Visiting the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism

I was struck by a surprising thought as I slid open the paper screen doors: Monks make wonderful gardeners. Below me was a beautifully crafted oasis, nicely pruned pines and maples swaying gently in the summer breeze. I listened to the soothing sound of trickling water as I sipped bitter green tea. It was serene, peaceful, perfect.

I had arrived at Rengejoin, an ancient Buddhist temple set atop Japan's Mt. Koya. I had crossed the threshold that morning a weary traveler, seeking sanctuary from the punishing heat and breakneck pace of a typical Tokyo summer. For 1,200 years devout Japanese have made this mountain pilgrimage, drawing strength from their visit to one of the country's most sacred spots, the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism.

But lately a new demographic has swelled the ranks. Young professional Japanese women are shunning luxury spas and returning to their cultural roots, choosing temples for a chance to live, eat and pray with the monks.

I set out alone in search of the peace promised by my friend Hiromi, who clapped her hands in delight when she learned of my planned journey. "It is the original detox," she said as we wilted in Tokyo's heat, "a real rest for body and mind."

I thought of Hiromi during that morning's journey. As I switched from futuristic bullet train to subway and then to slow-moving six-car train, I stole a glance at a young, impeccably dressed Japanese woman who took a seat across the aisle.

She too boarded the train at bustling Namba station and at first sat stiffly upright, clutching her designer bag to her chest. Soon, she was so soothed by the view before her that she unwound, bento box open and shoes removed.

Japan's mountain region has views worth savoring. The gentle sway and slower pace of our train meant time to enjoy the landscape. Finally, at Gokurakubashi Station, I transferred to a cable car for a steep 10-minute climb through foliage and fog, arriving 3,280 feet above sea level.

Mt. Koya has 120 temples, and 53 offer rooms to visitors. Some are large and imposing; others tiny and intimate. Bewildered by the choice, I'd pre-booked two where some English was spoken. I was reassured by my choice as I entered Rengejoin. A large gravel garden, raked by the monks into intriguing geometric swirls, lay adjacent to dark wooden buildings with dramatic tiled roofs.

Suddenly a monk appeared in a bright orange robe. His hair was closely cropped and his face split into a smile as he gave a deep bow. Swapping my shoes for slippers, I followed his swiftly gliding footsteps, treading along wooden floorboards that emitted odd noises. "They sound like birds," he explained in deep resonating English. "We call them nightingale floors."

In the reception office we knelt on floor cushions and I learned the rules of temple life. No food could be brought in; monks eat a strict meat- and fish-free diet called shojin ryori, and so must the guests. Times are strictly kept. Breakfast is at 7 a.m., meditation is at 5 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. and then bed. My face involuntarily registered my surprise, and he smiled before adding, "Morning prayers begin in the ceremony room at 6 a.m. Guests are most welcome."

My bedroom was small and simple, with pale tatami mat floors and elegantly shabby screen walls depicting simple mountain scenes and calligraphy. The only furniture was a low dark wood table and cushions. I noticed that all walls could be retracted, giving the temple flexibility in the room size offered.

Suddenly a deep gong resonated throughout the temple; meditation class was about to begin.

A smiling monk dressed in a flowing blue-and-white robe welcomed me into the ceremony room, which was filled with flickering candles, lanterns and the strong scent of incense. As my eyes adjusted to the dimness, I took my place on a tiny round floor cushion.

The monk appeared at the altar and issued simple instructions to his five students. Cross your legs, straighten your back and take deep, slow breaths, he told us.

It wasn't easy. As the 30 minutes drew to a close, my legs ached, but my mind felt unusually still and quiet.

I found that dinner, like bathing, is communal in temple life. In the large tatami-matted dining room, 18 guests knelt. Before them were dinners made up of beautifully prepared tempura, soups, pickles and vegetables. Young, smiling monks, whose training included room preparation and cooking, flitted among us pouring bitter green tea.

After dinner, Kiyomi Soeda, the temple owner, appeared. Tucking her tiny figure into a traditional kneeling pose, she spoke for 30 minutes about her extraordinary 87-year life. The postwar poverty, the scorn she had suffered for studying English, the marriage to a priest who brought her to the temple and the battle to save it from ruin. Her joyful optimism and sparkling eyes helped explain the temple's success.

By 8 p.m., bed clearly beckoned, but there was one last temple rite to be completed. Like everything in Japan, bathing is steeped in ritual. Changing into a simple summer kimono (yukata), guests walked to the gender-segregated bathroom, where, naked, they washed thoroughly while perched on the low stools provided. Only when scrupulously clean can you enter the piping hot bath, surrounded by your fellow guests. After 15 minutes, I emerged, lobster red and fighting to keep my eyes open. I collapsed on the freshly laid futon bed and fell asleep quickly.

By 10 the next morning, I was at the door of Shojoshin-in, my second temple, on the other side of town. My body ached slightly from sleeping on an unforgiving surface. The paper-thin walls also meant every shuffle and snore were clearly heard. Nonetheless, I felt fantastic, completely tranquil.

Meditation took a back seat to sightseeing that day. After peeking into my new room (small, yet well designed, opening directly onto a lovely water garden), I visited the centrally located Tourist Assn., rented an English audio guide and set off to wander Mt. Koya's temples and shrines. A few stood out: the towering two-tiered Konpondaito Pagoda and Kongobuji, temple of the Buddhist Shingon sect.

Despite its being peak summer season, the town was surprisingly empty; quiet contemplation was easy when the only others present were a few elderly Japanese women painting by koi ponds and young couples walking beneath towering lacquered gates.

On the advice of the monks, I scheduled one site for the twilight hours. Okunoin temple is set deep in Japan's largest wooded cemetery and is best seen at dawn or dusk. I entered the grounds tentatively but was immediately struck by an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. The scattered gray stone pagodas and stupas were worn by time and covered in soft moss. A winding path was lighted by lanterns; pines and cedars towered above, all but blocking out the darkening sky. A 20-minute stroll led me over bridges and streams to Okunoin temple, the final resting place of Kobodaishi, the founder of the Shingon Buddhist sect.

The effect of this solitary walk stayed with me late into the evening. Even at 5:50 a.m. the following day, when the gong woke me for prayers, I felt serene. Kneeling in the busy ceremony hall, I was captivated by the 40-minute ceremony. While three senior monks chanted, many guests queued to the altar, making offerings and lighting incense.

Among the group were two young Japanese women, slim and elegant in their designer lounge wear. I walked out behind them as the ceremony ended, morning rain pummeling the roof above us. As they vanished behind another door in the temple compound, I wondered if, like me, they would leave Mt. Koya with a new spiritual skills. At the very least, I had gained the ability to meditate and had a renewed appreciation for going to bed early. Two things that every modern woman should learn.

By Kate Graham

A brief history of Tibetan Buddhism

Tibet has always been overshadowed by other neighbouring nations. Thus, nothing much about its culture is known. Here is a brief history abouta sacred religion called Bon, Tibet’s pre-Buddhist religion, now better know as Tibetan Buddhism.

RECORDS OF human civilisation on the Tibetan plateau stretch back thousands of years. However, Tibetans are only starting to be widely recognised now. Even so, it is only their recent history and some of their Buddhist past. I hope that this section will give a brief, but comprehensive, explanation of the basic history of Tibetan Buddhism and its pre-Buddhist roots, prior to the Chinese invasions of 1912 and 1949.

Early Tibetan history:

Bon: The first religion of Tibet Prior to the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, the majority of the Tibetan people practiced an animistic religion called Bon. Bon originated in Olmo Lungring, a region west of modern day Tibet; it then spread east to Zhang Zhung and finally, to Tibet where it took root. It is still practiced by a minority of Tibetans today as well as, by a significant percentage of Lepchas, the indigenous inhabitants of Sikkim.

Unfortunately, although Tibetan history stretches back thousands of years,writing was only brought to Tibet with Buddhism. In addition to this hindrance, due to persecution of Bon religion, Bon adopted many Buddhist practices (and vice versa). So while we have a good oral history of Bon, no one knows how accurate it is and what the original Bon religion was like.

Bon lore states that the religion was founded by Tonpa Shenrab 16,000 years ago. Tonpa Shenrab was believed to have studied Bon philosophy in past ages in heaven and was born on earth to teach them. Similar to the Buddha, he was born a prince, married, had children but then later, chose to renounce the palatial life he was born in to, in order to spread the Bon teachings and bring the doctrine to Tibet. However, Tonpa Shenrab found Tibet to be inhospitable to the Bon teachings and was forced to give up. He hid the Bon teachings throughout Tibet and died at the age of 82 years. Much later teachers were able to teach Bon in Tibet, which took root and flourished.

