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Greetings Wednesday 17th – hola!

Greetings Wednesday 17th - hola!

Good Morning…. How are you today? Wish you could see the big smile on my face. Yesterday when I was cleaning up, tossing and packing things away for the church garage sale in the fall, I realized that I had not seen my prayer beads in awhile.
*#@ panic!! what happened to my beads. I have been collecting and holding them close for a lifetime. I was reacting, when suddenly I caught glimpse of the Omitama (a PL prayer symbol blessed by Oshieoya-sama,) Mine sits high on the mantel in the “gathering room”

I stilled the desire to run around searching, sat myself down and closed my eyes and “let go” of the anxiety. As my run away mind began to settle down, and I felt the calm of the quiet begin to wrap gently around me, I remembered I  had put them away last time I cleaned up so they would be safe. Soft sigh, I knew where they were. =^_^=

Do you have prayer beads, do you use prayer beads in your practice? Something to consider. Prayer beads come in many colors, sizes and combinations, Lois Sherr Dubin in her book “ The History of Beads from 30,000B.C. to the present ” tells us “It is perhaps through the use of rosaries,circlets of prayer beads, that people have achieved their most profound and complete relationship with beads”

Have a grand day everyone, remember today’s PL lesson, Always Challenge Yourself with New Things.

Blessings

Written

on July 17, 2013

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Letting Go

Letting Go I will be leaving soon for Japan, finally, the time is drawing near. Next week. I will be leaving all my electronic gadgets at home and boarding a plane for an island far away, one that I have only read about or seen on travel shows. I know that this trip will change my life forever. It is a trip I have waited for, for a very long time. 1. Rensei training, PL’s unique spiritual,mental and physical training, conducted only at the PL Holy Land. By participating in this specially blessed training, one’s state of mind can be purified and we can embody the PL teachings.  2. I will be there for the annual Founders’ Day Ceremony, a power packed event that ends with an hour long display of the world’s greatest fireworks “The Art of PL Fireworks” I am being asked so many questions from friends and family. Will I take pictures, will I sight see, will I shop? Nothing is further from my mind. In preparation I have been meditating, and praying not only to try to prepare for this experience, but to accept the Letting Go of the part of “me” that will not be coming back. Daily I’ve been cleaning out, & paring down of material possessions.  With each piece I pass along, the more the physical space becomes uncluttered,, the more serene I become. PL teaching day 17..Always Challenge Yourself With New things... Life is interesting because we always encounter unknown or new situations that we have never experienced before. Proactively challenge each new situation. Meanwhile, our new Sr. Minister (Rev. Eugene) arrives this week, we will meet Saturday for a special ceremony, and Sunday the 21st we will all celebrate Thanksgiving together.  The PL community will gather to meet and greet. Please if you are in the area, you know that you are welcome to attend.  Contact information can be had from our web page.  Rev. Goto will now be based out of New York. He will continue from there to be available to anyone  wanting information on PL     Rev. Tiago our resident minister is also available to assist you in Portuguese, Spanish,French,or English. Blessings.  Good Night everyone!

Written

on July 16, 2013

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God Resides in Your Prayerful MInd

God Resides in Your Prayerful MInd

PL teaching day 13 > God Resides in Your Prayerful Mind. In addition to making heartfelt and continuous effort, Let’s pray to God. He/She will surely respond to your Makoto (sincerity)

Mioyaookami -God> is not a person,male or female. God is the power,source and law of the universe. (In PL we call God, Mioyaookami.)

Just as we know that our bodies must be fed, and renewed by having a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, so must we connect with the “Divine/Universe” in a constant orderly “way”
PL faith grows not only through intellectual understanding but through heartfelt prayer on a daily basis.

” The ultimate Tao is called absolute. We cannot know it directly because it has no definitions, references or names. Our normal minds are incapable of perceiving where there is no contrast. Yet is it precisely this colorless infinity that is the underlying reality to this life.“ Deng Ming-Dao

PL Precept #21 – Live in Perfect Liberty

Written

on July 12, 2013

Good Morning everyone… 7.6.13

How is your day so far?  This week I got to sit down and actually read an article that I had put aside to read when I wouldn’t be disturbed.  I wanted to read about the elderly in Okinawa Japan. It seems that the villagers in a sleepy northern part of Okinawa, appear to live longer, and healthier. There is even a song that says that 50 and 60 year olds are babies, and people in their 70 and 80’s are adults.  It is only after turning into your 90’s that you begin to bloom.  In the Ogimi village, (pop 3308) they claim to having the highest longevity record in the world.  A super elder is someone over 100  =^_^=

The longest centenarian study (36 years) has involved Dr. Makoto Suzuki  who is the principal researcher behind the Okinawa Centenarian Study.  In 1994  he was joined by Drs. Craig and Bradley Willcox (Calgary born).  Their findings have been published and thanks in part to Oprah Winfrey, it became a bit of a bestseller.

