Chinese culture

All posts tagged Chinese culture

Channeled Message from Kuan Yin

Published 07/02/2016 by inspiringyourspirit

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My Dear Friends,

During my morning meditation and whilst sitting in love with my own Group Heart, I was blessed by Kuan Yin coming to our Group Heart and offering a message for me, below is the message that I recorded and it is typed, word for word.

Blessings of Love to you dear hearts, this is Kuan Yin that steps to you today on this eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the Red Fire Monkey, I step to you today to give you these words and during the year of the Fire Monkey there will be a great deal of time and opportunity for you to open your hearts, to hold out your hands to others who are in need, who are in need of love and compassion for their lives. These opportunities will be placed to you throughout the year of the Fire Monkey and it is you and your Divine Will that will decide on whether you act or react on these opportunities, to extend out your Divine Love and your Divine Compassion as it is your will. I say to you Dear Hearts that by offering yourself in service as a disciple of God; of Source, you will reap the benefits of receiving whilst you also give. Because by the act of giving you are also receiving; as you share you receive, as you hold out your hand to one in need; you will receive a hand in return to support you in your spiritual journey. I say to you Dear Hearts to open your heart, give of your love and compassion freely and the enlightenment that you will receive will be with you for all of your days, through all space, time and dimensions. Your group heart will benefit also from this generosity that you give, and your energy, your frequencies will grow as you expand. Your expansion of love and compassion has no bounds as the more you give; the more your will receive, the more you give; the more you will receive. Give of your love freely and remember dear hearts to also open your hearts to receive the love in return, for you dear one are a being of light; in service to God, to Source, so you too; may share in the love and compassion that humanity holds for you. This is my gift to you on the Eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, may you be blessed with loving kindness, compassion and harmony and may you move through the Year of the Fire Monkey in good health, in good spirits and may you be successful in all that you do. Namaste dear ones, Namaste.

I feel so blessed to receive this message from Kuan Yin and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Happy Chinese New Year, Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gong Xi Fa Cai , 新年快乐,恭喜发财 with Love to you all for a wonderful year, Love Mark

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Don’t Forget How Beautiful You Are!

Published 30/10/2015 by inspiringyourspirit

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My Dear Friends,

How often do you measure yourself?…..

We think we are too fat, too thin,

Too tall, too short,

Hair to short or too long,

Face too long, or too round,

Too poor, not smart enough, single, gay, disabled, black brown, yellow, etc etc….

But how often do you stop, think….. and realise….

How much your friends and family love you?…And..

How amazing you really are?

Never, Never Forget……You Are Perfect!….

You Are Perfect, Just The Way You Are…..

You Are You, You Are Special…..

And My Dear Friends, You Are Loved 🙂

Blessings to you all for a wonderful weekend….Stop…Think….And…Remember…

You Are Perfect!

Namaste, With Love

Always

Mark

Do You Know Your Yin from Your Yang?

Published 28/02/2015 by inspiringyourspirit

My Dear Friends,

Living in China and having a long personal history of martial arts, Chinese history, culture and my own spiritual practice embedded in China for the past fifty years, has; over the years made me very interested in Daoism/Taoism, Lao Tzu/ Lao Zi, the Dao De Jing/Tao Te Ching, I Ching..there are so many ways they are represented globally 🙂 The difference between Daojia 道家 , Taoist Philosophy and Daojiao 道教, Daoist Religion brings even more confusion to the western world let alone understanding the I Ching (The Book of Change), the oracle of fortune, a guide to success and a dispensary of wisdom. The ancestor of all Chinese philosophy, it is the primary source for the pragmatic mysticism of the Tao Te Ching, the rational humanism of Confucius, and the analytic strategy of Sun Tzu’s Art of War and of course the wonderful Yin 酓 Yang 昜 in traditional Chinese and Yin阴Yang 阳 in modern simplified Chinese.

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Yin is the black side with the white dot in it, and yang is the white side with the black dot in it. The relationship between yin and yang is often described in terms of sunlight playing over a mountain and a valley. Yin (literally the ‘shady place’ or ‘north slope’) is the dark area occluded by the mountain’s bulk, while yang (literally the ‘sunny place’ or ‘south slope’) is the brightly lit portion. As the sun moves across the sky, yin and yang gradually trade places with each other, revealing what was obscured and obscuring what was revealed.

