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Posts tagged ‘mindfulness’

Divine Order connects me with others

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God’s order is at work in all my relationships.  I am a peacemaker who honors the diversity of all life.  Attuned to divine order, I notice evidence of a divine plan unfolding in my connections with others.  Even with those I meet only briefly.  It would seem that life could be much more peaceful if everyone thought and acted alike.  Yet in my heart, I know that harmony does not require sameness.   a single note played simultaneously through several different instruments  doesn’t take advantage of the beautiful music that emerges when different chords and notes are played.

To honor the diversity of all life, I trust in the divine order to lead me, help me build  and connect with others in a network of sharing and support.

“From the state of mind of being one with God, Oshieoya-sama teaches us the path of happiness, how to progress and elevate ourselves, and find true freedom in our lives, based on the truth of “life is Art”  He gives us individualized teachings through “Mioshie” to show us our own unique paths.” Church of PL

The light of the soul is  bright, dense clouds of human ignorance/doubts obscure it.  Where are you in  terms of effort to make life brighter?

Have a grand day everyone… open your hearts and minds to new possibilities, smile, every minute you are angry or sad, is 60 seconds of missed happiness.

picture – Holy land taken by Ana (Spain)  The First Founder’s Tomb (Rev. Tokuharu Miki)

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Misasage

Misasage

The word Misasage is frequently used in PL. It literally means to dedicate your body, or to dedicate yourself for the sake of others and society.
I knew very early in life that I would live a life a “service”, not that I understood the “calling” just that I needed to do or be the person I was. The path I walked was not necessarily the one pointed out to me, I knew the “WAY” and that was where I wanted to be. When I strayed, I learned from the “adventure”, and got back on the path.  Challenges in life, help us to grow.
What is so unique about PL is that to embody the teachings, one must engage 100%. not just understand intellectually. Live in the moment, be mindful every step of the “way”.
Oshieoya-sama gives us simple and practical ways to learn to live the PL WAY.  It is important to put your heart into even the smallest of matters, each moment accumulate into the whole of your artistic life.

Night is the time for regeneration -retire from the cares of the day, bathe and immerse yourself in the gestating power of the dark.  Till tomorrow.

Blessings be.

photo patch of black eyed susans -Q

part #2 Bathing in Japan -pictures

Bathing in Japan, is interesting, when it is so unlike what we do here at home (USA and Canada).  Keep in mind that I was also in a teaching/conference facility.  I would also like to add that the place was clean, VERY clean, outside the building and around the grounds, the roads gave the appearance of being swept they were so clean.  I am a cleanliness freak when it comes to public washrooms etc. believe me when I say to you that where I was in Japan, it was clean without  giving the appearance of being sterile and antiseptic.

Bathing and the art of doing our daily “getting ready” might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a part of life that can be very enjoyable.  a bonus gift for me was the re- learning to do what can be a mundane daily task, into something leaning towards spiritual.    Enjoying a bath ready filled with just the right temperature of water, silence (when I had the place to myself, or almost to myself) being nude in the bath and not caring or worrying if someone came in. Now that for me was a “zen” moment.  Being totally one with myself in a bathroom ,several thousand miles from home, was really a double WOW, if not a triple.

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This is the bath itself  At time of the picture, it had been emptied to be cleaned prior to refilling.

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Opposite this little area is another where there are sinks for doing our daily this and thats  Hairdryers are provided.  I will see if I can find a picture in my many snaps.

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This picture is where you pull back a sliding glass door and walk into this little area where one leaves shoes/sippers.  When busy, all those little shelves you see are full. Totally.  The next is the area where we put our clothes, see the little wicker baskets in each block.  Can be accessed from either side.

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I did not go into a man’s bathing area, but I would assume they are all the same.  In the area where there are the toilets, there is a rack to dry the face cloths you are given.   I was told that in Japan, the choice for drying clothes is sun shine (outdoors)

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Before I got to Japan, I never would have thought that one of my most favourite and remembered times  would be the “bathing”  In PL there is a teaching – Take a Good Look at Your Preconceived Notions.  It is good to reexamine those things that you think are “normal” or “valuable” in your life.  You are sure to find something new.  I certainly did.  I would go back to Japan in a heartbeat …

Thank you dear readers for your concern, saw the doctor today, confirmed virus infection in the bronchial tubes, an unwanted souvenir from the trip.  I was getting lots of sleep, I’m on the mend.  My seat mate in the lecture hall was from Brazil, my symptoms are mirroring hers I suspect I’m experiencing a touch of Brazil. Oh the joys of life never end…. Blessings my friends… E N J O Y !

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Jet lag and Cicada

Jet lag and Cicada

http://youtu.be/oqys8lKsu4s for those of you who don’t know the sound the Cicada, there are many different varieties and I don’t know which group was in the dense vegetation, but the sound was constant. males have a loud shrill droning sound supposedly only at night, but someone forgot to tell this group, they were party going day and night.

Now home with jet lag in full residence, I find myself in and out of a sleep that is filled with the sounds of Japan. After awhile (in Japan) the constant chatter became background noise, I wish I had someone nearby to ask if the insects are ever quiet.  One barely heard the birds.

Jet lag reminds me of various states of meditation. I think I’m totally over it, when suddenly the need to lie down and “turn off” is just as quick as a flick of a switch. I’ve tried staying up, refusing to listen to the “inner voice”, Believe me when I tell you,my “inner voice” will not be denied.

Then I remember the PL teaching… the only thing you have control over is how you accept things and deal with them. I go lie down, it is a wonderful experience, I drift off into a place somewhere between Japan and Home, I let go ..letting the moment transport me to where i need to be.

Good night dear reader, till we meet again tomorrow.
Blessings

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Enjoy the changes in you life – Hello Everyone!