Bonpos believed that Tonpa Shenrab and other Bon teachers were enlightened beings (similar to Buddha), who existed prior to the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni. Bon is another path to enlightenment that was not taught by Buddha Shakyamuni but instead was taught by these sages. As an animistic religion, Bon also has a great respect for nature and a desire to be in harmony with it. It also includes many spirits who must be satisfied. Overtime, Bon beliefs merged with the Buddhist beliefs brought from India. Both Bon and Buddhism changed, as a result. Nyingma, the oldest of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, is in fact very similar to Bon and the two religions practice some of the same forms of meditation and share certain teachers and deities.

Buddhism started to gain popularity in Tibet, the Buddhist leaders repressed Bon, in their attempts to establish Buddhism as a state religion. In order to preserve the teachings, Bonpo teachers hid ‘terma’ or treasure teachings, throughout Tibet. In 1017, Shenchen Luga uncovered many of these ‘termas’ and brought about a Bon revival. Although Bon never overtook Buddhism in popularity in Tibet, Bon was openly studied for many years after this revival.

In 1727, the Dzungars invaded Tibet. A great repression of the Bonpos and Nyingmapas followed and many were killed. The Dzungars would make people stick out their tongues believing that speaking mantras would turn one’s tongue black. The Nyingmapas and Bonpos were known for their constant recitation of mantras and this test was part of the witch-hunt to find them.

The fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Losang Gyatso, declared Bon to be a fifth school of Buddhism in Tibet - a stance, which has been reiterated by the present 14th Dalai Lama. However, Tibetans differentiate between Bonpos and Buddhists, referring to practitioners of Bon as ‘Bonpo’ while calling members of the other four schools of Buddhism ‘Nangpa’ (literally‘Insider’).

Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced in Tibet in the eighth century by the Indian saint, Padmasambhava (Tibetan: Pema Jugne, Guru Rinpoche) at the invitation of King Trisong Duetson. King Songsten Gampo had introduced Buddhism a few decades earlier; it did not gained much popularity then. Padmasambhava subdued the local demons (presumed by many to be Bon spirits, or a metaphor for the Bon priests themselves) and created Samye, the first Buddhist monastery. Trisong Deutson, Songsten Gampo and Ralpachen, all Buddhist are considered the three great kings of Tibet. Under their rule, Buddhism flourished and became the state religion of Tibet and Zhang Zhung and Olmo Lungring were annexed by Tibet. Buddhist scholars were brought in from neighboring countries to visit Tibet and teach Buddhist philosophy and many temples and monasteries were built for that purpose. Tibet became famous for its Buddhist teachers that the Mongol Khans and the Chinese Emperors both sent for Buddhist teachers from Tibet to advice the courts.

However the 42nd and final king of the Tibetan dynasties, Langdharma, brought an end to this religious honeymoon. Langdharma was a practitioner of Bon and was very bitter against Buddhism’s popularity. He forced monks and nuns to leave their monasteries and attempted to destroy Tibetan Buddhism through systematic persecution. Langdharma was assassinated during a ceremonial dance performance by an ex-monk, posing as a performer.

The Four Schools of Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism is split into four schools (five, if one counts Bon). While these schools follow the same basic philosophy, they have different teachers and often put the emphasis on different aspects of the Buddhist teachings.

Nyingma:This is the oldest of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism? In fact, its name literally means ‘old’? Unlike the other three schools, Nyingma does not always have one set leader who is the most important lama in the school. Like Bon, the ‘dzogchen’ form of meditation is very important; likewise, they share many teachings and deities. Padmasambhava is very important in the Nyingma School and the school emphasises practice, versus study of the sutras.

Sakya-Sakya: Meaning ‘gray earth’, is the next school of Buddhism? Leadership is passed down through the family line versus reincarnation of leaders. Its monasteries are distinguished by very high walls. The Sakya School is historically important, as it was the school of choice among many of the Mongol Khans.

Kagyu: The Kagyu School was the first school to use reincarnation as a form of continuing teachings with the same masters. The first lama recognised as a reincarnation was the Karmapa, who is the head of the Karma Kagyu sect. The Kagyu sect includes many subsections, such as Karma Kagyu and Drikung Kagyu. The Kagyu School held power in Tibet for many years before the Gelug School took power with the fifth Dalai Lama. It is also the main school in Bhutan and Sikkim and predominant in southeastern Tibet. It is also the main school of Tibetan Buddhism practiced in the west.

Gelug: The Gelug School is the predominant school in Tibet as well as the most famous, world over, due to its leader, the Dalai Lama. It is, however, the youngest school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gelug School was founded by Tsongkhapa, who created it as a way to reform Tibetan Buddhism. It is very strict on the ‘vinaya’, or rules of monastic life, and unlike the other schools does not allow its monks or lamas to marry under any circumstances, unless they revoke their vows, which are frowned upon. It also places a strong emphasis on debate and study.

The Kagyu School held power in Tibet for many years, however the Gelug School rapidly gained popularity quickly after its creation. This created some tension that was made worse by each school taking political sides in wars. The losing side would often be oppressed by the political faction of the winning side. These political flip-flops occurred so often, the monks had to find an interesting way to deal with it. The Kagyu School started wearing red hats, while the Gelugpas wore yellow hats. The monks started making yellow hats lined with red that, were reversible and they could easily turn them inside out whenever a new ruler came to power.

In the 17th century, the Gushri Khans invaded Tibet and installed the fifth Dalai Lama as both religious and secular leader of Central Tibet. The Gelug influence was already strong in Amdo, due to Tsongkhapa’s roots there, and so it was easy for the Gelug School to gain political control over the majority of Tibet. The ‘Great Fifth’, as he is called started the construction of the Potala Palace, a 13-story structure with over one thousand rooms, in Lhasa. He also brought greater stability to Tibet, demanding that the Mongols stop plundering Eastern Tibet, and organising the Tibetan government in Lhasa. The Gelugpa School remained in political power up until 1959.

The city of Lhasa, meaning, ‘land of the gods’, became the centre of religion and politics of Tibet. The holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, the Jokhang, is located right in the middle of the Lhasa market area. Major monasteries containing thousands of monks surround the city. In addition, Lhasa became home to the majority of ‘gutrag’, or nobility, who usually held positions of political influence.

The Tibetan government was a mix of a theocracy and an aristocracy. Positions were given to two people; one noble and the other, monk. The monk might be a Rinpoche (Incarnate lama) or simply a monk who had studied hard and gained a position of importance. The noble was almost exclusively someone born into the position, who may have slightly raised his position through hard work. At the centre of the government was the ‘kashag’, or congress, which likewise, consisted half of laymen and half of monks. Women never held positions in politics.

At the head of the government was the Dalai Lama, a monk in all but one occasion, who held supreme political and religious power over Tibet. Although not all Tibetans followed the Gelug School, due to his political influence, the Dalai Lama held sway over religion as well.

However, one should not be mistaken and starts believing that, the Dalai Lama was an all-powerful dictator. The Dalai Lamas spent most of their lives in religious study and retreat, leaving political decisions mostly up to the ‘kashag’. In addition, very few Dalai Lamas even made it to maturity?

Written by: Amalia Rubin

Symposium asserts Buddhism position in society

VietNamNet Bridge – A Buddhist Sangha official affirmed Vietnam’s Buddhism is in favourable conditions to promote its role and position in social life at a time when the country is pursuing industrialisation and modernisation.

Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, made the statement at a symposium on Buddhism with society and culture in the era of industrialisation and modernisation held in Hanoi on March 26.

The Most Venerable noted that there are many opportunities at this time for Vietnamese Buddhism to grow further inside and outside the country and exert influence on the international community.

He said thousands of pagodas, including very ancient ones still exist in the country have created important influence on the national culture in general and the Buddhist culture in particular.

For his part, the Head of the Religions Research Institute, Associate Prof. and Dr. Nguyen Hong Duong suggested the State be more active in restoring ancient pagodas to preserve the value of Vietnam’s Buddhist culture.

More than 20 presentations were sent to the symposium, covering different angles of the Vietnamese Buddhist culture in particular and its variants caused by the country’s political, cultural and social factors.

Having developed in Vietnam for almost 2,000 years, Buddhism has always been with the nation through its ups and downs.

The religion has particularly been thriving following the country’s renovation process and international integration.

Spirituality a big part of kids happiness

Spirituality is a major contributor to a child's overall happiness — even more so than for adults — according to a new study from the University of British Columbia.

The study tested 315 children aged 9 to 12, measuring spirituality and other factors such as temperament and social relations that can affect an individual's sense of happiness.

"Our goal was to see whether there's a relation between spirituality and happiness," said Mark Holder, associate professor of psychology and the study's co-author. "We knew going in that there was such a relation in adults, so we took multiple measures of spirituality and happiness in children."

Past studies have shown that in adults, spiritual feelings and higher levels of religious behavior typically account for about 5% of a person's overall happiness, said a UBC statement.

The results of the UBC study came as a surprise: 6.5 to 16.5% of children's happiness can be accounted for by spirituality.

"From our perspective, it's a whopping big effect," said Holder. "I expected it to be much less — I thought their spirituality would be too immature to account for their well-being."

