http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PNDWa5ddW4

For many, Our Lady of Guadalupe is thought to be an aspect of Mary, the mother of Christ. She is said to have first appeared to Mexican Indian Juan Diego on December 9, 1531 and appeared four times over a period of four consecutive days. Her visits with Juan Diego took place on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City, Mexico.

Juan Diego, know as Juanito to his family, was walking from his village to the city when he first saw La Virgen Morena (the brown skinned virgin). She requested that Juan Diego ask Spanish Bishop John to build a church in her name.

Years ago, I was working late at my office in social services when two young prostitutes who had just been released from jail knocked on the front door of the building. They were in need or food and clothing. Despite their inquiry, they were somewhat sarcastic and rude. My intuitive feeling was that neither of them was long for this world. They both appeared to be drug addicted and seriously ill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ZFI2j4rMY

A few years ago I went to visit my friend who is a Buddhist priest in San Francisco. During morning meditation we all sat quietly on our zafu pillows and enjoy the simplicity of the zendo. Only one ornament adorned the altar, a single orchid. In its simplicity and singularity, it was extraordinarily beautiful.

“Stop the chase and be a witness” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

Many of us know the pain and suffering of being stuck in desire. Having desire in and of itself suggests that we don’t have something we want. That elusive thing, person or goal is something we wish for because we don’t feel complete as we are. Of course, there is nothing wrong with desire. Almost all of us have wishes, however, when we find ourselves in pain because we don’t have what we wish for we may want to loosen the tenacious grip that desire has on us.