Lost To Find My Way

I find myself meditating on the sparkling ocean,
This sunny, 71 degree, November day,
The Saltwater wind billowing through my nostrils,
As I sit & meditate;
Wafts of sage being burned grazes my senses,
As my heart beats to the drums’ rhythms and sound,
I sit & meditate;
My insides fill with light,
And the sparkling, rippling ocean is me,
The Sun warms my face,
And my insides glow;
I sit & meditate,
I sit & meditate.

American Buddhism Campus Group

Come Find Some Zen in your life…

Through meditation and a discussion on American Buddhism.

September 23, 2010
Thursday
Noon-1pm
California Institute of Integral Studies
1453 Mission Street, Room 607
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.ciis.edu

“Buddhism is a way. There are lots of forms of it, and you find a way that suits you best. No way is better than another. There’s short path, long path, Hinayana, Mahayana. There are many aspects to it. But the central point of all Buddhism is not the aspects, not the etiquette, not the books that have been written about it, but the practice of meditation. If you meditate, you’re a Buddhist.”
Rama-
Dr. Frederick Lenz

I look forward to sitting with you.
If you have any questions feel free to reach Hui at htai@ciis.edu

Shark Encounter

The little funny story that goes along with the photo.....It was Matt & I's last day of surfing together over my Spring Break so we decided to head down to a more secluded beach to not compete with the weekend crowd. After being out for an hour or so, I was feeling great, enjoying the sun, and definitely wasn't ready to head back in. Usually Matt & I surf a few hundred yards or more apart so that we can each do our thing (me with my tumbling & falling) and Matt with his slicks turns on the waves. Anyways, as I was sitting there Matt yells, "paddle in" I was a little confused since normally we paddle in on our own accord. But I thought I saw a coast-guard like boat out in the distance & thought maybe he saw something I didn't. So as I slowly turned my board around, paddling in like I had all the time in the world, Matt exclaims again, "Paddle in!" I give in & pick up my speed. Once we were both on the shore & I walk towards Matt, I asked him what was the matter. Come to find out as he was out there in the ocean he saw a shadow, which he thought was kelp floating underneath him, but when he took a closer look & with the way the shadow 'flicked' its tail, he knew it was a shark! Crazy!! Matt thinks it was about 6-7 feet long....I wish I got to see it. =)

Spring Equinox

Ravens flying by,
Bees buzzing busily,
A Blue Jay gliding, hovering in the wind,
The blades of grass flickering in the sunlight,

And All These Worlds
Are Shining In My Mind;

The Trees sway and wave 'hello',
The tranquil water in the ocean lies serenely,

And All These Worlds
Are Shining In My Mind;

It's the Spring Equinox,
Feeling Earth & Ground beneath me,
And Heaven above,
I Am

I manifest through me
The invisible around me,
This is Divinity,
This is Me,

And All These Worlds,
Are Shining In My Mind.

Be At Home Where You Are

“Settle down, Feel your body…” as Nadeau repeats over and over again throughout Aikido class. “Settle, settle down…” This past February I have definitely felt some high, highs and low, lows. Much of life has wrapped itself around this month and this particular time for some reason; so much was being stirred up, sifted through, and transformed.

As I begin my 1st week of Aikido ever, I feel I am bridging a past life; my Samurai self. Today I return from a long Aikido training, where the 1st portion entailed weapons training, working with the bokuto (the longer wooden sword). The second portion was an All Levels training (technically it was my 2nd class this week). The feeling of being intimidated definitely fell into my mind a few times as I stood facing, attacking, and being thrown by the black belts. But I recall Rama’s words of wisdom and remember to Be Grateful that you are being thrown by a black belt, because a black belt knows exactly how and where to throw you without injuring you. This class was also a powerful reminder of checking in with my own insecurities of being good enough and instead just letting all of that go. Breathing into the moment to have body awareness, moving forward and picking yourself back up when you are thrown or make a mistake. Being in this class with the advanced students I felt grateful, grateful in being able to work with their expertise and also seeing the Value of a beginner’s mind. It was apparent to me, just as it is in meditation the quality, the newness, the clean slate upon where one stays open without judgment to develop their technique and the Essence of Oneself.

Going Slow gave a Space to think thru the Aikido gestures, but bringing forth the correctness of form was also important. As a teacher once said, “Practice doesn’t make perfect, Perfect practice makes Perfect”. The practice of Aikido definitely brings One to a place where one is getting back in touch & in harmony with themselves. As with all things it is useless to practice something fast & incorrectly, which only forms & hardens the habits of incorrect technique or movements. On my way home after practice, I experienced The Beauty of being a Beginner, there is a Joyous experience in being at home where you are.

Rama's Birthday

Happy Birthday Rama!

Thank you for sharing your Light.