Children in the study were asked to rate statements such as "I feel a higher power's presence," and answer questions including, "how often do you pray or meditate privately outside of church or other places of worship?"

Parents were also asked to describe each child's apparent happiness and spirituality, and teachers rated each child's happiness level.

The study's authors plan to conduct the same research in India to see whether children score similar results in a country not dominated by Christianity.

By Ron Csillag

Tibet's Potala Palace reopens to visitors

LHASA - Tibet's architectural icon, the Potala Palace, reopened to tourists on Wednesday ten days after it was closed for security reasons after the riots on March 14, a palace official said on Wednesday.

The palace, built in the Seventh Century and on the world cultural heritage list, was closed the day after the riots in which 18 civilians and one police officer were killed, said Jampa Gesang, head of the Potala Palace administration office.

He said 24 tourists and 75 Tibetan Buddhism followers visited the palace on Wednesday.

The Potala Palace received more than one million tourists in 2007, a 56 percent increase year-on-year.

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25 Ways to Simplify Your Life with Kids

Anyone who has kids knows that any life with kids is going to be complicated, at least to some degree. From extra laundry to bathing and cooking and shopping and driving and school and chores and crises and sports and dance and toys and tantrums, there is no shortage of complications.


You won’t get to ultra-simple if your life includes children … but you can find ways to simplify, no matter how many kids you have.

Take my life, for example: I have a house full of kids, and yet I’ve found ways to streamline my life, to find peace and happiness among the chaos. How is this magic trick accomplished? Nothing magical, actually, but just little things that have simplified my life over the years.

The main magic trick, however: making my family my top priority, and choosing only a small number of priorities in my life. If you have too many things you want to do, or need to do, your life will become complicated. But if you choose just a few things that are important to you, you can eliminate the rest, and simplify your life greatly.

What follows is a list that might seem complicated to some — 25 items! Trust me, I could easily double this list, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. Instead of trying to tackle everything on this list at once, choose a few things that appeal to you, and give them a try. Bookmark this page and come back to it from time to time to try out other ideas. Best yet, they might inspire new ideas of your own!

1. Self-sufficiency. This one tip could simplify your life greatly, over time. However, it will make things more complicated in the short term. The idea is to teach your kids to do things for themselves as they get older and more capable. Teaching them to do something themselves instead of just doing it yourself takes time and can be a little frustrating at first, but it will pay off for years to come. My kids, for example, can make themselves breakfast, shower and dress themselves, brush their teeth, and generally get themselves ready in the morning with only minimal prompting from us. They can clean their rooms, wash dishes, sweep, mop, dust, wash the car. The older ones can cook basic dishes and babysit the younger ones. This type of self-sufficiency has saved my wife and me tons of time and trouble over the years.
2. One calendar. If you have more than one kid, you might have a lot of activities going on that you need to track, from school events such as Christmas performances and parent-teacher conferences to extracurricular activities such as soccer practice, dance classes, or Spring concerts. Organize your life with a simple calendar (I use Google Calendar) and enter all activities and appointments on this one calendar, from kids’ stuff to your own goings on. When they hand you papers from school, or soccer schedules, immediately enter everything onto the calendar. Then a quick glance at the calendar each day will help you plan your day.
3. Toy bins. It’s an inevitable fact of life that kids have lots of toys, and that they will be everywhere. You will drive yourself crazy if you try to manage them with dictator-like ruthlessness. Instead, let kids play, but have lots of bins where they can toss the toys inside when they’re done. Then cleaning up is a cinch — they just toss everything on the floor into the bins, and move on to making their next mess. You can have designated bins for certain toys (this one’s for Legos, this one’s for stuffed animals, this one’s for cars), and also have some general-purpose bins for things that don’t fit anywhere else. Don’t be too strict about them — the whole purpose is to make things simpler.
4. Regular cleanups. If you’re like me, you don’t like a huge mess. Teach your kids to clean up after themselves — let them make a mess, but every now and then, tell them it’s time to clean up. Be sure to tell them to clean up before moving on to something else, such as lunchtime or bedtime. It’s good to have regular times during the day when they do cleanups, such as before bed or before they leave for school, so that the house is always clean at night and during the day.
5. Quiet bedtime routines. Kids thrive on routine, and no routine is better than the one before they go to sleep. Have a regular routine before bed — it might consist of cleaning up, showering, brushing their teeth, getting into their pajamas, and reading a book. Reading aloud to them just before bedtime is a great idea, because it quiets them down after a day of activity, it gives you quality bonding time together, and it gets them into the habit of reading. Plus, it’s just something that everyone can enjoy.
6. Prep the night before. Mornings can be a hectic time for parents and kids alike, but they don’t have to be. Instead, prep as much as possible the night before, and have your mornings be a little more relaxed. I like to prep lunches, get their clothes ready (and mine as well), and have them shower, get their homework and school bags ready. Then the morning is simply eating breakfast, a little grooming, getting dressed, and gathering everything together before you head out the door. It’s a great way to start your day.
7. Don’t schedule too much. Sometimes we schedule things back-to-back-to-back, so that every minute of every day is planned out. That leads to stress and problems. Instead, schedule as little as possible each day, and leave space between events, appointments or activities, so that your day moves along at a more leisurely pace. Start getting ready earlier than necessary, so there’s no rush, and leave yourself time to transition from one thing to another. A more spaced-out schedule is much more relaxing than a cramped one.
8. Have dedicated family times. Try to find regular times in your schedule when you do nothing else but spend time together as a family. For some people, dinner time works well — everyone sits down to dinner together as a family, and no other activities are planned at that time. For others, weekends, or maybe just one day of the weekend, work better. We reserve Sundays as our Family Day, and try our best not to schedule anything else on that day. It’s something we look forward to. Weekends in general are for our family, as are evenings — all work gets done on weekdays, before 5 p.m.
9. Simple clothing. It’s best to buy clothes for your kids that will match easily — choose a similar color scheme, so that you’re not always digging through their clothes to find stuff that matches. Go through their clothes every few months to get rid of stuff that doesn’t fit (kids grow so fast!) and donate the old clothes to relatives or charity (or pass them on to a younger sibling). Keep their wardrobe simple — if it doesn’t fit neatly in their drawers, you have to get rid of it or get rid of something else. Don’t stuff drawers, or you’ll make it hard to find stuff. Also, socks are usually a challenge — use mesh bags, one for clean socks and another for dirty ones. Then throw the dirty mesh bag in the laundry, and socks won’t get lost (or at least, not as often).
10. Always prep early. I try to make it a point to look at the schedule in advance (usually the day before) to see what’s coming up. That allows me to prepare for those events or activities early, so that we aren’t in a rush when we’re getting ready. For example, on soccer days, we make sure that all the soccer gear, plus folding chairs and water bottles and snacks and whatnot, are all ready to go beforehand. Prepping early makes things a lot easier later on.
11. Always bring snacks. Kids always get hungry. So be ready — if you’re going on the road, pack some snacks in baggies. Crackers, cheese, fruit, carrot sticks, PB&J sandwiches, graham crackers, peanuts, raisins all make good portable snacks. An insulated lunch container with re-usable ice packs help keep things fresh. Also always bring plenty of water, as kids are always thirsty. Can’t help you with the urgent bathroom breaks, though.
12. Baby wipes and emergency kit. There will always be messes. Be ready. Baby wipes, even after they are past using diapers, are indispensable for all kinds of messes. Pack them in a little “emergency kit” that might include medical supplies, reading material, activities, a towel, and extra clothes — anything you can think of that might prepare you for anything that regularly arises.
13. Pack spare clothes. We have a little carry-on luggage that’s always packed with a couple of changes of clothes for each kid — good clothes (for a party or something), regular clothes, underwear, socks. This way we’re always ready, if there’s an accident, or should they want to spend the night with grandparents or a cousin while we’re out at a party or something. It’s indispensable.
14. Create weekly routines. Aside from regular family times (mentioned above), it’s good to have a weekly routine that’s written out and posted somewhere everyone can see it. A weekly routine might include regular practice times, house cleaning day, washing the car, yard work day, errands day, recurring appointments, etc. This makes the schedule more predictable for everyone, and eliminates a lot of surprises.
15. Communicate as a family. Regular communication between family members solves a lot of problems. Have regular times when the family can talk about family issues. Dinnertime is a good time for that. We also have a weekly “Family Meeting” where we all sit down and talk about household issues, we compliment and thank each other, we plan our Family Day, and we play a fun game at the end.
16. Go on dates. If you have trouble finding alone time with each child (whether you have one child or more than one), setting up “dates” can be a good way to ensure that you do things together. Make a date with your child for a specific day and time, and together you should decide what you want to do on that date. It can be something simple, like taking a walk in your neighborhood or in a park, reading together, playing board games, sports or video games, or it can be something like going to a restaurant or movie or amusement park. If you have lots of kids, you might have to rotate dates with them.
17. Create alone time for your spouse. It’s easy to become so busy with your kids that you forget about your significant other. Don’t let this happen — it’s a sure way to drift apart and lose that bond that led you to having a family together. Keep the relationship alive by getting a babysitter (maybe once a week) and doing something together, just the two of you.
18. Let things go sometimes. I’m not always good at this, but it’s something I work on constantly: don’t always be so strict. Let things go. They’re kids — let them live. I have a tendency to be very strict about things, but I remind myself constantly that it’s not worth all the hassle to get on their cases about things. Instead, let things go, and just relax. They’ll turn out just fine in the end, as long as you love and support them.
19. Make decluttering a family event. I like to set aside one day every few months when we go through all the stuff in our rooms and declutter. We do it together, and it can be a bonding time. We end up with trash bags full of junk, boxes full of stuff to donate or give to family, and in the end, much simpler rooms. It’s very satisfying.
20. Spend quiet time at home. Often we get so busy that we’re on the road all the time, going to one thing or another. And when we have family time, that’s often spent on road too — going to movies or restaurants or other fun events. But that can be exhausting, and expensive. Instead, try to spend time at home as often as you can. You can watch a DVD instead of going to the movies, and pop some popcorn. You can play board games or go outside and play a sport. You can read to each other, or by yourselves, or tell stories. There are dozens of things you can do at home that cost nothing, and that are relaxing and fun.
21. Create traditions. Kids love traditions, from holiday traditions to family traditions. My mom likes all our kids to come over before Christmas to make Christmas cookies, or come over before Easter to color eggs. The kids love those traditions. You might also create some traditions at your house, whether that’s a family dinner time, Family Meetings or Family Day, or anything that brings you together. If you make it a regular thing, and give it special importance, it will be a tradition, and it will be something your kids remember into adulthood.
22. Make cooking and cleaning a family thing. Cooking and cleaning can be complicated things, and they can take your time away from your kids. Doing these activities as a family solves both problems — having everyone pitch in can really simplify cooking and cleaning, and it gives you quality time together while teaching your children valuable life skills. Make it fun — let them choose recipes, go shopping for ingredients with you. See how quickly you can clean the whole house — if my whole family pitches in, we can do it in about 30-40 minutes. Make everything a game or a challenge.
23. Reduce commitments. This tip applies to both your commitments and your kids’ commitments. If you have too many, your life will be complicated. If you reduce your commitments, your life will be simplified. It’s that simple. Make a list of all your family’s commitments and see which ones align with your priorities, and which ones are the most important. Which ones give you the most joy and benefit? And which ones just drain your time and energy without giving you much back in return? Keep the essential commitments — yours and your kids — and eliminate as many of the rest as possible.
24. Get active. These days, kids can become very inactive (and unhealthy) with all the TV, Internet and video games they consume. Get them active by going outside with them and taking walks, going for swims, playing sports. My family likes to play soccer or kickball. Play freeze tag. If you run, let your kids run with you, at least part of the way. Get them bikes and go to the park. Do challenges, like races or pushup or pullup challenges. Make it fun, but get them active. How does this simplify your life? It means they consume less media, which in my opinion is a complicating factor. And even better, it gets them healthy in an inexpensive way, reducing your healthcare costs down the road.
25. Focus on doing, not on spending. Too often we send messages to our kids about how to live life, based on what we do: we like to go shopping, and eat out, and go to the movies, and so our kids learn that having fun means spending money. We focus on material things, and therefore so do they. Instead, teach them (by talking but also by your actions) that what’s important is doing stuff, not buying stuff. Go for walks in the park, play outdoors, play board games, read, tell stories, play charades, cook and clean, go to the beach or lake, build stuff, wash the car. Spend quality time together, doing stuff that doesn’t cost money.

