Raven 9: Character

The ethical and the social are intricately interwoven. But what about your nonsocial reality: mountains, rivers, sunshine, wind, rain, forests of trees and wide fields of grasses? How do these things make you a better person?

Case

One evening, in a discussion of her personal problems, Raven asked Brown Bear, "What is the role of character in the practice?"
Brown Bear said, "I try to keep my promises."
Raven said, "I try to keep my promises, too, but I'm easily distracted."
Brown Bear said, "The cold wind reminds me."

Verse

"There is a Universal Love that has never broken faith with us and never will." (Walther Herz)
Winter winds, shivering chill
Summer mug, sticky sweat
Blue jay at noon, clear stars at night --
They are always keeping their promise.

Case by Robert Aitken; introduction and verse by Meredith Garmon

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