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ruminations

It’s late evening and I just wrote an email to a friend in Thailand. He’s an American, married to a Thai woman, and liking his life in a country that’s now home to him. I know a few people who are living abroad, and every so often I wonder what it takes to put away one lifestyle for another. It seems that more than ever people arrive in and move out of the United States. Maybe not, maybe it’s always been this way, here and in many other countries.

In my fantasy world I see life lived without borders. Yes, I know, this will rile some; however, if things had taken a different turn way back when, what would the world be like now? When the day allows your mind to travel away from ordinary life, and takes you to different places, where do you go – if only for a few minutes? Taking a break in mind, and shaking up your world on the inside, puts the mind on another track, the mind can then eventually go beyond ordinary thoughts and into other compartments of life.

I was watching a video sent by a friend, and on this video someone who was in the movie, THE SECRET, spoke of how blessed he is. It was an interesting interview to say the least. There are two things I clearly remember about the conversation: what he said about gratitude and what he said about the world. About gratitude he said that before getting out of bed every morning, he thinks of five things he has to be grateful for in his life. He won’t get up until he does. And about the world he said that he and his family live on a ship, along with a number of other families. The ship goes around the world, and he considers the world his home. In my fantasy world, we all consider the world home.

It’s time to put on the Qi Gong Fire & Water dvd with Matthew Cohen, – to breathe, move, practice stillness, meditation, and appreciation.

Sweet dreams.

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all those unwanted medical mailings

I’ve discovered that subscribing to one medical newsletter opens the door to receiving a whole lot of unwanted medical “stuff ” – many having conflicting information. About a month ago I received a booklet in the mail, and on the cover was a photo of a terribly distressed colon. It took a second for me to tear it into shreds, and put it into the building’s big trash can full of unsolicited mailings. A photo of a colon doesn’t freak me out anymore; on the contrary, the colonic course I took in Florida taught the importance of being aware. I’ve seen many photos of colons screaming for help, so I don’t know why this particular photo conveyed a dark feeling. Dressing the booklet in a manila envelope would have been a nice touch; it wouldn’t have lessened its impact upon opening it, but I bet my mailman would have appreciated it.

For now, I’ve come to the conclusion that were a subscriber to accept as truth, any one medical newsletter (at least the pile in my possession), and do what’s suggested: 1.) they’d quickly be in the poorhouse, 2.) have no time for anything else, and, 3.) end up more confused than before. Why end up confused? Well, it’s this: other health revelations come along, and what you once thought was solid information is gone with the wind, or, in order to be 100% effective it needs this other important something that’s just been discovered. I suppose for some it’s enjoyable. Their mind can wrap around the overflow that’s out there, and easily assimilate, discard (or not), and continue.

For me it’s time for a breather, the feeling of wanting to know more of what’s what in that enormous pool of medical news has, for now, been diluted. On a rainy day, late night, or when waiting for a friend, I’ll be reading about the power of gin soaked raisins in this fun to read, yes, fun! – book, HEALING REMEDIES by Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen – MORE THAN 1,000 WAYS to RELIEVE the SYMPTOMS or COMMON AILMENTS, from ARTHRITIS and ALLERGIES to DIABETES, OSTEOPOROSIS, and MANY OTHERS! Oh, yes, nature’s gifts are also amazing.

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mentors for monday, and tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, and sunday too

“One of the greatest stresses we can endure is trying to live a life that doesn’t fit who we are. We look for some kind of mission and purpose external to ourselves to fill the void that only living in communion with the Inner Self can fulfill. And it is from this connection to the Inner Self that right relationship to the world (career) occurs.” – Jerry Thomas

“First of all, one must observe, see with great care the mind and its functioning, listen to what is within and without: Out of this arises sensitivity and in sensitivity there arises insight. That insight alone will wipe away sorrow.” – J.Krishnamurti

“All day long the thoughts that occupy your mind, your secret place as Jesus calls it, are molding your destiny for good or evil, in fact, the truth is that the whole of our life’s experience is but the outer expression of inner thought.” – From the Pen of Emmet Fox

“. . . We are where are thoughts have taken us, and we are the architects – for better or worse – of our futures.” – James Allen

“As is the human body,
so is the cosmic body.
As is the human mind,
so is the cosmic mind.
As is the mirrocosm,
so is the macrocism.
As is the atom,
so is the universe.” – The Upanishads

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
– Marcel Proust

“Do not fear mistakes. There are none.” – Miles Davis

“Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: Now.” – Denis Waitley

“. . . We have underestimated ourselves tragically. We are sadly mistaken when we see ourselves as merely temporary bodies instead of timeless spirit; as separate suffering selves instead of blissful Buddhas; as meaningless blobs of matter instead of blessed children of God.” – Roger Walsh