Original Post: zenhabits.net

Spiritual health inspires local researcher

A Closeburn researcher has investigated the links between spirituality, mental health and social behaviour as part of a groundbreaking new study.

Dr Rosemary Aird, a University of Queensland School of Population Health PhD graduate, found that moving away from traditional religious beliefs to trendy, self-focused spirituality is not making young adults happier.

According to the findings of the study, people with a belief in a spiritual or higher power other than God were at greater risk of poorer mental health and antisocial behaviour than those who rejected this belief.

Young men and women who held non-traditional beliefs were up to twice as likely to feel anxious and depressed and to have higher rates of disturbed and suspicious thoughts.

They were also more likely to believe in the paranormal and that they were special, unusual, or destined to be important, than those who rejected this belief.

The study was based on surveys of 3705 21-year-olds born in Brisbane.

Respondents were asked questions about whether or not they believed in God or another higher power, how often they went to church, and how often they took part in other religious activities.

Dr Aird, a 51-year-old agnostic, said her research demonstrated that most new non-religious forms of spirituality, which have “shifted away from a social-focus to a me-focus”, were too individualistic.

“Religious forms of spirituality among past generations tended to be more about social responsibility and obligation and collective interests,” Dr Aird said.

“The New Spirituality promotes the idea that self-transformation will lead to a positive and constructive change in self and society.

“Their focus on self-fulfillment and self-improvement and the lack of emphasis on others’ well-being appears to have the potential to undermine a person’s mental health and social relationships.

“This focus may lead people to feel more isolated from others and to concentrate unduly on themselves and their own problems.”

Dr Aird said that television and popular culture are also influencing the religious beliefs and practices of young people, who often mixed and borrowed practices from many different old and new religions.

She also said only eight per cent of respondents attended church once a week, which appeared to reduce the likelihood of antisocial behaviour in young adulthood among males, but not females.

Dr Aird, who lectures in the School of Public Health at the Queensland University of Technology, spent last December teaching in Vietnam and is currently conducting health research in Borroloola, in the Northern Territory.

Powered By: thewesterner.com.au

Dalai Lama urges Tibetans not to use violent methods

New Delhi (dpa - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday urged Tibetans not to adopt violent methods of protest and said he would resign if the violent demonstrations continued, news reports said Tuesday.

'I have always made it clear that the expression of deep emotion should be in control. If it is out of control, we have no option. If the violent demonstration will continue, I would resign,' PTI news agency quoted the Tibetan leader as saying in the Indian capital where he is holding a week-long meditation workshop.

The Dalai Lama urged Tibetans to refrain from harming Chinese people. 'I have always respected the Chinese people ... Chinese communism. Even most of the Tibetan protestors are ideologically communists. I think inside or outside China, if the demonstrators utilize violent methods, I am totally against it,' he was quoted as saying.

Asked what he planned to do about the ongoing crisis, the Dalai Lama said: 'Just wait.'

The Dalai Lama lives in exile in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala but spends a great deal of time travelling across the world giving lectures on Buddhism and holding meditation workshops.

From monstersandcritics.com

How can I control my anger against my child?

I always dreamt of having a child - I wanted to love someone in the way that I was never loved. I now have my beloved daughter. She is three and a half and beautiful, but she makes me so angry and I can't cope. I know that having a child is demanding, but she makes me despair. I don't hit her but I can feel the build-up of resentment towards her, even though I know this isn't really about her. My parents hit me and I resent them for it - I could never do that to my child. However, I am frightened by the wave of anger that comes over me when I know that she is probably just behaving as a child.
Catherine

It isn't just our behavioural responses to our child that affect their behaviour but the emotional content of those responses. These emotions are known as projections - feelings from within us that are linked to our own pasts and histories and that we then project on to our child. In effect, we emotionally dump on our children while all they are doing is responding as a child who is developing and learning the rules of the game of life.

I wonder whether, through your analysis of your relationship with your parents, you are left with an understanding of your own history that has left you feeling uncomfortable? These are the feelings that to some degree you have been projecting on to your child. Except that you are taking responsibility for that, so your daughter can carry on being a child. I congratulate you for doing this - it is tough, but is also an essential part of parenting - not using your child as your emotional outlet. You are tolerating the difficult feelings like an adult and not making them your child's problem.

When you find yourself in a situation with your child where you acknowledge that their behaviour is stirring up such intense emotions in you, try to step back and begin to question your behaviour. In doing that, you will start to build an awareness of how your own emotional issues are being keyed into by your child - many people would say that their child “knows which buttons to press”. These buttons are our insecurities and emotional vulnerabilities, but is it fair to blame a child for pushing them? Do we honestly believe that they are scheming in their little mind to get what they want by profoundly upsetting us? No, they have learnt because we have taught them that certain behaviours give us the greatest problems and in those situations we are likely to give them the most attention.

It's a mismatch of behaviour and interpretation of behaviour. And the projection comes from your own belief systems about yourself as an adult. If you believe you are a failure, or not good enough, or even worthless, you label yourself in a negative way. The moment your child does something wrong, or something that embarrasses you, or keys into that sense of “I'm a failure” or “I'm out of control” or “I am a terrible parent”, then you will go into meltdown. It becomes about you, when actually children are supposed to make mistakes. If your child's mistake compounds your negative beliefs about yourself, which are in turn linked to your own childhood or difficulties in your life and relationships, then your child is going to find themselves in the path of a huge response that is completely mismatched to their behaviour.

