Partners

Rock climbing is more suited for couples, one person does the climbing the other does the belaying. Without a partner to belay, one can only climb laterally, not vertically.

Staying single is great for freedom and resposibility but partnership allows one to advance furthermore. May it be partnership in marriage, career, sports or practices, we need good partners.

I have a great partner in my marriage, an ex-partner with my career, many good partners with my practices, and now I am looking for a partner for rock climbing...

Patti is back

Patti is back from her more than one month vacation two days ago. She gave me a call last night wanting to find out how was my trip to Ann Arbor.

I was touched by her phone call. Coming back from a long trip and she had Betty and I on her mind all this time. That's what friends are for...

Cherishing each other, appreciating each other, supporting each other...

Rock Climbing

Yesterday I went rock climbing for the first time in my life. My brother was amazed that his over 50 years old sister could climb. He sent me his condolence knowing that I should be full of pains and aches the next day.

My daughter did suffer soreness today but not me. I learned my lesson while I was doing yoga exercise in Ann Arbor last month. In Ann Arbor, after the first yoga lesson, I was as stiff as a robot the next day. Then I noticed I should not use direct force or bodily power to perform anything, I ought to utilize indirect force or borrow exotic power to carry out duties. Thus I was fine in the following yoga lessons.

I did the same with my rock climbing. I had not used up my body energy to climb up, I follow the flow… Either I am wiser with my age or getting better in my Buddhism advancement…

Can you tell which climber is me, my daughter and my niece in the photo?

Who cares about the Truth?

Yesterday my mom told me a story about the history of a piece of furniture that we found in the attic.

She mentioned that furniture was bought before I was born, where it was stationed when I was young, how it had been travelling around the world with our moving. She had such a fine details of exactly what had happened, very stunning!

I was amazed that I have no recollection of it at all. My memory must be fading very badly.

When I talked to my husband about it, he said that piece of furniture had the style and workmanship of the late 70's and early 80's, so it could not be older than me. Well, if I remembered right, it was bought around that time.

Before, I would search and investigate to prove my mom was wrong. But now, I will not dare to be bothered. Her story is told only to me, it does not concern anyone. She will be upset to find out her memory is incorrect.

I notice and understand that mom is getting old and starting to make up tales or fantasize. The episode indicates to me how our minds can twist things around to deceive ourselves and others.

How is the Truth being manifested? What is the Truth? Where does the Truth lie? When will the Truth be revealed? Who cares about the Truth…

How the mind works...

Last night I had a dream and Mingte Shi Xiong was in my dream.

I have never met Mingte and I do not know how he looks like.

The interesting point is that his face and look are my other friend's.

In the dream, I questioned "How come you look exactly like my other friend, C.Y. ?"

Now I realize that our mind cannot produce an outcome that we have no information on or concept about. Either I makeup a new face for Mingte through imagination, or pull one out from the data bank of my mind (in this case C.Y.) , or I have to be in deep samadhi to go beyond forms and concepts.

Samadhi can lead us into a higher realm, but there is danger involved if one does not have wisdom and right view to go with it. This is where benevolent dharma friends and Sutras are essential.
--

Yoga retreat in India - my story

Back in November, I was debating if I should go to Taiwan to join the Yoga session held by Da Huayen Monestary in Taipei.

With Venerable Haiyun coming to North America, we were all very busy. Susan of Taipei said I could go at the last minute as all I needed was a plane ticket to Taipei, which could be done easily.

Then I met Cecilia in the farewell party of Venerable Haiyun, before we left for Ann Arbour, U.S.A. Cecilia told me that she was going to join the retreat in India, held by the same Acharya. I thought it would be so marvelous that I could go to India instead of Taipei, since the training should be much more intensive there. But I was leaving for Ann Arbor the next morning, so I did not have time to have a thorough talk with Cecilia till I returned to Toronto.

When I came back, I found out from Cecilia that I needed to have a valid passport (My passport is expiring soon, which was not good enough for the India trip) and a visa. I applied for the passport immediately and got it by the end of November.

Then the Mumbai incident happened and everyone advised me not to go. Thus I did not apply for the India visa. When Cecilia was back from her trip few days ago, I told her about my decision of not going. It is not my own safety but the anxiety that I will put onto my family that concerns me.

So I may go to the 2010 yoga retreat, anyone interests in joining me?

Whatever will be will be, the future is not for us to see...

--

Chinese herbal doctor

My son has been seeing a Chinese herbal doctor for his abnormal heart beat rate for the past few months.

We have tried every kind of western medicines and specialists possible to find out what the problem is without success. Finally this herbal doctor seems to be able to help him regulate his hormones and bodily metabolism. That makes his mom very happy…

But the more interesting aspect of seeing this herbal doctor is that every time we meet (as my son does not speak much Chinese I have to be present) I learn a lot of knowhows on living a better life. His experience in life and medicine benefits me tremendously.

Taking advantages of every encounter that manifest in front of us is a good practice itself.

