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it’s a wonderful life. . .

Hallelujah! -autumn is here. May it stay tiil April 2011. I’m in Richmond, Va. right now staying with Alicia, Michael, Sebastian, and Clover in a large house. There’s a big trampoline and zip line in the big back yard – happily used by all who visit. Alicia is reaping the benefits of hot yoga (Phew!), Michael is still studying Sun Tzu, Art of War, and I just bought Qi Gong for Long Life Cleanse & Build Inner Qi at the Alchemist shop at Stony Point Mall. www.bikramyoga.com
www.shopstonypoint.com

About two weeks ago Clover celebrated her 2nd birthday and we in the north came to help her blow out those two candles. We being Sumi, Toshi, Sophie, Emi, and me. And Aunt Sumi and Uncle Toshi brought the DVD “Free To Be. . .You and Me” to Clover. I smiled when logging on to my laptop today and seeing a writeup on aol with Marlo Thomas’ words: “There were plenty of great moments in ‘Free to Be. . .You and Me,’ but Michael Jackson’s has stuck with her…” www.marlothomas.com Once upon a time I remember my children sang those wonderful songs with all their might.

Sophie’s brother is due in November; Sophie’s life will forever change, in a good way, of course. And in November Emi will be at a Film Festival in Manhattan on behalf on The Retreat Film, along with other filmmakers.
www.theretreatfilm.com

I think the drivers in this area are a bit better (perhaps a lot better – I’m a coward, no States named here) than those in the north. There’s more patience, a lot less honking, and more adherence to driving etiquette. Why is that? I wonder. www.virginia.org

Yes, there’s a coolness in the air, and those who “can’t take the cold” are planning their getaway. And those who can’t get away are planning their winter wardrobe hoping winter 2010/20ll will be very gentle.

Enjoy!

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experiences

It’s written that the sages, through deep meditation and a falling away of the “I,” came to understand that all experiences are not good or bad, that they are just that – experiences.

Ahh, if we could live our lives with that thought and not add fuel to the fire with other thoughts, balance and joy would no doubt prevail – as the sages have said since ancient times.

If only we could; if only we would.

Tucked away in a small journal, unfortunately I didn’t jot down the author’s name, I found these words:

“If someone with a wand took away your ability to think, all of your problems would go away.”

It’s about the negative nature of thinking that’s easy to fall into – those thoughts that repeatedly come to mind unless an awareness of what’s going on quiets the mind.

And tucked away in a small journal are words of another, and again, no author’s name, food for thought though:

“You will never find the answer by dwelling on the problem. You find the answer by dwelling on the solution to the problem.”

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peter at moving specialist Inc.

I just moved. Whew! The only good thing about having to pack every single thing one owns is that we get to sort out all the “stuff” that’s not being used. All the things that if someone were to come and take – none would be missed. I know there are a lot of different reasons for keeping unused things. But. . . .

Peter, “Speedy and Reliable with a Positive Attitude” efficiently moved my things. He’s located in Philadelphia. He’s accommodating; he’s nice. From the first phone call, he eliminated any anxiety that was trying to push its way to the surface. Support is a big Must Have when moving. otherwise it can get quite overwhelming.

Speaking of moving, I’ve been noticing many moving trucks in front of buildings, and also the unusual number of people in Philadelphia pulling suitcases around. What’s going on I wonder. I know there’s a large student population in Philly, but it’s not only students who are moving and pulling. So I think Philadelphians like to move and pull. And I want to be excluded from that moving and pulling list.

It’s good to share, so here’s Peter’s number: 267 974 7577.
www.movingspecialistinc.com

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pat robertson


I have read that more and more people are believing in reincarnation. If reincarnation plays a part in our existence, and if Pat Robertson’s opinion about Haiti (generations ago, people in Haiti sold their souls to the Devil and are now paying for it) is written in stone for him, we needn’t upset ourselves – too much. I have read that there is a Law in the Universe, and the Law responds to every unkind word or action, just as it does to kindness in word and action. And so, perhaps in a future lifetime Pat Robertson will experience being born in Haiti, thereby giving him first-hand knowledge, along with a sincere understanding. At that time, any opinion he has about Haiti will at least be based on experience, rather than on a loose tongue. Whether it would be that way or not, I imagine that the Law has interesting ways. . . .

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jesus


It’s the month of December and I’d like to write about Jesus because, since watching Paul Davids documentary film, JESUS IN INDIA, my thoughts about the life of Jesus have expanded. Once in a while, a movie, a book, a person, an experience comes along, and, after that encounter, things are not quite the same again. That’s the way it was for me and the film. I watch the film every so often now, and am always inspired by the spectacular scenery, the music, the people, the words, and I let it all sink into my heart and mind.

Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com, wrote: “JESUS IN INDIA” IS A FASCINATING AND PROFOUND FILM, A DEEPLY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY CERTAIN TO MAKE YOU THINK AND QUESTION IN WAYS YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE. And that it does. www.jesus-in-india-the-movie.com


Edward T. Martin was involved in the making of the film, and so I looked for his book, KING OF TRAVELERS, and wasn’t able to find it in Philadelphia. However, I checked at the information counter at Strand Book Store in Manhattan, and was told “One book with that title came in this afternoon.” I looked for it, and there it was. The price was $2.00; I bought it. It’s fascinating that sometimes it’s just that easy.www.strandbooks.com

The film also mentions Elizabeth Clare Prophet’s book, THE LOST YEARS OF JESUS. And in the CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR THE LOST YEARS OF JESUS section, there are a host of seemingly knowledgeable people who’ve written highly about it. I’ll give it a thumbs up too.


It seems to be that when we zero in on something, after a while information about it begins to fall in our lap, so to speak, and the book JESUS LIVED IN INDIA by Holger Kersten was mentioned. I couldn’t find the book until one day I walked by Garland of Letters on South Street in Philadelphia. I backtracked and went inside, and there on a long table displaying an interesting selection of books was one by Holger Kersten, the one I’d been looking for. Where were you a few months ago when I was here? I inquired of the book. At the register the cashier looked at the book, and looked at me, and said, “This book is great. My friends are reading it.” And so it goes. www.yogaunveiled.com

It was at Garland of Letters on South Street in Philadelphia that I picked up Volume 8 – Number 2 of EVOLVE magazine where it’s placed to the left of the entrance door, and read about Paul Davids, and how the seeds of the film, JESUS IN INDIA, were planted in a course he took in Mahayana Buddhism when he was a student at Princeton University.

Always there seems to be controversy with the mention of Jesus. We all have beliefs, some are written in stone, others not, — good to keep an open mind. In the end, our own diligent research and tapping into what the heart tells us, might serve us well.

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whole foods

The news is that those at the helm at Whole Foods have decided to follow its original plan and sell more whole foods and a lot less junk foods. Aug 5, 2009 www.dailyfinance.com/bloggers/sarah-gilbert

In Philadelphia the supermarkets are on the outskirts of the city, and the two Whole Foods in Phila have cornered the market. Many people shopping at a Whole Foods for the first time, and expecting the offerings to be healthy, are getting mixed signals because, after passing the organic and conventional fruit and vegetable section, the junk foods are waiting for them. It begins with the onslaught (I say onslaught because it’s always a mental wrestle when passing all this stuff) of potato chips, tortilla chips, packaged cookies and crackers, and chocolates. Soon after that is the special-looking, sugar-ladened cakes, cookies, cupcakes, croissants, coffee cakes, and quick breads. As we meander along that aisle, surprise, there’s the long counter of sometimes overcooked, sometimes overly-salted prepared foods, including fried chicken and farm-raised salmon. And the sushi? Well, what’s with the long list of ingredients on the label, even with the simplest of sushi combinations?

It’s not that Whole Foods is doing anything other markets aren’t, but that their original claim was about health, as in whole foods, and then the scales began tipping with junk foods now vying for top billing.

On the other hand, the cosmetic department is very good. Whoever is doing the buying seems in the know, and is bringing in products seemingly devoid of toxic substances, i.e., for the most part. That said, there’s the matter of the bars of soap. . . . Jeepers creepers that game could be called: how expensive can we get before customers say no.

Well, so be it, mental note: when shopping at Whole Foods by-pass the junk food aisles (almost impossible), or rev up the discipline.

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asbury park, nj

I remember the fun so many of us had at Asbury Park, NJ when it was in its prime. On many weekends a lot of people would gather in cars, – in those days there were no seat belts, no real crowding on the roads, and no one to stop the driver of a car for having too many people in it. So, off we went from Manhattan, eager to taste the ocean air, dance, walk on the sand, enjoy the merriment of the environment, visit the fun house, and feast our eyes on the sturdy and well-designed whimsical buildings beckoning to us to enjoy what was inside. Once for $3 a woman read my palm, and years later when she suddenly came to mind, I had to salute her accuracy.

Then life got very busy, and for many years I temporarily forgot about Asbury Park, NJ. And so, one day on my way to somewhere else, I passed this once delightful place that had brought so much innocent entertainment and enjoyment to so many, and thought, “What happened to you dear friend? What a haggard look you’re wearing. Doesn’t anyone love you anymore? How undignified and unnecessary for you to be left this way.”