It's important for us as adults to accept that we can at times project our own inner feelings outwards, and a very good receptacle for those feelings can be children. It is easy to fall into the trap of pushing our anger, sadness, pain, frustrations and stress on to them and make them responsible for it, rather than taking responsibility for these feelings ourselves and understanding what they are really about. You have this insight already and you are stopping yourself hitting your child - this makes you a good parent.

My advice is to monitor these situations (keep a diary) and work out the specific triggers that set you off.Then, when you see situations about to occur, employ a range of creative distraction techniques when possible. When this is not possible, ignore the difficult behaviour and distract yourself (count backwards from 100 in threes; sing a song).

In the most difficult situations, use the “time out” method, whereby your child is separated from you for three minutes (one minute for each year of life in a safe place such as a bedroom). This allows them to learn that the behaviour will not be tolerated, gives you time to calm down and reduces the chance of hitting. Once you have managed the behaviour, do not bear grudges; move on with the day and praise them for every wonderful thing they do.

Finally, find support about your own history, either through talking about your feelings with those you trust and are close to or by having psychotherapy.

From The Times

Oh Tibet, Who Will Buy Your Spirituality Now ?

Recent events in Tibet and the ethnic Tibetan parts of Western China this past couple of weeks have lead to much press about the China-Dalai Lama conflict and the apparent struggle for control of the region. It’s a complicated issue, fraught with deceit, mystique, sadness and an apparent inability to see towards a solution. Perhaps, however, when a solution is already to hand, it is no longer necessary to search for it.

The question of Tibet goes way back, to the middle ages, and the Mongolians. A rejuvenated Altun Khan, a direct relative of Genghis and Kublai Khan, reuniting the Mongolian empire following the death of Genghis and a factional Mongol war amongst its territories, was reclaiming parts of its Empire lost.

Tibet, always at risk from invasion from Mongols at the time, had bought off an invasion and retained autonomy by agreeing to provide blessings and salutations to Mongolian kings (khans) over the preceding centuries. Accepting Buddhism as being the closest thing to Mongolia’s own shamanistic beliefs, the Mongolian Khans, who ruled much of China at this point, where all too happy to be officially ‘anointed’ by the spiritual leader of the religion, adding a divine acknowledgement of their right to rule.

Altun however, and the Tibetan kings of the time, needed something more. Power brokerage and infighting amongst different Tibetan kings was threatening the role of Buddhism as the absolute authority over the country. Rather than have Kingly direct descendants – and their families – claim sovereignty, the Tibetan de facto King Sonam Gyatso and Altun Khan agreed, on the banks of what is now Lake Qinghai in Western China, to acknowledge the existence of “Dalai Lamas” – a supreme being and leader of the Buddhist faith, as the rightful and sole keeper of the claim to Tibet. In doing so, two Dalai Lamas were posthumously recognized, with Sonam Gyatso proclaimed by Altun Khan to be the third, in 1578. A child would then be sought, following the death of the new Dalai Lama, as a reincarnation, and as such the line would continue. Needless to say, it was immensely auspicious to the ruling Khans, seeking the blessings of heaven and divinity, and provided security for the Tibetans themselves, living under the protection of Mongolian armies from the eyes of Chinese warlords, that the next Dalai Lama would be found to be the Great Altun Khans nephew. And so the tradition began.

Over the next centuries, Mongolian power within the region declined, and the Chinese became the power brokers. But with Buddhism the dominant religion, even Emperors needed blessings from the Dalai Lama to reinforce their claims to the thrones. It was a cozy arrangement; Tibetan autonomy in return for the provision of Spiritual blessings. As long as these were thought necessary, Tibet remained free.

It was not to last. Tibet itself was divided by different Buddhist factions over the right to wield such power brokerage, and wars and skirmishes amongst Tibetan tribal factions within the region were common. Tibet, seeking to expand its borders and gain greater access to taxable lands and crops to boost its coffers, regularly invaded other nations border areas, while internal political strife between the different sects continued, most notably between the Yellow Hat and Red Hats sects of Buddhism, a civil war that lead to the Red Hat sect being dominant in Bhutan, a Buddhist country where the Tibetan Dalai Lama, a member of the Yellow Hat sect, is not welcome.

The Tibetan form of Buddhism too, developed a perversity. Deliberately layered in mysticism and magic, its many tales remain impenetrable – how else can you sell superstitious spirituality? Monks, seeing a life of opulence and power, began taxing the people not just financially but also spiritually – the religion’s rituals becoming a way to keep the people under control of the religious leaders.

Week-long circumnavigation of mountains, crawling for years to Lhasa on pilgrimage, prostrating oneself to monks, all in the hope of reincarnation towards nirvana – these may be exotic, but they where designed to subjugate a people into submission. And so the monks grew wealthy under the people’s patronage and desire for a better life, in the next one, as the very demons and Gods created by them continued to fascinate and keep in check the believers.

And so it stayed, until the dawn of a new era. Darwin dispensed with God, and science kicked open the 20th century. As superstitious beliefs worldwide began being swept away with a new pragmatism, Tibetan days were numbered. With no other industry to support itself other than the exporting of religion, it would only be a matter of time before someone like Chairman Mao declared China an atheist state, and Tibet’s main export value disappeared. Tibet now was on thin ice. A very young Dalai Lama, a country ruled by old monks with no real idea how to govern or provide for a country shorn of its only influence and patronage, meant the shortcomings of the Tibetan ruling structure began to unravel. Once the people began to starve, the ability for a government of Tibetan monks to be the practical rulers of Tibet came to an end. Tibet turned to China, and it has remained that way for nearly 60 years.

The rule of Tibet by China of course has not been without its critics. However, when one asks around the region (I travel there extensively, researching a planned book on Tibetan explorers from the 16th century), in the Northern Himalayan villages of India, of the Nepalese, and of the Bhutanese, of what they think of the prospect of Tibetan independence, it’s nearly always negative. The current Dalai Lama is seen as increasingly irrelevant, if kindly, while memories of past Tibetan aggressions run deep. The overwhelming majority of the people in Tibet’s border countries see Chinese rule as being the best for the region. “The Chinese have bought stability to Tibet” was one typical answer from a Nepali taxi driver I interviewed in Delhi “Before the Tibetans were always warlike, causing troubles. China has calmed the region down.” It’s a surprising attitude from Tibet’s neighbors, and one not often cited in Western media used to asking Richard Gere for quotes.

The other aspect not covered at all in Western reporting of the Tibet situation when violence and protests over Chinese rule flares up is what would happen if Tibet was independent? There has been little thought given to the consequences of a Chinese pull out. Many China observers are happy to be trendily sympathetic to a Tibetan struggle for independence, but what would the repercussions be?

The Dalai Lama, wise as he may be, is getting old and becoming frail. What would happen if he died as head of the country during the period while his reincarnation has to be found, educated and groomed as a successor? It’s a 20 year period. Who would rule Tibet in the interim? What infighting and political mischief would take place? It’s not hard, under those circumstances, to imagine a civil war in Tibet. And it has happened before.

While the world wants China to develop more democracy, much of it curiously seems blind to the Tibetan system of government and what it means. If we truly want to see Tibetan rule by Tibetans, then the government in exile – who have been holding talks with Beijing – will need to do better than promote reincarnation as a system of government hierarchy. I would love to believe in reincarnation. But I would love to believe in the Unicorns in Harry Potter too, and reincarnation isn’t selling well in these less enlightened days. Just because a political succession system 400 years old has failed the country it was supposed to protect does not give it a right to exist as a governmental model in the modern world, Dalai Lama or no Dalai Lama.

My question for the Dalai Lama would be this issue: How democratic do you want Tibet to be? And world leaders, and the media, if they insist on meeting him, would be well advised to ask just how his current system of beliefs actually fits in with a pragmatic and practical way to govern. Because like it or not, China appears to have solved the problem already to the satisfaction of it’s neighboring countries. If not for the Tibetan activists, and until there is a better system in place, the current Chinese rule of Tibet remains the only viable option for peace and stability. If you thought the recent riots were bad, imagine what it would be like without a stabilizing force to keep the region in check. While it remains a romantic notion for much of the West to see a return to the Dalai Lama, the practical repercussions would be very grave indeed.

3 Steps To Reclaiming Your Power and Happiness

Reclaiming your power and happiness can be accomplished easily, bringing joy, excitement and energy back to your body and life. Our power is gained when we speak the truth. To really be free and happy, we are called to speak the truth. Words are more important than we realize. In Jesus' original teachings, the word is creation itself. Just think how we create with the words we speak. What are we saying all day long, and how are these words creating in our life.

Speaking the truth can be challenging at times. Often, we are afraid of being rejected if we really let others know how we feel. Fear of hurting someone's feelings is often what stops us from speaking the truth. We may also be afraid of starting an argument if we speak the truth.

