Buddha Memorial Center. More Pics!

Serene. Majestic. Here are more photos of my day trip to The Buddha Memorial Center, in Kaoshiung, I thought I'd share. Taken from a real camera and not my iPhone! Imagine that.  

Success

“Again and again I therefore admonish my students in Europe and America: Don’t aim at success -- the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long-run -- in the long-run, I say! -- success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten think about it.”

~ Viktor Frankl from Man’s Search for Meaning

Soul Searching

If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is inside you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you.

~ Jesus (from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas)

Yesterday, I think I had a spiritual experience while drinking a Starbucks coffee. (Don't laugh). Yeah. It was one of those Christmas drinks. The Toffee Nut Latte. My first Starbucks since being in Taiwan.

I sat inside the shop sipping my hot brew, while starring out the window, wrapped in a feeling of absolute peace, wonder and contentment. Or was it the sugar and caffeine taking affect? Haha. Dunno.

The thing is. I've come to a point where the doing isn't cutting it. Where the searching doesn't make sense.

What I'm trying to find isn't, and never has been, out of my grasp. Never. Ever.

There's magic in becoming fully engaged in the present. Coming from a place of totality. Whole and complete.

In a culture of striving. I wonder. In the end, does it make one fulfilled and happy?

No. Not really.

I've lived a segment of my life where there was constant striving and attaining. Attaining and striving. To realize. That was all there was. More of that. More looking to the next step. More of feeling not quite there. An Illusion. More of wanting to reach a type of status. To soon find, that these pursuits were fruitless. Shallow. Empty.

When learning to let go of attachments it doesn't make for a passionless life. Just the opposite. The little things have meaning. The little things become big things. Life becomes rich. The motivation springs from a sense of clarity of what is real, in each moment.

Why search?

When centering myself around the heart. I am forever full.

Just Say Yes

To refuse the call means stagnation. What you don't experience positively you will experience negatively.

~ Joseph Campbell

So my horoscope for the week said that so much is possible now. Just say YES. I'm down. I'm soooo totally down with this. YES! YES! YES!

There really is something to this surrender thing. Who woulda thought?

You Are Buddha

Starting right now, this moment, I am asking you to become the Buddha. I am asking you to take your stand, to stand absolutely firm in your intention to awaken to the Truth of your Self.

This is what the Buddha did. He didn’t say, “I’ll try.” He didn’t say, “I hope I’ll find the Truth.” He didn’t say, “I’ll do my best.” He didn’t say, “If not in this lifetime, then maybe next lifetime.” He came to the point where he didn’t look for anyone else to tell him the Truth or show him the Truth. He came to the point where he took it all on himself. He sat alone under the Bodhi Tree and vowed never to give up until the Truth be realized.

The power of this very simple, yet unshakable intention and absolute stand to be liberated in this lifetime propelled him to awaken to the simple fact that he and all beings are liberated—that all beings are freedom itself. Pure awakeness.

The Buddha was no different from you. No different. That is why he serves as a good model, because he was as you are now. So don’t worship the Buddha. Don’t put him on a pedestal. Don’t even look up to him. Become him. Have the same intentions, take the same stand. Be the Buddha now! Put an end to all delaying, to all excuses, to all bowing down to saintly figures of the past or present. Stand up!
You are the Buddha! You are freedom itself! Stop dreaming your dream! Stop pretending that you are in bondage—stop telling yourself that lie! Stop pretending to be someone, or something! You are no one, you are no-thing! You are not this body or this mind. This body and mind exist within who and what you are. You are pure consciousness, already free, awake, and liberated. Stand up and walk out of your dream. I am here to say that you can do this.

Step out of the dream of your concepts and ideas. Step out of the dream of what you imagine enlightenment to be. Step out of the dream of who you think you are. Step out of the dream of everything you have ever known. Step out of your dream of being a deluded person. Stop telling yourself those lies and dreaming those dreams. Step out of all of that. You can do it. Nothing is holding you back. There are no requirements and no prerequisites to awaken. There is nothing to be done, nothing to think, nowhere to go.

