Frank Zappa And Shuggie Otis Acoustic

Frank Zappa And Shuggie Otis - Rare Acoustic Jam, 1970

KimiWaza 2013 Winner

This video is also a good test for technology-induced ADHD. A spectacular feat of concentration.

Become A Lake

~ Become a Lake ~

An aging master grew tired of his apprentice’s complaints. One morning, he sent him to get some salt. When the apprentice returned, the master told him to mix a handful of salt in a glass of water and then drink it.
“How does it taste?” the master asked.
“Bitter,” said the apprentice.
The master chuckled and then asked the young man to take the same handful of salt and put it in the lake. The two walked in silence to the nearby lake and once the apprentice swirled his handful of salt in the water, the old man said, “Now drink from the lake.”
As the water dripped down the young man’s chin, the master asked, “How does it taste?”
“Fresh,” remarked the apprentice.
“Do you taste the salt?” asked the master.
“No,” said the young man. At this the master sat beside this serious young man, and explained softly,
“The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains exactly the same. However, the amount of bitterness we taste depends on the container we put the pain in. So when you are in pain, the only thing you can do is to enlarge your sense of things. Stop being a glass. Become a lake.”

"This Is Water" David Foster Wallace

Four years ago today, David Foster Wallace, one of the most wonderful writers ever, took his own life.  This  commencement address was given by him at Kenyon College in 2005.  
I am forever still trying to exercise some CONTROL over what I think.

Jeff D. Before and After

"You're not Jeff, I'm Jeff"

Patience

Patience – Using time, pressure and patience, the universe gradually changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds. You’re being worked on too, so hang in there. Just because something isn’t happening for you right now, doesn’t mean it will never happen.
Photo of PensiveMonkey at Angkor Wat, Cambodia by Keith Stretchko

Returning to the Source

Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind become still.
The ten thousand things rise and fall
while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then
return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness,
which is the way of nature.

~ Lao Tsu ~
Tao Te Ching