Unfortunately, when we don't speak the truth, we unconsciously create manipulative ways of dealing with our unexpressed emotions. We find ourselves saying or doing things that are not really our truth. In this way, we betray ourselves. Then, we will notice that depression is often the result of not speaking what we feel and think. Withholding our feelings leads to separation or distancing from others. We cannot experience the closeness and warmness that we truly desire. Often, we blame ourselves or the others for the lack of communication and guilt may be the result. We may find ourselves being angry and becoming agitated. All of this can be corrected easily when we are willing to step forward and speak the truth.

3 Steps to Regain Your Power and Happiness

First Step: Begin to notice where in your life you are holding back from expressing your feelings and thoughts. Where are you holding back from asking for what you want? Now, get a notebook and begin to write your thoughts and feelings in great detail. In your journal, ask for what you want and then write why you think you deserve to have what you want. During this process you will get to know yourself very deeply and discover why you feel scared, frustrated, powerless and unhappy. In this process you begin to untangle all the built up emotions that get us bogged down and suddenly you have lost your joy.

Second Step: The next step will open your voice and your heart up. It will empower you. Your happiness will begin to rise up the scale as well as your self worth, which is directly related to your sense of power. When you are ready, go to a very private place; maybe this is your car with the windows rolled up. In your safe, private place begin to speak your thoughts and feelings to the universe, to the person who you have been withholding your feelings from. Speak as much of your true feelings out loud. This will get you in touch with the deep self. Next, surrender any hurt, anger, fear or resentment. Once you are clear of these emotions, your communications will be filled with a new energy.

Third Step: You are now ready to speak the truth and reclaim your power. There is no blaming in this communication because you are clear and have taken responsibility for your feelings and surrendered them to your Sacred Energy. You have been purified and now you will be empowering yourself by speaking the truth about your feelings and needs in a deep and profound way. The power you gain is the power of love. Remember the truth will set your free.

For more exciting tips on how to live from the center of your being using your Sacred Energy to create a life of joy, peace and love go to http://www.VirginiaEllen.net Virginia Ellen is an author and mystical teacher and healer.

Top living Buddha against secessionism

LANZHOU, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Most of the Tibetan living Buddhas and lamas are against secessionism and have opposed and checked the riots in various forms, said a top living Buddha in the northwestern Gansu Province.

"It is only a very few people who were engaged in the sabotage activities. Most living Buddhas and lamas are patriotic," said Jamyang Losang Jigme Tubdain Qoigyi Nyima, a living Buddha and vice-president of the Tibetan Chapter of the Buddhist Association of China.

Stability, unity, development and progress are the common wishes and basic interests of all Tibetan people, including those from the religious sector, he said, noting that the beating, smashing, looting and arson in the riots brought great harm to both Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism.

"The violence has disturbed normal order in lamaseries. The violence has been proven as having been masterminded by the Dalai clique. Ethnicity and religion were only deceitful camouflage. Their real motive was to disturb the stability in the Tibetan areas and undermine the order in lamaseries," said Jamyang.

The turmoil in Tibet last Friday was repeated in the counties of Xiahe, Maqu, Luqu and Jone and Hezuo City in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where rioters shouting slogans of "Tibet Independence", carrying rocks and self-made petrol bombs or waving flags of "Tibetan-government-in-exile" stormed government offices,police stations, hospitals, schools, banks, shops and markets, among others.

Dewacang Jayangtudain Gyaincog, a living Buddha at the famed Labrang Lamasery in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, called on "Buddhism followers to draw a clear line with the criminals, not to be deceived or spread rumors, and not participate in the riots of the secessionists," he said.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com

Spirituality springs eternal

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Covington's Garden of Hope. Less than 10 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, it's an outdoor sanctuary featuring a replica of the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem, which is believed to be Christ's burial chamber.

It's a great place to visit for a sense of peace and spirituality, regardless of one's beliefs; a non-denominational, memorial park where you can touch faith.

"It's a blessing to anyone who ever goes there," says Rose Northcutt, of Fort Wright, who serves as trustee, treasurer and one of the garden's tours guides. "When you go there, it's like being in Jerusalem because of the way everything looks and the scenic view."

The Rev. Morris Coers was inspired to bring a piece of the Holy Land to Kentucky after his trip to Jerusalem in 1938. Solomon Mattar, the caretaker of the original tomb in Jerusalem, helped oversee its construction.

Set on a 2.5-acre plot of land, the inspirational attraction is like a lovely abandoned garden. It's in disrepair, with fallen leaves strewn about and loose stones among the paths. But this doesn't take away from the garden's beauty or the serenity it offers.

A winding stone path, which goes up the front of the hill, serves as the garden's original main entrance. But some of the stone steps are loose here, so it's easier to enter directly from the parking lot.

The carpenter's shop, modeled after St. Joseph's shop, is a small stone structure that sits at the front of the garden. It contains more than a dozen historic tools - some dating to 500 years - from the Holy Land, donated by Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. The upstairs is currently being renovated.

Just beyond the shop is an Italian marble statue of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, with a simple, 30-foot wooden cross standing behind it.

A short walk away from the statue lays the garden's tomb - a replica of the tomb of Jesus Christ. If you stand back while facing the tomb, you can see the statue of Christ and the cross beyond it, as if both are hovering above the tomb.

The garden's third structure is the Chapel of Dreams, a stone chapel based on the design of a 17th century Spanish mission. Outside, above its large wooden door there are three bells, which are rung after the garden's somewhat infrequent weddings.

Throughout the garden, there are several relic stones displayed in decorative wrought iron cages that sit atop small stone pillars - a stone from the River Jordan and another from the Good Samaritan Inn.

In recent years, the Garden of Hope church and its volunteers, who operate and look after the garden, have struggled to keep it open. Vandalism is also a costly problem.

The small Southern Baptist congregation has been using the carpenter's shop for church services for four years.

"We're getting it back to where it was 50 years ago...to restore it to its original beauty. It was neglected for a long time," says Rev. Ed Kirkwood of Ludlow, pastor of the congregation formerly known as Immanuel Baptist Church, which owns the property.

Wooden benches are placed throughout. Plants in the garden include a Juniper Sargenti tree, which is the Algum tree referred to in 11 Chronicles 2:8.

Open since 1958, the garden sits on a hilltop along side the cut-in-the-hill on I-75, offering a majestic view of Covington and downtown. Even with the sounds of the nearby highway, the garden is serene.

"We're looking to (make expansions), such as building an inspirational gazebo for weddings and quiet reflection," says Kirkwood.

BY ALEASHIA WALTON

10 ways to control your anger - Professional expert’s advice

I am really emotional and excitable person. I think that there are two types of anger: constructive anger and a destructive one. In order to understand the anger phenomenon I decided to investigate the nature of anger, reasons of its appearing, key factors and anger management.
What does it mean this anger? Anger is a strong indignation feeling of our emotional sphere that is attended by self-control losing. Anger is a signal of our state. Glands produce an array of hormones that have a great and deep effect on all our body. The main participants of this process are adrenaline and cortisol. They activate cardiovascular system and consequently all organs. Adrenalin causes fast heart beating, rising blood pressure. These rich oxygenated blood streams to the places are responsible for reaction. Thus some extra energy is released.

There are 4 basic ways of anger expressions:

1. Straight and immediately (verbally or nonverbally) to show your anger. It gives an opportunity to free from the negative emotions.

2. To express anger in an indirect way. In this case usually suffer persons that are weaker, not dangerous and those ones who “come to hand”, usually they are our family and close relatives. Thus we hurt our dear ones. One of the best ways is to express your anger to the person who is the source of this very anger. If it is impossible- better find some compromise.

3. Restraining anger you “drive” it deep inside. So, negative emotions store will provoke a big stress sooner or later.

4. You may foresee situation of anger feeling, try not to expand this feeling but get to know the reason, understand and solve it. A Roman philosopher Seneca said: “When you are feeling of ascending “volcano”- stand still, not doing anything- not speaking, not moving.”

Anger is a normal and natural human feeling, especially nowadays as life is really fast and we have a huge amount of information to accumulate (in comparison with our previous generations). The range of anger is rather wide: from a slight annoyance to impetuous fury. Anger can be quick and long, lasting for years in form of bitterness, vengeance or hate. Anger can lead to health issues like depression, high blood pressure, hearth diseases, stresses, alcohol dependence and obesity. If you are anger- express it. If you feel discomfort from these “negative splashes”- then we can give some techniques how to manage your emotional anger:

• 1. Take a deep and continuous breath. Count up to 50 or imagine your aggressor just naked, only in socks. This will help you to calm and smile.

