This is the last in the series of Flower paintings by Joy Shaylor

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A ZEN STORY

One day a young student came to Zen Master Bankei with a problem.

“Master,” he said, “I can‘t control my temper and I go into a terrible rage. What can I do?”

“Show me what happens,” replied Bankie.

The young man shook his head and explained that it just happened unexpectedly.

“Well,” said the master," this bad temper can’t be the real you. If it was, you’d be able to show it to me at any time. What’s more, you didn’t have it when you were born, and it didn’t come from your parents. Why don’t you go away and think about that.”

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A FAVOURITE POEM

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight,
And all the air a solemn stillness holds,
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds;

Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as, wandering near her secret bower,
Molest her ancient solitary reign.

 (from Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray 1716-1771)  

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" O for the wings of a dove" from “Hear my prayer” by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)



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SCOTTISH TALES FROM THE OTHER WORLD continues on Friday 6th November with “MacCrinnoch’s Lament.”

http://scottishtalesfromtheotherworld.blogspot.com

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