« Previous | Main | Next »

Sit Down and Wait

March 02, 2006

Alive in the Heart: Meditation for Inner Transformation with Sharon Salzberg, National Cathedral, butterfly image
Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

During meditation class this week, my teacher used a lovely butterfly metaphor to help us visualize breathing. I began thinking of this particular butterfly which I photographed in the White Mountains of New Hampshire last autumn. It was a picture perfect afternoon in this little meadow ~ I don't think this butterfly had many troubles on her mind. She was just fully being a butterfly, and nothing else. I breathe in, and think, I am fully human, I breathe out, and realize we are all divine.

Posted by vincent at March 2, 2006 08:09 AM

Comments

Wow Susan... she picked a flower which totally color coordinated her wings! :c) Beautiful photo and even more beautiful thought to share.

Posted by: samtzmom at March 2, 2006 04:04 PM

Yes, beautiful picture and thoughts.
My Emily will sit on the rocks that surround my flower bed and the butterflies come to her.
She definitely has a peaceful spirit.

Posted by: aola at March 2, 2006 08:51 PM

susan, as always, i love your photographs and your thoughts. i just thought i'd let you know i've given you the dubious distinction of "artist o' the sidebar" at my humble blog, with one of your pictures linking straight back to here.

if this is not something you would desire, please let me know and i will revise it tomorrow. you are featured the entire month of march :) it is my honor if you will allow me.

(sorry so public a display here in your comments - i am rushing to get to bed to get up in a few hours and, well, here it is!)

Posted by: ~m2~ at March 2, 2006 10:03 PM

m2,

It's an honor to learn you are linking to my site. I'm very very touched!

Susan


Posted by: susan at March 2, 2006 10:21 PM

Man, what a nice color palette you found there, Susan!

Posted by: dan at March 3, 2006 12:25 AM

The coordinating colors was the first thing I noticed, too. And then the words that I believe in so deeply and confidently .......... what a wonderful spirit and understanding you have dear Susan.

Posted by: janet at March 3, 2006 12:49 PM

I find it quite amusing that me... the photographer of this image didn't even notice the color coordination between the flower and the butterfly. It's so interesting how one can be so close to something that she can't see the obvious. These are my favorite flavor of butterfly... GREEN! Marvelous icey fresh green.

Posted by: susan at March 3, 2006 01:27 PM

I bet you love Luna moths too. They are so pretty.

Posted by: aola at March 3, 2006 08:17 PM

ang cute

Posted by: emjhay at March 4, 2006 02:07 AM

Wow - that is quite a photo! Very pretty!

Posted by: Josie at March 7, 2006 11:04 AM

test test

Posted by: test at March 10, 2006 09:03 AM

beauty

Posted by: jojie at March 31, 2006 07:40 PM