Head on over to the *leefenvisual* store where every poster is $20. Get a jump on your holiday shopping. Buy a limited edition screen-print for the art collector in your life; they will certainly thank you for it.

Sale will last for 24 hours starting at 2:00pm PST.

http://tr.im/lfvposters

Pilgrimage Statistics

Consecutive Days Riding: 48                             Consecutive Days Blogging: 49

Today’s Mileage:  10                                        Total Trip Mileage: 419

Holidays and Holy Days on November 26:

Waqf al Arafa – Islamic observance day during Hajj when pilgrims pray for forgiveness and mercy.

Day of the Covenant – Baha’i celebration of the covenant given in the last will and testament of Baha’u'llah

Holidays and Holy Days on November 27:

Eid al-Adha – Islamic Feast of Sacrifice. The most important feast of Islam. It concludes the Hajj and is a three-day festival recalling Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

__________________________________________________

I hope that everyone has recovered from the Thanksgiving Day feasting!  I would like to start off by apologizing to my Muslim and Baha’i friends for failing to note the significant Holy Days associated with yesterday.  I was preoccupied with getting my posting up so my mother could see it as she visited my sister’s gathering.  I would also like to ask everyone to hold the Hajj pilgrims in your prayers. There has been severe flooding in Saudi Arabia and a many pilgrims have died.

As I ride the bike today and note the mileage and calorie count climb, I am reminded of the simple truth about journeys. One might take a break to replenish supplies and energy, but then you have to get back on the road or risk being overwhelmed with the urge to sit “just a little while longer.”  It felt good to indulge in a feast of celebration but it feels good to return to my bike and the pilgrimage.

I decided to use today’s posting to address an issue I left unfinished from the beginning of this journey.  What the meaning and significance of my Pilgrim Symbol?  During this holiday season I am sure there have been a number of shocked and puzzled individuals who have goggled the term” Pilgrim” expecting to see hats with buckles and the Mayflower.  Instead they found this strange, reclined humanlike figure surrounded by a multitude of foreign symbols. I know this is the case as this aspect of my Blog site is the most consistently reviewed by outside searches! Perhaps it’s time I reveal the meaning of the symbols I used to create the image. 

The Human Form:

1)      Reclining human form – this is representative of the stationary aspect of my journey and the fact that my bike is one you recline into rather than sit perched on the seat.

2)      The contrasting halves to the human form – this is representative of the dualistic experience we often have of our physical body.  It is the source of pleasure (light) and pain (dark), we often celebrate it as the vehicle on our journey but then curse it for the desires associated with it.  The whole mind/body or physical/spirit dilemma is wrapped up in this dualism.

3)      The Yin Yang symbol – this is the Chinese symbol pointing to the illusion of dualism, that they are forces locked into an eternal spinning dance.  In addition, within each region is the seed of the other.  If you look close enough at Life you will find that Death often prepared the way for it. The purpose of this symbol is to pull the viewer out of this illusion to see both as part of a process. Reality is about the dance between life and death, between good and evil, it transcends these dualities. This insight represents an important part of my intellectual philosophy which is why it comprises the figures’ head.

The Wheel: literally represents the wheel of my bike, but is full of symbolic meaning. 

4)      Ouroboros: The snake grasping it’s tail – is a symbol in many early faiths for the cyclical nature of things; the eternal return as cycles that begin anew as soon as they end, like a day or the seasons. The importance of seeing our journey as a series of cycles embedded within each other represents a personal insight that helps me to “keep things in perspective.”

5)      The Zen Circle – represents the entire universe in a single, perfect stroke.  Although simple, it is difficult to paint successfully and thus must be done with a clear mind focused on the task. This reminds me to always strive for mindfulness!

6)      The Buddhist Eight Spoked Wheel – one of the early symbols of Buddhism, it represents the Eight Fold Path, the path towards Enlightment.  Each spoke represents one of the “right” forms of wisdom, ethical conduct and moral development. My youngest son was quick to point out to me that some of the spokes do not touch the outer part of the wheel.  I noted that this indicates that I fall short of following the dictates of all of the spokes.

7)      The Compass Points – are represented by the horizontal and vertical spokes embedded within the circle. A reminder to always check our “bearings,” to look up from our path to ensure that we still on the desired path and not lost.

8)      The Quadrants of a Mandala – the horizontal and vertical spokes also divide the circle into quarters. The teaching Mandala of the eastern faiths (i.e. The Buddhist Wheel of Life) typically has as a structure of a circle divided into four components. This reminds me that parts of the cycles of life may look and feel significantly different, but if you step back, you will see them as part of the whole.

      The Staff: my actual staff is not nearly so straight, but sturdy and bent like the back of an old man.

9)      The Walking Stick – pilgrims throughout the world are often seen with a staff as they prod along on their journey.  As a hiker I can attest to the usefulness of a walking stick; to test the ground before us, to lean on and to anchor us as we climb up and down the ridges and peak along the path.  One of my artist endeavors are Taoist Walking Sticks, wall hangings made from sticks, roots, bones, seeds and feathers.  I find these things on my hikes and nature walks.

A Taoist Walking Stick by StationayPilgrim

10)  Grasping the Staff – the reclining figure holds the staff as a reminder that we can’t make this journey alone, we need support at times, whether that be in the form of words of guidance, encouragement or just a hug to lighten the emotional load.

