Bicycling OnThe Red Path

"Branching brain cells

"These specialised cells named Purkinje cells (red) are found in a part of the brain called the cerebellum. They send out vast numbers of branches that make connections with other cells in the cerebellum. This part of the brain coordinates your voluntary movements and keeps you oriented in space. It also plays a part in learning physical skills – such as riding a bike or playing the piano."

Confocal micrograph by Ludovic Collin

Connectivity in the brain is important for function. The more connections, the better the function, and the better the brain is able to compensate for injuries, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Challenging the brain with mental exercises builds connectivity, as does learning new motor skills. A simple thing to do is to switch the hand you use for your mouse. It will be awkward for a day or two, but eventually the brain makes more connections, and it will become automatic.

This image came from Biomedical Image Awards 2006 and lots more pictures I will never be able to take are there as well. I don’t have the equipment to take them. I did have the camera to take photos at the Sun ceremony, but it is discouraged, so I honor that. Even at the Amish place where we stopped to buy produce when we were lost preferred no pictures. This was a farm out of the tourist area, and they like their privacy.

The dresses of the female dancers at Friendship village are made of red, and they use yellow shawls with long fringing that swirls as they dance. The men wear a red skirt, like a swami dhoti, but are bare cheasted except for a yellow sash. All the dancers wore circlets on their heads woven out of red and yellow cloth except for an aborigine from Australia who had a red and yellow cap woven by her elders.

The colors have meaning. Red represents the Red Path, what Christians might call the straight and narrow. A devotee would think of it as the Dharma, the Path of Religion. It means to live with right livelihood, right principles. It means to be aware of your connection to all living beings.

“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.”

Bg 2.40

"And the dharma of each spark of divine consciousness is to dance in harmony around the central fire, Krsna, the original supreme personality. We are all unique, individual, and personal manifestations of Krsna, but our dharma is to recognize our source, to celebrate our eternal connection with Him through loving service. In short, our dharma, as eternally conscious selves, is to love and serve Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Dharma: The Way of Transcendence -- Introduction