While camping at a state park, we noticed a resident chipmunk whose hole home was 5 feet away from our picnic table. After lunch, I threw an avocado pit into the woods, and, 5 minutes later, the chipmunk had rescued the biggest nut she had ever seen and was chipping away at it.
Does an avocado pit have nutritional value? The chipmunk seemed satisfied and rolled the pit into her home. I hope it sustains her this fall and winter after the tourists leave.
Paths of spiritual practice are loaded with big nuts. Are they good for us?
Here's what the Buddha said to the Kalamas:
Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing;
nor upon tradition;
nor upon rumor;
nor upon what is in a scripture;
nor upon surmise;
nor upon an axiom;
nor upon specious reasoning;
nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over;
nor upon another's seeming ability;
nor upon the consideration, 'This guru is our teacher.'
Kalamas, when you yourselves know:
'These things are bad;
these things are blamable;
these things are censured by the wise;
undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,'
abandon them.
Kalamas, when you yourselves know:
"These things are good;
these things are not blamable;
these things are praised by the wise;
undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,"
enter on and abide in them.'
The California Avocado Council does not recommend eating avocado pits, but the chipmunk doesn't know that.