How the World’s Longest Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health – and How you can too (2001).  The study was funded by the Japan Ministry of Health.  they looked at the total health of the “seniors”  – physical, mental and spiritual.  Dr Suzuki explained that part of the good spiritual health came from the island way of thinking called nankuru naisa, meaning don’t worry, be happy.. note.. these people lived through relentless bombardments during the war and years of poverty in the aftermath.  In PL, every day is a new day,  a new beginning, the 21 Principles help us achieve an Artistic Life.

Another factor in the islander’s longevity, is waking each day with Ikigai (a reason to get out of bed)  In PL, we do our best to live each moment to the fullest, PL Precept #18 – Each Moment is a  Turning Point  ………….  PL # 14  Peace is everything  

Let’s not forget, diet and exercise. How food is cooked is as relevant as the foods themselves. Having purpose in all we do ( life ) is so important   The philosophy and concept of what I was reading smacked of how as a Taoist I try to live everyday, and as a practitioner of PL (Perfect Liberty)  I am encouraged and supported in my daily devotions to live in a manner that will promote world peace.  Grand thinking, no not really, if we, each and every one of us, practice living with love in our hearts and continue to reach out and pray for others and peace,  one by one our loving hearts will link, through Shingei (sharing our PL faith with others) the loving energy of world peace will grow.

When we look beyond ourselves, towards world Peace, our lives will be more fulfilling. We will have joy in self expression, living our lives to the fullest, will give us longevity. Happiness is such a wonderful state of BEing.    Blessings all!

July 5 for 6a_003

The article that so inspired this piece was written by Annarosa Sabbadini ( published in Doctor”s Review March 2013 )

virtual art from SL (Second Life)

Happiness is a state of mind – BE happy everyone….

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A Change of Heart Can Turn the Tide – PL day 6

A Change of Heart Can Turn the Tide - PL day 6

No Matter what the situation, you can’t change others. The only thing you have control over is how you accept things and deal with them.

In PL, we try to provide, daily readings to help light every facet of life. Brief, poetic aphorism provide insightful meditations, on the day’s PL ( Perfect Liberty) teaching.    Blessings everyone!

Written

on July 5, 2013

Act With Enthusiasm

PL teaching day 28 > If you put your whole heart into whatever you do, you will be able to appreciate any task at hand.  Take initiative in tackling your work or tasks.  Act with Enthusiasm.

Vitality in nature – All nature is a song – have you ever spent time in a garden? Everywhere you look, there is some dynamic event in progress.  In our garden it is an ever changing vista.  Birds fly in and out, they bathe at the water feature, they search for tidbits of treats left behind by the squirrels that travel the highways (hydro and phone lines) that criss-cross between the properties.  Insects scurry back and forth along their well worn paths under the vegetation.  Gardens are a hive of activity.  One day the flower buds are lifting their little faces to the sun, and it seems like the  next day, the branches are heavy with tantalizing fruit.  The smells of moist earth is strangely stirring, and the fact that no matter how well tended the garden is, there is constant entropy and disorder.

Yet…. all is as it should  be, each and every part of the garden is living as it should.  There is a natural rhythm in nature, we let it happen, Variety IS vitality.  Each and everyone of us,  has our own rhythm/song.  It is up to each of us to sing as we feel moved by the over-all song of life.  Harmonize with it …sing in counterpoint….descend into strange modes, chant, “go with the flow”

PL teaches us to pray in order to have good self expression.  We need to strive to express ourselves joyfully, cheerfully and beautifully.

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Thursday another glorious day!

How is your day?  I hope it is super fantastic. In Canada,we are heading into our Canada Day long week-end, lots of festivities planned for visitors coming to the capital.  Heard on the news that astronaut Chris Hatfield will be here performing on the sound stage on Parliament Hill.  He will also have a display of all the Twitter pictures he took while in space. I would imagine that our city will be buzzing all week-end with activities.  Yesterday we saw people going to the Jazz festival site near City Hall.  So many possibilities, so many options. Do you have plans?

Every day is a special day when we start the day with a smile and a positive attitude.

PL  Principles  #12   I will get up pleasantly in the morning.

When we ask someone for help, we do so with sincerity, both in words and actions.  In the same manner, when we pray, it is important to offer our utmost sincerity to God/Tao/Buddha.  In PL, when we pray to Got, we use a unique prayer form.  this can be done either performed sitting or standing.  the PL Prayer form allows you to attain the most ideal state of mind when praying.

