Categories
Beautiful Places

Summer in Vancouver – Album 1

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Cool thing about the unique landscape in Vancouver is … that the forest comes right up to the ocean. In many lands, saltwater does not promote tree growth so forest is a bit more in the high lands from the ocean but … here, all these trees provide lovely foliage right up to the shores. Walking by the seaside hiking and biking path, one can look to the left to appreciate the vast sea … then look to the right – only to take in the lush greenery … view of trees, trees, and more … trees. Love the proximity of two environs… there’s no need to choose between a beach/ocean and the forest/mountains – they are both within grasp… it’s the best of both worlds without going a great distance.
IMG_0202_smallSo you feel like you can sit at this bench, with entire forest at your back, then feel the ocean salt water in the air and see the bright sparkly sea … and the horizon beyond. It must be spectacular sunrise and sunset here… it’s a mid-afternoon visit though.
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Categories
Beautiful Places Yoga

Krishna Festival in Vancouver

IMG_0187_smallAgain, by chance, as we were going to this lovely Botanical Garden (photos to follow), then to Stanley Park for a walk by the seaside, we ran into Krishna Festival – Free vegetarian lunch was being served … yes, free (heard they had 10,000 servings that day); and “unexpectedly” it was SO delicious – more delicious than Greens or Plant restaurants in San Francisco (sorry Greens and Plant).
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And so generous – with I don’t know what it was – some purple sweet rice like grains to finish off the dish with rice and well seasoned veggies and beans. There were books, displays, spiritual fashion …music and what do you know? Yes, you guessed it.

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Free Yoga throughout the day! Of course. It’s Karma – by chance, across our lodging is a yoga studio, down the block is Lululemon and now … Krishna Festival. All by coincidence – What am I attracting ? No, I am not Hindu as I don’t have a religion. But like Emerson or maybe even Steven Jobs, I believe in the power of intuitions – AND the power of a person to undergo a change for the better, if there’s even a little determination and will. Then … you need a good authentic caring teacher, who is not about his/her own ego or greed but love that’s almost … unconditional. What is unconditional love? It’s not – you get an A on this test and I will love you more or if you get me this diamond ring, I love you but if you don’t, then not so much… no conditions – just love, pure and simple. Pure and simple but so … rare.

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A bit of a contrast to the sleek, chic, sports-gym like yoga studio … here’s to on the grassy park, under blue sky …FRESH air!
IMG_0134_smallQuite low key – students come and go – here are pretty athletic guys … teachers appear to rotate in and out too:
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Here’s lovely family – mom and dad with their daughter and now another yoga instructor has slipped in… a perpetual sun salutation – 108 times for sure by the time this day is over – do what you can – no pressure. Come and go as you please – literally … no attachment. Joy for the moment and move on.
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Realized that one can be spiritual but not necessarily have a declared religion after all … I was brought up Christian but lately, I’d like to say I embrace all – Wait, no, I do have one – it clicked “Ahh, haa (ahh, sooo), this is it!” when I heard it – I share this “religion”…

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

– Dalai Lama

Simple? We all know it might be simply put, but very very difficult to be kind sometimes – to be compassionate towards others, much less to Self, faced with emotions of fear, thoughts and concerns for greed, anger, etc. Being human, we suffer, so it’s a constant reminder and a practice. Ohhh, I also believe in the trees…Admittedly, I’m a tree hugging hippie – It’s the Japanese soul in me:) This is easier to put in action than to be “kind” in a true sense of the word – just breathing in Oxygen and exhaling Carbon Dioxide for them to thrive:) What a symbiotic relationship – it’s … virtually perfect.

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Don’t care if passerby think I’m weird. Truth be known – I am.
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So grounding in the true sense of the word…
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in Stanley Park
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in Nitobe Memorial Japanese Garden

Categories
Uncategorized

What are our needs?

IMG_9996_smallLiked this shared on FB and really exactly my thoughts these days…

The planet does not need more successful people.
The planet desperately needs more
peacemakers, healers, restorers,
storytellers and lovers of all kinds.

– Dalai Lama

& besides, how do you define success?

If you seek peace, if you need to be healed, restored, learn and be loved … then:

You provide peace which may include forgiveness, if you need to be healed, perhaps you can consider serving others who need a cure, concoct a remedy potion:) if you need to be fixed or restored, you may consider reaching out to restore others, if you need to learn from storytellers, practice empathy or teach… if you want to be loved, love art, love music, love all living creations … motto, motto. Then there will be more of what we need. In a small way. It does not have to be big, grand nor dramatic. In our small ways … it can be just taking care of a child or the aged … need not be about signing a peace treaty in war torn countries – just within your own sphere of influence, a small contribution, serve without expecting or calculating something in return – just loving those around you and closest to you (note: that includes yourself) for the huge difference in totality. Many are already doing this and I bow to those people.

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Reality check: Yes, we do need the paycheck to pay that rent or mortgage … or for that education. SO balance out the needs but keep the above words in mind as we go through the day to day – it will make a difference on how you see “relationships”. We can all be more loving…without being selfless.

In terms of “education” costs – why education? So that we can discern TRUTH from deception or true masters from impostors and charlatans. There are many self promoting “authority” on stuff but we need to have discernment on what and who is truly AUTHENTIC, well trained and experienced, an expert who possess that wisdom and knowledge you need. Sometimes those teachers are found because of already widely known reputation and track record and history as a student/teacher but sometimes, they are found through serendipity. Those with humility may not have a huge promo and ads with tactical use of the social network marketing their expertise or wisdom…In fact, they may not even want to teach, wanting to just immerse themselves more into their arts… but that beauty is to the eyes of the beholder. Fate, luck, Karma … plays a role. With humility, I confess that everyone I meet is my teacher. Every single one.