• 2. Have a walk. Look at high sky. Continue to breathe deep and easily. So you appraise the situation and calm down.
• 3. Do some physical exercises. When you are angry- your body is very tensed and tough. If you stretch your muscles it will relax your body, as you will spill out all your negative energy into action. Your brains will get more oxygen and it assists to clear your thoughts.
• 4. Write down all your thoughts. Write down that you are mad and why. Avoid being rational, logical or laconic. Write on paper all you are feeling this moment. Try to write all in details. The function of this technique is to shift all your anger out of your head on paper.
• 5. Be grateful. Find someone to thank. Do you not forget about yourself. Thank that you have woken up today, thank that that the Sun is shining for you, that the sky is blue and the grass is green.
• 6. Prayer. Ask God to be with you during this anger moment and lead you.
• 7. Meditation. Close your eyes, look into solar plexus, and be all your anger, breathing deeply.
• 8. Change of places. Move yourself on your enemy’s place. And look at situation from his point of view. Better look at the situation from the ceiling. Focus on details, especially on funny and absurd ones. Strive to forgive your enemy as well as forgive truly yourself.
• 9. Go back to your childhood memories. Recollect state when you were angry. Hug this child and say: “All is ok. I am here. You are good child. I love you and I will not leave you.”
• 10. Your values. What is the most significant thing in your life? Who are the most important people in your life? What kind of person do you want to be? Think and accept that point that you are living your life, and you are living your values. There is a good man inside you that wants to help you. I wish you good luck!

Just P.U.S.H.

One night, a man was sleeping in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and God appeared. He told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. God explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might ...

So, the man pushed against the rock day after day. For years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out and feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) used this opportunity to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind (and you know he tries to do it every time).

"You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved," said Satan. This gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.

Satan whispered, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough."

That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to God.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked, yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me, and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I say to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. Now you come to Me with your strength spent thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself! Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown. Your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard."

"Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock, but your calling was to be obedient; that you have done. Now my friend , I will move the rock.

At times, when we hear a word from God we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants. All He really wants is obedience and faith in Him.

When everything seems to go wrong, just ... P.U.S.H.

When the job gets you down, just ... P.U.S.H.

When people don't do as you think they should, just ... P.U.S.H

P = Pray

U = Until

S = Something

H = Happens

Meditation open day

An Open Day will be held at the Maitreya Centre on Saturday March 22 from 10-5.00pm for those wanting to know more about meditation.

Andrew Durling of the Maitreya Centre, which is in Sea Road, said: "We will welcome allcomers throughout the day with free refreshments and a variety of free activities which they can enjoy and which will raise awareness of what the Centre can offer.

"For example, there wil be taster meditation sessions, little talks about the Centre and its classes and facilities, and videos replayed at regular intervals explaining about meditation and Buddhism in more detail."

From http://www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

Practical Spirituality - Finding a New Source of Power

Today there is a powerful spirituality movement. When I say spirituality I am not speaking of religion; I am speaking of something different--a connection with the Divine. This connection is what many mystics call "union with God." Sometimes this happens through a religious path, but not often. When it does the person who achieves divine union usually finds herself on the outside looking in.

One time a minister in a somewhat interfaith organization told me that the spiritual ministers usually didn't make it as successful ministers. That statement and the truth of it says something in itself, I think. Spirituality is not a good thing when it comes to maintaining buildings or systems, which are basically the little units of power that everyone needs in order to be able to function in a power-over society. Spiritual people draw on another source of power that is shared by everyone and everything.

One can have a great career working within a religious institution trying to sneak in spirituality and ways to connect every once and a while to those who are interested , but one is not often oneself. One´s own spirit runs dry and this can lead to much despair, corruption of the soul, and even physical and psychosomatic illnesses that lead to death. Worse than this, it can lead to a shift of thinking and a hardening of the heart that can lead to spiritual death. It is important to understand the difference between religion and spirituality. If one is religious and becomes spiritual, he will quickly be given a lesson that demonstrates the difference.

If this New Year you would like to attend to your spiritual needs and be free of the chains that so easy beset many of us in this material power over society, it is important for you to begin a spiritual, not religious journey. It is important to seek and find what suits you best to enhance your spiritual life. This only comes from having and open mind and being around a supportive group of people who are spiritual. If you are around a lot of people who are as bad off as you are socially or spiritually I doubt they will be helpful. As a New Year resolution you may need to spend some time away from such people in order to save your eternal soul.

I am not talking about joining some strange cult, or fasting until you can´t walk, or drinking poison Kool-aid, I am talking about using well proven techniques to find the God within, to commune with that God within, and to ultimately connect with and merge with that God. This merger comes as a result of letting go of the false ideas of self and realizing who we really are. It is easy to do this in the head, but practices like meditation and contemplation help us realize it in our hearts and make it a reality. If you want to make a New Year resolution why not go all the way. Go for enlightenment and spiritual freedom not only in this life, but for all eternity.

It is written that you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Where shall we find this truth? We, like the one who made the statement, are the truth, the way,and the light. When we transcend the ego and realize this, entering deep within and allowing our divine, wise self to reawaken, we will be free and free indeed. The beginning step is to seek. Repeating actions the same way only brings about the same results. It is time, if you would like to live, to die to the old things and take a journey into the new Kingdom of Heaven that resides within. If we cannot find love, light, hope, God and the Kingdom ruled by love within us, we shall never find it.

Om Prakash John Gilmore is a spiritual director and healer. He teaches Tai-Chi, Chi-Kung and martial arts. Om Prakash has written many books on how to free the human soul and is the founder of the DSWellness Cyber School and the Universal Cyber Circle of Creation Spirituality. From his website http://www.dswellness.com there is a link to the school and Cyber Circe where you will find free courses and a religious service based on mysticism and spiritual principles. You will also find a free Journal of Practical Spirituality and the descriptions and previews of some of his books for freeing the human soul and reclaiming your own identity.

New view of science supports spirituality

Do you see a conflict between science and spirituality?" my friend asked.

The question points to our tendency to believe that we can, in a scientific sense, be neutral, impartial observers; that life consists of opposites rather than inclusive, complementary values. That the workings of the universe can be broken down into neat, efficient units and understood in exact terms.

Yet, historically, this separation of science and spirituality is a relatively new concept. For much of human history, science and philosophy were considered to be one pursuit.

Intrinsically we are all scientists and philosophers. Our search for meaning is part of our essence and existence as human beings. We explore, discover and invent meaning in the events and experiences of our daily lives.

The new view of science does not conflict with but supports spirituality. Quantum theory and the corresponding Uncertainty Principle imply that it is impossible to isolate the observer from the observed. Objective reality contains an infinite array of differing potentialities. The universe is far more mysterious than our senses commonly perceive.

Quantum theory raises questions about how we perceive and understand reality. It is also a powerful metaphor. It invites us to transcend an experience of life based on the immediacy of our rational sense-perception observations. It opens us to realms of mystery and imagination.

While it may seem that science and its corresponding discoveries and explanations impinge on the sacred, what modern science has shown is that the deeper we are able to probe the workings of nature, the more mysterious we behold the universe.

Instead of being limited by mechanical actions of cause and effect, in both science and social behavior we discover that life operates within the context of relational interaction.

Quantum theory tells us that it's a participatory world. Not only is the observer involved in any observation, they actually bring about what is being observed. We see what we choose to see, and therefore we are co-creators of our own reality. Whatever qualities we choose to see we call forth, effectively changing our experience of the world.

We see what we expect and we expect what we invite.

Is there a conflict between science and spirituality? The question itself is paradoxical, for it points as much toward a reality that is fundamental, essential and true as it does to our experience of reality, which is influenced by our choice. If we choose to expect that science and spirituality will conflict, that's what we will see. However, if we choose to see the interconnection and relatedness of all of life, that will be our observed reality.

At its heart, quantum theory tells us that life is a participatory, interrelated experience. How we define it is how we will see it and behave toward it and ultimately experience it.

All of life is spiritual, sacred and mysterious. The more we embrace the mystery, the more we behold the majesty and miracle inherent in life.

By Jan Waterman

Amazing Kannon Dance

Fantastic show!!! This dance is the most exciting thing I have ever seen. This fabulous music and perfect dance of Buddhist Goddess - Kannon inspires us for love, beauty and the good. In spite of the fact that dancing people are deaf, though you can feel their sense of rhythm and see ideal synchronization of their movements. Is amazing!!!

Kannon- is the Buddhist Ideal of Beauty

Terrible Dakini Naro appearance is not a bad sign at all. Dakini fight against laziness, stupidity and ignorance of this world. Of course a European can feel dismay of such a horrifying image of Dakini. Of course her ferocious look and decoration of skulls point on warlike spirit and character, but I repeat once more, as they do not make any harm to people. On the contrary, they are ready to help Buddhism adherents and let them into deep secrets of dharma. Well, once Dakini passed spirit of knowledge to one ascetic as he attained perfection. And this ascetic established her cult.

Dakini are faithful to Buddhism. Image of a severe, menacing, wise and beautiful fighter for the faith is not usual for the European mentality, but it is rather perfect and harmonious for the Buddhist one.

