As dark broody skies hang literally - and figuratively - over Thailand and much of the world, some local people have started to make offerings to Phra Mae Thoranii - the Thai Earth Goddess. I saw two ladies this morning, dressed in their fine traditional Thai clothes, choosing fruit at the local market here in Baan Rim Tai to make her an offering. It seemed wrong to photograph them as we chatted... about the offerings they wanted to make to invite Her abundance to help feed their families, in a country with almost no government support. We smiled and wai'd and they chose new season red dragonfruits.
Phra Mae Thoranii grows out of the Vasudhara cult in Hinduism - and has grown into the Bodhivista of wealth, prosperity and abundance. Vasudhara literally means "stream of gems" which, in Thai, Burmese, and Tibetan Buddhism has come to be represented by the pouring of water. In Thai images - like the one above - Phra Mae Thoranii is wringing out the waters of compassion (and wealth, prosperity and abundance) from her hair onto the Earth.
I love the way in Thailand connection to the Earth remains the mark of wealth and abundance.
Each Buddhist ceremony always has a bowl of water present, and people believe the water soaks up the prayers of the faithful. When the prayers and mantras are finished, the water is returned, with the prayers, to Mother Earth.
It's hard not to feel the heaviness right now.
The dark broody skies over Chiang Mai have opened as I write, and it's hard not to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the deluge.
Today I saw friends valiantly and compassionately donating food to people, as they do day after day - to displaced people who have no work, no money and are simply waiting. Such respect for Sa Archer from Archers Bar after I saw this today! š It's a different type of deluge - you can see from the sheer number of water bottles piled high how many people are already queued for their only meal of the day.
It is during the deluges of all kinds that we need to be most mindful. That the waters of compassion don't always flow in a neat tidy trickle, and the WE need to be that flow of compassion for others.
In amidst seemingly endless global complaining about travel, quarantine, Covid and how tough-unfair western life is, I choose to be called to be more mindful to the compassion which surrounds me. To see the helpers and the givers. And to see what grows after the deluge passes.
ricefields behind our house
Mindful life, mindful living, is about deluges and being aware and awake to what really matters. And gently sidestepping the self-serving stuff, the sympathy seekers and the dull noise of discontent and complaint.
It is ultimately our compassion for humanity which causes the lush new growth which will feed us all. You hear and feel it best in the grateful silence when the evening rains ease to a few heavy drops, the frogs start singing again and the world is washed clean.
All images used in my posts are created and owned by myself, unless specifically sourced. If you wish to use my images or my content, please contact me.
Get Your FREE Hive Account
Come check out my natural Thai herbal businessā¦ yes, we ship world-wide
Visit our online store here
Join The Best Natural Health Community on Hive
