photo from Internet, Anon.

The chipmunk sleeps on dry leaves inside his burrow, nestled against his provisions while the storm begins to rage outside.
Smells of acorn, grass, corn and chestnuts fill the tiny tunnel and now are mingled with the smell of rain wafting gently in on the storm-cooled air.
Sounds, too, come into the nest. The dry creek bed is beginning to come alive with the falling rain and trickles of water accumulate on the parched rocks.
A cricket, grateful for the moisture, but fearful of the drops pounding its perch,
sends his cryptic message out to his kind, then skitters for cover.
Raindrops, lit by flashes of lightning, sparkle as jewels worthy of their value.
Sustainers of life, each drop finds its way deep into waiting cells.
The dance begins, viewed as microscopic life and continuing to universal importance. The gift of life imparted within this tiny, wet equation.

Phil Miller

Our Own Prism

Photo and text by: Phil Miller /// Bernheim Forest near Bardstown, KY

We all see the same white light, but translated through our individual prism, which is made up of our unique life's experiences. What a clever and Divine plan, this. Our individual understanding of " the Truth " coming from the same Source and translated in billions of ways; unique with each one of us.

Right Meditation

Right meditation is not escapism; it is not meant to provide hiding-places for temporary oblivion. Realistic meditation has the purpose of training the mind to face, to understand and to conquer this very world in which we live.


-Nyanaponika Thera, "Power of Mindfulness"

Open Letter To A Friend re: Measures of Time

Question: " Phil, what measures of time were you capturing in that photograph? What did you see that made you think of the title?"


Thanks for your question regarding the photograph in " Measures of Time ", recently posted.

While there appears to be a theme in the photograph, and a case can be made that there is one,
my original intent was simply to catch the sunlight shining through the vase that was projected onto the wall. I simply saw it as beautiful and striking at the time. On looking at it later I could see a theme emerging:

The candle burns in dark of night, the flowers are seasonal, the clock is a standard, the shadows around the brass horse plaque denote time of day and seasonal angle of the sun .... as do the prismatic glows through the water and glass of the vase. The seated/reading monk can be viewed as emblematic ( emblematicus ) of the historical past blended with the present.

No doubt there are other "measures" one could imagine and if you find more, please let me know. Thanks for the question and even more for your interest.

Phil