“Flow” –|– Anthony Satori
“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.”
— Hermann Hesse
Transformation
Zen
Work in Progress
“Work in Progress” –|– Anthony Satori
“Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.”
— Winston Churchill
It is vitally important to make plans, to have goals, and to set things into place that will come to fruition at a future time. It is of real value to create a hopeful and abundant vision of the future, both distant and near, and then to strive to hold steadfastly to a course that will take you there. This is a vital skill, and it is a powerful tool for a successful life.
Even as this is being done, however, it is equally important to remember to keep returning to the present moment, and to ask yourself, “What can I do today? What is within my reach, right now, that will make my life, and the lives of those I love, better? What small step can I take, in this moment, that will take me further toward where I dream to be?”
It is crucial to keep the bigger picture in mind, every step of the way, just as it is essential to always hold your values and principles firmly in hand. One should also continually strive, however, to employ these elements to inform a fully engaged life in the present moment, and to live each day with mindfulness, gratitude and love.
On the Wings of the Night Wind
“Doves” –|– Anthony Satori
“Strange things blow in through my window on the wings of the night wind, and I don’t worry about my destiny.”
— Carl Sandburg
Don’t worry about destiny. It is beyond our reach, and it can be overwhelming. Instead, slow down, take a deep breath, and focus on this moment. In this day, in this hour, in this minute, pay attention and be present. And then consciously choose to do something meaningful, something beautiful, something loving, something constructive — however small it may be. It is the cumulative effect of these choices over time that create a valued destiny. Legacy is built one brick at a time. It is built by showing up every day, by paying attention, and by consciously infusing your time and space — your words, your thoughts, and your actions — with optimism, creativity, gratitude and love.
The Voice of Life
“Fountain” –|– Anthony Satori
“They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.”
— Hermann Hesse
Benevolent Light
“Benevolent Light” | Anthony Satori
Every day, every moment, the universe is patiently waiting for us to pull softly on the strings of the blinds and let its light flow in. Take a deep breath, calm your thoughts, and center your spirit. And then mindfully take action toward something good. Take action toward love, hope, kindness. Take action toward health, joy, deeper understanding. Even the smallest such act, done with a genuine heart, is an invitation for the universe to immerse us in its benevolent light.
New Ways of Being
“Hearth” | Anthony Satori
“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And they listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows.
And the people began to think differently. And the people healed… And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again… they made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live.”
— Kitty O’Meara
The Contented Goat
“The Contented Goat” | Anthony Satori
[a parable]
Once there was a farmer who had a goat that he loved very much. The goat was good-natured and worked hard on the farm. It helped carry things, didn’t make noise or cause trouble, and was a pleasant companion to him and his children. The farmer marveled at how good the goat was, considering how little food and care it needed.
One day, the farmer accidentally fed the goat only half of its normal daily meal. At first the farmer was worried, but the next morning he found that the goat seemed fine, despite having only eaten the smaller amount of food. Amazed at his discovery, the farmer continued to feed the goat the new smaller amount every day, and the goat continued to do well, regardless.
With time, the farmer began to experiment with giving the goat less and less food each day, waiting to see at what point the goat would begin to cry and complain. He was amazed, however, to find that the goat continued to be productive and good-natured no matter how often he reduced the goat’s meal, and that it never complained. The farmer was delighted, because he could give the extra food to the other farm animals, who would moan loudly at even the slightest diminishment or delay in their allotment; but the goat never complained, seeming always to be content with however little it received.
One day, the farmer awoke to discover that the goat had starved to death during the night. The farmer could not believe his misfortune, having lost this most special animal. He also couldn’t imagine how it had happened, since the goat had always seemed to be content with so little.
[the moral]
If you have a valued project, person, or relationship in your life that seems to be content with very little, instead of imagining how you can give it less and less without worry, imagine how much better things could be if you gave it more.
Tea and Cookies
“Tea and Cookies” | Anthony Satori
“Many people think excitement is happiness. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Consciousness
“A Toast” | Anthony Satori
“As we grow in our consciousness, there will be more compassion and more love, and then the barriers between people, between religions, between nations will begin to fall.”
— Ram Dass
Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!
Quiet and Still
“Quiet and Still” | Anthony Satori
“To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet and still.”
— Jiddu Krishnamurti
Satori Circle | Art & Culture 