11)  The Cross – the universal symbol of Christianity.  A symbol of sacrificial love and redemption, a reminder of the “devotional” path to the divine.  For me personally it is also a reminder of my Christian roots, the years of Catholic education continue to form a part of my supportive foundations.

12)  The Prayer Flag Banner – I have talked before about the use of prayer flags in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.  This is a reminder that we carry with us the needs and struggles of those we love know and meet along our path; that every step we take, all of our actions serve to “flutter” the prayer flag, sending these offerings of praise and prayers of request to “the heavens.” Whether in good or difficult times, we should remember those we carry with us.

       The Top of the Staff: The source of illumination and direction

13)  The Chalice and Flame – the symbol for my Unitarian Universalist faith.  Holding high the light of pluralism, love, understanding and acceptance. For me this represents the shared communal knowledge that helps to light my way.

14)  The Godhead – one of the most sacred symbols of Hinduism is the Sacred Om.  It represents not only the sacred sound (mantra), but is a visual symbol of the various states of consciousness (waking, sleeping, dreaming and God consciousness).  In the upper part of the symbol is a small point (consciousness of God) that is separated from the other forms of consciousness.  The consciousness of God is not found outside of us, although it maybe perceived as being outside, but deep within us.  However, our realization of this fact is blocked by or identification with our body and ego. Placed at the top of the staff, it is a reminder of the mystical knowledge and experience that continues to fuel my journey and provide an inner source of light.

15)  Neptune’s Trident or Hindu Trihsula – one viewer noted that the upper portion of the staff appeared to be a trident; a water symbol and representative of creativity.  I hadn’t seen this till she pointed it out, highlighting that symbolic images are always interpreted through the viewers’ eyes and experiences.  In the Hindu faith, this is symbolic of the irresistible force of transcendental reality and of the three powers: Will, Action and Wisdom.  I cannot look at the image now without seeing the trident, representative perhaps of my Zodiac water sign (Pisces) and my expanding creativity.

       Background Features: I did not include these features initially but added them as I began the Pilgrimage recognizing them as important to the process of the journey.

16)  The Disappearing Tracks – the tire and staff tracks; we should travel through life aware of the marks we leave of our passage.  I believe the most important traces are not great monuments, but are how we touch others, hopefully in positive loving ways. Also, I think it goes without saying, we should not leave any road kill (victims) along our path!

17)  The Sky, Mountains, and Water – one of the defining features of Taoism is its use of nature to illustrate the lessons and process of life. An openness and admiration of nature (the growth/beauty and death/ugliness) allows the messages and insights to come to us, and promote the possibility of Nature Mystical Experience.

18)   The Road or Pathway – we are all on a path, heading somewhere.  Some people like a populated path, other prefer one “less travelled.” Some people want a mapped out path, others prefer to make their own. Some people choose the smoothest they can find, others like to “mountain bike” it.  Existentialists believe that we must find our own meaning or purpose in life, that meaning defines our path.  Being a teacher, parent, artist, lover, blogger gives my life meaning. Our meaning has to conform to life’s challenges, like growing old, but it is largely a matter of choice! We choose our path and we can always choose to change it!

One last note before I leave this discussion, concerning the difference between signs and symbols.  Generally speaking signs are denotive, they represent an object or direction. Like a wheelchair figure on the handicap sign or the “danger” message of the skull and cross bones.  Where as symbols are more connotive, they are meant to arouse emotions and maybe representative of something else. Like a swastika, which is a Hindu sign of peace that now evokes a sense of “evil” in the western world. Some signs and symbols have a universal quality and have meaning easily recognized by different cultures, others are unique and a person must “learn” the meaning of the sign or the appropriate emotions and ideas associated with a symbol.

My Pilgrim’s Symbol is meant to be connotive and arouse emotions and thoughts in the viewer.  You may see what I had intended, or as represented by the trident example, you might see things I had not intended.  Are you wrong and I’m right?  No!  I believe that useful symbols allow a person to see what they need to see, present them with some lesson/thought for them to process.  I would only ask the viewer to take an open approach to the experience of the symbol.  If you see more meanings then I noted these are potentially useful personal insights!  If you pull back in horror or out of rejection, these are potentially insightful personal reactions!

This is a two-tone dessert soup consisting of black sesame soup and almond soup.

I poured two mugs—one with black sesame soup and one with almond soup—into a shallow soup bowl from the outer edges. Then I used two different spoons to shape the dividing line into an “S” shape and added extra drops for the dots.

I used the instant powders that you mix with boiling water (Golden Corn brand).

Almond soup tastes like almond extract (or marzipan), while black sesame flavour is naturally sweet.

Duality isn’t an uncommon concept, but it’s one I’m struggling with today.  A certain smart dude with an apple advised that, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”  And he’s right.  Laws of physics and all that.  But in the yin and the yang, the black and the white, the positive and the negative, there is so, so much grey.  I think I’m kind of mired in that grey right now, and not really seeing where I should be on things.