--

Fringe Benefits

I brought my car to the dealership for a 96,000 km tune-up. The mechanic found out that there were a leakage of coolant in the cylinder head gaskets and a leakage of oil in the side valve cover gaskets. The bottom line was $1950.00 plus tax for the repair on top of the tune-up cost.

I was not ready to pay so much for an old car. So I brought the car to my Dharma brother who owes an automobile repair shop. He fixed my car with a new timing belt for $600.00, tax included. I was so grateful that he charged me so little.

He is a dedicated Buddhist practitioner. And I truly believe that he charges me unreasonably cheap all the times in respect of the time and devotion that I put forth for the Dharma. We hardly know each other on a personal level, but our dedication for the Dharma connect us together.

Each person walks his own path. However, our akin vision will put us on the common ground.

--

The Irony to A Simple Story

Sharing the following email with you:

The Irony to A Simple Story

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered - - -he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning :
"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr.Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him,
"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr.Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said,
"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap . . . alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.

In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.

So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ----when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life.

We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

SEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER HELPED YOU OUT AND LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.

REMEMBER. . . . . . EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a FRIEND.


--

Test how old is your brain.

Test how old is your brain.

A. click link below. press START

B. screen will display 3 2 1, then a number pattern. Remember the pattern

C. when pattern disappears, click in the circles the order of the pattern from small to large

D. it'll figure out your brain's age try it.

http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html

Do it for fun...

Gold Wrapping Paper

Sharing the following email with you:

Gold Wrapping Paper

I received this from a friend who had a choice to make. It said that I had a choice to make too. I've chosen. Now it's your turn to choose.

The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said, 'This is for you, Momma.

'The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner. 'Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?'

She had tears in her eyes and said, 'Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full. 'The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger.

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life. Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and GOD. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

You now have two choices:1. Pass this on to your friends, or2. Delete it and act like it didn't touch your heart. As you can see, I took choice No. 1.

Friends are like angels who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

If you receive this more than once in return just know that your friends have also thought of you .

Jennifer J. James

--

Tie you to my heart

Sharing the following email with you...

※ Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kinds of battle.

※ A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.

※ If I want my dreams to come true, I mustn't oversleep.

※ Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.

※ The best vitamin for making friends..... _B1. _ ·

※ The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.

※ The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge.

※ One thing I can give and still keep...is my word.

※ I lie the loudest when I lie to myself.

※ If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished.

※ One thing I can't recycle is wasted time.

※ Ideas won't work unless ' _I _' do.

※ My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open. ·

※ The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

※ The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what I might have been.

※ Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right.. Forget about the one's who don't.

※ Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

※ Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back.

※ Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away.

※ Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong.

※ Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late. I don't want to let that happen so I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

Send this to all your friends including me and see how many you get back. Even send it to your balloons that you think have flown away forever. You may be surprised to see it return. Send this heart to everybody you like. You may also return it to me.

---

Gratitude towards Eva and Harton from the bottom of our heart

Betty and I had a great time in

Ann Arbor last month.

We have learned so much from the lectures of HeShang.

So nice to meet Kristen, finally, in person.

She looked terrific.

The meals prepared by Po Ling Xi Jie were

filled with love.

The Yoga classes taught by Eva were

superb.

Our hearts were touched by the hospitality and sincerity of

our hosts,

Eva and Harton.

Having a chance to spend a week with Betty was

remarkable.

Everything was great, even the harsh weather on our way back was very

memorable.

Gratification, gratification and more gratification…

I am speechless…

---

Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre

I had not been to the Eaton Centre for a long time. Last week when I went there, I was amused by this pretty Christmas tree.

.

But my daughters would not take a picture for me. They said: "There is nothing special about this tree, it is just a Christmas tree."

.

So I asked my son to take a picture of the tree the next time he went there. And this is his shot.

.

There is one small advantage of having many kids- if one does not listen to you, there are others...

.

Christmas card

This year I decided to quit the tradition of writing Christmas cards, since we are in the internet era and I am a Buddhist.

However, my daughter offered to do the writing and mailing, so I let her take over this tradition from now on.

If you receive a card from my family, you will notice the handwriting is different from previous years.

Do not know what will happen next year, but she was very happy writing them this year...

Upcoming event from Dhrama Drum Mountain

Above is the poster for Dharma Drum Mountain (Ontario) Buddhist Association 10 years celebration, in case you have time to join.

The website is: www.ddmba-ontario.ca

Phone number: 416-855-0531

Let us be thankful

My friend wrote to me:

"Besides the daily support from our parents especially when we are growing up, let us not forget to be thankful to all those who surround us now- our colleagues, our friends, familes and those who make our lives easier in each and every way. Sometimes even to those who made us mad, as they helped us learn more about ourselves.

Let us be thankful of each day that we live, live it well- healthy and happy so we can grow old together and still be good friends and family."

What's the world needs now...is LOVE, sweet love...

No not just for some but for everyone...

Sharing lkw's email with you:

WHAT LOVE MEANS TO CHILDREN

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it, touching words from the mouths of children: What does 'Love' mean?

