to a very zen-dog

this particular northern faerie owes alot to the zen-dog.

this blog begins partly in homage to him and in memory of the lesson he represents. it wouldn’t have been possible for me to write these words without his foray into my life. see the photo and read his simple yet effective philosophy on life. it may seem obvious, but like so many things, it’s all too easy to forget or even to completely ignore.
i hope that i won’t ever forget this lesson again. i cherish that little known creation borne of the much loved edward monkton cards, whose words began the positive mutation of my mind. it's ridiculous to think that a greeting card could change my life, because of course, we all find what we seek in the end. however, mr monkton’s zen dog was in the right place at the right time, when i was ready to listen. so it’s him that i think of when i look back to the very beginning of this; my most recent journey inside my own mind.

when i first saw him on that little card, i began thinking about living in the moment and not torturing yourself with the past, the future or the shoulda coulda woulda's too much. it also seemed to suggest that spending too much time on what others are doing in comparison to yourself is wasted time and energy. all things most of us know and accept to be true, but do we actually implement these beliefs in our life? at a time of reflection, following my return home and a painful break-up, i found myself drawn to the dalai lama's book on ethics for the new millenium. following this, i read another book called on relationship by krishnamurti. both books came to me at a time when i needed them, and confirmed my half formed ideas about how to have positive relationships with the world and it's contents (human or otherwise), thereby achieving contentment for myself and others. all the points that the dalai lama's book in particular, made, were things i had known instinctively for a long time, but had somehow failed to put into action.

from then onwards was the beginning of realising just how lucky i am for all the small things and seeing beauty in everything. like washing the dishes just to wash the dishes, not to get them clean, as one analogy i heard puts it. trying often to commit small acts of kindness, smiling more, being generally a bit more of a glass-half full type who tries to heal themselves and the world around them. and odd as it might be, the seed of these thoughts began to sprout over the months i spent staring at this little zen-dog card, which i had blu-tacked to the wall by my bed.

so cheers, sante, egershegedray (that’s hungarian, i think!)

and however the dogs out there bark it

here’s to you zen-dog. clink clink.