Who (be quiet) Are You?

“We have not come into this exquisite world

To hold ourselves hostage from love.

~ Hafiz, from ‘We Have Not Come to Take Prisoners’, ‘The Gift’, translated by Daniel Ladinsky

(Photo: ‘Take to the Sky’ by Alex Greenshpun)

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Amazing series of photos taken by the very talented  Mahesh Balasubramanian. Please visit his facebook page and website for many more excellent works.

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These were taken during the Mahashivratri festival in India, a few days ago.

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“According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri is Lord Shiva’s favourite day. Devotees on this day remain on fast or perform hour long spiritual meditation by following rituals to commemorate Mahashivratri and be blessed with grace. In the early morning, they visit temples to offer cold water, milk and bael leaves on the Lingam, a symbol for the worship of Lord Shiva, after properly cleaning it. Many sadhus on Maha Shivratri visit shrines and offer marijuana to worshipers to spread the significance of the festival. Wearing a garland made from rudraksha and applying turmeric vermilion or holy ash on forehead symbolizes a holy ritual on this religious festival. Holy mantras are also recited and special puja ceremonies are held throughout the night to celebrate Shivratri.

Numerous interesting and intriguing mythological stories are believed pertaining to the celebration to Mahashivratri. In a version, devotees believe that Shivratri is auspicious because it marks the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Parvati. However, many believe that Mahashivratri signifies the auspicious night when Lord Shiva performed the dance ‘Tandava’ that led to the creation, conservation and devastation of the universe.” (Source: timesofindia.com)

all which isn’t singing is mere talking
and all talking’s talking to oneself
(whether that oneself be sought or seeking
master or disciple sheep or wolf)

gush to it as deity or devil
—toss in sobs and reasons threats and smiles
name it cruel fair or blessed evil—
it is you(ne i)nobody else

drive dumb mankind dizzy with haranguing
—you are deafened every mother’s son—
all is merely talk which isn’t singing
and all talking’s to oneself alone

but the very song of(as mountains
feel and lovers)singing is silence

~e.e. Cummings

(Photo by Alex Greenshpun)

I like to wash,
the dust of this world
In the droplets of dew.

~Matsuo Basho

(Photo by Alex Greenshpun)

Silence calling…

(Photo - “sea calling” by Srikaton Mindarwanto)

Amazing works by Michael Grab.

Through witnessing what this art has done for me personally over years of practice, my vision grows more and more to encourage others to seek their own “still-point” or inner silence. No-one but YOU is required to experience your divine nature. This art allows one to freely be themselves, manifesting their own particular vibrations into a 3D world. Stone balance teaches the practitioner lessons through silence. The inner silence that one cultivates through balancing (or other meditative practice) is a foundation to realizing that each of us are as much one another as we ARE our entire universe. One gigantic symphony. and to apply a framework of “balance” to the earth-organism will be infinitely beneficial for the well-being of our children, as well as the diversity of life we co-exist with.

~ Michael Grab

Everything is contained in these petals and in the space between them…

To see a world in a grain of sand,

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.

~William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

(Photo: Infinity by Alex Greenshpun)

Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating now… :)

(Photo by Alex Greenshpun)

This amazing photo of Arunachala was taken by Reinhard Jung, on November 7th, 2012, a little before dawn.

A wonderful photo by Francois Rebeaudeau

There is nothing to wonder about. You do not have to be worthy. You do not have to deserve it. There is no use thinking about your past, because your past never existed and never will exist. The past and the future are just dreams. Awaken from the dream by realizing absolute reality is the only power. It is everywhere. There is not the world and absolute reality, and then you have to overcome the world to find your reality. There is no world to overcome. There is no God to pray to. Brahman is yourself. Shiva is your consciousness. You are that.

~Robert Adams

(Photo by Alex Greenshpun)

But the mind always 
wants more than it has —
one more bright day of sun, 
one more clear night in bed 
with the moon; one more hour 
to get the words right; one 
more chance for the heart in hiding 
to emerge from its thicket 
in dried grasses — as if this quiet day 
with its tentative light weren’t enough,