A group of professionals posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds. The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissie - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mummy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mummy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8

'My mummy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mummy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mummy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day'
Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mummy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'
Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8

And the final one --
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a con test he was asked to judge. The purpose of the con test was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

When there is nothing left, that is when you find out that love is all you need. Take one minute and give this a shot!

********
My response:
So heartwarming...

Beware of plug-in room freshensers...they may cause house fire

Sharing the following email with you:


House fires--please read!!!!!

Received from a friend who is in the property insurance business. It is well worth reading.

The original message was written by a lady whose brother and wife learned a hard lesson this past week. Their house burnt down.. nothing left but ashes. They have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents. That is the good news. However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire.

The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged inthe bathroom. She listed the normal things....curling iron, blow dryer. He kept saying to her, 'No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures'.

Then her sister-in-law remembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the bathroom. The investigator had one of those 'Aha' moments. He said that was the cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed.

When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there. Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on. That is a warning sign.

The investigator said he personally wouldn't have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.

NOT ONLY COULD IT SAVE SOMEONE'S HOUSE, BUT IT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

************
My response:

If it is that dangerous, howcome the government still allows it to be on the market?

New Definitions

Sharing the following email received from Nancy with you:

School : A place where Papa pays and Son plays.

Life Insurance : A contract that keeps you poor all your life so that you can die Rich.

Nurse : A person who wakes you up to give you sleeping pills.

Marriage : It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her masters.

Divorce : Future tense of Marriage.

Tears : The hydraulic force by which masculine willpower is defeated by feminine waterpower.

Lecture : An art of transferring information from the notes of the Lecturer to the notes of the students without passing through 'the minds of either'.

Conference : The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.

Compromise : The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece.

Dictionary : A place where success comes before work.

Conference Room : A place where everybody talks, nobody listens and everybody disagrees later on.

Father : A banker provided by nature.

Criminal : A guy no different from the rest....except that he got caught.

Boss : Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.

Politician : One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence after.

Doctor : A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you by bills.

Classic : Books, which people praise, but do not read.

Smile : A curve that can set a lot of things straight.

Office : A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life.

Yawn : The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.

Etc .: A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do.

Committee : Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.

Experience : The name men give to their mistakes.

Atom Bomb : An invention to end all inventions.

Philosopher : A fool who torments himself during life, to be spoken of when dead.


***
Lung Zhi responses:
I love the last one, "Philosopher" - just think of Socrates and Nietzsche...

Men Are Hard To Please

Sharing the following email with you:

Men Are Hard To Please

The problems with GUYS:

If u TREAT him nicely, he says u are IN LOVE with him;

If u Don't, he says u are PROUD.

If u DRESS nicely, he says u are trying to LURE him;
If u Don't, he says u are from KAMPUNG.

If u ARGUE with him, he says u are STUBBORN;

If u keep QUIET, he says u have no BRAINS.

If u are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than u, he is GREAT.

If u don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS u;
If u Love him, he will try to LEAVE u. (very true huh?)

If u don't make love with him., he says u don't LOVE him;

If u do!! he says u are CHEAP.

If u tell him your PROBLEM, he says u are TROBLESOME;

If u don't, he says that u don't TRUST him.

If u SCOLD him, u are like a NANNY to him;

If he SCOLDS u, it is because he CARES for u.

If u BREAK your PROMISE, u Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.

If u SMOKE, u are BAD girl;

If he SMOKES, he is GENTLEMAN.

If u do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;

If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.

If u HURT him, u are CRUEL;
If he HURTS u, u are too SENSITIVE!! sooo hard to please!!!!!

If u send this to guys, they will swear that it's not true.......

but if u don't they say u are selfish.....

The moral of the story is.......

SEND THIS TO GUYS OUT THERE ANYWAY...

Send it to girls also, gives them some laughters...

--

Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water

One more email on plastic bottles:

Health Info. - Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water...

Dioxins... Carcinogens cause cancer. Especially breast cancer.

Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic.

Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV program explaining this health hazard. He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital. He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body.

Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results without the dioxins. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't knowwhat is in the paper. Just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

To add to this: saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels.

Pass this on to your friends.......

Have a beautiful day!

Do not re-use disposable water bottles

Another email on water bottles:

Some of you may be in the habit of using and re-using your disposable water bottles (Ice Mountain, etc), keeping them in your car or at work.

Not a good idea.

The plastic (called polyethylene terephthalate or PET) used in these bottles contain a potentially carcinogenic element (something called diethylhydroxylamine or DEHA).

The bottles are safe for one use only; if you must keep them longer, it should be for no more than a few days, a week max, and keep them away from heat as well.

Repeated washing and rinsing can cause the plastic to break down and the carcinogens can leach into the water that YOU are drinking.

Better to invest in water bottles that are really meant for multiple uses.

This is not something we should be scrimping on.

Take care.

Flowers for 100 days of connecting

Are you aware that Korean celebrates 100 days of dating? I found that out from my daughter's Korean boyfriend and my son's Korean girlfriend.

