Buddha Squirrel

You are indeed looking at a buddha squirrel in the Heisman trophy pose while balancing on the sun and moon.

     I’ll get to the buddha/football symbolism shortly.  For now, consider a squirrel’s behavior. They live in groups while constantly gathering food and preparing for the future.  Some of their constant motion is actually play -- they love a raucous wrestling match.  Determined and intelligent, they get what they want despite my annoyance with their relentless food foraging in my “squirrel proof” bird feeder.  These darn tree rats drive me, wait for it...nuts!
     Our foes can also be great teachers, correct?  So as I consider my ongoing, grand battle with squirrels, I realize that my issues with them actually could be a type of jealousy of their best qualities.  Perhaps, their qualities remind me of my insecurities?  Am I working hard enough?  Am I sincerely preparing for the future?  Do I balance all of this work with a little playtime?  Do I adamantly carry on despite obstacles?
     Their skills get in the way of my quest for a bird sanctuary paradise.  I want the freedom to do as I please regardless of the various species around me.  How can I create harmony in my yard when animals are not doing exactly what I want?  Who is being annoying now?  I must restrain my selfish thoughts and learn to live peacefully with everyone...even squirrels.
     Chapter 41 in Volume II of The Path of Life is called Freedom and Restraint. The chapter gives excellent advice on how to create a peaceful society.  Pangu explains to Master Ou, “good and evil came into being simultaneously with mankind...To rein in the evil and propagate the good is the holy task of this mankind.”  What is good and evil?  “The ideas and actions that can satisfy one’s own life and desire and also other people's lives and desires are good; the opposite is evil.”  We are being asked to restrain ourselves from evil, temper ourselves in order to elevate our heart and souls for the holy task.  This difficult tempering most certainly helps us become calmer, kinder, more productive individuals, and it can also have profoundly positive effects on our families, friends, community as well as all of humankind.
     With this in mind, here is my advice on how to attain the holy task: be like the buddha squirrel in the Heisman trophy pose while balancing on the sun and moon.  Huh???  Meaning, get in the game with like minded people and stay in until peace prevails.  Face your foibles and learn from them.  If you feel awkward or uncomfortable with things/people you don't understand, stay in the discomfort and ask yourself, “why do I feel this way?”  (Difficult, I know.  I'm here to help.  Feel free to set up an energy adjustment and intuitive exploration appointment.)
     Open your heart and mind to everyone and everything, not just the people who are almost exactly like you.  With great self reflection, work hard and don’t give up.  Find some time for self care and play.  Keep: helping, learning, listening, hoping, and expanding. Good deeds and kindness inspire others who may feel hopeless.  Be relentless; become the holy task as you temper and restrain.  If you already are doing all this, then, wonderful and thank you.  Know that your hard work is helping greatly.
     Practice more qi gong.  If you haven’t learned Pangu Shengong (internal marital arts) yet, contact me and I can teach you.  The form, created by qi gong grand master Ou Wen Wei and based on ancient Chinese philosophy, helps you become more peaceful, productive, and healthy while balancing and cultivating vital life force “qi” energy (yin/silver moon/feminine energy and yang/ golden sun/masculine energy) in your body.  And, as you have been reading it contains a rich philosophy of kindness.  You can dedicate the practice to people who need it or dedicate the practice for peace for all of humankind.  Be the light; outshine the darkness.

Art by - http://www.kateboppart.com/