Yin is characterised as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity , and nighttime.

Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.

Yin and yang applies to the human body. In traditional Chinese medicine good health is directly related to the balance between yin and yang qualities within oneself. If yin and yang become unbalanced, one of the qualities is considered deficient or has vacuity.

Anyways, I could go on forever trying to explain Yin Yang, The Dao/Tao so I thought I would share with you this very short cartoon animated Ted Talk video explaining Yin Yang, I hope you enjoy it and that it will inspire you to learn more about Daoism 🙂

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Adorable 3 Year Old Chinese Boy Dances For Judges :)

Published 04/12/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

My Dear Friends,

I came across this video from Chinese TV showing a young 3 year old boy dancing for the three judges in the Chinese talent competition, one of the judges you may recognize, it’s Jet Li from Kung Fu film fame.

I thought you may like to brighten up your day as he certainly brought smiles to my day.

The innocence and joy of a child can melt your heart. If you do go to Youtube to watch this video, please don’t read the racist and idiotic comments that some half brained people have written, these are the people who hold our world back from evolving into something better!

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Asthma, its not a problem, you will grow out of It!

Published 28/11/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Asthma, its No Problem, You Will Grow out Of It!

That was fifty years ago!

Pollution, is on my skin
Pollution, it’s in my veins
Pollution, is in my chest
Pollution, is in my stomach
Pollution is in my cells
Pollution is here to stay

I remember when I was a young boy, the feeling of pain, the endless coughing, wheezing, fighting for breath, the cold and damp of the winters mornings made things worse, a cough plus a cold was a nightmare. The summers brought along the pollen, the freshly mown grass and the sleepless nights with swollen eyes, runny nose, tightness of breath, wheezing, coughing and itching of eyes and more pain.

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That was back in the 1960’s. Industrial prowess was still strong in the UK back then, factories churning out goods and billowing smoke from coal fired furnaces that drove the internal engines of industry, our houses used coal so smoke was heavy in the air, pollution hung over all industrial cities in the UK, children like me suffered from Asthma, no one said why but now we know, it was brought on by pollution and no one was blamed or paid the price for our pain and suffering, many children died in the early years, their frail bodies could not take the toll of the heavy smoke.

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So here I am again now in my early 50’s, my home is now China and I’m going through the same thing that I did when I was a young boy, the pollution is heavy, the so called safe PM Index should be below 0-50 but most days it exceeds 150, today the reading is 154 stating Health Advisory: People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. In late October 2013 the PM2.5 level registered an astonishing 1,000 in the city of Harbin. This is 40 times what the World Health Organization (WHO) deems safe for humans to breathe. In January 2013, during Beijing’s now infamous “airpocalypse,” scores between 500 and 900 were routine. In the last couple of months, Shanghai has experienced its worst air pollution on record, hitting 600. If we consider that a PM2.5 reading of 500 is the upper limit of the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale, anything beyond 500, or “beyond index” as the Chinese call it, is just plain scary.