Enjoy the changes in you life - Hello Everyone!

Thursday! Yay! Remember dear readers that tomorrow I will be on my way to Japan. The time has finally arrived. I will miss you,  know that I carry you all in my heart,  you will be in my thoughts night and day. I will share news of Japan and my trip when I return.. A pilgrimage, a once in a lifetime journey for me. I’m very happy.

Things around us are constantly changing with the times. Take on the challenging and new experiences as materials for self expression. PL teaching.

Joy to the World!    Blessings all…

Flowers were a gift of friendship from very special friends  in Australia, a cherished memory

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No effort is ever wasted

No effort is ever wasted

No matter how small your efforts, your Makoto (sincerity) will be rewarded.  PL teaching.

If you are going to do something, you may as well do it with enthusiasm.  PL teaching.

one of a kind sandbag doll -by Q

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Sometimes,it takes awhile

2013-01-19 July 8 misc 005Sometimes,it takes awhile

I once was wild about working with gourds. I built or created a bird house with one. It hung from a tree in the back garden. with time and weather it fell and the neck broke off. For some reason I was loath to just throw it away. The main body was rehung, but I kept the neck saving it till I could get back to it. I know that each and every other artist out there has done this in some way, the part of a song that you just can’t finish or get that special riff for. I moved this broken piece of gourd from one place in my work space to another.
Finally this past spring, it was just what I needed to try a new product with.
Once I had made up my mind, things just began to happen.
I can turn it in different directions, and each side gives me a different “story” “view”.. I had no idea what it was, or what to do with it. but.. the finished product made me smile and made me happy.  It was a visual tactile expression I needed to express at that time!  No more no less.

There is a teaching in PL. Once you make up your mind, things will happen. Once you decide you are going to do something, your enthusiasm and focus (mindfulness) will bring forth results. God/Universe will give you aid when you need it most.

Living life as Art, means, go with the flow, create and express yourself, the challenges in life are there to allow us to grow and stretch our talents.  God/TAO is everywhere, and in all things.  Always.  Strive to live in Perfect Liberty  (PL)

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Enjoy Life!

Enjoy Life!

Enjoy your friends, be playful, listen to music that “speaks” to you, & has you “groovin”  What were some of the fun things you wanted to do when you were younger? Have you done them?  You still wanting to explore the possibilities?
Do you allow your creativity to speak, or do you try to mold it into what you think will sell, or be appreciated by others?
Take time today to count your blessings.
Listen or look at what you are producing now, does it give you goose bumps?
Does your creative work bring you joy?  Are the results, soul satisfying?

In PL, one day a month, we come together to celebrate our blessings, we call the celebration  Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is on the 21st of each month.
If you are in the area, please join us.
We are all artist in life, all thing come to fruition when the heart and the object (form) are in accord with one another

PL Precept #2    To Live Is to Express One’s Self..     

When listening not with the ear, but with the spirit, one perceives subtle sounds.  The deepest sound is silence. (Dao)

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Have a Good Balance Between Mind and Body

Have a Good Balance Between Mind and Body

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

I read an article today by Geri Larkin, founder of the Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit, Fashionista as Monk.  It was in the March/April 2012 issue of Spirituality & Health, if you can find it, it is a good read. Probably more for the women then the men, however, it applies to both if you’ve ever shopped and found that you are one size larger than you thought you should be.  After reading her fun thought provoking piece, I know that I will be more mindful of not what I eat, but of how much I eat.  I’m already a conscientious eater, my problem is quantity. Today’s  lesson today will be applied to my eating habits.

This teaching comes up every month on the 20th.  And every month, it has a different meaning for me.  Time to remember and put into practice, PL Principle 13.  Concerning food, I will not have complaints, likes and dislikes nor preferences; nor will I overeat, over drink nor eat irregularly.

PL Principle # 15   I will not do anything overly.

A balanced life, takes into account, all our needs.  Lets take a moment to reflect on how balanced our personal scales are.  For myself, I will work harder towards achieving balance

Yin – Yang

Always there are two sides.   Positive – Negative,  Male, Female, Sun – Moon,    Day- Night, one compliments the other. There are times in my life when I am drawn to the lighter side of life, and other times where I find beauty and wonder in the darker arts.  Yesterday I couldn’t stop reading a historical novel full of love and intrigue.  Today I am deep into the meaning of enlightenment.  I recently picked up the summer issue of Light of Consciousness, thought to take it on the trip with me to read during the long waits between flights.  It proved to have so many articles in it that I wanted to spend time with, i.e. “Visions of the female Buddha” by Deborah Bowman, and Sleep Better with Mindfulness by Joseph Emet  that I couldn’t wait to delve into its pages.  Now of course it will stay here so that I don’t lose it while I’m travelling.   I will pick up lighter fare for the trip, magazines that I won’t mind leaving behind for the next traveler.

In life it is important to continue along the spiritual path towards our goals.    It is also important to know that our goals are not set in stone.  As we develop and “mature” our needs change, what we wanted and needed a few years back, may not be where we are headed today.  It is essential that we take the time to “meditate” and look at the positives as well as the negatives of our “now”, before we move on.  Ask yourself, is it an appropriate time to act.  The time to act is when you have the correct inner attitude, and the commitment to follow through on whatever it is you decide to do.

We are all different and have our own unique personalities and lifestyles.  Therefore, how we practice PL to solve our problems, or to express our true selves will vary.  In consultation with a PL minister, we receive guidance and support that is tailored to our individual needs.

The PL teaching for day 18

The Value of Money and Things Depends on How You Choose to Use Them.  Money and things are materials for your self expression.  Use them to their fullest for the sake of others and society.

July 11 for 12th_003

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