On a really personal level, the shit in my head that’s been dredged up from my past regarding Golden Boy has taken its toll.  I really have better things to do with my time than face those memories, the flashbacks, the nightmares that have all been dancing in the limelight as of late.  My shrink would say that it’s part of the process, and I would roll my eyes, knowing that she knows of what she speaks.  Doesn’t mean I have to like it.  However, Golden Boy’s karma appears to have started without me; his health isn’t great, and his marriage is in the tank.  I won’t risk my own karma by reveling in that fact, and honestly, I’m just not good at being mean or cruel.  It’s just not in me to find joy in someone else’s suffering, even someone who not only got away with molesting two young girls, but never took responsibility for it at all in his own life.  Even then, I can’t laugh at his misfortune.  I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

On the same basic line, although much more global and grisly, is the story of Shaniya Nicole Davis.  This absolutely gorgeous little 5 year old was sold into prostitution/sexual slavery by her own mother, who then reported her missing.  Her body was recovered the other day, but every day when I see her picture on WRAL when I read the news, it breaks my heart.  This kid was in kindergarten, had just learned to tie her shoes, was loved by everyone who knew her, had her life ended by the absolute scum of the earth.  Oh, did I mention that her mother is currently pregnant again?  Yeah.  This story just turns my stomach on so many levels.

But the positive to this vile negative is that people like Vienna Teng who work to end this abomination.  She works with a group called the Polaris Project. One of the songs that she performs at each concert was written for this cause; it’s called Harbor, and I’ve included it here.  It’s an amazing song by an amazing woman, who helps to raise awareness that human trafficking really is still alive and well, and it’s right here in our own back yards.

You may be wondering where exactly the “grey” area is for me on this one.  Let me clear: I abhor the idea of slavery in all forms, but most especially that of children.  The grey area for me comes in the form of stress and attachment.  I am one of those weirdos who cannot bear to watch the Humane Society commercials, especially those with Sarah McLachlan.  Someone who is suffering tears me up, and like I said, kids and animals are worse.  I just cannot let myself get sad and upset at every single facet of negativity that hits my radar; I would spend my entire life in despair.  So I try to distance myself a little, and insulated my heart to the extremes.

I had such a great time with Alejandro this weekend.  We went waterfall hunting with my sister, the Scientist, the Professor, and the Artist.  (The Ambassador was blissfully alone for the first time over night, and loved it!)  We got a ton of great pics, and really just had a blast.  We didn’t think about work, family crap, or anything else.  The unseasonably warm November weather, combined with the beautiful fall color that was still surrounding us, all combined to make for a perfect day.

However, I am now back at the office, dealing with deadlines, I have an ear infection brewing, my knee is scolding me for the exertion of that day along with a photo shoot the following day, and Christmas is looming in the distance.  It’s at times like these when slipping into the grey and hiding there for a while seems like a really, really good plan.

Be yourself and accept what your partner is. A good relationship starts with acceptance. Don’t force your partner to be someone else because he/she won’t do it perfectly well and will cause problems.

What’s yours also belongs to your partner and what belongs to your partner is also yours.

If your partner is happy hanging out with all the guys, let him. But you have to make sure that he’s going somewhere safe, he will be home in time and he won’t gamble or other things like smoking, drinking etc. If your partner is happy at the salon, let her go.

I love what you love. In some case, some couples hate each other’s friends or relatives.

Yin and Yang. Through all differences, you can make beautiful things. Like how, when the sun and moon alternate, they make a good day. Like how the leaves on the trunk of tree gives you a yummy fruit. Like cement mixed with water to build a strong building. Differences can make good things.

Don’t over-do jealousy. Jealousy is a normal thing. But don’t over do it cause in some cases; it affects trust- and, especially, the relationship.

Take it easy. You’ve got a partner to make you happy. And you’re a partner to make him/her happy.

Don’t hold tightly. A good partner should always think of the partner’s feelings. If you take away your partner from his/her old hobbies, friends and relatives, it’s totally wrong.

Kiss, say I love you, hug or hold hands often so that the feeling of love will still remain.

Compromise It sounds better and more relaxing hearing your partner explain than nag.

NEVER CHEAT. Cheating ruins everything.

Keep all your promises. It’s called a promise to reassure that he/she will do it.

Keep in contact as much as you can

A person is either Yin or Yang; Which are you?

Yin Body Types

• Listless or lacking energy
• Thin and pale-faced
• Vulnerable to infectious disease
• Relax, easygoing and quiet
• Sensitive to cold

Yang Body Types

• Usually superactive, hyper, full of energy and vitality
• Generally heavyset or overweight
• Flushed face or ruddy complexion
• Restless or impatient
• Not sensitive to cold
• Easily constipated
• Susceptible to hypertension, hyperthyroid condition and strokes

In the east, mandalas, yantras , and the bindu dot have been used for meditation, healing, protection, and spiritual guidance and the Yin Yang symbol is one of balance. Many of the early Gothic Churches in Europe are known this day for their elaborate circular stained glass windows, as well as the Celtic Cross. The legend of King Arthur and his knights of the round table is one that goes back to 1155 in poet Wace’s “Roman de Brut. King Arthur had the table built to prevent quarrels over sitting status. The fez headress of the Moors is circular on the top with a tassle in the middle that turns 360º which is a full complete circle.

Astronomical Calendars like Stonehenge ,the Mayan Wheel or even Native American Medicine wheels, are all more instances of a sacred circle. Cultures from the continent Africa to the Americas have used drums like the djembe, congo , and bongos to bring music for healing, celebration, and call to arms for battle.
In closing, there are far to many circular images for them to be ignored, like fllying saucers, shields, coins, plates, hoops, records, cd’s rings, and… ARE YOU GETTING TIRED YET??? My point is that the circle is a shape that never seems to go out of purpose. With that I hope you will take a look at my paper art wheels and remember the power of the circle and how it has been a part of your world.

