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These crystals were set onto certain points on my earlobes … not for children as I fear these inadvertently falling into ear holes, lol…
Accupressure points study with Iijima-sensei from Japan. Thank you for hosting a delicious vegan luncheon Y-san! Unfortunately missed the session to bend spoons – sounds rather psychic but turns out he’s more of a comedian. Witty. From a yogi’s perspective, it’s more about body awareness as we pay more attention to the workings of our body and how that affects our mind … seems like there’s some placebo affect in play as well.

Whatever works, it’s good. Shall incorporate into my practice to see if there’s any difference … it’s like my motto in yoga these days: softer side explored to arrive at what’s gentle and easy and yet VERY EFFECTIVE.

I am curious.

When I was visiting Tokyo, I noticed that lessons copying with brush and sumi-ink, the Heart Sutra (the Hannya Shingyo) manuscript was a very popular past time for those fortunate to have the luxury of time. It’s part calligraphy which requires deep concentration and meditation practice and I was drawn to it. But truthfully, the text was GREEK, well, okay, Ancient Classic Japanese, to me – Impossible to decipher this formal classic language, transcribed probably by ardent monks from Sanskrit into Chinese and then to Japanese, centuries ago and adapted to the particular land and its people… At my mother’s place, there’s a regular class where students transcribe the Sutra into their own handwriting …a lovely offering.

The Modern Version I should translate …Our intention is the same everywhere: To reduce or eradicate the suffering… starts from Self and to those closest around you…we want to suffer less, be happy more – How? Answer lies in the Heart Sutra I’m told – from UTube, too bad it’s not in English as well. It’s an updated version in that it’s in “street” today’s language – very cool. There’s also a rap version in Japanese street talk… which should help many understand the teachings where before it was mere background chants that may have put one to sleep – breath of fresh air into updated language of the NOW creates the “energy”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZTymlB0Hzw
Also perfect for anyone studying Japanese:) Two in One – language acquisition through spirituality!

Discovered that there’s someone who has virtually the same name as mine – yes, exact same last name and very similar, American vs. Japanese version of the same given/first name and … she gives off a “cool” intellectual image while leading an adventurous life profiled in a major journalistic publication. She could be me – Isn’t that so very strange? You are unique but the name you were given may not be so… which brought me to think of how there are so many people who share the same name – but each unique and different. What’s in a name? My name means … “Blessings from the Oceans & Mountains” – rather Native American-ish, isn’t it?

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.

Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Blessings from the Oceans & Mountains, for we are grounded and centered with each breath we take. We are blessed for we know how to live at ease, sensitized to the natural rhythm all around us. We are distinct and unique and diverse … but One.