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Posts tagged ‘meditation’

Bom dia, hello everyone

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Fall is in the air, the perky nip of cooler weather is there to greet me in the morning when I let the dog out. 16 degrees C, ( 45 F).  The fall has to be my favourite season of all.. I enjoy each  one of our very different seasons, but fall weather  has a special place in my heart.  Every year  around this time the leaves start to work their magic on the landscapes.  The lazy hazy days of summer disappear, there is a quicker and snappier mood to our walk.  The fall clothes come out, the warm sweaters, closed in shoes, and wonderful combinations of casual fashion.

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It is true, in the fall you are more likely able to draw me out into nature, the bugs and insects are not around, and where I would love a night in this cabin, I really feel the we would have problems taking the dogs out at night.  The next picture is of a “pond” in a secluded area of Nova Scotia, Canada where someone camps.  We have been to such locations in our travels, believe me, the exhilaration of such moments is beyond words.

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In my personal journey to become a better person, I enjoy my time away as much as my time in the city.  Life is wherever I am.  It is when we stop moving forward in our lives that we grow stagnant.   One one  personal card I had printed, read, Discover a new you…. explore active meditation…. Step outside the box.   What is active meditation, active meditation is when you live each moment of your day with Makoto (sincerity) with a focus on being a better person in all you say and do.  Like the world we live in (nature)  our moods and self expression changes. When we accept that the only constant in life is change, then we are well on our path to living with a peaceful heart.

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May your day be blessed with an abundance of happiness and joy!

Namste    – Oyashikiri

 

 

 

 

* nature.desktopnexus.com

**tacktoit.com

*** Pinterest, T Werner Abel camping area

**** fs.usda.gov  Lake Conasauga,North Georgia camping area.

 

solitude in crowded busy places

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We have all at one time or another been in such a place, either an airport, train station, bus station, exhibition grounds, it could be anywhere. There is a constant flow of activity around you. You need to unwind, slow down, chill. what do you do?

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For me, I turn off, I zone out. This skill didn’t come to me overnight, it is a life long practice that is akin to prayer and meditation.  I close my eyes and turn inward to the quiet within me. Serenity,peace, joy… these are inner qualities of “self”.  Our connection to God/Tao… Life.  PL Precept # 3, God appears through One’s Self... We can’t always travel to distant lands to meditate and pray in temples and at shrines.  There are countries where the churches and temples are open for those who wish to pray and communicate with “the Divine”.  In North America this is not always possible except at given times and days.

When we learn to meditate/pray in a way that connects to our inner “Self”, then no matter where we are, even in a crowded room. we can connect to the quiet and peace within. we rejuvenate, energize and mend the tired/shattered psyche .. giving us that needed extra boost to get on with creativity of our day/night.  PL Precept #21  – Live in Perfect Liberty

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Namaste – Oyashikiri

 

 

pictures 1 & 2 Japan,  #1 tokyo airport #2, Kenroku-en gardens, Kanazawa

#3 lotus flowr macro by Bahman Farzad on flickr

a tranquil & meditative attitude

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Life is never without changes

Some transitions are smoother than other.  When attempting to sort through the many potentials and possibilities, often more problems surface. There is a Chinese text (Tao) that speaks on how the benefits of a slow developing engagement usually produces a much more stable and satisfying union.  Same applies in Business relationships,  success comes if one holds firm to inner visions while adapting to established business policies.

Wise words spoken by a sage:  Refrain from hasty or passionate  action – lean instead towards the romantic cultivation of love.

Sometimes it is important to realize that we are in a slow, organic unfolding of events – there are no shortcut in the journey ahead.

Namaste  – Oyashikiri

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text-pictures -Q

Unfolding of Time

church,Romania village of Bezidu

In 1988 the village of Bezidu Nou in Romania  was flooded.  Only these two churches remained above the water,  This (above) was a picture of the churches in 1995

church Romania 2008

By   2008 only one remained, the land around, you can see has been dramatically changed.  In 2014 this is what a visitor to the site will find.

Church Romania 2014 -courtesy lacihobo,Utikalauz,causs and zuzsa Mate

pictures courtesty, lachihobo,Utikalauz,Causss and Zsuzsa Mate

There is an expression that comes to mind, “never judge a book by its cover”.  People we meet, friends we already know, even family, how much do we really know about them.  We see only the “face” presented to us.  Even over time, we may see the gradual changes, but do we really go beyond what we see in that given moment of time.

