posted by davee evans
Eirik Solheim made this video from photographs and recordings of his backyard in Norway in 2008. It reminds me of both how quickly time passes — and thereby how precious it really is — as well as its rhythm. That’s on my mind as I enter 2010.
Ten years ago I was at a new year’s party, where just before midnight four hundred revelers quieted down and sat silently in meditation. We were invited to meditate on our breath, or perhaps hold an intention for the coming year as our object of meditation. At midnight, someone rang a small bell. Then we sat awhile longer (and some sobs and sniffles were heard) until carefully chosen music invited everyone to dance.
I remember my intention ten years ago was to go deeper in my meditation practice, to finally take it to heart. In the years since then, my practice has become — slowly but steadily — a core part of my being and it has made an immeasurable difference for me personally. For this upcoming year, my intention is to reflect more on the precious and unpredictable qualities of life, and how I can avoid taking my short lifetime for granted.
Do you have some intentions for the coming year?
posted January 1, 2010 at 2:32 am
A beautiful reminder of impermanence.
posted January 1, 2010 at 4:14 am
I hae been reading Buddhist books taken from a monastery. It’s very enlightening, especially one about preparing and accepting death as part of life.
posted January 2, 2010 at 11:38 am
It’s hard to make plans as early as now for the coming 2011,though.
But,it gives me the idea to prepare and make plans on how to spend
holidays like New Year.
thanks.
posted January 3, 2010 at 12:16 pm
before I entered the spiritual path, I never took New Year’s resolutions seriously. Now, I do use them as a reminder to re-dedicate myself to the path. I do make specific goals and try to achieve them.
gassho
posted January 3, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Thanks all. I’m considering using Stephen Levine’s book “A Year To Live” as a contemplative practice during 2010, where I hold various contemplations suggested imagining that this is my last year of life. I’ll write more about it if I decide to go ahead with that. Even if not, I recommend the book.
posted January 5, 2010 at 6:14 pm
wow – that was very well done. It is a true toggle between what appears permanent and things that are ever changing.