My daughter asked why 100 days? So she and her boyfriend decided to celebrate 179 days of dating too.

We should be celebrating every moment for the marvel of life and the greatness of living...

Sentiment is our greatest treasure

My eight years old niece told her mother, my sister, that when she grows up, she will like to marry to someone with a large family.

She has 12 cousins on her maternal side and no cousin on her paternal side. She finds it so much more fun to be around her cousins: there are endless things to do, so much to talk and laugh about, having someone to be around with…

Sentiments, be it from family, friends or relationship, are a very valuable and strong vital force of Living. Prudent utilization of sentiments, without clinging and attachments, is a wholesome nature that can bring us to great attainments. Use it wisely!

We are called sentient beings, as sentiment is our greatest treasure.

Latest Christmas carol song for 2008!!!

Received the following from KWL:

Hi, this is the Latest Christmas carol song for 2008!!!

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town

It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake,

HEY
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake,

OH
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

Quick Eye Exam...

Email forwarded:

Quick Eye Exam...



This will blow your mind...!




Just do it - don't cheat!!!!!!!!!!!!



Try this it is actually quite good.



But don't cheat!


Count the number of F's in the following text:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE
RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC
STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS





Managed it?




Scroll down only after you have counted them!

OK?





How many?





Three?




Wrong, there are six - no joke!




Read again!



FINISHED FILES ARE THE
RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC
STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS




The reasoning is further down...
The brain cannot process the word "OF". Incredible or what?



Anyone who counts all six F's on the first go is a genius
Three is normal.
If you didn't even get three, you better get a check for you brain.



Now forward this to all of your friends and back to the person who sent it to you, but for the subject write if you got it right or wrong.

And please don't lie because it will spoil all the fun of this forward!

The Dash

In July 2006, a short 3-minute movie was launched on the Internet called "The Dash."

Since then, over 40 million people from around the world have watched it; and over 20,000 a day continue to watch it as a result of people passing it along.

The movie has been more successful than we could have ever imagined. More importantly, however, it has inspired many, many people to reflect on their lives and ask that all important question, 'Are my priorities where they should be?'

I hope you enjoy this movie and share it with those who are close to you.

Click This Link to View:

The Dash Movie - WTT

Beauty of Math!

This was just too good not to pass on! Read all the way to the End.

Absolutely amazing!

Beauty of Math!
1 x 8 + 1 = 9

12 x 8 + 2 = 98

123 x 8 + 3 = 987

1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876

12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765

123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654

1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543

12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432

123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11

12 x 9 + 3 = 111

123 x 9 + 4 = 1111

1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111

12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111

123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111

1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111

12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111

123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88

98 x 9 + 6 = 888

987 x 9 + 5 = 8888

9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888

98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888

987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888

9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888

98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1

11 x 11 = 121

111 x 111 = 12321

1111 x 1111 = 1234321

11111 x 11111 = 123454321

111111 x 111111 = 12345654321

1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321

11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321

111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If: H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And: K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But: A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close,
and Attitude will get you there,
It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

It's up to you if you share this with your friends & loved ones just the way I did.

Have a nice day!

First snow fall of the winter

Photo taken at the second floor of my house. I found the scenery pretty enjoyable. Do you agree with me?

Yoga Retreat in India Jan 12- Feb 1, 2009

India Trip, January 2009

A Special Program of Particular Interest to Those Living Abroad is Being Offered at
Malav Ashram in the Village of Malav, Gujarat State, India (500 km from Mumbai) January 12th – February 1, 2009 *

* It is recognized that travel schedules may necessitate that some participants arrive/leave earlier/later than the above mentioned dates.

Discourses and Trainings Designed to Cover a Wide Range of Topics Useful For All Walks in Life as Well as for Any Yoga Enthusiast:
· Spirituality
· How to Connect to God
· Who are You and Where are you in the Universe?
· Yoga and Devotion
· Yoga of Karma and the Theory of Karma
· The Eternal Culture of Mankind – Sanatan Dharma
· The Universe in a Nutshell and the Level of Power God has Assigned to Mankind
· What Kind of Life God Wants Us to Lead
· Philosophy and Psychology of Yoga
· Relaxation and Techniques of Spontaneous Yoga
· Practice of Spiritual Dance
· Different Types of Pranayam (Breathing Techniques)
· Asanas and Meditation
· Natural Remedies Through Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda and Diet
· Practice of Shat Kriyas (Yogic Cleansings)
· Introduction of Ayurveda, Diagnosis of Body Type, and Ayurvedic Diet
· 200 Hour Certificate Teachers Training is offered by Lakulish Institute of Yoga for those Interested
· All Teachings Will be Based on the Scriptures Authenticated through Practice
· Participants may have the opportunity to have the darshan of the highly advanced Yogi, Swami Rajarshi Muni

There will also be exciting Cultural and Entertainment Programs, Local Tours and Visits to Three Ashrams.

