a priceless jewel in your own body

caris reid

Each of you has a

priceless jewel in your own body.

It radiates light through your eyes, shining

through the mountains, river, and earth. It radiates light

through your ears, taking in all sounds, good and bad.

It radiates light through your six senses day

and night. This is also called

absorption in light.

You yourself do not

recognize it, but it is in your

physical body, supporting it inside

and out, not letting it tip over. Even if you

are carrying a double load of rocks

over a single-log bridge,

it still doesn’t let

you fall over.

What is it?

If you seek in the slightest,

it cannot be seen.

Tao-an

everything born in this world is empty

hasui kawase

Students,

sit earnestly in zazen,

and you will realize that everything

born in this world is ultimately empty,

including oneself and the original face of existence.

All things indeed emerge out of emptiness. This original

formlessness is “Buddha,” and all other similar terms — Buddha-

nature, Buddhahood, Buddha-mind, Awakened One, Patriarch,

God — are merely different expressions for the same

emptiness. Misunderstand this and you

will end up distracted

for eons.

Ikkyu

wikkyu

keep an open heart, free of desire

lee madgwick

An influence comes.

Good fortune to those

whose hearts are

correct.

The hexagram Hsien indicates the coming of an influence. This may take the form of a teaching from the Sage, an interaction with another, or a disturbing or pleasing event. In any case, there is good fortune if you meet the influence with proper thoughts and actions.

It is a good time to remember that like attracts like. If one gives expression to higher things, then one is surrounded by higher things. If one indulges in what is inferior, then one can expect to have the company of inferiors. Therefore, it is wise to cling steadily to humility, independence, gentleness, and openness.

With others, keep an open heart, free of desire, condemning no one, enjoying affinities while retaining your equanimity. With the Sage, keep a clear connection. Seek resolutely to serve as a conduit for truth and innocence and goodness.

If the influence is challenging, persevere in correctness. If it is pleasing, also persevere in correctness. Maintaining your devotion to higher things insures success in the coming time.

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 31 Influence (Wooing)

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your heart is a muscle

“The chorus comes from a print made by my dear friend, Dalia Sapon-Shevin. This is a song about dear friends, starting with her. It’s also about the stakes at play in the daily choice to give up or not.”-Pat

[Verse 1]
Dalia never showed me nothing but kindness
She would say: “I know how sad you get”
And some days, I still get that way
But it gets better, it gets better, it gets better
Sweetie, it gets better, I promise you
And she’d tell me…

[Chorus]
Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist
Keep on loving, keep on fighting
And hold on, and hold on
Hold on for your life

[Verse 2]
Ian built a cabin in the woods to live in
For years, terrifying noises kept him up at night
With a twelve gauge under his pillow
He’s living in Boston now, going to art school
I forgive him, I forgive him
Hell, I’ll admit it: I’m proud of him

Serena’s an architect and a carpenter
She’s such a feminist she says she isn’t one
‘Cause, “Goddamn, my gender shouldn’t matter!”
And her motorcycle glides through the streets of Providence
Down to the warehouse district, the paint job is as stunning as
Her knowledge of medieval building techniques

[Chorus]
Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist
Keep on loving, keep on fighting
And hold on, and hold on
Hold on for your life

[Bridge]
This one goes out to Georgios, he knows how to dance
Abby Banks, your book is beautiful
And fuck anyone who says otherwise
Scott, I love you and you make me glad to be alive
I promise that I’m gonna pay you back
You always know how funny everything is
Even when I’m so serious that it’s gonna be the death of me

Like the time that our friend Chuck came over to our house
He said he needed somebody to take care of his pets
‘Cause he was going out of town
I asked him, “Where,” and he said “New Mexico”
I asked if I could get a ride
He said: “No, you don’t want to follow me
Where it is I’m going”
He backed out of the driveway
That was the last time we saw him
‘Cause he drove straight to his parent’s cabin
And put a bullet in his head

[Chorus]
Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist
Keep on loving, keep on fighting
And hold on, and hold on
Hold on for your life…

Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist
Keep on loving, keep on fighting
And hold on, and hold on
Hold on for your life