For more of my artwork visit http://fineartamerica.com/artwork/tag/j+kingkajappi

                  Key Elements of Feng Shui                                                   

For some years now I have been hearing about the Chinese ancient art and science of Feng Shui (Pronounced Fung-Shway). For good measure, I have even incorporated a few of the basic elements in my home. To create a space of serenity, I keep a small electric water fountain on a side table. For a harmonious environment, I have plants and a shoot of lucky bamboo. To maintain a natural flow of energy I hang wind chimes close to a window where I can hear the tinkling of its sound.

What is Feng Shui? Superstition? Naturalistic Belief? Pseudo Religion? It was originally used to find a favorable burial-place, shrine or tomb for the deceased. It is often referred to as a “mystical belief in cosmic harmony.” A cultural system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (Astronomy) and Earth (Geography) to help you improve life by receiving positive qi or ch’i—a movable positive or negative life force, air or energy.  Religious critics however believe that it is inconsistent to believe that harmony and balance result from the manipulation and channeling of nonphysical forces or energies, or that such can be done by means of the proper placement of physical objects.  

The term Feng Shui literally translates as “wind-water”. It is believed ch’i or energy rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water. Consisting of five elements (water, wood, fire, earth/soil and metal), these polarities are made of yin and yang in precise amounts (greater wood has less yin than lesser wood, but not as much yin as water, and so forth). It is similar to bipolar magnetic field, it is of two parts: one creating an exertion and one receiving the exertion. Earth is a buffer, or an equilibrium achieved when the polarities cancel each other. The goal of feng shui has been described as aligning a city, site, building, or object with yin-yang force fields.

Many believe this practice is important and very helpful in living a prosperous and healthy life either avoiding or blocking negative energies that might otherwise have bad effects. Many of the higher-level forms of feng shui are not so easily practiced without a certain amount of wealth however because it involves the hiring of an expert and or the great altering of architecture or design.

Critics say feng shui has become an aspect of interior decorating in the Western world where alleged masters now hire themselves out for hefty sums to tell people which way doors and other things should hang. They believe it has also become another “New Age ‘energy’ scam with arrays of metaphysical products offered for sale to help you improve your health, maximize your potential, and guarantee fulfillment.” Because of this, some people lose faith in feng shui, saying that it is only for the wealthy. Others, however, practice less expensive forms including hanging special (but cheap) mirrors, forks, or woks in doorways to deflect negative energy.  

Traditional feng shui practice always requires an extremely accurate magnetic compass (luopan) or the earlier south-pointing spoon (zhinan zhen) in order to determine the directions in finding any good sector in a desired location. The goal of feng shui as practiced today is to situate the human built environment on spots with good ch’i. The “perfect spot” is a location and an axis in time. Until the invention of the magnetic compass, feng shui apparently relied on astronomy to find correlations between humans and the universe.  

Some of the text for this post was taken from previously printed online research material and slightly modified

Ivan Medlov - Dmitry's bad little brother

First of all, Happy Veteran’s Day to all of our military service members!
Today is a special day for all U.S. citizens. Hug a vet and check out my other blog for a more personal story.

On to Dmitry’s Closet…
My little sister was quite mischievous when she was little. I would constantly have to get her out of trouble, but it was never anything major and never anything illegal. Too bad Dmitry can’t say the same thing about his little brother (by 3 years) Ivan Medlov.

Ivan is the sleeper that you never see coming. While he is comparable in size to his massive brother, he is quite the yin of their yin-yang operation.

I made his features a reflection of that yin-yang connection. Ivan has dark hair, a 5 o’clock shadow, a different mischevious swagger, wears dark clothes, has hooded dark eyes and allows the worst of words to come out of his mouth. He likes confusion and revels in being able to inflict pain.

Here are some facts without giving away the story about Ivan. (1) he is Vor, (2) he is beautiful, (3) he is a sociopath, (4) he is out for revenge, (5) he is smitten with Royal, (6) he is his brother’s worst nightmare (7) he’s ambitious and (8) he’s money hungry.

Now, I’ve had a few readers to tell me that they actually liked Ivan. They like that he says what he wants and does what he wants. They like that he breaks the rules and doesn’t scare easy. So that brings me to my blog entry for today.Why do women like bad boys? Is it because as good women, the polarization itself if stimulating or is it because we desire something we know isn’t good for us?

Now, I’ve know a few bad boys in my life (and I don’t mean the losers –so you boys can count yourself out). They were really bad but they were on the good side of the law (military, cops, firemen, SSA, etc.). One thing that I have found striking is how similar they are to the bad men on the other side of the law. Both can be smart, cunning, protective, business-minded, charming but only one can be righteous (And that is what made them great guys and good people). That’s why I like bad good boys. There is a difference to me based on social norms and morals and character. Believe it or not, even Dmitry has these qualities.

For you that like bad, bad boys (like Ivan), what draws you to them and adds that special appeal? I’m dying to know.

When we get sick, it’s easy to use the pain and weakness as a reason to stop practising yoga. This might be a good idea as it relates to physical practice. We need to make sure we’re leaving our bodies enough energy to deal with the disease. But we should try to at least maintain the mental focus we bring to class.