Cost: Total Package Inclusive of Room and Board, Exclusive of Air fare is $1200 U.S. for 3 weeks and $900 for 2 Weeks.

email: lifema@telus.net or Call Dennis 250-954-0073 (Canada). www.lifemission.org

Four Boyfriends

Like to share the following email that I received with you:

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends. She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confident and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first boyfriend is your spirit, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day:

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Where is the source of happiness?

My son wrote on his photo journal: “A nice surprise from Mary. I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet right now. "

Yes he is happily and deeply in love. Mary changed his attitude and perspective on life. I am very happy for him too.

What I wish more is for him to contemplate how this happiness is being manifested? How to generate happiness from within, without depending on external factors?

Am I asking too much? Or should I just send him my blessings?

Scottish Logic

Sharing this email with you:

A man in Scotland calls his son in London the day before Christmas Eve and says, 'I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.'

'Dad, what are you talking about?' the son screams.

'We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the father says. We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Leeds and tell her.'

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. 'Like hell they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this.'

She calls Scotland immediately, and screams at her father, 'You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?' and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. 'Okay,' he says, 'they're coming for Christmas and they're paying their own way.

Autumn paradise from Stephen

Dear Folks,

A pain relief from the ecstasy of financial crisis & recession may be a temporary escape to enjoy the striking colors of the fall in our beautiful country, O!Canada!

Attached please find a few photos taken during my last few hiking trips for your enjoyment.

Vibrant colors, serene, soothing, placid... Words can't express the tranquility when you're overlooking at the colorful valley of autumn leaves. A paradise on earth!

Stephen

A poem from my sister on my 20th birthday

As time rolls on...

When memories,

which the long stretching arm of mind can't recall,

lingers only on the pictures

little pals we were.

Strolling thro' the laughs and tears in life,

(and the many times we fight!)

we accompany each other in participating this game.

Our ideas, though so little in common, that we share.

And our pains, though some cherished and some forgotten, that together we bear.

We let tease at and forgive.

We let laugh at and relieve

Words are understood yet need not be spoken

Compromise in love that needs not be undertaken.

As I'm still climbing thro the tunnel of time

and battling, jostling thro the ever

whirling throng on the great high road of life,

They would always be in my heart

My precious sisters

My lifetime friends

To Oli on her 20th birthday

Nancy

Mom is proud

Hi everyone:

After taking two months off the blog, I am back.

Attached is my second daughter's last year college project.

She wrote: "Had to design a theatrical stool but I went against the rules and designed a Mutts stool. I had no idea what I wanted to make. This was a last minute idea. Completed Stool Project-First Year Props."

I am so glad that she is in pursuit of a career she has tremendous passion in and devotion to. Keep up the good work. Mom and dad are behind you all the way.

For our kids

A good email that I received today:


"Paul Harvey Writes:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse.

For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. ! On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like. May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend. I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hanukkah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.

Send this to all of your friends. We secure our friends, not by accepting favors, but by doing them.”

(Aug 18, 2008)

Sense of humor

There is something in Anthony that can always make me laugh from the bottom of my heart.

The other night, while I was reading his email, I laughed so bad that my daughter from the floor below me asked me if everything was okay, as it was one o’clock in the morning.

He wrote:

"Therefore, I want to hereby declare my firm belief in human love lest someone might think I am a cold turkey.

Signed: A somewhat less unromantic guy.”

I do not know it is his sense of humor, my sensitivity or our chemistry. Whatever it is, I always had a great time at the encounter.

Has your life begun yet?

Received the following email:

"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin."

(Aug 15, 2008)

Reality

Last night, while I was showing my friends the way to the door, we met Chris in the dinning room.

He asked politely: “Mrs. T., is there anything you like me to do for you?”

“Disappear!” I answered in a very heart warming way.

My friend was shocked by my reply and looked dismay. Seeing her complexion, I explained: “I meant to perform the magic of disappearing, doing the impossible.” To me, I was joking around with Chris, and that was not even an insider joke.

Noticing that my friend has misunderstood me, I asked Chris if he knew I was joking with him. He smiled back: “Of course!”

The same words and tune spoken by the same person, different people will take it differently.

Imagine how each person perceives things with numerous viewpoints and attitudes.

What is reality then? Whose reality are we talking about? Which is the authentic one, yours or mine?

(Aug 14, 2008)

The existence of true love

This is my anniversary present from one of my benevolent friends:

“--- I feel the existence of true love...

It is touching ...you're very endearing.

I want to take back my comment that your husband spoils you. I shouldn't have made this silly comment... You both are lovely, and loving to each other. My humble apologies.

After reading your blog, I was so filled with inner energy that I didn't know what to do, but turned off the computer and sat on our patio. The sky was blue and clear, the trees were waving/dancing in the breeze/wind.

I felt I was the richest being on the planet. I was showered with valuable wholesomeness ... was this a glimpse of the authentic life?

.

Dear friend, you've brought out the goodness in life and made me a better person.

With Love,

XOXOXO "

(Aug 12, 2008)

Heartwarming

This blog was started by the heartwarming action of Mingte ShiXoing, someone I have not met in person yet, on Mother Day of this year. He gave me unconditional caring and encouragement while I was in the valley of my life. My heart was touched and warmed-up by his compassion.

