The vastness of the mountains allows us to look on our problems as though from above.

In the course of everyday life in society, it is easy for us to collapse in on the ego-self and to identify ourselves with our problems and afflictive emotions.  The mountains, by contrast, help expand our perspective, enabling us to see our problems as though from above.  Instead of feeling tight and leaden on account of our focus on the seemingly solid contents of our awareness, we instead begin to identify ourselves with the vast transparency of awareness itself, a consciousness that is permeated through and through with the peace and bliss of the Great Beyond.

Photo: Indian Paintbrush, American Lakes Basin, Thunder Peak and Lulu Mountain; Never Summer Range, CO; July 13, 2012