Whew....

What a roller coaster ride. Just got home from a shortened 23 mile bike ride. Rode the last mile in on again–off again drizzles as i raced approaching rains home, and according to the online weather the expected storm is just about here. The winds are 24 mph from the SSW with gusts to 39 mph. There were times again today when the flag on the back of my bike was blowing in the same direction that i was riding, even though i was doing 20 mph! Wish i could get a picture of that.

Rides like the ones i've been doing this week (i.e., in strong winds and questionable weather) always make me think of a talk i want to buy someday, even though the priority is almost nil, by Swami Amar Jyoti called We Perceive Only What We Are. It's not that i think he's a great speaker, i don't, but i just love the title of the talk and wonder how he would say what we know he would say.

I can't see how anyone can even question the validity of the statement that how we perceive the world, our place in it, and our interactions with all the other inhabitants... is completely guided by who we are, what our mental state is, our preconceived notions and ideas, our desires and hates, our emotional state from minute to minute, etc. As Swami says, we perceive what we are. Only. No more, no less. I see no way to dispute that, even if i were want to try.

Think the world is a dangerous place? Then it is. Think people are generally bad, greedy, and out to screw everyone they can? Then they are. Think life is a bitch? Then it is. Think someone is an arrogant, egotistical asshole? Then he is. Think the world is a beautiful place? Then it is. Think it is full of wonderful and varied experiences that could thrill you for innumerable lifetimes? Then it is. Think there may be a few bad people here and there but predominantly people are good and generous? Then they are. The world is only what you perceive it to be and how you perceive is 100% governed by your frame of mind.

Is riding in weather like today hard? Yes, absolutely. Does that make it a bad day? No, in no way. All the flowers have started to bloom. Yards and fields are green again. There are lots and lots of birds out there. Softball and baseball has started in the local parks again with kids out playing and having a great time everywhere. And the wind gives me lots of opportunities to work on the legs as i fight up hills, already hard just because hills tend to be hilly, against 39 mph wind gusts. What a great workout, and i didn't even have to sign up for a gym membership. :-)

DHS 144