Good relationships begin by the simple act of greeting one another.  I’ve had too many “how are you” spoken to me, without any real intent on the other person’ part to really hear my response.  It is a throw away question or remark.   As is, “I’m fine thank you, and you?”  Usually or often, the person has moved on before you are really finished with the formality of a greeting.

Let us try today to show respect and a genuine caring when we interact with others,  Smile from the heart, when you pass a stranger if your eyes meet, smile, nod it is a feel good feeling.   When driving on rural back roads often the residents will wave as we pass, we wave back, its friendly and a welcome exchange between strangers.  You find yourself smiling, it was a happy exchange …

Walls may crumble and disappear, but the happiness in your heart will always be there. Treasure and nurture it.

Have a super fantastic day my friends,  Know that you are in my prayers and that love is being sent your way today and always.   Blessings be.                                  

May the Universe wrap you in a calm,serene embrace

May the faith and spirit within you

cast out the darkness, bathing you  in a light

that will fill you with eternal grace.

Namaste  – Oyashikiri 

words by Q

 

Creative start to a new day

sunrise   -going up by Adrian Moysey on Fivehundredpx

Dispelling the darkness of night

a new day begins with the shining,warming sunlight

Take a step forward today, reach for that special prize

Throughout the ages, with every new sunrise

prayers are said, meditations are practiced

the body exercised, a new page turned

The spirit grows stronger with each passing day

live with full makato*, take in all that there is to learn

Today is a brand new day!

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Namaste – Oyashikiri

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* makato – sincerity

**picture – going up by Adrian Moysey on Fivehundredpx

*** pinterest

Happy Thursday Everyone!

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Welcome another day!  I overheard a conversation the other day, noooo  I was not eavesdropping I was happily shopping but aware of my surroundings, two women were in conversation right  next to me, hard not to hear.  One woman was complaining of the heat (it was hot, in the 90’s) the other one listened, but as soon as the first stopped talking, went right into what a mess her life was in.  This was a conversation that they both have had before because the other woman then jumped right in with her list of complaints too. Both agreeing that nothing ever changes..  I tried moving away to another rack, but they were also shopping and seemed to moved near me again, still with the same dialogue.

These women were strangers to me, and I’m sure that it was great to be able to have a friend to unload to, however, they were sad and disappointed with their current situations when the conversation began, and it seemed that it would go on being so …. I briefly closed my eyes and offered up a thank you to the heavens for the blessings in my life.  I love life with all the joys and challenges it brings. That’s me, being who I am, I wish everyone  was as happy as I am, in PL (Perfect Liberty)  we strive to live ….. Precept #1 – Life is Art  in all we do.  Precept #10 – Love YOURSELF and  OTHERS.

itstained glass windowsThe  PL lesson of yesterday was  to set higher goals and work to improve ourselves.   Today’s lesson, is to always express our true selves with honesty and integrity.

Why start the day with a meditation, thought, prayer ………………….because it helps set the tone for the day, YOUR day.  Life is not always a ball of laughs, and we are not always happy with the cards we were dealt.  However,  reality is…… perception…… and only YOU have the ability to change that perception.  No one else can do it for you.

Focus on your true feelings, and express yourself with makoto (sincerity) and honesty.  Then listen to what you’ve said, and to what you are feeling.

Once you’e made up your mind, move forward without hesitation.  Believe in your”SELF”.

Namaste      –    Oyashikiri

and, so it was

rainy day, Drift Creek Falls Oregon

the rain, the mist

filled my world with thoughts of you

slowly I drift

marveling all the while

at how out of the blue

I rediscoverd the joy of  spending time with you

walking in the rain

is not insane

this wonderful world is full of gifts

treasures you share every day

this is your domain

in my heart you remain

my UNIVERSE, my ONE, my ALL

and, so it was

and is

my prayer to you today

Amen

rain on flower

words/prayer by Q

* Drift Creek Falls on a very rainy day by cooler than h2o -flickr

** flickr.com Tracie Frank

Bonjour c’est mardi, good morning everyone!

spring mist

 

In exercise of meditation /concentration, trying to force results will only lead to an undesired outcome. Changes no matter what they are, ( although at the time we don’t think it is what we want), in time we learn, they are usually the best for us, and the catalyst to an improved and better state of  BEING.

