I meditate for the last time on this mountain that is bare, though others all around are white with snow. Like the bare peak of the koan, this one is not different from myself. I know this mountain because I am this mountain, I can feel it breathing at this moment, as its grass tops stray against the snows. If the snow leopard should leap from the rock above and manifest itself before me – S-A-A-O! – then in that moment of pure fright, out of my wits, I might truly perceive it, and be free.
~ Peter Matthiessen
(The Snow Leopard)
Hi,
They are a magnificent animal the snow leopard. I did a school project on this wonderful animal (many, many years ago now). I have never enjoyed doing a research project so much I don’t think, I went to the library every afternoon, to see what else I could find. 🙂
Lovely post, and very nice words by Peter Matthiessen.
That sounds like a wonderful project you got to do, Mags! Isn’t it wonderful how certain animals capture our imagination and we want to know as much as we can about them. My dad loves all the big cats, including this one, who seems so elusive, mysterious and mystical…
Have you seen the documentary, *Silent Roar: Searching for the Snow Leopard*?
That is a phenomenal graphic! The snow leopard’s eyes pulled me right in.
Me, too, Laurie! I found another graphic I’m thinking of purchasing because I love the moon and the color blue, too.
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/call-of-the-world-angel-gold.html
The snow leopard’s spots and the snow have the same whites and greys. Nice post, as always. Jane
Thank you, Jane! In the documentary I mentioned it was amazing to see how the snow leopard could disappear into the mountain. An awesome creature…
Simply gorgeous Barbara! This one leaves me speechless. An equally beautiful quote!
Thank you, Donna!
Moving words that touches the spirit, ” I know this mountain because I am this mountain, I can feel it breathing at this moment, as its grass tops stray against the snows. ” In a way, I felt that I can totally relate. Have a blessed day my friend and Happy Valentine’s Day.
I’m glad the words resonated with you, too, Island Traveler. A Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your wonderful family, too!
The print–and the quote–is lovely. How I love your wise, thoughtful blog, Barbara!
Thank you, Kathy! Likewise, you are a most welcome visitor… *hugs*
Such a beautiful creature. And the documentary was so compelling. I have always felt an infinity for the big cats.
Your new blog is lovely Barbara.
Thank you, Colleen! My whole family is a bunch of cat lovers, the big cats and house cats alike. I think I spend most of my time on Facebook looking at the big cats on the animal story page. They are amazing animals. I wonder if you also saw Disney’s *African Cats* a couple of years ago? It was spellbinding…
Just the other day I saw a video (taken in Bhutan) of the elusive snow leopard on a Canadian news network. What a quiet, cautious creature it is.
We’re only starting to peer into the snow leopard’s elusive world. A couple of nights ago on a nature program the narrator said that DNA tests revealed that the snow leopard is more closely related to the tiger than to the leopard…