Fire, Satoru, and the Tree

This has been an intense time for me. My family’s good friend and spiritual advisor, Dr. Elbert Cole, died a few days ago. He was such an amazing man, huge inspiration, a positively religious figure. "Elbert was the greatest of the greatest generation. He was always there supporting, caring, loving. I have spent most of my life trying to be like him." ~My Dad. And if you met this guy, you'd know immediately---He was enlightened: And an angel. Compassionate heart, clear mind, energy and humor. All the time. I remember when he lead the service at my grandmother’s funeral (I attended via skype). He began the service with the story of the Buddha walking out of the forest for the first time after his enlightenment—a classic story. It was a sunny day, the Buddha, clothed in a simple robe, glowing in love, walked out of the forest. Someone walked over, blown away by his beauty, and asked, “Are you an angel?”

“No” Buddha replied.

“Are you a God?”

“No.”

“Are you a king?”

“No.”

Then what are you?

“I am Awake.”

(That story gives the listener an opportunity to ask “Well, am I awake?” and alas, they are! We all have basic wakefulness.)

Dr. Cole then led us in a service of appreciation for the beautiful life that gave us our own: my grandmother. God it was a great service.

Ecumenical, transreligious, serviceful, saintly, (the breadth of his work and sheer number of people he inspired is outstanding.) I’m sad he is gone, sad for my family, but also grateful, and happy that we had the rare opportunity to meet such a great being. What grace and good karma we all have! Grace!!!! I’m thankful for Dr. Cole’s long and inspiring visit, and feel deep joy waving goodbye to him. Thank you for your visit! We are all more awake and in love because of you. Infinitely more, and infinitely less.

Speaking of which, Satoru, another sparkler, is visiting ty, em, and I for golden week!

And, there was a big fire at the sumitomo chemical plant in my town. Everyone gathered in the street to watch. It felt like festival.


view from my apartment


Emily took satoru and I to the tree. The light was spectacular. and I just stumbled accross some old notes:
In "The Phenomenology of the Spirit" (1807) Hegel (echoing Jesus and Buddha) asserted that the human being contains, enfolded and shrouded within, the spirit of the absolute. This indwelling spirit, emanating as consciousness, comes to know itself as infinite only by assuming the limitations of finite existence and triumphing over them. In other words, the human is the vehicle by which God (or Buddha), as infinite Spirit or Consciousness, comes to Self-recognition...
Good to know.