When Chris read my blog, he found it very heartwarming. Sue comments that I am warmhearted and passionate. Yes, I do feel that this world is getting cooler and cooler, sometimes crueler and crueler too. I wish that human can be more thoughtful and selfless.

Let’s open up our heart and embrace one another…

Carpenter’s song:

"What the world needs now is love sweet love,

It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.

What the world needs now is love sweet love,

no not just for some but for everyone.

Lord we don’t need another mountain,

There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb,

There are oceans and rivers enough to cross

Enough to last until the end of time.

What the world needs now is love sweet love,

it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of,

what the world needs now is love sweet love,

no not just for some but for everyone.

Lord, we don’t need another meadow,

there are corn fields and wheat fields enough to grow,

there are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine,

oh listen Lord, if you want to know.

What the world needs now is love sweet love,

its the only thing that there’s just too little of.

What the world needs now is love sweet love,

no not just for some, oh but just for every every everyone."

(Aug 10, 2008)

A Touching Story

Just received the following email from Timmy:

“In a Californian zoo, a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely and due to their tiny size, they died shortly after birth.

The mother tiger after recovering from the delivery suddenly started to decline in health, although physically she was fine. The veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve.

After checking with many other zoos across the country, the depressing news was that there where no tiger cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning mother. The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been tried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species. The only 'orphans' that could be found quickly, were a litter of weanling pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger.

Take a look...

Now, please tell me one more time .........?

Why can't the rest of the world get along??"


(Aug 9, 2008)

From Russia with Love

Received the following email from Stephen:

“Dear Folks,

It goes almost unnoticed that the dissident Soviet writer, Nobel laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn, died last Sunday of heart failure in Moscow. The obituary, apparently was overwhelmed by the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, didn't even catch the headlines of most Chinese media.

But it has everything to do with Russia's twin-brother - Communist PRC.

The dissident criticized the Soviet Union as cruel and suffocating "under the malevolent and unyielding nature of communism." He even went further to attack the revered 'god' of USSR, Lenin (while his counterpart Mao's portrait is still overlooking the Tinanmen Square with a wicked smile as of today).Neither did he show any sympathy towards the country which offered him the new citizenship, the US, during his 20-year exile. He viewed the West & US in general as morally weak, limp & flaccid, materialistic and suffering from "the spiritual impotence that comes from living a life of ease."

A friend once puzzled, why I as a Chinese (by race), sometimes criticize the PRC Government "almost like CNN" (in his own words)? This posts a very critical question: should race be more important than social justice?Solzhenitsyn once wrote of his life: "It is history's sorrow, the grief of our era, that I carry about me like an anathema."

Perhaps all Chinese, when they celebrate the first Olympic Games held in their ancient forbidden city, should ask this question:

Why there is no Chinese Solzhenitsyn?
Why no Chinese Gorbachev?
Or is it a "history's sorrow, the grief of our era?"
Can anyone volunteer an explanation?

Your pal,
Stephen”

(Aug 8 , 2008)

Mahjong Club

My sister used to host a bridge club where she and her friends met once a week to play bridge. As some of the players moved out of town, now she has a Mahjong club instead.

They do not play for money. Whoever loses the game chips the money into a jackpot. When there is enough money in the jackpot, they go out for dinner.

The aim is for the social gathering of good friends meeting together on a regular basis. When they play, they talk, they laugh, they air their frustration in life or they share their happiness. It is a very constructive way to balance the stress in life.

I have a similar gathering every week, we do tantric practice. For over ten years, we have a good time every week…

(Aug 7, 2008)

Being Together

I just received an email from Sue informing us that the daughter of Eva and Harton, Joyce, is getting married on August 8 of this year.

Very happy for Joyce, Eva and Harton.

The togetherness of two or more persons is a very amazing and wonderful sensation! This togetherness is not limited to being together physically. The companion of minds, spirits or hearts is even more magnificent.

When we are enlightened, our mind is altogether with that of all Buddhas of Ten Directions.

Can you visualize that?

(Aug 6, 2008)

Can you find the Ten of Us?

Can you find the Ten of Us in this photo?

Hint: Olivia, Nancy, Keith, Chris, Cal, Max, Ching, Adri, Ruby and Toni.

Photo taken in the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, July 2008.

Answer: Click on the comment button to find out.

(Aug 05, 2008)

Loving Danny...

I love Danny, I love his compassionate nature and genuine character. He wrote in his blog:

“Danny J. Floh Back has travelled the world in pursuit of physically and spiritually moving moments. Using a basic digital camera, his motivational photos have won photo contests, and appeared on magazine covers.

"My photos and stories are meant to inspire and challenge others to explore the unknown in pursuit of happiness," says Danny Floh Back.”

I have known Danny since he was two; he is the son of a long-time friend of mine. He has a great talent for photography and I love his photos. He is not a Buddhist but his compassion and positive attitude towards life is very Buddhist –like.