Let us pray/meditate today for all who need to feel an extra boost of positive energy coming their way.  Take time today to touch base with a friend, smile at a stranger, wish people a good day.  May YOUR day be blessed with the knowledge that you are loved.. always and forever…           Oyashikiri

 

Bom dia, good morning everyone!

temple entrance,Kamakura,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan  by Hanbi via flickr.

Where ever you footsteps take you today, may the day be one of many blessings.  Each day, a new door opens, and often another will close.  Nothing is forever, trying  to hold back the ongoing changes that are the essence of life.  Church, (temple) is where you find your spiritual calm, your inner Self,  Some find it in the quiet communion with the Universe while they wander the sea-shore, or kayak into isolated bays.  Other’s feel it the moment they walk into their favourite place of worship.

temple garden by Teruhide Tomori on flickr

Transform your day today, visit your quiet place, experience the true happiness of connecting with the Divine Energy that is life.  Strive each day to improve yourself.  Sincere prayer and meditation is a gift we give ourselves.  Rewards are one hundredfold

temple landscape by eiji Murakami on flicker

Oyashikiri

* Temple entrance,Kamakura,Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan by hanabi.on Flickr

**Garden by Teruhide Tomori on Flickr

*** by Eliji Murakami on Flickr

Good morning everyone

 

 

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I was asked a question last night by someone who is just getting to know me.  He said “who are you anyway”, simple question I guess, but it was not an easy answer.  I’ve been reflecting on it since it was such a direct question, and I did not have a simple 1 liner answer.  For those of you reading this who have followed my many blogs and lived, experienced my numerous discoveries with me, I doubt you could come up with a one word answer yourselves, because certainly over the years I have rolled along life’s roadways simply living what the Universe put down before me.  That what life is to me, a journey in which I am always traveling  through the moments life presents to me.

When I was actively teaching lessons of the TAO through Chinese art forms, landscaping,martial arts, meditation, body work etc. it was always very interesting to me how different the reaction or answer would be when I asked a potential student why they had come to the Center.  How they had arrived at my door.  Answered varied, chronic pain, their doctor’s had recommended  something I was teaching/offering, anger management, wanting more  from the martial arts training they were getting.  Health care professionals who needed a release from the day to day pressures of their jobs.  Golfers wanting to improve their game.  It was a joy each day to work with people who had a thirst for more.  We wanted to take back control of their lives, to be more connected.  Yes I have been very blessed in  this life. I so appreciate all of my life experiences, for without them, I would not be the person I am today.

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In schools you are taught lessons, techniques, in life you learn to use these lessons.  It is not how much you learn, it is how you learn, it is not in the quantity of things you do, but in the quality of what you do.  In the last 20 years I  have seen a change in Massage Therapy. I was in one life a certified RMT (Registered Massage Therapist) why because to practice that Taoist  ”WAY” of body work, I required certification in the discipline as required by whatever State of Province I was working in.  Each geographical place had different levels of competence required. ( I’ll save my comments on this for another visit.)  Over my years I’ve had to acquire certification for this and for that, lots of useless pieces of card stock, that in time get grey and time worn and really serve no purpose except put $ into the accounts of the groups/associations that give out the renewal stickers.  I never put them up.

For teachers like myself, it isn’t about the numbers or the money, it is about the connection you make with another human being.  That said I soon learned that $ does for some reason  have an impact on the perceived value of the sessions.  I am generalizing here, but often when something is given free or at little cost, less value is put on what is being shared.  For most of my adult  life, I lived alone by choice. Work was my passion, and my life.  Work was something to do to earn money to live, but for me, I loved what I did, and so yes I needed the money to live, but I sure loved the experience of working. When I would get publicity, an interview on television, radio, or newsprint, the phones would go wild.  However I am one person, and I can only do so much, so…. in time…. the Universe worked it out for me…. and life settled back to a comfortable pace.

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I did not do combat sports, I did work with students of the art at perfecting what they were striving to do.  I did teach meditation, active and passive, but with each student I worked out what was best for them.  The land and nature were  and will always be, part of the teaching.  We gain strength through our hardships.  It is in repeated and often simple movement that we achieve great things.  There are no mistakes, only learning curves.

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CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT IN LIFE – the TAO

pictures .Pinterest

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