The Path of Prana

How can there be peace and harmony in the world,
If there is not peace and harmony in me?
Thus begins the inner journey…

breath

the bridge between mind and body
by simply observing the breath via the nostrils
one eventually realizes the simplicity and beauty of Life
we are not who we think we are
we are not our thoughts

we attach to our thoughts
with the hope of identifying or defining an image of an individual self (an ego)
if we can stay with the breath and not attach the mind to any thoughts or images of self
beneath all the labels we have given ourselves and the world
we discover a vast ocean of silence and peace
to give it a label is to return to the ego
to just become aware of this space
is the awakening of our awareness
beginning to know the true self
without walls of separation
without imbalanced ego
we need both
to survive

does the body have a soul
no
the soul has a body

This is a documentary.
It is intended to reveal my experience.
In the hopes that it resonates with others.
That others may spring from it and go further.
I learned the tool of critical thinking at University.
If i am to think critically of myself, then what have i learned so far?
I have learned not to think critically of others.
There is only myself to think critically of.
Thus begins my inward journey.
I am to know thyself.

 

I
On the surface
am a human, man, maturing adult, husband, father,
wood-worker, timber framer, sawyer, eco-forester, natural builder and farmer,
server, school bus-driver, yogi, and guru…
these are labels given by me or society
these are the roles i play
this is my mask
my ego

 

Beneath the surface
words and labels cannot define
but only point, like a map, to what is present
a vastness, a void, a vibration
a body and a mind
a spirit
energy

 

Life
an endless cycle
of birth and death
what is my purpose?
to respect this cycle
not fear or abuse it
understand it
honor it

 

Coming back to my surface labels
I am obligated to better understand this body, mind, and spirit
This energy that animates me
and connects
me to you

 

We are interconnected
We interdepend on one another
In this sense we are
One

 

What i do to you and this earth
I do to myself

 

Body
Shelter, food, sustained health and longevity are my perceived needs.
This makes me a forester, a logger, a builder, a farmer, and a practitioner and student of a healing art.
My duty is to learn each of these skills and ensure that they work in harmony with the natural laws of the cycle of life and death.
How to restore our damaged forests and encourage them back into their natural cycle of old growth.
How to harvest and how to build with the wood that can come from this natural cycle.
How to grow food from the forest and meadow while adding to the top-soil.
How to do this and maintain a strong and flexible
body, mind, and spirit.

 

Mind
Seeks pleasure and avoids pain
If mind attaches to a craving of pleasure or an aversion to pain
There will be suffering and misery in the thoughts and then in the body
If the mind is like a lake, then the waves and ripples are like the thoughts
By reducing these waves to ripples, then reducing these ripples to stillness
All becomes clear and one can finally see to the depths of the mind
One can identify ones suffering and misery
Ego

 

Spirit
What connects us to the Universe, the One-ness of all
The animation and energy of the Body and the Mind together
If one is conscious in Body and in Mind, then one will be conscious of their spirit
If one desires to merely seek pleasure and avoid pain, then…

Thus far I have had glimpses at perfection, one-ness, harmony and peace.
They are fleeting but become longer in duration if i practice daily the above skills i have chosen.
Discipline

 

If you are interested in learning any of these skills,
I am willing to share what i have learned if it will help you achieve more peace, harmony, and skill.
You can contact me for further information on work exchange and upcoming workshops.
May peace, harmony and skill come to all.