Now recently on a visit to somewhere else, I had a chance to glimpse an Asbury Park, NJ edging toward new life. And I whispered to it, “Hooray for you, Asbury Park!” And so, once again people care, and it shows. Its boardwalk is seeing a wonderful selection of speciality restaurants, a few stands that smack of organic and nutrition, a bakery that has its customers coming back again and again, and a small seafood place next door that does the same, there are hat shops, courses in pottery and glass making, galleries, entertainment, a most creative water playground for children, – yes, all that and more. There are condos being built and people moving in, and the town is in the process of becoming what the people moving in and those opening businesses want it to be. Lots of creativity happening.

Hooray for you, Asbury Park!

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on death

Last month I watched the movie “How to Know God” by Deepak Chopra. Actually, I watched it twice, or perhaps it was three times. And I picked up another movie “Experiencing the Soul” Before Life, During Life, and After Death, in which those who are devoting their lives to understanding other aspects of life are interviewed.

At Border’s I found a book titled “The Open Road THE GLOBAL JOURNEY OF THE FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA” by Pico Iyer. On its cover is written: “An intimate portrait. . . . Without ever losing compassion or respect for his subject, Iyer peels away layer after layer of illusion, revealing critical truths about this man at every possible level.” -Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love. The Dalai Lama was a friend of the writer’s father. I think I’ll read it more than once, not because it’s complicated, but because I want to experience reading the words again. The Dalai Lama wakes at 3am every morning to meditate for four hours. I’ve read a few times that he’s preparing himself for death. He’s also living a very full life.

Every so often I read the words “preparing for death” and it seems a very good way to live life. We prepare for many things, and since death goes hand-in-hand with us while we’re alive, it makes sense for us to get into the habit of preparing for it. Should we die tomorrow, or not for many decades, we’ll be comfortable with the thought of death. I’ve been at the bedside of people who’ve died peacefully, and with one who fought it tooth and nail. Peaceful looked right.

Michael Jackson’s death was a surprise to his family and his fans. I hope it wasn’t a surprise to him, and that his spirit is now peacefully of its journey. It’s quite obvious that his talent touched many lives in an extraordinary way.

* * * * * * *
“When I die I will soar with the angels, and, when I die to the angels, what I shall become you cannot imagine.” – Rumi

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happy parenting day

It’s easy to believe that being a loving, caring, happy, and somewhat peaceful parent in the year 2009 has its own worst list of fears, uncertainities, anxieties, perplexities – more so than other decades. I’ve said I wouldn’t want to raise a child in today’s world. On second thought, no matter the decade it’s always been challenging and exciting, and although the techie age has somewhat replaced playing hopscotch, jumping rope, happily eating a fudgicle while doing somersaults, etc., the same value system is always there to be tapped.

There have been a lot of changes since my children went through childhood, but the time-honored way of parenting with love, intuition, common sense, soul searching, innate intelligence, observation, communication, enjoyment, trust, sense of humor, and knowing when to let go, are still alive and kicking.

My children were raised in Manhattan, and it was there that I noticed the many hair-raising ways people have of bringing up their children. Some didn’t believe in any discipline – not even a slight reprimand when it was called for, – kicking, hitting, and screaming at mom and dad were accepted; others gave their children credit cards to do whatever, to buy whatever, before their children understood the basics of life; one couple bought an apartment next door for their two children who were below high school age so that their before-children lifestyle could be continued; children were left with sitters who watched tv all day long, or regularly socialized with friends instead of being attentive to the children; there were children having easy access to their parents’ “adult toys”; parents vacationing and leaving children with less than the best; it’s a long and interesting list, and is exciting reading in a novel, but leaves food for thought in real life. I noticed also that people are remarkably resilient, and come into the world with their own strengths and talents which have the potential to take them beyond earlier misadventures.

And there were awesome parents who – most of the time – had huge amounts of enthusiasm, fun, and wisdom, and taught their children, other children, and other parents, by their example.

Being a parent means different things to different people. I guess it will always be this way. The world’s parents are not cut from the same cloth. And why would we want it any other way? Perhaps that’s what makes it all challenging, exciting, and having to stretch mind, body, and spirit.

This posting has somehow become about parents, so that’s what it will be – HAPPY PARENTNG DAY TO WOMEN AND MEN WITH CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE. Wherever you are, have a beautiful day.

* * * * *
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. – Khalil Gibran

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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.