When we feel pain, instead of reaching for an aspirin, concentrate on those feelings. Separate the pain from the suffering. Let your mind focus on the pain as being nothing more than a sensation. Your mind might try to tell you things like “Yes it’s a sensation…a sensation that HURTS!” but don’t let such thoughts associate the feelings with the idea of suffering. Keep on thinking of the pain as merely a sensation(you can use the same technique on painful yin yoga poses as well). In my experience, the nature of the pain changes to something altogether different. It’s still there, but your mind is not directly affected by it.

Let me give you a personal example:

A few weeks back, I had a cold or a strain of the flu that affected my respiratory system. Every night I do some basic breathing exercises. One of these exercises is exhaling the syllable “hee” while lying in corpse pose and feeling the vibrations of the sound move from my head to my feet. But every time I tried to exhale I would irritate something in my lungs and cough.

At this point I could have given up and decided I couldn’t do the exercise or I could have reached for some cough drops.  Instead, I examined the sensation. The irritation seemed to come from closer to my chest than my back. So I tried placing the breath further back near my spine. My coughing stopped. And I found that placing my breath deeper in my body helped my yoga practice even after I recovered.

I could have practised yoga 1,000 times and not learned to recognise the correct feeling. If a teacher tried to explain the sensation in words, I probably wouldn’t have understood any teacher that tried to explain the sensation or would have wrongly assumed I already knew how to breathe. I had to get sick before I found a better way.

When our bodies are young and healthy we can use our bodies inefficiently and get away with it. Our knees and hips begin to have problems as we get older and we often think that this is natural. Getting older may result in the degeneration of bone and muscle, but the situation is often compounded by years of less-than-ideal movement. My breathing before the illness was too shallow, but it was effective enough as long as I was healthy.

Listen closely to your body, especially when you get sick. The body is communicating an imbalance. We may not like the pain any more than we like a screaming infant. But trying to avoid it would be the same as putting on earmuffs to block out a crying baby. Either way we would be trying to get out of changing something.

“Quando reconhecemos o que faz o belo ser belo
Surge o feio!

Quando reconhecemos o que faz o bom ser bom
Surge o mal!

Por isto:
O ser e o não-ser surgem mutuamente
O fácil e o difícil complementam-se
O longo e o curto condizem
O alto e o baixo convivem entre si
O som e a voz casam-se
O antes e o depois seguem-se.

Por isto:
O homem sábio cumpre suas ações sem agir
Pratica o ensino sem falar
E as dez-mil-coisas agem sem serem impedidas.
Ele cria e nada possui
Atua e não guarda coisa alguma
Realizada a obra ele não se apega

E justamente por não se apegar, ela não se esvai.”

traduzido pela comunidade do wikisource

capítulo 3

todos os capítulos

Unii cred că binele și răul sînt doi poli opuși ai sferei morale care este viața. Ca poli, în această viziune ei sînt perfect opuși unul altuia și nu se ating niciodată. Sau altfel spus, în acest continuu proces de navigare morală numit viață, ar fi întotdeauna posibil să te orientezi după polul binelui sau al răului, după cum ți-e dorința. Pentru aceștia, nu există dileme morale, pentru că ei au întotdeauna la dispoziție vreo hartă axiologică care le spune exact ce trebuie să facă în cutare sau cutare situație și încotro s-o ia ca să ajungă cu bine la bine.

Mai este și o altă viziune cu privire la bine și la rău, una care spune că nu există alb și negru, ci doar gri. Că nu există poli morali asemănători cu polii magnetici și în consecință nu este posibilă o navigare către un bine sau un rău suprem, ci doar bîjbîieli locale către ce poate să treacă la un moment dat bine sau rău. Pe scurt, Whatver works, vorba lui Woody Allen, deși vorba asta nu e a lui deloc, ci e un amestec de relativism moral european și pragmatism american care tinde din ce în ce mai mult să devină un motto al cetățeanului universal și care s-ar traduce cel mai bine prin orice, numai tu să te simți bine.

Răul este opusul existenței și  consecința lui ultimă este inexistența. Ăsta e un lucru pe care l-a uitat creștinismul contaminat de greci, căci în păgînism binele și răul sînt ambele concepte eterne și veșnic opuse, ca yin și yang, dar în creștinism răul este tranzitoriu prin excelență: apare pe scena universului doar pentru a fi recunoscut ca rău și expediat odată pentru totdeauna pînă și din tărîmul posibilității. Asta înseamnă că răul absolut echivalează cu inexistența și este nimic mai mult decît aceasta. A fi rău în mod absolut înseamnă a nu fi. O consecință a acestui fapt este că nici dracu nu-i așa de negru, adică și în îngerul căzut, Lucifer, se mai găsește ceva bun, dacă ar fi să ni-l închipuim pe el ca pe întruchiparea răului absolut.

Într-o metaforă care mi-a se pare foarte reușită, răul e comparat cu un vierme care își face tunelul lui de stricăciune printr-un măr. Ba nici măcar cu viermele, ci cu tunelul, cu absența binelui. Răul nu este altceva decît un parazit ce trăiește în ființa binelui, hrănindu-se din aceasta.

Răul e întotdeauna amestecat cu binele pentru că ființa propriu-zisă a răului este binele, dar este o ființă al cărei cod a fost rescris astfel încît să facă loc acolo morții. Căci răul, orice ar fi, este înainte de orice calea către moarte. Deși nu există rău absolut, căci acesta ar fi nimicul, există rău radical. În răul radical, binele a fost cu totul supus răului, fiind redus la funcția de simplă infrastructură pentru rău. De exemplu un criminal în serie profesionist care are grijă să mănînce sănătos.

