I think that all living and non living things are sacred. I guess what I am trying to say is that no matter what you look at, investigate, question etc. whether it is alive or not it should be revered. It is like the last line of the Gospel of Thomas 113 His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
"It will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Rather, the Father's kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don't see it."

I guess what I am trying to say is that it is here right NOW and we do not see it. This is our chance right now to experience enternity, not after we are dead. What do you think or feel?

I think what Allandnone is saying is that only by being present, being now, being mindful will you be able to realize the sacredness of all things. Not that you should! That's just how it is.

A bird of belief in our clinging hands is not worth a in the bushes of eternity.

How about "A flock of birds of belief in our clinging hands is not worth single bird in the bushes of eternity." (Leave it to Carl to go turn a perfectly good cliche on its head!)

Allandnone:

1)... Eternity is here right NOW and we do not see it! As soon as I start talking about Eternity, I lose it, because I am no longer in the NOW.

2)...Gee wiz how are we suppose to communicate this stuff, with silence?

1) It is not only the "talking", but the thinking that goes on behind the scenes, at least that is my experience. The more I lean on names... definition... any definition... (now, eternity, mindfulness, God, etc.), the less present I am with the 'mystery'. In a way, thinking allows me an illusionary shortcut to the 'answer' that will resolve the 'mystery'. And so I prattle on.

Thus, I would not be so sure that I am not always in the NOW. When I see us (humanity) as being disconnected, for example, I don't mean we actually are disconnected. It is just that we perceive ourselves so. That old illusion of self deceives us. It sets us apart, perceptually speaking. Any belief we have and hold will support the illusion of self and only continue the sense of disconnection. Just have to pop those preconceptions any way we can.

2) "Talking" is crucial. We are social creatures and talking is an integral part of connecting with others. Ironically, thinking serves the same role in connecting with our 'self'. We are all kind of schizoid - thanks to our brain.

Anyway, silence's role in all this come into play when I wish to practice the teaching that uses no words. It is the only way I have found to connect with the 'mystery'.

~/~