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What are the short-term and long-term health implications for the people of China?
China’s air is full of pollutants emitted by power plants, heavy industry, building construction, and cars. Breathing in that air, especially what is called particulate matter, poses a serious health threat to human beings. Particulate matter is a term for solid particles and liquid droplets—dust, dirt, smoke, organic chemicals, metals, and so on—suspended in the air. This matter comes in two sizes: particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) and particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers. When we inhale, these particles enter into our respiratory system and can travel into our lungs and even our bloodstream. PM2.5 is the more harmful of the two: at a miniscule 2.5 micrometers, these tiny particles, which are less than 1/30 the width of a human hair, can make their way deep into our lungs and lodge there. In the past twenty years, scientific studies have shown that PM10 and PM2.5 are linked to a range of health issues, including shortness of breath, asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, decreased lung function, lung cancer, heart attacks, and premature death.
Consider this: a 2012 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measured the air quality in a typical smoking lounge in a U.S. airport and found the average PM2.5 reading to be 166.6 micrograms per cubic meter. A few months later, in January 2013, the month of the airpocalypse, the daily average PM2.5 reading in Beijing was 194 micrograms per cubic meter. The air Beijingers breathed was 16% worse than the air in a U.S. airport smoking lounge. Imagine breathing in that thick, acrid-tasting mix over the course of a lifetime. Keep in mind, too, that going into a smoking lounge is entirely up to you; breathing the air in Beijing, Harbin, or Shanghai, if you live there, or happen to be visiting, is not.
Two major scientific studies released in the past year leave little doubt as to the havoc that China’s polluted air has wreaked on the health of the Chinese people. A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Tsinghua and Hebrew Universities demonstrated that during 1981–2001 the average level of particulate matter in north China was 55% higher than in South China because of the North’s greater dependence on coal for winter heating. This burden of pollution had a stunning effect on life expectancy: the 500 million people in north China lived on average 5.5 fewer years than the residents of south China, owing almost entirely to the higher incidence of cardiorespiratory illness.
The findings of the second study were equally dramatic. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 concluded that particulate matter in outdoor air pollution in China contributed to 1.2 million premature deaths in 2010 alone. The study also found that there has been a rise in cardiovascular diseases in China—ischemic heart disease, strokes, and pulmonary disease—all conditions that recent research has shown to be affected by exposure to polluted air. Clearly, China’s air is doing substantial damage to the health of people who breathe it.

What are the economic implications?
The economic costs of air pollution are immense. A number of studies have attempted to calculate the cost of China’s air pollution as a percentage of the country’s GDP, but the figures they arrive at range widely—I’ve seen 2.5% to 10%—depending to a large degree on what metric researchers use and whether they take into account both short-term and long-term health outcomes. Some studies also factor in “material” or “non-health impacts” in addition to “health impacts.”
Polluted air significantly raises morbidity and mortality rates, as the MIT and the Global Burden of Disease studies indicate. These higher rates, in turn, translate into higher medical costs and an increase in missed working days (i.e., lower productivity). Additionally, polluted air results in resource depletion: soil acidification from acid rain reduces the amount of China’s arable land, lowering crop productivity; mercury emitted by coal combustion enters the water systems, contaminating water and affecting fish, rice, vegetables, and fruits; and airborne pollutants kill off trees and forests. Polluted air also takes aim at building structures, hastening their deterioration. Indeed, many worry about the effect that airborne chemicals will have on the country’s precious historical monuments. There are indirect economic effects of the sooty air to consider as well. For instance, as Shanghai revs up efforts to attract foreign businesses to the new Shanghai Free Trade Zone, there is worry that China’s, and now Shanghai’s, reputation for unhealthy air may be a deterrent. Then there’s tourism. Foreign visitors to China were down in 2013 by 5% in the country as a whole and by a full 10.3% in Beijing. Media-drenched events like the January 2013 airpocalypse have likely played a sizable role here.
Is this a China problem?……In my Opinion NO!…This is a world problem, if China was not carrying out the manufacturing for the world allowing us to buy products at the prices we need then the manufacturing would move to another country, maybe even back to your country bringing with it the pollution and the illnesses that China now bares!
We as a global humanity need to bring awareness to the suffering that takes place around the world, we should not just stand there in awe and point the finger at China and say ‘Look at that pollution, its disgusting, they should do something about it!’ Then get on with our day, go out shopping to Wal-Mart and buy lots of cheep (sorry low priced) goods that come from countries like China where the people are suffering from the pollution left behind from the corporate greed of the global companies whose profits are up year on year….But when they get rumbled, they just move on and set up shop in another country that needs their business to fuel their growing economy!
Many of you may say, ‘Why am I still here’, well my answer is, someone needs to be here to help raise awareness, both internal and external awareness, I dearly love China, it is a great country steeped in rich cultural history, a country that has brought our world so many wonderful inventions including the compass, gunpowder, tableware and pottery, alcoholic beverage (fermentation), paper, printing etc., If you would like to learn more about Chinese inventions please take a look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_inventions

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If we can come together as one humanity and start taking back some control from the corporates and actively work together as one for the benefit of humanity and not just for the benefit of the few corporate shareholders, then we will stand a chance of turning the tables on pollution, we do collectively have the ability to put things right for the benefit of all.

