Mind activities of a Stone boy

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! It is fitting to read an article that would bring our gratitude in us. :-) Practice Wonderment by M. J. Ryan, from Attitudes of Gratitude Oh, for the wonder that bubbles into my soul. – D. H. Lawrence Recently I had the pleasure of accompanying my friend and her one-year-old daughter to the zoo for the first time. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw an elephant. And when I gave her her first scoop of ice cream, her joy knew no bounds. Her little body wriggled, her eyes sparkled, and she brought out the biggest smile. The truth is elephants are amazing creatures, and ice cream is just as delicious the one-thousandth time as the first. But we adults have lost our wonderment, and so we can't appreciate elephants and ice cream as much. In wonderment, children are our greatest teachers. Wonder is a natural state, one that we often lose track of as we become numb to life. Since wonderment is the willingness to be surprised by life, and gratitude ...

I have been interested in knowing exactly what Jing, Qi, Shen meant ever since I was little. In the common people's language, it means the same thing usually. But, this ancient concepts of life force requires some understanding of it. Perhaps, there would be some merits in the ancient Chinese medicine. Here is the one good article about kidney that is supposedly storing Jing .

I've been interested in this subject for quite some time now. I heard about this magic 21 number before. So, I did a quick search and found this out online. I'll put this as a reminder for myself. Here is a related post from zenhabits "In order to ensure behavior change, experts agree that it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a behavior. Again, look at the date you are planning on changing your habit. Count ahead 21 days and mark that date down. Now, make a commitment that you will follow your plan for 21 days. Helpful Suggestions Your target date has arrived. It is the first day of your 21-day cycle. Here are some helpful suggestions for habit change: Write down your goal. There is magic in the written word when it applies to you. Experts recommend stating your goal in positive terms, such as "I want to be lean and physically fit," instead of "I've got to get this flabby body out there huffing and puffing." So, begin with writing down, as a pos...

Nasreddin lived in Anatolia, Turkey; he was born in Hortu Village in Sivrihisar, Eskişehir in the 13th century, then settled in Akşehir, and later in Konya, where he died (probably born in 1209 CE and died 1275/6 or 1285/6 CE). Remember that Konya also has another great teacher, Rumi, that passed away there. I am very delighted to find out that Nasurdin's work is in wikibook. So here is the content of it.

"Love Needs Wisdom" by John Love Nick and Nicolle, I stand before you today not to teach you about the importance of love. It has been clear to me from the beginning that the two of you love each other very much and understand the crucial role that love plays – not only in your relationship to one another, but in your relationship to the world. My message today is this: love is not enough. Love is not enough to keep two people together and it is not enough to create peace on this troubled planet of ours. What love needs is wisdom. You see, love will flower of its own accord. You don't need to force it, or practice it. You simply need to allow it. You do this by tending the garden in which that flower of love grows. Yes, you need to be a gardener, but more than that, you need to be a skillful gardener, a master gardener. Master gardeners understand that the flower they wish to see do well cannot be tended to on its own. That flower is connected to everything else in the ga...

by Jack Kornfield My simple prayer is that in all things I learn to love well. That I learn to touch the ever-changing seasons of life with a great heart of compassion. That I live with the peace and justice I wish for the earth. That I learn to care fully and let go gracefully. That through my own life, through joy and sorrow, in thought, word, and deed, I bring benefit and blessings to all that lives. That my heart and the hearts of all beings learn to be free.

-- Friedrich Nietzsche "Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the superman- a rope over an abyss. A dangerous crossing, a dangerous wayfaring, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal: what is lovable in man is that he is an over-going and a down-going. I love those that know not how to live except as down-goers, for they are the over-goers. I love the great despisers, because they are the great adorers, and arrows of longing for the other shore. I love those who do not first seek a reason beyond the stars for going down and being sacrifices, but sacrifice themselves to the earth, that the earth may become the Superman's. I love him who lives in order to know, and seeks to know in order that the Superman may hereafter live. Thus he seeks his own down-going. I love him who labors and invents, that he may build the house for the Superman, and prepare for him earth, animal, and plant: for thus...

By "Derek Walcott" The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome, and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.

I am deeply touched by this short verse that I found in Thay's Chanting from the Heart: Buddhist Ceremonies and Daily Practices . "Contemplation on No-Coming, No-Going" The body is not me. I am not limited by this body. I am life without boundaries. I have never been born, and I have never died. Look at the ocean and the sky filled with stars, manifestations from my wondrous True Mind. Since before time, I have been free. Birth and death are only doors through which we pass, scared thresholds on our journey. Birth and death are a game of hide-and-seek. So laugh with me, hold my hand, let us say good-bye, say good-bye, to meet again soon. We meet today. We will meet again tomorrow. We will meet at the source every moment. We meet each other in all forms of life.

I am delighted to find out that public speech given by Dalai Lama during his holiness' visit in Taiwan. The subject is "One World, One Community". Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 What an honor to has his visit!

I am deeply inspired by TNH's teaching. Above all, his ability to interpret Buddhism wisdom to simple plain text is a great gift to this world. I copied this from the Plum Village website for ease of access. 14 Mindfulness Trainings Sit still and breathe :) 1. Openness Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, I am determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help me learn to look deeply and to develop my understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for. 2. Non-attachment to Views Aware of suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, I am determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. I will learn and practise non-attachment from views in order to be open to others’ insights and experiences. I am aware that the knowledge I presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in lif...