Răul începe întotdeauna cu un gînd, dar pentru a fi cu adevărat rău trebuie să sfîrșească neapărat cu o faptă. Pentru a fi rău, fapta nu trebuie să fie mare, căci în cele mai mici fapte se poate presimți prezența celui mai mare rău. Am simțit tentația răului stînd în fața unei chiuvete și avînd o gumă de mestecat în gură. Știam că guma de mestecat poate să înfunde chiuveta dacă ar fi aruncată acolo. Era o chiuvetă publică de care nu-mi păsa în mod deosebit, dar știam că ar fi rău să arunc guma de mestecat acolo iar răul ăsta stîrnea în mine  o ciudată voluptate. I-am rezistat, însă. Am aruncat guma în altă parte, dar am gustat ceva din însăși esența răului cu ocazia aceea, și am înțeles că între mine, stînd cu guma în gură deasupra unei chiuvete și un nazist stînd cu mîna pe butonul de la o cameră de gazare în care sînt vreo 100 de tinere femei evreice, nu e nicio diferență esențială.

Binele și răul nu sînt doi poli opuși între care nu există contact, ci mai degrabă două entități care se luptă constant pentru supremație și care în lupta lor violentă, ce, paradoxal, uneori seamănă cu o îmbrățișare, devin greu de recunoscut. Dar pentru că  esențele lor nu se amestecă niciodată, navigarea între ei ca și cum ar fi doi poli absoluți este posibilă.

by Lisann Valentin

To pinpoint a common theme in the thread of my existence, I would say it was Duality. As a young college student, I was deeply touched by John Donne’s themes of pleasure and pain in his poetry. There could not be pleasure without pain, and often times, one would essentially meld into the other. The theme in his poetry struck a chord in me, as it seemed to be along the same lines of the ying and the yang: happiness complimenting sadness; light shining through the dark; and other related forms of duality, which have always fascinated me. I think the reason for this may be that – as a Puerto Rican woman – I find there is also a duality in the facets of my life.

I was born and raised in New York, yet I have a strong attachment to my culture as a Puertorriqueña. As a child, my mother pulled my sister and me out of school at least three times a year to spend at least three months in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. There we learned about the island, had freedom to frolic outside, were taught to celebrate our roots, and practiced the Spanish language on a continuous level. Then, when we came back to Brooklyn, we would remain indoors, and I would have to read words in dictionaries to avoid forgetting to speak in English and to avoid the mispronunciation of English words. We were free in Puerto Rico, and then caged birds in New York. This may be related to the sense of trust and comradery my mother felt on the Island, as opposed to the fear and isolation she felt in New York. As such, I witnessed a duality in my mother; she struggled to maintain her identity as a Puerto Rican woman without being pigeonholed by stereotypes. She struggled to teach us our heritage so we wouldn’t become part of a melting pot; instead to be a functioning part of a salad bowl.

In the media, Latinas are frequently depicted as primarily sexual beings, who nurture their partners and families, yet have hot tempers. Now, this depiction has lessened but it has not disappeared.

I find that aside from their sexuality, many Latinas are enthusiastic about education, are zealous in pursuit of their careers, and are passionate when it comes to family and relationships. And, if you look closely, there is a duality there and hopefully, a balance. Despite the strides we have made in current times, Latinas are still expected to be married and start a family by a certain age. With that underlying pressure, there is a stronger pull from a modern mode of thinking to become independent, educated, and successful outside of marriage and family. In this day and age, where does this duality come from?

Two forms of thought have been the primary players in forming this duality. There is the cultural influence of a machista attitude of a woman’s role in learning to care for the home, be demure, and behave as proper women should behave in order to be married and have a family to care for. Then there is the influence of a feminist mentality, in pursuing an education, a career, being able to take care of oneself and be a completely independent and self-sustaining individual, perhaps without the need for marriage or family. It is my experience that Latin women of my generation are especially equipped (how) because of this dualistic upbringing.

Being exposed to these two types of thinking has influenced a generation of women who want it all – and certainly get it, by taking the most positive elements of both modes of thought and creating something that suits them completely.

I am proud to say that I am a member of this generation. I think these modes of thought have made me a well-rounded person. Maintaining cultural values, for me, is important. And so is cultivating new ones. It is important to embrace who we are and where we come from, even with the apparently opposing sides – the ying and the yang. I know that these facets make up the whole of who I am as an individual and as a Puerto Rican woman. For that I am grateful.

La Licenciada’s Blog

http://www.herdeepthoughts.com

______________________________________________________________
About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Oferta Formativa Cursos de Acupuntura

 Aqui puedes ver nuestra oferta formativa para el próximo curso 2009/2010 pero si quieres información ampliada puedes pinchar aqui   o puedes pinchar sobre el cuadrante.

In February of this year, an ice storm gave me the opportunity to take back my night.

Or rather, it forced me to take back my night.

Authors such as Robert A. Johnson and Dr. Rubin Naimen tell us that in our well-lit 24/7 world, we have lost our night, our sleep, and, as a result, our dreams.

But when that ice storm knocked out my power for five days, I got a chance to regain the night—to experience life without electric light, without television, without a computer.