“Arguments gain little. The mental attitude and prayers gain much; for thoughts are things and their vibrations reach those in every sphere and walk of life as related to self and to others.”
– Edgar Cayce Reading 1438-2

“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.” – Leonardo de Vinci

“Forgive those who wrong you; join those who cut you off; do good to those who do evil to you.”
– Mohammad

“A major goal of spiritual practice is to clear our mental space of the intellectual and emotional garbage we have been collecting since childhood, and to provide space for the experience of true relaxation and enjoyment. We should realize that a positive thought or inspiration becomes nourishment for the mind, like healthy food. But negative views and passions, like waste products, have toxic effects.” – Tulku Thondup

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it’s raining. it’s pouring. . . .

Early evening today I was caught in a rainstorm. As I walked I passed people on every block, mostly without umbrellas, either going to or coming from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Suddenly I noticed a very different feeling about the rain and the people. No one was minding that they were getting soaked. No one was rushing to find shelter, or hurrying to their next location. All were walking as though the sun was brightly shining and cars were not splashing when passing. I liked the feeling. Walking in the rain and getting soaked never happened in quite that way for me before. Stuart Wilde once wrote, “If it’s raining, do rain.” Once you’re in that mindset; it’s easy. When I entered the building where I live, someone was leaving. She looked at my shoes and soaked pants stuck to my legs decorated by the wind with leaves and tiny white petals, and she turned around and headed for the elevator. I guess she didn’t want to do rain.

The worst storm I was ever in was in Panama, in the mountains of beautiful Boquete. Rainstorms there rarely announce themselves: one minute you’re basking in the sun; the next minute you’re drenched through and through. No matter, the sun is suddenly shining, and soon everything is dry. That one worst rainstorm with thunder deep in the mountains left me gasping, the road quickly flooded, and buckets of water poured down unrelentingly. It seemed almost like a joke to have been caught in such a downpour.

Then again, I was walking to a Bed & Breakfast place in Ireland when I was almost blown away into Galway Bay. It was the loneliest rainstorm I’d ever encountered. Ever so quickly darkness was everywhere, the Bay became rough, the rains descended unmercifully, and the winds came. No one was around, and there was nothing to hang onto.

These rainstorms taught me to laugh because sometimes you can be in the most ridiculous situations, and there’s nothing to do but laugh.

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mark bittman

I don’t know why it took so long for me to find Mark Bittman’s excellent cookbooks and website, but it did. Now that I’ve found him, I’m not letting go. He knows how important spices and herbs are. He cooks traditionally, or not, with meats, or not; it’s hard to go wrong with his recipes. His passion for food and cooking is contagious. And I say, let it rub off on me.

Philadelphia’s Barnes & Noble on Walnut Street has a rather skimpy selection of his cookbooks. It’s that or they’re sold out quickly. And forget the library, they’re checked out, returned, and gone in a flash. At my favorite Free Library of Philadelphia www.freelibrary.org I tried reserving one of his books – the one that takes two people to carry. I waited the alloted time, no word came by phone or email. I got a very vague answer when I went to the library and inquired about the book I had reserved. Eventually, the lack of the book not being in my hands got blamed on the computer. Hmm! was my intelligent response. In any event, I have HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING VEGETARIAN. And since I’m making up for lost time, I’ve subscribed to receiving Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything emails. Oh, yes.

www.markbittman.com
www.howtocookeverything.tv.

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nine gates mystery school

From time to time, I hear about the Nine Gates Mystery School in Loomis, Ca. Gay Luce is the founder, and I am not clear about Jean Houston’s role, only that she is connected with the school. Through the years every indication suggests that these two women-both personally and professionally-know what they are doing.

So, I sent for a brochure. The brochure doesn’t beat around the bush; it says a great deal, is easy to understand, and after reading it all questions are answered. After that I received an email from a graduate, and an email came asking whether I’d like a DVD sent to me. I said yes, that would be helpful. Information which truly informs is a good thing. The program is not inexpensive. However, I’d bet my last dollar that it’s worth the price.

I could tell you more; it wouldn’t come from experience though, and I’m at a loss as to exactly which parts of the brochure would best describe the Nine Gates Mystery School. Suffice it to say that it’s a “spiritual adventure,” and it touches every area of the graduate’s life. The program is in two parts; Part 1 in the Fall, Part 2 in the Spring, both for nine days. The DVD states that there is a deep committment to the student from the beginning, and from the beginning the students naturally form a close community. There are no books, no doctrines, no rules to learn. The learning is internal prompted by nine master teachers.

