Dr. Earl R. Smith II

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

Today is the Winter Solstice. And as I reflect on the passing of the season and the decade that has been, I am moved by a sense of anticipation. Very few of us will be unhappy to see the first decade of the 21^st century come to an end. It has been a difficult and trying time. For many it has brought the dimming of dreams. For Americans it has meant the reduction of our standing in the world. As the world became a meaner and more dangerous place, many of us reflected nostalgically on the last decades of the 20^th century. Looking back we saw a world full of hope and promise. Our fondest hope is that such a world will be reborn to the family of mankind. Read the rest of this entry »

A Raven Tales Edition
Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

This is a book about dreaming and thinking – authenticity and in-authenticity. The first section – Dream Walking – relates an extended conversation between Raven and Wolverine. Their talk comes about as a result of an experience that Wolverine has had with Thrush. Wolverine’s question to Raven is actually Thrush’s question to Wolverine. But, as you will no doubt find, the question is different for each of them – as it is different for Raven. The question at the end of the section, however, is only for the reader. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

As it happened Raccoon was foraging along the eastern bank of Brook That Wanders Through the Western Woods. The air was crisp this late fall day and the trees along both banks had already dropped their leaves – some of them onto the surface of Brook – only to be dutifully carried away. He sat and thought on this for some time. Read the rest of this entry »

A Raven Tale
Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

As it happened Raven was visiting Pond on a warm summer’s afternoon. Soft Breeze was gently wandering among the green leaves and pine needles along Pond’s edges. There was the murmur of things past and to come in the sound of her passing. Afternoon Summer Sun sent his rays down and bounced them off Ponds rippling surface – causing sparkles in the soft summer air inviting Small Ones That Fly in Bunches to dance in the shade and light Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

“Why do I sense that we are done for now?” said Wolverine. “You are about to go off and leave me aren’t you?”

“I must leave you to ponder these things. What we must talk about next will require that you have spent some time in their company. We will meet two sunsets from now at Pond’s edge.” With that Raven took flight and quickly disappeared into the soft grey-white morning mist that still enveloped the forest below. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

“I take it that that one is Humans. How and why are they different,” asked Wolverine.

“That is a matter for early morning when things are new and clear. It is time I am moving on and you need to settle in with what I have told you. Meet me at High Rock as Sun rises and I will finish my story.” Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

I Have a Question

Wolverine looked at Raven and Raven’s deep, dark eyes stared back. “I realized that I could not help Thrush. The question was beyond me. In fact, it had never occurred to me. I am not sure that it is really a question. But I knew that, if anybody could unravel this, it would be you. And so I put the question to you, who is the ‘I’ in I am? Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

Searching for Buddha

A monk set off on a long pilgrimage to find the Buddha. He devoted many years to his search until he finally reached the land where the Buddha was said to live. While crossing the river to this country, the monk looked around as the boatman rowed. He noticed something floating towards them. As it got closer, he realized that it was the corpse of a person. When it drifted so close that he could almost touch it, he suddenly recognized the dead body – it was his own! He lost all control and wailed at the sight of himself, still and lifeless, drifting along the river’s currents. That moment was the beginning of his liberation. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

“I’ve grown tired of living life as one continuous fire drill.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’ve found that this kind of affirmation is often an indication of life out of balance.

Balanced, life is a journey both in service to self and to others. What we experience from our life comes both from how much we allow life to bring to us and how much we bring to other lives.

These nourishing wellsprings do not exist independently. Theirs is a symbiotic relationship. The ‘continuous fire drill’ syndrome is an indication of a life out of balance. Let’s take a walk together. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

One of the central ideas of Buddhism centers on the first steps on the path to self knowledge. Here are some thoughts that might help you start on that journey. We’ll go together. Read the rest of this entry »