Tuesday 12 August 2014

Friday, August 8th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

A Fight in the Tree


Fierce fighters they were.  One block from our ashram were a family of four ‘rascal raccoons’ as some people would call them.  They were cussing and snapping at each other off of narrow branches from a single tree.  It was 4 AM, they would not let up.  It was a real show, or rather, a show down.  It halted my short trek, it was a station break for me.  Entertainment at its best.

Seeing those guys lunging at each other was  a simple reminder that species outside of humans usually occupy themselves, in and amongst other things, with this kind of fare – fighting.  Oh, there are plenty of testimonies given by people of spiritual things that animals sometimes enact.  Some of those creatures demonstrate great qualities of benevolence and virtue, such as the dog’s loyalty, which is a far cry from what you find in many humans. 

A raccoon’s snarl, such as what I heard and witnessed when seeing those perfect rows of jaws jutting out, was a family feud performance.  It seems to be quite common amongst these guys.  I believe we all have aggressive little raccoons in our head. 

Aggression was probably the theme of our drama practice this evening.  As the director, I was bringing out the raccoon in everyone.  Aggression is what the scene calls for.  I applaud my tree friends, the raccoons, taking the lead in showing this passion.  The rehearsal was good.  By the way, you really get to know people when you ask them to surrender who they think they are and when they’re trying to be someone else.  Deep down inside we are humble entities and naturally take a service role.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

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