A youth program is offered. If I had a teenager in my life who needed help in dealing with the challenges of the teenage years, I would not hesitate to register her/him as I’ve read that parents say their children return to them transformed. www.ninegates.org

Oh, yes.

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park slope, brooklyn

Every so often I spend time in Brooklyn because Sumi, Toshi, and Sophie are there, and Emi comes whenever she can. Park Slope is a haven for raising children in a fairly stressless environment. Big chain stores haven’t found Park Slope. Thank God! Small restaurants, friendly charming cafes, small specialty clothing shops, alongside the existing excellent restaurants and shops, are opening. I’m beginning to realize that there are a lot of creative people living in Brooklyn.

When I think of Park Slope, Brooklyn I think of “It takes a village. . .” because the support is there for families – there are many child-friendly restaurants and cafes (and they really are that), entertainment for children, bookshops, small toy stores having toys mom and dad played with, friendly, helpful neighbors, and lots of character. And it has lovely Prospect Park.

Sometimes I feel a pang of sorts for the long-time residents who are seeing an influx of Manhattanites, and people from other areas, enter their what was once a rather quiet and private Park Slope. But then the pang disappears because that’s life, and the same thing is happening in Manhattan. Only in Manhattan it takes place just about every decade.

When the subway stops at the Park Slope station, and passengers climb the steps leading to the outside world, there’s a feeling of relief to see Park Slope. The stress of Manhattan can now be shed, a deep breath can be taken, no one scrambles to rush ahead of another, or to cut in front within inches of another. Definitely it’s a life lived with thoughtfulness, and this thoughtfulness tends to trickle into many other areas.

This is not to say that people in Manhattan are not thoughtful. No. It’s just that the extremely high energy can push anyone off center if they’re not mindful of the ease at which this can happen. I will always keep my love affair with Manhattan intact. It’s similar to any love affair though – there are always changes one would like to make, if one only could.

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erica jong, j. krishnamurti, eckhart tolle

What are you reading these days?

I’m on page 116 of ESSAYS WHAT DO WOMEN WANT? by Erica Jong. I read it in 1998 when it first came out, and now again in its revised form. I like the way she writes; she gets the reader to think a little differently. She doesn’t just dance around the surface when she writes. She gets deep down dirty, and digs up everything about the subject she’s writing about – oftentimes about things most writers missed, or wouldn’t/couldn’t touch. Clearly she’s done her homework in order to write with this level of insightful abandonment.

And I’m reading ESSENTIAL SPIRITUALITY recommended by “physicist-turned-futurist Peter Russell.” Ode Magazine March 2009 had a write-up about him. It was impressive so I checked out his website: www.peterrussell.com That too is impressive, and it was there that I decided to get one of the books he’s listed on his website, ESSENTIAL SPIRITUALITY by Roger Walsh, M.D.,PhD. Perhaps you’ll want to read it; it’s simply written, and the author shares with us the path he’s traveled in his quest for spiritual knowledge. It’s not stuffy; it’s wonderful reading.

And I’m reading one page every so often of Total Freedom by J. Krishnamurti. What can one say about him? Is he in a class by himself? It seems so. I have to absorb what he says in small doses because he says so much in such a simple way. No need to read it as though reading a novel.

A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle is a book I want by my side so that I can open any page in the book and appreciate his words. It’s an Aha kind of book.

I’m listening now to Blessed Always AGAPE CHANT ANTHOLOGY. Any time is a good time to listen to these CD’s. They grab the soul.

Have a beautiful day.

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jill pettijohn and the master cleanse

I promise to not go on and on about the lemonade diet, just to say that there was mention of it in an article by Alexandra Jacobs in April 2009 Allure magazine. In the article titled LOVE MEDICINE, Donna Karan tells about the experts in alternative medicine who have made a big difference in her life. One of the people, Jill Pettijohn, a Raw-Food Expert, said, “When most of us hear the word “cleanse,” we think of the Master Cleanse – that brutal ten-day regimen of maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. . . . ” www.allure.com

That might be so, but I don’t feel it’s so for everyone. I began the lemonade diet in February 2009, and stayed on it for 21 days, plus 3 days of coming off, and I wouldn’t call it “brutal.” I’ll say that I would have liked to continue for the full forty days, however, on the 20th day I happened to notice that my hands were cracked and looking rather awful, and my gums and teeth were very sensitive when brushing. If I knew what needed to be done to continue on I would have, but it was better to listen to what my body was saying and stop.

Weeks have passed now, and, all things considered, I’m glad the lemonade diet is available because it offers many benefits, and, of course, the benefits are different for everyone.

That said, Donna Karan and Sonja Nuttall have founded Urban Zen.
www.urbanzen.com Check it out; good things are on the offerings.