I admire his creativity, vitality and whole-heartedness.

(Photo "Sundown on the water" by Danny Floh Back. (http://www.flohback.com/) )

(Aug 4, 2008)

What if …

Recently my second daughter is looking for a place to stay while attending college.

I went with her for room searching. The second house that we saw, I advised her to rent it as it was not possible to find anything as good. Yet, she wanted to see more places. After two more weeks and many appointments, she decided to lease the place that I told her was good.

She is afraid that once she has committed to the lease, and if anything better becomes available in the market, she will not be able to switch. I told her, my dear, that is life.

We are making choices every instant. Even if you stop thinking, you choose not to think. There is no “What if…” Just make the best out of what you have at the moment and try to elevate or improve the situation if there is a chance. Do not waste time in linger on to the past or delude by the future!

(Aug 3, 2008)

3-day Meditation Retreat (Aug 29-Sept 1, 2008) by DDMBA

Dharma Drum Mountain (Ontario) Buddhist Association is holding a 3-day Meditation Retreat on August 29 to September 1, 2008.

For more details, please go to their website:

http://ddmba-ontario.ca/

.

.

Tranquility in Northern Ontario

Stephen recently took a camping trip to Nortnern Ontario and sent me some of his beautiful shots.

With his permission, I am sharing the tranquility with you...

Through these photos, I feel the joy and peacefulness in Stephen's mind.

When I look at a shot, three things catch my attention the most, the mind of the photographer while taking the shot, the photo shot itself and the message that comes through the shot.

Very happy for Eileen and Stephen.

(July 30, 2008)

Updates from my pharmacist sister

My sister just came back from a 10-day Mediterranean Cruise with my mom, she wrote to us:

"Dear sis & bros,

Glad that everything went well during the trip with mom. The strength I noticed from mom has amazed me but I must say that I may have overworked her on someday

I did learn to see a lot from a different perspective.

Actually, travelling with mom, I received a lot of compliment from a wide range of people I came across in the trip

I got to know mom a little better & I really appreciate how Lung Zhi has been so patient & accommodating with mom & dad all these years.

So far looks like the new pharmacy store will be ready mid or late September. Right now my contractor is working on the electrical stuff.

There are a lot of buying & decision makings to be done in August.

Surprisingly, I am getting a lot of fantastic support from my staff, customers, friends, and of course my family.”


My reply:

All best of wishes to your new adventure.

Knowing you well enough, I am sure that you will turn the business into a success.

You get all these fantastic supports because you deserve so; you have been giving a lot of great support to many people- like the Huayen Quarterly Journals, for one example.

We will always be there for you, just like you will always be here for us!

July 29, 2008

Missing

Yesterday, Chris and my daughter went out of town for a few days.

On their way out, Chris said to me: “Mrs. T., I am going to miss you.” “I am not a Buddhist, so I can miss you, right?” How sweet!

I replied: “Sure, you could miss me even if you were a Buddhist.”

He asked: “You never miss anyone, so I assume Buddhist is not supposed to be attached to or to miss anyone?”

I said: “For a true Buddhist you CAN do anything. The key is HOW you do it, the motivation or aspiration, the know-how and the consequence.”

Yes, I hardly miss anyone physically, but I will miss their “inner-spirits or essence”. Last week, I missed Steven’s love for Huayen. His passion, enthusiasm and perseverance for Huayen are very hard to come by. Too bad that passion is temporarily missing!

(July 28, 2008)

Letting nature takes care of its course

For the past few months, I have been trying to follow Ven. Haiyun HeShang’s teaching of “letting nature takes care of its course.”

I try to avoid having any detail planning or expectation on daily routines. Thus every day I allow life/nature to give me surprises. So far all the surprises are very pleasant or favorable.

When I told my sister about this principle, she said it would never work for her. She likes things to be well organized and in order. Yes, it is true that the principle will not work for her, as she is not a practitioner.

For the principle to work there is a prequisite, you have to devote one hundred percent of yourself into cultivation, then the dharma protectors will take care of the rest.

(July 26, 2008)

Fortune or Misfortune

Last week my car would not start due to a dead battery. I went through quite a bit of trouble to install a new battery. It went through my mind that this incident was a small misfortune on my recently rather grateful days.

Later on, when I talked to my friend about this episode, she remarked that I was very fortunate to have the car fixed up, as I would be driving the car for a long trip out of town. It is much more desirable to have the car broken down then instead of during the trip. So my misfortune turned out to be a fortune instead!

We, human beings, tend to be shortsighted and have a very limited scope of viewpoint on happenings of life. We can hardly tell if certain events occur for better or for worse. Events can be good in the short run and bad in the long run or vice versa, good for some people and bad for others, good in one era and bad in another era. Moreover, good or bad is judgmental and depends on perception.

If we go down to the bottom (essence) of all phenomena, everything is governed by the principle of causes and effects （因緣法）or dependant originations（緣起法）. And among the millions of factors that lead to certain effects, our mind is one of the dominant factors.