Just stop all dreaming. Stop all doing. Stop all excuses. Just stop and be still. Effortlessly be still. Grace will do the rest.

At each and every moment from here on out, have the intention to directly experience Truth, your true liberated Self. Don’t think about the Truth—directly return to your experience here, now, moment to moment. Experience Truth. Experience your Self. Dive into your experience. Your experience! Your experience of hearing, of seeing, of tasting, of breathing, of your heart beating, of your feet touching the floor, of the birds, of the wind.

Experience the vastness of who you are. Experience the freedom of who you are. You are the Buddha—experience that. You are the Buddha.

~ Adyashanti

Taking Flight

Your purpose is to act on the resources God gives you. If God gives you a bucket of fish, you have to distribute those fish. If you don't, they're going to rot, attract a bunch of flies, and start stinking up your soul.

~ Russell Simmons

My little yoga class is starting to tight flight. What fun. I like to get practitioners to a point where they begin to take ownership of their practice. Getting a sense of moving and breathing. In union. Feeling what it's like to inhabit the body instead of simply encompassing the head. Flowing. Flowing and moving...Moving and flowing. Memorizing is key. I won't move a student on until they have a solid grasp of the vinyasa count and the posture. At least this is the method that has worked out well, thus far, for the needs of the students. Some get a bit over zealous and want everything all at once. However, I remind them that each step is important. Each step. Each step has something to teach. We gotta go deep. This is where the richness IS. Not just in how far we go in the series. Of course, I honor their enthusiasm. It makes the process all the more fun.

They keep me on my toes. Often, as we end class, I get some of the most thought provoking questions. Sometimes, I laugh at myself, for many of the questions bring it all back to my own personal process. All around, it has been a growing experience. I know it has for me, I hope it has for them as well.

I express the importance of simply showing up to our mats daily. Nothing I tell them will light candle to the beauty found within. Once they enter into a moving stillness.

They ask...

What is it? What is there...in the stillness?

I say...

The Truth. Whatever that is for you. But don't believe me because I say this. Just do it. You'll see.

You enter the forest at the darkest point, where there is no path. Where there is a way or a path, it is someone else's path. You are not on your own path. If you follow someone else's way, you are not going to realize your potential.

~ Joseph Campbell

What Dreams May Come

You can plumb the depths of a well, but the depths of the mind are unfathomable.

~ Indian Proverb

Interesting. Since I've been in Taiwan I've had recurring dreams regarding an ex-ex-ex-boyfriend. Can't explain it. Don't know why. Somehow he's locked into my sub-conscious mind. Strange.

The intriguing part is I've had dreams about him in the past that were prophetic in nature. Like I was being told information from the dream realm that he wasn't willing or ready to share. Obviously, there is a thread that connects us to others that's clearly unexplainable.

No. I'm not holding a candle for this individual. Even though he was my first love. One of the few people I've ever deeply loved. A love based on freedom and ideas. Not expectations or ideals. Even though a connection is made, it doesn't necessarily mean we are meant to Be.

Whatever that means.

Why do we always assume that a happy ending means marriage? That isn't always the case. My idea of a happy ending is not giving a shit about any of it, while leading with an open heart, basking in the delight of each moment.

Not quite there yet.

Some walk into our lives and play a role for a long period. Some for a short time. However, I feel it doesn't make any one less significant.

Also, this year has been a year of purging dreams...purging in a sense of going through a phase of psychic renewal. Like things are being pulled out of me to make room for the new. Dunno. I'm no expert in dream interpretation, but this has been another running theme in my dreams lately.

Someone else has made a cameo in my dreams as well. However, I'm not gonna try and decipher the meaning. Things have a way of unfolding in there due course.

As I journey into the deep recesses of the mind i see that it all begins here. Exciting. Through observation. Through awareness. I step into a realm where anything is possible. And is.

Big America

Americans are sooooo BIG. Yes. This is what I consistently hear from the Taiwanese. At first, it was a little funny, and amusing. But after while, I'm feeling like I gotta stick up for my peeps!

