Accordance With Nature

Whatever happens in accordance with nature should be accounted good. - Cicero in the Zen Calendar (June 13, 2003).

Day 218. If you listen closely outside, you can hear a gurgling sound as the parched earth eagerly gulps down some long awaited rain. It's a song of quenching. I've been watching blades of grass blend from brown to yellow to emerald green before my very eyes. Nature's tenacity astounds me. Plants, trees and lawns that only yesterday appeared tortured and lifeless are glistening with buoyant, fresh vitality today. Nature is brave and irrepressible. I wouldn't mind if that is something said about me one day: "She was brave and irrepressible." I like the sound of that a lot.

I may need some extra cushion time tonight to assist with recovering from the PTSD (it's unfortunate that those letters and their meaning have become common knowledge in our society) I sustained while looking under my son's bed. At his request, and with his permission, I was searching for missing XBOX pieces he hopes I can bring to him this weekend. Obviously, HE has not peered into this portal for many a year. On the one hand, I discovered the most complete time capsule/living record of an entire existence ever collected for a single human being. It was an archeologist's dream. On the other, I encountered artifacts no teenage boy would ever want his mother to unearth. For the record, said items were not excavated from the premises. Not without gloving up. Who knows? These historical items may prove useful visual aids during teaching moments that arise while my grandchildren play in their father's old bedroom. Besides, everything seemed to be in accordance with nature, so I'm going to account it good.

As I approach my 50th birthday, I observe innumerable events unfurling in accordance with nature. The law of gravity becomes personal. Skin, hair, and adipose tissue abide by all new rules. Sense organs diminish in acuity, so vision, hearing and taste are muted. Birth marks fade and age spots darken. Time passes more quickly, and is scrutinized more carefully. Men my age implode with inflexible routine while the women explode in brilliant color and vibrancy. We're exponentially opening up as they proportionately constrict. Rigid minds harden and solidify; open minds expand and ponder. Muscles weaken; insights strengthen. Memory shortens; friendships lengthen. Arrogance shrinks; humility grows. All in accordance with nature.

The very young, the very old, and the very wise appear most closely aligned with nature. Most of us in the middle muck it up to varying degrees. When I pay close attention, I notice that Nature operates identically to Reality: Each and every time I attempt to thwart either of them, I am not the victor. I remain steeped in gratitude for a practice centered upon recognizing and accepting Reality. Living in accordance with Nature. Accounting them both as good.

Gassho,
CycleBuddhaDoc