For most non-practitioners, their minds are operated under or influenced by the law of “karma”. Whereas for the true practitioners, they understand how the mind operates and how karma works; they can work around the internal and external attributes (causes), and in turns alternate the effects as well as take charge of their own destiny.

Whether we are blessed or condemned is determined by how well we can understand or work around the minds, the law of karma and the dependent originations. That explains why sometimes a practitioner acts rather unreasonably or unexpectedly, as he or she can perceive phenomena on a higher plateau.

(July 23, 2008)

Erin and I

I have known Erin for more or less three years. We have a common bondage, our love for Huayen.

We both benefit from the Huayen Dharma very much that we are willing to practice Huayen assiduously and enthusiastically. Moreover we like to share the gain we derived from the Huayen learning to other people by spreading the Huayen Dharma.

First and foremost we have to be a good practitioner ourselves- that is what we believe deep down inside. Then we need to conglomerate a group of colleagues with the same vision. The building of a solid foundation with good people and infrastructure is very important. We are both working in that direction gradually and in our own pace. The progress is painfully slow and full of obstructions. Maybe this is the fun part too…

What tied us especially close together is our frank and straightforward character.

Erin, thank you for acting as my big sister when I am feeble, for holding onto our dreams together and for offering your house as my inn.

(July, 22, 2008)

Sharing of happiness

In response to my article "Out of Town" posted yesterday, my friend wrote me the following:

"I cannot wait to let you know, I want to write you this note right away. As I read your article, I feel your joy, I feel the warmth in your family, I could hear the laughter and sounds of the children, and above all I feel happy. Happiness has entered my blood, giving me a peaceful and serene sensation.

I do not know what this is, and how this has happened. But, I’m not going to use my brain on this phenomenon…. all I want is to feel and observe it with my heart.

Thanks for sharing your happiness … enjoy !"



My reply:

I am so glad that my friend can share my happiness.

In Chan, we named the sharing as "the transmission between two minds." （以心叩心）

My friend shared my happiness, this reaction in turns brought me joy as well. In Buddhist term, this is how the transfer/expansion of merits (dedication) works.

I wish there are more of us who can pass around joy and merits, thus the Land of Ulmost Joy can be realized sooner.

Lung Zhi

Out of town

I am out of town staying at my sister's house for the week end. It is a nice break from my not so routine life in Toronto.

My sister and I played badmanton in her backyard, we had such a good laugh as I had not played this game for decades. The kids are having fun in the swimming pool and hot tub. At night, my brother-in-law set up a huge bon fire and we toasted marshmellows. It is nice to have large family where everyone is close.

Memories of our childhood keep flashing back. The great variety of opportunities that lie in our future keep popping up. Yet we are very much enjoying the present.

Why am I writing this blog at this moment? To share with you our happiness before we go out for an exciting day in town.

Having fun...

My meditation colleagues

For the past two months, two of my friends and I practice meditation and sutra recitation together once every week. We recite three chapters of the Huayen Sutra, meditate, exercise, meditate more and end with a yoga session.

We have known each other for more than seven years but we are not close until very recently. With our cultivation every week, we are having a great time together, which is totally unexpected. We go out for lunch and shopping afterwards, it is a nice break for us.

The three of us share the same enthusiasm and devotion on meditation. We feel sorry that there are so few of us who appreciate the benefits of this practice.

We have the followings in common:
(1) We are mentally and physically healthier than average – we seldom get sick, look much younger than our actual age and are basically very happy with our lives;
(2) We are content with the materialistic aspect of our lives and willing to put efforts into enhancing the spiritual aspect;
(3) And we have the time and resources to invest into meditation, which we know will harvest enormous profit.

Yes, LIFE can be so good. All you need to do is too have the Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Actions, Right Living, Right Persistence, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration- in short the Eightfold Noble Path.

(July 17, 2008)

Giving you incentive

While I am writing this blog, my mind is so focus that I can treat writing as an amusingly good way of cultivation.

I need a clear and undisturbed mind to put my thoughts into words. At times, I am so devoted and absorbed into my writing that I require a transitional period for me to awake myself from the writing realm to the mundane realm.

Since I start writing, I am conscious about the use of vocabulary, grammar, spelling, sentence structure etc. When I hear or see a new phrase or word, I will contemplate in my mind – what does it mean, how to express the term correctly, is there a better way of using that phrase?

My attention level and point of focus shift along the way. I become more aware of the external attributes, my internal thoughts and emotions, and the interactions between the two. When I encounter a situation, I notice how my mind and body react, how my reactions in turn affect the situation. How can I capture the external and internal happenings and put them into words? How my writings can express myself or bring out a point so that it can benefit the readers? How can I share my fortune or merits with others through the articles?

So far, I find this line of work rather rewarding. I am not imposing anything on anyone. If the readers enjoy my articles, they will visit the blog. If someone dislikes my writings or ideas, they choose not to come back or write me a comment. I see this as a win-win situation.

Seeing a novice like me has the courage to write, you should have the incentive to do the same or even better!

(July 16, 2008)