We can seek refuge from predatory emotions by camouflaging ourselves with the Ground of Being.

Today I was meditating under a Ponderosa Pine at the top of a ridge near my home.  When I opened my eyes after twenty minutes, I saw what appeared to be a pine needle walking toward me.  When it stopped, I had difficulty distinguishing it from the surrounding needles.  This "walking-stick bug" - as it is often called - reminded me that when afflictive emotions arise - like fear, self-deprecation and anger - I can seek refuge by camouflaging myself, identifying with the underlying Ground of Being rather than give the predatory emotion anything to "see" and feed upon.

Photo: Walking-stick bug; Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County, CO; November 18, 2013

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