Comments on: Vicissitudes

By: Molly

Molly — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:15:52 +0000

Wow, Norah. What an experience. I am so thankful that you are safe, and your horses also. It is deeply moving to experience the absolute kindness from complete strangers–not out of a sense of duty but because they simply are moved to help fellow humans. It is a beautiful thing.

By: norahs

norahs — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:31:57 +0000

The flames were crossing 49th street as I was trying to first by car, then by foot to get to my 4 horses on the other side. The llama ranch which was burning is across left hand creek from my barn. A stranger picked me up and drove me back to my car as I was out of breath. I frantically took the long route around and was relieved to find all horses safe but scared. I went home near the Boulder Res. to take my daughter away from any danger and returned to the barn. By 6 we were evacuating over 80 horses and I have no trailer for my four. Out of nowhere came trailers driven by dedicated fellow horsepeople who at their own risk and cost were going to save all the horses. I have never felt such gratitude for so many strangers. My horses were taken to a safe farm north of Longmont and we were all able to catch our breath. The effect of shock is still with me, my lungs hurt from the smoke, my eyes are globby or bursting into occasional tears, but I feel the day today with so many mixed emotions-glad for me, complete sadness for the llama farm owner, respect and gratitude for my fellow horsepeople, and a great thanks to police and firefighters who obviously know how to save most homes and ranches. In all, I feel I have faced head-on fire, became terrified, but moved through the smoke with the support of some really great people from Colorado.

By: molly

molly — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:13:40 +0000

Gregor– thanks for the well wishes.

Taru–Thanks for your wise words. In the words of SN Goenka:

“It is easy to smile when life rolls along like a sweet song.
But the man who’s worthwile
Is the man who can smile
When everything goes dead wrong.”

By: Taru Sharma

Taru Sharma — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:39:46 +0000

Great post Molly! I really liked this part – “But when the big stuff does happen we are put to the test. And then we can see how far we have (or haven’t) come”. There were times in my life when the ego was all boosted up and proud of practic and bam! – big stuff happened and I realized how far I hadn’t come. I say this in a good sense – it was a good thing, kind of reality check. And this has happened more than once, rather I should say it happens periodically and now when I look back, I am thankful for these reality checks. It is lot more easier to be peaceful and calm when things are going rather well and it is amazing to see how easily mind trips when something does happen. How it forgets all about practice and gets caught in the frenzy of the moment.

On a different note, I pray for every one whose lives are affected by any kind of pain – mental, emotional, physical or financial – may the bodhisattvas help all of us with thousand arms.

Deep Metta

By: Gregor

Gregor — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:39:37 +0000

Take care Molly.

By: Molly

Molly — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:45:21 +0000

Abigail– I think we take what we make. Thanks for your insights.

By: Abigail

Abigail — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:19:02 +0000

It is all part of the great recycle of death and life renewal. We can be objective from a distance and have empathy and sympathy – but if we are the ones going through it, we just want it to all go away like a bad dream. The truth is we must all take our share of suffering.

By: Molly

Molly — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:58:44 +0000

Jordan–Thanks for the well wishes.

Barry–As always, thanks for your insights. What you say is the ultimate profound truth. Yes, may we all get there soon.

By: Barry Briggs

Barry Briggs — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:33:07 +0000

I’m glad you’re safe, Molly. And I grieve for those beings, both in North Boulder and around the world, whose home is at risk.

I remember a teaching by Ajahn Chah, in which he said that our home – the physical building – along with our livelihood and possessions, are all part of the world. And the world is subject to change. But our true home, our inner home, when we settle into it, never changes and is always present with us.

May we all find that home someday soon!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:21:54 +0000

Be safe.