I took advance of this shift to catch up on my reading.  Pouring over the page, all alone in the dark, with just a tiny flashlight highlighting a few inches of text, actually added a sense of…what?—a sense of the sacred, I guess.

During those five nights, I also spent more time just sitting in the dark, contemplating, than I probably do in a regular year.

For the first two days, I mostly heard the explosion of branches and ice crashing down.  But afterwards, in the relative quiet, I listened for whatever odd hiccups and hums might come out of the darkness.  I also studied the layered shadows and the blue flames of the stove burners.  I even went outside and looked up at the thin sliver of moon and the hard, bright stars.

I did sleep a little more.  Maybe an hour more per night.  But as for my dreams…

…they remained about the same.  But I was in a lull in that area anyway.  I believe most of us go through times of greater and lesser dream recall, times of vivid, instense dreams and times of more moderate dreams.

I did notice one other shift in behavior and I believe it’s worthy of note: I didn’t snack as much at night.  But of course, I wasn’t assaulted with all that visual stimuli urging me to consume.

In any case, I gained a new appreciation for the night—but also for electricity.  Having the lights on again was a relief.  To be honest, the darkness, the quiet, the lessening of stimuli didn’t create a sense of serenity.  For one thing, doing even the simplest tasks could test my patience.  Plus, I kept waiting, wondering when the power might return—and feeling more and more frustrated as the outage continued.

Yet when the electricity finally came back on, I realized that something was lost—and that I missed it.  Moreover, I saw how I was trapped in this lifestyle we live in the U.S.  I saw how dependent I am on services that can go out in a blink—services that I do not control.  Our reliance on artificial lighting and electricity has made us incredibly vulnerable.

Worse yet, we’re overstimulated and both sleep and dream deprived.

I knew this situation was out-of-balance before the outage.  But after the outage, I felt it, which makes it even more troubling.

© 2009, Michael R. Patton
sky rope (subterranean rappel): http://skyrope.wordpress.com
taking new steps: http://mythsteps.wordpress.com

DESARROLLO TEMATICO DEL CURSO BASICO:

1. PRIMER PASO DE NUESTRO PROTOCOLO:

Equilibrar  los meridianos curiosos o reguladores, mediante los puntos maestros:

1.1. Posibilidad A, existe un switching (conmutación)

• determinación del punto Maestro desequilibrado

1.2. Posibilidad B, no encontramos un switching,

• determinación del punto Maestro desequilibrado

1.3. Determinación del meridiano regulador acoplado

2. SEGUNDO PASO DE NUESTRO PROTOCOLO:

Equilibrar Qi y Xue, energía y sangre:

Estimulación alternativa de los puntos 4RM y 6 RM

 2.1. – 4RM problemas con Xue (sangre), por vacío o por estancamiento.

• Tratamiento mediante 6BP, 17V, 10BP

 2.2. – 6RM, estancamiento o deficit de Qi (energía).

• Tratamiento mediante 36E, 17RM, 4DM

3. TERCER PASO DE NUESTRO PROTOCOLO:

 Equilibrar a órganos y vísceras mediante la regulación de sus  raíces yang y yin, con los puntos fuego y agua, que aumentarán o desbloquearán el yang o el yin, del meridiano afectado. En definitiva descubrir el órgano diana, posiblemente victima por un lado y responsable de la clínica por otro.

 3.1. Búsqueda de  los puntos Mu afectados

 3.2. Búsqueda en las relaciones de los odontones con los órganos, ¿que pieza dental o su hueco es la que nos da AR?

 3.3. La alternativa más completa: poner a prueba y provocar un reflejo con el motivo de consulta:

 3.3.1. Dolor:

Cuando el paciente refiere un dolor crónico, podemos proceder de estas maneras:

3.3.1.1. Terapia de localización

 3.3.1.2. Reproducir el gesto

 3.3.1.3. Test de los movimientos de la lengua

• Cadenas musculares
• Planos energéticos:

o       Utilización de los puntos nudo y aceleradores

 3.3.1.4. Utilización del test estructural (filtros de esqueleto)

• Determinación del órgano afectado y su tratamiento

 3.3.2. Parásitos

Utilización del test de parásitos

• Ascaris
• Tenia
• Candidas
• Oxiuros
• disbiosis IG
• disbiosis ID
• Determinación del órgano afectado y su tratamiento

3.3.3. Intolerancia alimentaría y deficiencias nutricionales

En este apartado incluiríamos los casos en que la causa del desorden, es algún factor de la alimentación, como por ejemplo: alteraciones digestivas, cefaleas, insomnio, o el sobrepeso.

