Monday, July 15, 2013

'N' for Nature As Our Teacher

                                                                  Nature



River:
Life is like a river. There is no pre-charted way; there are no maps to be given to you which are to be followed. Just be alive and alert, and then wheresoever life leads you go with full confidence in it. ......Allow it to lead you, don't force it. Surrender to it and allow it to lead you towards the sea. Just be alert, that is all. While life leads you towards the sea just be alert so that you don't miss anything.
-Osho
                                                                     Portugal

Volcanoes:
If what is true is repressed, it will bubble up from deep effecting everything in it's path. Volcanoes stand as an omen for change being forced if you will not flow, to a difference in perspective or shift in awareness that results when what we live isn't supporting the essence of what is really true.

Nature teaches us in so many ways if only we were more watchful and learn from Nature.
                                           The beautiful snow capped mountains of Sikkim

Ocean:
“There's nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater,you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent.”

― Dave Barry
                                                          The pacific
Mountains and Clouds:
The mountain doesn't move, trees do. The sky doesn't move, clouds do. Stability in the midst of all movement.


                                        The views captured during our 17 mile scenic drive in the US

Huge cloud formations change gradually, almost imperceptibly into another formation. This is how gradual the process of human transformation is. The changes are so small that the overall formation looks the same. But gradually the shift will happen, until suddenly, the cloud is entirely different- -- the person is entirely different.




Midnight: is the center. It touches both night and a new day at once. It touches both dark and light. It exists between past and future. The point that transcends time. Neither of the the two opposites, but a center between them: the center beyond duality.
                                         This picture was taken by our daughter in Spain


                                      This picture was taken by our daughter in Portugal
                                            This picture was taken in Conoor 
Trees:
A gigantic tree doesn't become that by knowing it's a tree while still a seed. It only knows growth.  Constantly changing, while still remaining the same. Not dwelling on  end results, it is content just to grow and not know where it is going.  The seedling, shoot and mature tree aren't the goal, but the process-- the journey.
                              This was taken in Pondicherry before we set out for Chunabar Beach
Snow:
The future lies before you like a field of fallen snow ; be careful how you tread it for every step will show.
We are so busy with our lives always watching out for what is ahead of us, that we forget to enjoy where we are. Nature seems to tell us ever so gently, to be in the present.
                                                    This was taken in Sikkim.

This the Zero point, where the road ends, as this point is the end of India and beyond is Indo- China border.... it was really awesome
Carrots:
Carrots are safe within, underground, even if its plant above is ripped and torn. At times, what is seen on the surface gives no indication of what is living within.

                                                            Carrots of Kodaikanal

Banana:
Skin hides the fruit.  For a long time we only know our superficial masks.  Do we have the strength to peel this skin back?  The time is now to know the fruit of ourselves.

Nature beautifully hints to us to take off our masks.

Nature as metaphor: it is always there to make us see  ourselves clearly, nature shows us all, if only we care to observe.

 How has Nature inspired you?

24 comments:

  1. You are so inspirational, Rama! It is 90 degrees f
    here in Oregon and I am going skinny dipping! That is pretty close to nature!

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  2. Very true Rama, nature is a wonderful guide and teacher,we only need to pause and see it clearly. You have wonderfully summarized what nature has to offer to us. I love watching the sky change all through the day and seasons, seemingly random yet in its own unique style it speaks of life to me, so do the rivers and seas and the breeze :)

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    1. Nature is so wonderful Reshma, one cannot say enough about it.

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  3. Your nature pictures speak volumes even with out the quotes, loved the quotes and the visuals shared along with.
    For me nature has been the greatest healer right from the birds I watch on my window sill to the floating clouds from my window again, that change patterns every minute, making my mind wander in awe.

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    Replies
    1. I can understand the feeling, and it is awesome.

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  4. The allegories , if one can define it so!
    Points well explained and wise .
    Isn't it true that Nature has lessons in store that we should notice and learn/

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  5. Good go. Yes,nature is a Guru, o! No the Guru who touches all the faces and teaches all the aspects of life.All the varieties of inhabitants are there in the twenty four Gurus' group mentioned in the scriptures.

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  6. Amazing clicks, Rama and beautiful and profound words too.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Shipa for stopping by. I am glad you liked the pictures.

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  7. Rama this a very inspiring post. The nature has sooo much to offer, only we should be good learners.You have beautifully depicted the secrets of various elements and how we can benefit from them. The images are fabulous.

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  8. The pictures, they say a thousand words. So true! And loved the very random, yet meaningful messages behind each.

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    1. Very true the pictures are random and the messages behind them are random too, very much like us.

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  9. Lovely, the photos and the quotes complement well.
    Nature is our teacher and our saviour too. Maybe the reason why our ancestors worshipped rivers, stones, earth etc.,. beautifully compiled, Rama:)

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    Replies
    1. Very true Asha, they all have a meaning, and our wise ancestors knew that.

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  10. Beautiful pictures and apt inspirational words to accompany them! I too love to watch nature all the time...but never think in your angle! Thank you!

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  11. Amazing!! I loved every bit of this post.. what an idea madamji! :)

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  12. Great post...lovely pics and a soulful Osho quote!

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  13. A lovely weave of words with beautiful pictures, Rama!

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  14. Absolute great article.....written well with magical words. the places looking beautiful in pictures. thanks for sharing, Rama.
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  15. Lovely pictures of nature and complementing post. Really a refreshing read, Rama :)

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