'collective' clarion call

urging 'great sea change'

necessary for enlightened survival

as species embracing 'stewardship',

each generation inspiring next

through celebrated daily perfection.

Release

Sunflower's spiraling life force design as it creates seeds for inevitable death and rebirth.

From my garden that Bonnie planted.

Release

7/12/10

We are born of this

when our mother lets go

and umbilical cord is cut

sending us on individual way,

naked, with nothing but ourself,

this Soul imbedded, activated entity

combining mind, body, spirit, emotion

as protection messages immediately come,

swaddling wrap, clothes, controlled surroundings,

then more accumulation while aging

until we become our 'things'

identifying with 'experiences' being us

whether traumatic, dramatic, or loving

while education and society infiltrate

molding ego into false superiority

with escalating beliefs vying supremacy,

meanwhile organic tissue stores impact

every joy, wound, life seeds,

needing release for death, rebirth.

New Territory

High atop 'Scridain' looking down on a herd of Scottish deer heading to new territory.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

New Territory

7/10/10

Sometimes a world arrives

different from normal routine

bringing an impacted punch,

unplanned pregnancy, heart attack,

death of loved one,

job loss or gain,

where instant readjustment begins

in most definitive way,

oftentimes a Great Turning,

like Earth's, is undetectable

and we wonder progress,

if cogs are aligning

in slow motion interconnection

to creatively prepare foundation

for launching rocket desire

through integrated exponential core,

finally able to handle

constraints' initial bursting while

sustaining new territory flight.

Get With It

Meditation cell in 'Columba's' rebuilt church on Isle of Iona, Scotland.

Get With It

7/9/10

Talk is cheap, plentiful,

dreams fly by relentlessly,

actions are often random

and motivated by goals

less than soul fulfilling

often admired by society

for lucrative monetary rewards,

somewhere, somehow within experience

an incident makes impact,

more like many combined,

giving inner impetus rise

to again awaken sleeper

who's so easily hypnotized

by life's sparkling illusions,

like gold in coffers

that capitalist magician uses

for keeping us captivated,

yet Spirit Light beckons

escape, 'Get with it!'

Sincere Heart

Bust of  'King Robert the Bruce of Scotland'

Sincere Heart

7/8/10

Touched life's preciousness recently

reminding mortality while sick,

plus nursing Wing dog

who's showing her age,

through aches, appetite loss,

it opened protected place

guarded by arrogant bravado

against my inevitable demise,

keeping fear at bay

as if ignoring adversaries

weakens them until disappearance,

now I welcome all,

becoming old, wise King

who wants peace, conciliation,

having things in order,

all words, concerns heard

before leaving this Existence,

meanwhile entering unveiled realties

naked sincere heart reveals.

Lost Opportunities

Reminded recently when bumping into Cindy.

Lost Opportunities

7/7/10

There is dissatisfaction aspect

in arrogant, striving humanity,

with sense of entitlement

for things being different

than what life offers,

here, now, in career,

home, health, intimate relationships,

and I'm often guilty

such as being blessed

to attract powerful women,

wonderfully diverse, beautiful goddesses,

who I loved willingly

then walked away from,

where yesterday, reminded thrice

of my good fortune,

and seemingly utter ineptitude

whenever being with someone,

while deeper reflection reminds

lessons about lost opportunities.

No Control

Diminished castle on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

No Control

7/6/10

How will it be

later in life, older,

not feeling optimally vibrant

having aches, pains, illness,

where now at 56

when sick I'm miserable,

feeling powerless to effect,

accelerate, my body healing

as brain enters sabbatical,

loses desire for willfulness

to orchestrate time usefully,

instead laying around, sleeping,

exiting this strange world

and it's paradoxical nature

that balances euphoric assimilation

with 'Oneness of Eternity'

alongside smallness when suffering

bodily weakness, diminished, fractured,

realizing I've no control.

Pierced

A memory. Self-portrait at Ardalanish coast, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Pierced

7/5/10

When my body purges

from illness, bad food,

I'm reminded of mortality,

how vulnerable we are

just outside death's door,

and it brings tears

as soul breaks open

to feel life's preciousness

cherishing those I love

yet witnessing my protectionism

by ignoring the inevitable,

'All this shall pass.'

our world, myself, memories,

will be as nothing

in Great Mystery's forever,

paradoxically urging I stop

to appreciate everyone, everything,

while taking expressive action

inspired by pierced heart.

Following Through

My younger brother Keith 'following through' during a softball game.

Following Through

7/3/10

It's not very easy

keeping after the pursuit

of a desired goal

unless cherished social reward

whispers of the pleasure

completion will ultimately bring,

often times even harder

when effort is motivated

by intangible soul satisfaction

where benefits are unknown,

no guarantees of wealth,

accolades, respect, or 'success',

and driving urgent force

material gains spark fails,

leaving illusive inner guidance

to find rocket enthusiasm

for manifesting personal expression

in meaningful, content life

 'following through' action permeates.

Will

Outside monument/museum to King 'Robert the Bruce' of Scotland

Will

7/2/10

This is a power

many people swear by

without wondering it's origin,

or what difference is

between ego oriented impetus,

that drives society onward

often fueled by greed

but also lesser desires

deemed admirable to attain

even if 'life affirming'

is not end result,

and one's Soul motivation,

the ethereal invisible commitment

which connects body, mind,

emotions, into integrated whole

exponentially greater in service

to humanity's highest expression

when individual efforts dovetail

with engaged sacred Will.

No Expectations

Didn't expect this at the Capitola motorcycle show. Its a Moto Guzzi.

No Expectations

7/1/10

I'm continuing to realize

this is big cog

in the karmic wheel

of Dharma and Tao,

without any preconceived notions

of what 'should be'

I flow freely through

life happenstance that shifts,

changes, becomes unpredictable reality,

along side rides freedom

unencumbered by ego's baggage

that is forever critically

confusing inner Soul discernment

with desire to control,

so when disturbance arises

to challenge foundational peace

judgment becomes the tool

trying to usurp power

'no expectations' benevolently bestows.

There's Always More

Form, shape, color of stones and land mass at waterfall near cave on Mull's western shore.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

There's Always More

6/30/10

Life arrives fresh each day

through never ending space, time,

as sunrise, sunset dance opposites

giving humans way to distinguish

starts and stops, good, bad,

when comparing past to present

while future keeps rolling ahead,

sometimes though we become callous,

imagining 'Seen it all before.'

forgetting to ready our senses

for engaging some original experience,

a juxtaposition of startling circumstances

giving opportunity to awaken curiosity,

broaden our scope of Existence,

this miracle palette to paint

unique masterpiece of life upon,

where our 'word' becomes form,

action creates shape, emotions color,

enthralled thinking 'There's always more.'