• Verificar la carencia de vitaminas, minerales y oligoelementos
• Establecer la biocompatibilidad
• Utilización de los  tests de alimentos y obesidad
• Determinación del órgano afectado y su tratamiento

3.3.4. Alergia

• Utilización del test de alergias
• Determinación del órgano afectado y su tratamiento, en los casos de asma, rinitis, dermatitis

 3.3.5. Problemas del shen

3.3.5.1. Identificar el neurotrasmisor alterado, bien en déficit o en        exceso.

3.3.5.2. Situar el problema con la ayuda del test de los movimientos oculares.

3.3.5.3. Inducir la vivencia

• Determinación del órgano afectado y su tratamiento

 3.3.6. Medio ambiente

Alteraciones producidas por las influencias telúricas

• Geopatías
• Determinación del órgano afectado y su tratamiento mediante los puntos Yuan

 3.3.7. Protocolo de actuación en adicciones

3.3.7.1. Valoración de los neurotransmisores, origen de la adicción

3.3.7.2. Provocación de la sustancia adictiva

Determinación del órgano

SI QUIERES UNA INFORMACION MÁS DETALLADA PUEDES PINCHAR AQUI

Nuestra Formación Básica:

OBJETIVO DEL CURSO.-

El objetivo de este curso impartido por el Prf. Fernando Gomez Hernandez, es desarrollar dos conceptos,  básicos y fundamentales en Acupuntura:

 “El hombre responde al cielo y a la tierra”

Cada vez son más intensas las influencias del medio sobre el ser humano, El lugar geográfico donde habitamos es determinante, la longitud, latitud,  altitud y la orientación, van a influir en  nuestros canales energéticos. Pero por desgracia además hoy en día nuestro medio “está enfermo”. Los influjos bioclimaticos, las cinco energías cósmicas: calor, frío, viento, humedad y sequedad, están alteradas (cambio climático).

El calentamiento global, la contaminación del agua, ríos, lagos, mares, las radiaciones, los rayos ultravioletas, los campos electromagnéticos, modifican nuestras respuestas al medio, apareciendo las alergias, las intolerancias, las geopatías, los dolores musculoesqueleticos, estos últimos por la afectación de los planos energéticos, que se valorará a través del “test de la lengua”.

 Los alimentos nos enferman, o bien porque no son biocompatibles con nuestra energía, o bien porque están modificados, refinados, enriquecidos, en definitiva adulterados, causándonos trastornos endocrinos, alteraciones del tiroides, diabetes, obesidad ¿Por qué a pesar de analíticas normales, el sistema endocrino no funciona correctamente?

 “No hay química sin energía”

Por otro lado la presión social, competitividad, agresividad, excesos, conflictos emocionales. Provocan el desajuste y el estancamiento energético, y como consecuencia déficit o exceso de nuestros neurotransmisores, que a su vez originan los trastornos del estado de ánimo, ansiedad, depresión, insomnio y adiciones.

En este curso se estudian y analizan estas disfunciones, bajo el punto de vista de la Restauración Bioenergética, método holístico, que utiliza material autoadhesivo desechable y no agujas. Y mediante el testaje con “filtros”, designación utilizada por Nogier, se observa la respuesta del organismo a diferentes estresores, constituidos por variedad de sustancias. Abordando las reacciones indeseables a: las influencias telúricas, parásitos, alimentos, alergenos, neurotransmisores modificados. Aportando soluciones  dentro del ámbito de la Acupuntura.

Así pues, estableciendo un protocolo, para conseguir la regularización y armonización de la energía.

En el que:

1.      primero regulamos la impronta genética (Zhong), mediante el reequilibrado de los meridianos Reguladores

2.      para después de balancear el “Tao vital” Qi y Xue

3.      buscamos el órgano responsable de las alteraciones, equilibrando sus raíces Yin o Yang.

Porque los síntomas nos pueden sugerir un cierto desajuste en un órgano aparentemente responsable, pero en realidad, esa clinica puede estar originada por otro, y eso es lo que debemos averiguar.

Pongamos un ejemplo, con algunas posibles hipótesis:

Síntomas típicos de exceso de yang en el Corazón, pueden estar ocasionados por un:

1.      defecto de la raíz yin del Riñón, que no alimenta lo suficientemente a la raíz yin del Hígado, y como consecuencia la raíz yang de este, se dispara aumentando en exceso la del Corazón  

2.      bloqueo en el Bazo–páncreas, que impida el natural fluir de la energía del Corazón, en su ciclo generativo.

3.      insuficiencia en la raíz yin del Bazo–pancreas, que obliga a nutrirla incesantemente desde la raíz yin del Corazón.

¿Cuál sería el mejor tratamiento?

1.      eliminar el fuego del Corazón

2.      alimentar la raíz yin de Riñón

3.      desbloquear al Bazo-pancreas

4.      alimentar la raíz yin del Bazo-pancreas

Esto nos permite comprender como la enfermedad no es monocausal. Sino que existen diferentes causas y la confluencia de varios factores, que provocarán el síndrome.

Cuando  occidente se interesó por la Medicina Tradicional China y comenzó a estudiarla y a practicarla, en la gran mayoría de los casos no prestó atención, por su gran complejidad a la pulsología, y sin embargo esta era la manera de “leer” en el enfermo, que tenían los chinos en su tradición, o dicho de otro modo de comunicarse el paciente con su terapeuta.

Por suerte disponemos hoy de un método sencillo, en cuanto se ha practicado un poco, de hacer “hablar” a nuestro enfermo y que nos cuente que sistema en origen ha causado el desajuste. Este método con una evolución y excelentes resultados, de más de catorce años, es la Restauración Bioenergética, que aúna los conceptos más puros de la Acupuntura, con las averiguaciones de la  exploración mediante el reflejo llamado AR por Raphael Van Assche en Kinesiología Holística.

La KH detecta estos cambios a través de la respuesta del tono muscular, concretamente a través del cambio en la longitud de los brazos AR (arm reflex), ocasionado por un aumento del tono muscular en las cadenas musculares paravertebrales de un lado del cuerpo.

Puedes visitar nuestra web oficial pinchando AQUI