Last night I learned of this character from Islamic culture. Here it is... His stories remind me of Koan in Zen Buddhism tradition. So far, I learned of the following important Koan collections:' * Blue Cliff Records (碧巖錄) * Gateless gate (無門關) * The Book of Equanimity (從容録) Where it is such a case, it remains to be examined. :-)

I am thrilled to have such an inspirational person as the world leader. Here are some of my favorite speeches so far. It could be a nice template for me to improve my English skills? LOL * Victory Speech * Speech on Race * Inauguration Speech * Obama's Health Reform Speech

Perhaps some food is more equal than the other... Here is a list of food that some health expert recommends. 14 super foods 1. Beans: A great low-fat, low-calorie source of protein and an easy way to help control your weight and your blood sugar. 2. Blueberries: The best food on the planet to preserve a young brain as we mature. 3. Broccoli: The best food on the planet to prevent cancer. 4. Oats: A sure-fire way to lower your cholesterol. 5. Oranges: The most readily available source of vitamin C, which in turn lowers the rate of most causes of death in this country, for example, heart disease and cancer. 6. Pumpkin: Loaded with phytonutrients, which keep our skin young and help prevent damage from sunlight. 7. Wild salmon: A guaranteed way to lower your risk for cardiac-related death. 8. Soy: The only complete vegetarian source of protein. 9. Spinach: The best food on the planet to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, thus ensuring a lifetime of good vision. 10. Te...

Last night during a small meditation gathering, the lyric of the song was mentioned. The beautiful melody by Lennon keeps repeating in my head. I have no choice but put it down here. It seems that Lennon lets his sorrow pour out like pouring rain, restless wind... then he hears a calling from the ultimate source of love.. "Sounds of laughter shades of live are ringing through my open ears Inciting and inviting me Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns It calls me on and on, across the universe" Across the Universe Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind Possessing and caressing me Jai Guru Deva OM Nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes They call ...

Today I went to the Green Festivals. It was very similar to that of the last year. I did notice quite a few pedal power generators using bikes. One could build your own . It uses the gel cell battery to store the power. Also, I saw a woman making soup using blender. She put in a blender raw garlic, onion, carrot, bullion, and whatever other raw vegetables within her reach. Then, she added some hot water and started to blend it. I am not sure if it is tasty but it surely looks healthy and easy to make soup.

I've been in the process of questioning my relationship with $$ lately. I wonder what is it about $$ that gave me some irrational behaviors that caused me some misery at this moment. It would be a long term process to sort this through. It will involve deep understanding of myself, breaking the old habit, and forming the new habit. It will take some time. But at this for now, it is the first step. From this page . Archetypes - Guardian The Guardian is always alert and careful. When your worry gets the best of you, your anxiety might be intolerable or you might feel there’s an impending catastrophe. But when your Guardian is expressed positively, you’re alert, careful, and prudent. Why not pursue a calming activity that you love sometime today, perhaps listening to music, being in nature, getting some exercise, or having fun with a friend or loved one? You’re probably a Guardian if: • Your financial decision-making style falls into one of two extreme camps: (1) you feel frozen, unab...

I own a copy of Flow written by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It was one of my favorite books. I came across this quote on the office door of my colleague. It is really insightful. "The tremendous leisure industry that has arisen in the last few generations has been designed to help fill free time with enjoyable experiences. Nevertheless, instead of using our physical and mental resources to experience flow, most of us spend many hours each weak watching celebrated athletes playing in enormous Stadiums. Instead of making music, we listen to platinum records cut by millionaire musicians. Instead of making art, we go to admire paintings that brought in the highest bids at the latest auction. We do not run risks acting on our beliefs, but occupy hours each day watching actors who pretend to have adventures, engaged in mock-meaningful action. This vicarious participation is able to mask, at least temporarily, the underlying emptiness of wasted time. But it is a very pale substitute for att...

Last night over the usual late night phone conversation with Brother in law, he told me about Esther Hicks' book. I remember watching the movie about the law of attraction and found it very much like pop psychology. I am surprised by how much he mentioned the book and concept. I found out this entry of description at wikipedia . It is a food for thoughts. I like the bullet list and each with precise meaning. Here it is.. The essence of Abraham-Hicks' teachings since 1986 has been presented as follows: * You are a Physical Extension of that which is Non-physical. * You are here in this body because you chose to be here. * The basis of your life is Freedom; the purpose of your life is Joy. * You are a creator; you create with your every thought. * Anything that you can imagine is yours to be or do or have. * You are choosing your creations as you are choosing your thoughts. * The Universe adores you; for it knows your broadest intentions. * Relax i...

Today I spent some time reading about David Blaine's stunts and magic tricks. It really impresses much more deeply me after I read more about him and what he did. It inspires me to challenge myself more both physically and mentally. I especially like what he said after he came out of buried alive. He said "I saw something very prophetic ... a vision of every race, every religion, every age group banding together, and that made all this worthwhile," Here is the source . Does it mean that a human is bound to experience the euphoria of humanity (or the beauty of mankind) in a state of long meditation (or in a state of long term silence)? I won't be surprised to find that David is an advanced mediator. This is just my conjecture. I hope that it can be verified by him. I think that one could gain a lot of insights and grow wisdom in the presence of a long term silence, quietness, or solitude with the focus on spiritual growth.