It is not very often that I can improve upon other people’s writings.
I cannot improve upon any of Eve Revere’s writings.
There are so many quotations, by others, I would like to share.
In my extensive reading of Joseph Campbell’s works
regarding cultures of the world and the influence of the Goddess,
and in my subsequent focus on Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism,
here are two quotations I would like to initially share:
“There is not one migrating being
who has not been my mother or father
in this world of sentient beings.
Where can I find anyone, anywhere,
who has shown me more kindness?
To wish harm to one’s mother or her offspring
is clearly delusional.”
(The Practice of Lojong, by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche)
and
“Why did I previously commit bad actions
Which now cause others to do me harm?
Since everything comes from my own past actions,
Why should I be angry with my enemies?”
(The Way of The Bodhisattva, by Shantideva)
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I spent this afternoon listening to Eve’s audio recorded lectures,
looking at her pictures, and I lit candles in her memory.
Then I had a brief meditation.
After the meditation I had this thought:
Eve had often commented about “people valves” to replace doors.
She considered doors to be such primitive devices.
Now I think she was referring not only to the birth canal
which is used to physically enter into this realm,
but also to the passageways that we can take, in meditation,
to visit loved ones.
In artwork throughout the ages, we often see guardians
at the entrance to the beyond.
How often have we heeded the guardian who forbade our entrance?
We need only heed the guardian who welcomes us
to pass through the “people valves” of other realms.
Eve, thank you for the compounded metaphors.
In memory of Eve Revere…
