Did you know that birds practice Eastern Philosophy? When I shot this birdhouse nestled in a friend's garden, I heard chirps and silence as this spiritual tribe listened most attentively to their meditation master. It was amazing!! I understood their special language and hope to get some shots of these spiritual creatures next time I visit. I heard of another special retreat, Saporo Garden nestled in the San Bernadino Mountains, two hours from Los Angeles. I am planning to visit this famous international bird retreat that rates highest for those birds that are deeply committed to the teaching of the Zen master Suzuki Roshi. Birds of all races, creeds and colors are encouraged to keep an open mind likened to the wonder of a child seeing the world without preconceptions. I did hear a lecture given by a bird named Cardinal Chodron, one of the many species housed in this ancient dwelling. The lecture was a lively and accessible take on ancient techniques for transforming terror and pain into joy and compassion. At the end of her talk, she dedicated the merit of the occasion to all beings. This gesture of universal friendship has been compared to a drop of fresh spring water. If we put it on a rock in the sunshine, it will soon evaporate. If we put in the ocean, however, it will never be lost. Thus the wish is made that we not keep the teachings to ourselves but use them to benefit others. I was inspired by the wisdom of these enlightened views that included a quote from one of my favorite books, The Little Prince. Be prepared to be filled with delight and awe at the wisdom of the author, the amazing Antoine De Saint-Exupery. The little fox teaches us "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." I have always been drawn to Eastern Philosophers and integrate the teachings of Eastern and Western philosophy into my work as a psychotherapist. There was an enlightened sparrow that I saw when I peeked into this sacred sanctuary who was reading passages from Pema Chodron who is anAmerican Buddhist nun and one of the foremost students of Chogyam Trugpa, the renowned Tibetan meditation guru. I recommend reading some of her books after listening to the wisdom the spiritual sparrow. The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, and her best selling novel When Things Fall Apart. She is the resident teacher at Gambo Abbey, Cape Breton, and Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery for Westerners. Many of the birds fly to several of her meditation retreats to learn to accept themselves and others complete with faults and imperfections, and to stay in the present moment by seeing through the strategies of ego that cause us to resist life as it is.