Taking the time to perform this simple ritual for me has enhanced my time in prayer/meditation.  It is very personal, it helps me to really slow down and focus “center”.

On Sunday’s we will often take time before the service to do some exercise together.  This gives the body the opportunity to stretch and release any stiffness in the joints, to activate and extend.  Then when the service begins, and we sit down, our body is content to mellow, and our minds are free to absorb and truly focus on the spiritual and divine of the service.

The sanctuary is filled with positive and activated energy.  Ah just thinking of it, I am looking forward to Sunday service…From sharing with you, I now have a big broad smile on my “puss” and I extend a warm and fuzzy happy happy day to all of you.

LOL I feel a bit like the little avatar I can be, skipping happily down a flowered pathway, sprinkling bubbles of happiness and sunshine into the air wanting to bestow on every one around a super fantastic glorious day.  Blessings everyone!

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The Flash of Inspiration Is a Gift From GodI

PL Teaching for Day 22 >The Flash of Inspiration Is a Gift From God <    When something suddenly clicks or when a great idea suddenly pops into your head, it is actually not something you have control over.  Understand that this is wisdom given to you by God.  The Flash of Inspiration is a Gift From God.

As an artist/writer, I can’t tell you how often I have wanted to paint, sculpt or write something, get myself all set up and then “puff”  like a cloud of smoke what I thought I was going to do evaporates.  If I try to make it work, the results  are simply not to my liking, yes I may have an end product, but it does not “speak” to me. My first thought it that it should go into the waste bin.  For sure I am not prepared to show it around, or do a drum roll.  So I put it down and it disappears from my immediate thoughts.  If I’m in a persistent mood, I may start over, something inside of me wants to be expressed.  The desire is strong, and I feel the frustration well up  inside me, I know I have something to “say”…. but every time I try something I am dissatisfied with the results. Sound familiar?

When I “Let go and Let God”  allow myself to take a step back, and just allow my hands to work the clay, or if painting the colors and forms to take shape, an inner peace begins to happen, and I find myself humming, carried away by the moment.  I’m focused, I’m in a happy place.  I’ve learned to listen to the little voice inside of me that says, “OK, that’s enough”  I stop.. step back and with eyes of wonder I discover an “expression”  Sometimes I simply have no idea how I got the results that I did.  Ask  me to do another one, I couldn’t.  My “expressions” became a form of meditation for me.  It didn’t matter to me what anyone else thought about the results,  I was happy!    INSPIRATION IS A GIFT I really and truly believe that God is within and part of who we are. God is the tie that binds us all together.  We are ONE.

A member of the church send me links to some awesome figurative art, I share them with you and hope you  enjoy  them as much as I did.

May your day be blessed 100 fold.  =^_^=

Feb 9_011 Mar 8_001

 

 

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Good day everyone!

I am filled with anticipation, not only is the day filled with sunshine, I will meet with Rev. Goto in a few hours to learn how to do Oyashikiri Sensho.  We were talking of meditation, and I had asked if PL had a special way to meditate.  Being a life long meditator  it is a subject close to my heart.  PL has a special prayer that is a chant.  He closed his eyes, brought his hands together in prayer and instantly I was transported.  The moment was beautiful and captured me instantly.  For days I had that moment replaying in my head and wanted to feel it  for myself.  I tried on my own to “copy” what I heard and saw… and WOW.   Today I will get a personal teaching.  I love PL.  (Perfect Liberty)

Then I will meet with a dear friend I have not seen in a while, I will have the pleasure of a nice drive to the other end of the city and then share a meal  (already I know I will cheat and have wonderful fries with my smoked meat).  What is not to like about getting up and starting another day. =^_^=

After morning prayer, I opened up my computer and found that a treasured friend from Australia had sent mail, she is a angel who drops in and out of my life with her gentle thoughts.  Today was a quote from “Buddha”

“Don’t believe anything, whether from few or many, from your religion, or teachers and elders, or even long traditions, unless, after careful analysis, you find what is reasonable and good for one and all. Live up to that.” Buddha

I will leave you now to start my day… starting with looking into my very full wardrobe… and asking myself, how come I have nothing to wear.

Blessings everyone.  Find the pocket of happiness and delight in it.  Life is to be lived.

June 20_002 Q mar 25_001

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Have a Good Balance Between Mind and Body

PL teaching for Day 20   > Have a Good Balance Between Mind and Body  > Being overly concerned about things, or overexerting yourself physically will cause you to be off balance mentally and physically.  Be careful not to overdo things.

June 20_006

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