Yes. Over 60% of the American population is in the category of obese. I know this. It's unfortunate. However, I continue to tell people that not all Americans live on hamburgers and Coca-cola. Many really think that! Man. (Big sigh).

Also, we don't necessarily like ketchup on everything either. (eye roll).

The other day some of my students told me...we feel you are small for an American. Ok. Cool. Now I feel so much better about myself. Whew! I made the cut. But then, how do you define small for an American? I dunno if I should be taking this as a compliment. Hahaha. Whatever. Yes. I'm being totally facetious.

It's all relative. We live in a world of comparisons and standards. Who makes up these standards that we try so hard to live up to? Well...that's a topic for another day. Anyways...

Except! Only thing. I have these things on my arms that are quite alarming. Muscle. (Big gasp) Not always considered all that attractive here. Big deal.

I do try to point out that Americans are taller too. I stand a staggering 5'2", and for the most part, average in height in Taiwan. So, ever so tactfully, I explain that height adds to the American bigness. But really, who am I kidding? We are a pretty fat nation. Not being critical. Simply calling it like it is.

We talk about all this stuff in light, and have fun with it. However, it's amazing how perception becomes reality to many.

I'd love to tell my class...

Hey! I'm gonna take my Big American ass to the bathroom...be right back.

Only thing, don't think they would get the joke. Ya know. With the language and all.

:)

Food for Thought

I'm convinced the further east one travels in the world the more unique and unusual the food. Simple fact. Asia's got this one locked down.

Some have touted me as a picky eater. Yeah, what gives. However, I've done it more out of necessity. The more yoga, the more sensitive the digestive system becomes. Which is a good thing. And frankly, I know what works for my body...I know what feels good. The more raw foods the better. Although, I will never label myself a raw foodist. Never. I like a little leeway, and breathing room. Also, labeling myself in terms of diet as a badge of honor is lame. I'm completely over that. Yes, I eat vegetarian for the most part...but, I've learned what I ingest comes from personal choice and evolution of what deems proper for me at a certain time.

Simplicity. Eating foods, as much as possible, in their natural state makes sense. Dunno. Call me crazy.

I remember making the mistake of simply stating I was a vegetarian when I worked for Corportate Hell Incorporated. People made such a flipping big deal out of it. I didn't say it for attention or to make myself appear different then the rest...I just didn't want the steak being served.

It's better to do things quietly.

But, it's interesting how people take what you put in your own mouth so personally. Get over it.

Why do some think it extreme to eat a salad for dinner? You wanna eat something extreme? How about eating a Starbusrt Chew?...that's extreme...WTF! What are those things made of anyway?

With that being said, I've taken my stint in Taiwan as to being a bit of a food adventurer. What the hell. I'm here. I'm open to the experience. Let's roll.

I've been handed the most freakishly strange stuff...to have someone say...here, eat it. To then be like...what is it? Yeah. It's been the running joke, because of the language barrier, and the uniqueness of the food, people don't know how to verbalize what it is in English. Pretty funny. So, now people will quickly tell me...It's good food. Eat. It's gotten to the point where I don't even ask anymore. I shrug my shoulders and pop it in my mouth. Nine times out of ten it doesn't taste half bad. However, I still draw the line when it comes to meat. Not going there. But, I have been eating some seafood on occasion...which I know is still meat in some form. But c'mon, I'm living on an island nation, it's fresh. It's widely available.

I did have a slice of octopus in my mouth. I chewed. Couldn't do it though. I couldn't swallow. The texture was all wrong.

What I've noticed however, is longevity is alive and well in Taiwan. So, when it comes to diet they must be doing something right. The biggest thing I've observed is they like their veggies. Duh! I'm down with that. When I've eaten out with a group, we usually eat Chinese style. There will be various dishes and and we sample from various plates. The first thing to go will be the vegetables. It's true. Where if I were in the U.S. that would probably be the last thing to go.

60 years of age here is much different than 60 years in the states. I realize there are always outliers and exceptions. However, consistently I'm amazed and delighted at the energy emanating from the Taiwanese elders. I love it!

I'm definitely learning a thing or two.