We must remind you that inner world as well as appearance or image of a Buddhist woman is really unusual to a European way of thinking. These characteristic features arise from Indian canons of Beauty those are far away from the modern model business. Female canon of Buddhist Beauty has a great and deep history and there are 18 categories for attractiveness. They are included, among those: chunky bottom of the body, belly with three folds of fat…So, lucky holders of these characteristics may forget about overweight as well as diets and be proud as they fit the Buddhist Ideal of Beauty.

Traditionally in our frame of mind Tibetan Buddhism is associated with Dalai Lama image. For our story it is important fact that Dalai Lama is considered by Buddhists as reincarnation of Bodhisattva –Avalokiteshvara that represents compassion. Bodhisattva personifies total compassion, and because of this compassion upon all living creatures Bodhisattva rejected an opportunity to achieve Nirvana. Bodhisattva again and again comes back to the World of Suffering in order to that all people find finally salvation. There are lots of images and names for Bodhisattva in different countries. I do not know whether you will be surprised, but in Japan Avalokiteshvara is esteemed in female image under the name of Kannon.

Kannon – is a merciful Mediatress, every human being can ask for help. She is one of the popular Japan Gods in Buddhist mythology. She appears with thousands of hands and of many faces. She needs thousands of hands to save sinners. Her many faces have a motivating meaning too: three compassionate faces, turned towards well-wishing creatures; three angry faces- towards malevolent creatures; three sharp-toothed faces, appealing to take to way of Buddhism and a smiling face. Kannon laugh means a conscious understanding of worldly vanity. Thus, we may say that Kannon personifies an infinite mercy and demonstrates deep knowledge of human nature. She comes to an old man in the old man image, to a woman – in the woman image, to a monk- in the monk image. And none of the believers are embarrassed of her greatness and power.

Finishing our short acquaintance with the female images in Buddhist mythology, we would like to draw your attention to that, in spite of the difference between Buddhism and Europe regarding Beauty, Good etc (as all these religions have different cultural and traditional basis), if we observe closely into threatening, frightening, at times sharp-toothed faces, we will see that wisdom, irreconcilability to evil and willingness to compassion.

The Scientists Have Made a Photo of Christ

World sensation: the secret of the "Turin shroud" is solved


Russian FSS (ex. KGB) experts the first proved authenticity of the Turin shroud, and their conclusions were confirmed by last researches in Oxford. For the first time the scientists have made an ultraprecise digital picture of the well-known Turin shroud, which is the most mystical and mysterious relic in the humanity history.

Christians name a piece of a linen cloth "the Fifth Gospel ", because the face and a body of Christ wonderfully were impressed on it, as on photo. Every wound of Jesus', every drop of blood spilled in rescue of humanity was embodied!

It’s the message of almost two thousand years age is visual evidence of everything that is written in the Gospel is true”, director of the Russian center of the Turin shroud, physicist Alexander Belyakov said, “it brings to people a good news about the Savior, about the victory over the death …”

“What have the militant atheists not done to try to announce the unique relic by a fake! Stupidly repeated, that it was only picture of the artist. Examination has denied this version: on a fabric really mirror impression of a body. Other sceptic argument has bust also with crash: as if the person, smeared by paint, was wrapped by cloth. There is not the ochre on the cloth, there is blood. Successes in finding out its components: hemoglobin, bilirubin and albumin. By the way, the raised bilirubin abundance testifies that the person has died in a condition of stress, under tortures. The group of blood was determined - IV (АВ). Male sex was defined by the set of chromosomes in leukocytes.

Digital technologies have allowed to recreate a face of Christ.

But the most heavy argument of the shroud authenticity proof was found by experts of Institute of criminalistics of FSS of the Russian Federation, they have established, that the radiocarbon analysis of fabric age which was made by laboratories in the Great Britain, the USA and Switzerland twenty years ago, to put it mildly, were inexact. It’s Dr.Sci.Tech. Anatoly Fesenko’s opinion, headed researches, that foreign experts "have rejuvenated" a relic more than on one thousand years, because haven’t considered the major circumstance. There was a terrible fire in a cathedral where the shroud was stored in the Middle Ages, and soot particles have settled on the fabric. Therefore devices have fixed not age of the fabric, and the carbon connections fragments which have stuck to it …

Picture

In Oxford the newest researches confirmed, that FSS experts were right - the shroud was really weaved in days of Christ life.

By the order of Vatican the most precise picture by the permission in 12, 8 billion pixels were made from it for the first time. On it silhouette of the body of the Savior and his face is impressed in the smallest details on it. The advanced technologies have allowed familiarizing the greatest relic in details.
Scientists photographed thousands of fabric fragments, and then picture of a shroud was spreaded from them on computer as if from puzzle parts.
The strong magnification allowed to see spots of sacred blood of Jesus.”We connected 1600 picture areas together, everyone has size with a credit card, and then we created a huge picture. It’s in 1300 times more, than a photo, which was made by the digital camera with the permission in 10 million of pixels”, explains Mauro Gavinelli, “Owing to new technologies it is possible to consider every thread, all details …”



Trepidation

Funeral cloth of Christ is unwrapped before believers extremely seldom. The shroud is stored in silver casket in the curtailed kind. For all last century it was got only five times! Last time it was exposed before pilgrims in Turin in 2000. And at the next time - in 25 years.

Now everyone can look at repeatedly magnified face of the Savior, which was wonderfully impressed on a linen cloth, and scientists plan to upload the digital photo into the Internet. And each person can join its familiarizing; it will be tremendous day for humanity! People by own eyes will see impressed body of Jesus Christ.

The Turin shroud was started to study exactly 120 years ago and owing to a photo. At that time the linen cloth was removed on a photographic plate by the Italian lawyer Sekondo Pia. After developed it, he looked at a negative. Also he instantly understood, that the objective embodied that eyes did not see - a impress of bearded person body, which had pierced wrists and feet. And his face was as on icons of the Christ!

The cloth, which was weaved of the Mediterranean flax with a touch of the Egyptian cotton, has kept on itself wrapped image of Jesus' – to his full height, in front and behind. Here is the description of the picture, which was made by scientists: "There are hair, which are confusedly sprawled on the cloth, a small beard and moustaches. The right eye is closed, left is poorly slightly opened. There is a drop of blood above the left eyebrow. The nose bone is interrupted from cuff from the left side. From the left side of face a cheekbone is broken, there are signs of a hypostasis. There is a spot from blood to the right of a mouth.”

Analysis

Scientists from the Oxford University in the Great Britain again try to determine age of the Turin shroud, already considering amendments of the Russian criminalists. The brigade under direction of Professor Christopher Ramsi spends analyses of disintegration of cloth hydrocarbon for the first time for last 20 years. The purpose of researches is to correct a scandalous mistake of twenty years' prescription about dating the shroud.

At that time it was declared, that provisional age of this relic seven-eight centuries, a cloth it is weaved from 1260 for 1390.

20 years ago three independent groups simultaneously researched the shroud in Zurich, Arizona and Oxford by method of the hydrocarbonic analysis and have made the conclusion, that it existed in the Middle Ages.

At that time Oxford professor Edward Hill said: " Someone bought a piece of flax, drew outlines of a body on it and strongly torn " …

The figures was presented by experts, pushed Turin cardinal Anastasio Alberto Ballestero to tell then, that the shroud indeed can be a forgery!

This pastor doubt revolted feelings of believers. They refused to trust a science. Hasty applications of the Oxford researchers was denied then in Russia, and in the most serious structures, such as FSS!

"The shroud is the original, which is concerning by the first century of our era, it’s not later fake ", that was the conclusion of experts commission under direction of director of Institute of criminalistics of FSS, Dr.Sci.Tech. Anatoly Fesenko.

“The reason of an error is the natural polymeric covering, which has formed on fabric fibres after monks cleared its vegetable oil in Middle Ages. It also has rejected analysis indications", experts counted.

Film

The professor from Oxford Christopher Ramsi, recognized reasons of Russian criminalist Fesenko, and he declared, that there could be a mistake at analyses 20 years ago.

“The age could be certain incorrectly because of pollution which have accumulated on a shroud”, he said, “besides in 1988 almost nothing was known about carbon-14 which we have well enough studied now. Probably, something unusual will open in it, that will help to reveal a secret the most mystical relic of Christianity”.

The newest researches will be shooted on video for channel BBC in Oxford. The project director doctor Rolf said, that is enough to remove from a shroud only two percent of pollution, to obtain true data.

Believers are assured, that till the end of March, when results of researches will be promulgated, it will be absolutely precisely proved, that a shroud is that fabric by which the the Savior body has been covered almost two thousand years ago!

In Russia the photo of the Turin shroud is stored in Sretensk monastery in Moscow, according to blessing patriarch Alex II . Believers pray to this picture, as to an icon. “We feel by hearts, that the Savior is on a picture”, believer said, “In fact they are filled with love …”