If you are fixated on what you don’t have.(ie. language, or understanding of what the characters say) you will not be blessed with wisdom, or an opportunity to solve your problem(s). In PL we say, Think creatively to get past any obstacles in your way.
Every moment that you are with your problem(s) you are not with Tao. The best you can do is remember that your stress is not absolute reality. (Tao,Deng Ming-Dao)
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.
This is the bath itself At time of the picture, it had been emptied to be cleaned prior to refilling.
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.
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.
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)
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 !
Along the winding banks of a gentle waterway
I slowly made my way
taking in the ambiance and history
while listening to the cicadas sing away
soon, it would be time to leave this hideaway
part of me wants to stay
I feel so ” at home” here
PL(Perfect Liberty) is my way
the only “Way”, to all that I hold dear
back home now, that yesterday
is so very much a part of my today,
Now Forever and Always, I will live the PL Way! … Q …
Welcome each new day with renewed appreciation,
step forward with a feeling of love and peace in your heart
Love filled blessings to you dear readers, may your day be as blessed as mine.
photo taken @ PL Holy Land Japan
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)
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)
We live in a world that is rapidly changing with the times. Let’s continue to keep up with the evolving trends of society and strive to broaden our horizons. >PL teaching day 16< Let’s Be in Tune With the Times.
Remember the cherries I talked of earlier. A friend came by this evening and harvested a big container so she can enjoy them with friends and family. It is thanks the modern way of communicating (e-mail) that we connected again Sharing brings pleasure.. This blog is extending out to everyone who happens by in virtual space, allowing for new friendships to take seed and grow.
I thank each and everyone of you who drop by and visit, and take the time to give feedback by clicking on the like button or better still, start to follow along on this magical journey. Happiness can be addictive =^_^=
Living a Life of Art,(PL) does not only encompass you, but it affects a multitude of people around you as well..
Let’s Be in Tune With the Times -together we will grow and travel along the spiritual path to Perfect Liberty!
Blessings
Everyone has a different point of view. Let’s enjoy and appreciate the personalities and differences we all have. > PL teaching day 9
It’s interesting Because We all See Things Differently.
Meet the door. We have an old wooden door leading into the house, my husband has been talking of changing this door for some time now. About 2 month ago, I was painting a gourd and had left over paint. Inspiration hit and I applied it to the door. There wasn’t all that much, but it left this dark blob of paint on the door. Basically I cleaned my brushes by using the door as a blank canvas, or cleaning pad. My dear husband came in and out numerous times, never said a word. Over the next days and weeks, I kept adding to the door, color on color, and white washing it, the more I played with the door, the more I began to like the distressed look it was getting. Still not a word from hubby. This is the door we use daily, it is our main mode of access in and out of the house. He is not someone who misses anything. So I knew he had seen the door. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
When I finally asked how come he hadn’t said anything about the door, part of his reply was that he was just glad I wasn’t painting the garage door. (Our back door is not seen from the outside, one has to enter onto the back veranda first.) =^_^=
Here is a good example of PL teaching #9 appreciation of “differences”. He took into consideration, my need to create and express…. The door can be repainted at any time.
I appreciate him all the more for his understanding. The man is a gem, I am truly blessed.
Life is Art!
PL teaching day 30 > Listen With Your Heart and Your Mind. >When we are listening to someone, give them your fullest attention. Turning your body towards them, listen for the feeling behind their words so that you can truly understand what they are trying to tell you. >Listen With Your Heart and Your Mind.
It starts out innocent enough, our partner/boss or friend says something to us while we are busy working on a project or intent on something else. We heard part of what was said, think we understand, grunt, or reply in agreement and continue with what we are doing. We don’t stop what we are doing, and turn to listen to exactly what is being said, or why.( Remember that expression, listening with half a mind). At that moment, we really have no idea what we agreed to, or didn’t agree to. So later when something is expected of us, or we say something that provokes a very negative response in our partner,boss or friend, we are taken aback. We really haven’t a clue. AND depending on what the situation is/was, it can cause hard feelings, missed appointments, disappointment. When all it would have taken, was a few moments of consideration on our part, when addressed, to stop and listen with full attention, or to excuse one’s self and ask that the party wait a few moments, while you freed yourself from your current task. Remember – listen with an open heart and mind.
PL teaching for day 30 – Listen with Your Heart and Your Mind
PL daily prayers – By praying on a regular basis, we strengthen our bond with God/Universe. Our true self will shine, we are able to overcome difficulties and live each moment “mindfully”. Coming to church and sharing in the teachings offered ensure that PL becomes part of your daily life. Check the website for contact information.
It is raining here, wonderful big drops of rain are falling with abundance, when the wind blows in the right direction, I get a staccato of wet sloppy drops on the window teasing me with their determination. They are full of enthusiasm, they had to have read the PL teaching of the day- Act with Enthusiasm – =^_^=
Rain comes in many forms, gentle, pounding, steady, drizzle, light spray, when you are walking in the rain, as often happens if you have a dog(s) to walk, or if you are a jogger, you know that being in the rain is a totally all encompassing experience. Your sense of smell, sight, and sound are there, and so is that feeling of being wet. No, not like when you are in the shower, swimming or bathing. It is a totally different feeling. A downpour if you get caught in one unprepared can be drenching…..but once you are soaked, lets face it, what is left to do but enjoy the moment. If you think about it, life is pretty much like that. When life throws a wrench into your day, take it in, absorb the reality of that moment, take a deep breath and move on. That moment passed, you survived, gather your thoughts and move on. There is nothing you can’t handle when you take life one moment at a time.
BJ Thomas had a hit many years ago called ‘Raindrops are falling on my head” that song, has stayed with me for years. Although he had many hits back in the 60’s and 70’s this is the song I remember him most for. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/t30cX6OGO0U and remember! Take whatever today brings, and make it work for YOU! Blessings
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.
dymoonblog 
Written
on August 9, 2013