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Inner Peace, What is it?

Published 24/11/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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It is so easy for us to talk about Inner Peace and what living in the ‘Now’ does for your life, how it brings an end to our suffering and allows us to live in contentment and look at our lives and the world around us with a different set of eyes!

But how easy is it for us to reach this state of ‘Inner Peace’? Well I guess there is no short answer to that question because some of us find ‘Inner Peace’ very quickly whilst others look for it throughout their lives and never actually find it. And for some they gain ‘Inner Peace’ then slip right back into their old ways of living like they are on that never ending diet, loosing weight, gaining fitness only to return to old habits, gain weight and on goes that perpetual circle of life!

I know I have struggled throughout my life, battling with Ego, past life issues, memories of terrible relationships, pain and bad experiences in life but when i actually ‘walk the talk’ and live in the now, when I stop focussing on ‘how stressed I am’ and remember ‘how blessed I am’, my life changes immediately for the better, my health improves rapidly, my smiles bring about other smiles, my laughter heals my pain and I see the world how it should and could be and I gain strength each day to get out there and do some good for mankind and mother earth.

Inner Peace is controlled by you and you alone, once you realize this and start to manage your mind, your life can, and will change for the better…

Go on, give it a try, for once the old saying is true…’The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side’

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

A Prayer for Thich Nhat Hanh

Published 14/11/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Ancient healers were one with infinite love.
But they ignored social convention
So people thought they were crazy.
They would pay attention to what others overlooked;
While others debated, they would
be silent
While others would worry, they’d
be unconcerned.

Alert, they discover the world anew
with each footfall
Humble, they greet you with
the innocence of a child
Patient, they wait for nothing,
knowing everything is here
Present, they respond to change
like an eagle in flight
Open, they listen without judgement
Gentle, they cradle your soul in the
memory of light.

Intent on deepest healing
Some carry the deepest wounds.
Placid, they are the still, clear pool
Reflecting mountain and sky.

My meditations and prayers are with you
My sage, my inspiration, my friend.

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

There Is No Right Way To Grow and Live Your Life

Published 13/11/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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We are all on our own special journey of life. For some of us its smooth sailing, our sails following the winds of time, floating comfortably on calm seas but for others its a more tempestuous journey, fraught with setbacks and traumas brought on by the every changing winds of change within our lives.

We start our journey as soon as we are born, some say at the time of conception, I guess I follow the latter because we started our learning process at conception, we could feel our mothers and sense their emotions, hear sounds and feel movement so our journeys of life, I believe began at the point of conception.

Our learning experiences differ; we encounter different ways of life, different cultural experiences, different languages, different religions and become accustomed to different foods, tastes and of course ways of dress.

We follow the guidance of our parents, siblings, family, friends, teachers and cultures and continue our early years of learning in awe of everything taught to us. We seldom challenge these ways, the content of the information presented to us in the belief that these teachings are the only way forward. Some of us start to question these teachings as we get older, some of us manage to break through the barriers confining us so we can see and experience different ways of life, teachings and beliefs but for others the barriers are too strong and the beliefs to proud to challenge or to change.

So for me, I like to keep an open mind, I believe there is not ‘Right Way’ to life, no ‘Right and only Religion’ and no set way of doing anything. I like to believe we are all from the one same source, we are ‘All’ part of ‘Life’s Rich Tapestry’, we are ‘One Humanity’ living on ‘One World’ and it is our collective responsibility to love all mankind and protect our world for our future generations in the hope that one day everyone will understand that we are……..
‘One Humanity’!

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

When You Love What You Have, You Have Everything You Need

Published 28/10/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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When you love what you already have in your life, you realise you actually have all that you need!

Most of us go out and buy for the sake of buying, for that tiny rush of excitement and happiness when we see something nice and just have to have it whatever the cost! We often forge on with our lives looking for more, more clothes, more jewelry, a new hairdo or makeover, more success, more happiness, a bigger and better job, a bigger house, new car, another holiday, a slimmer self etc.

Sometimes when I just sit here and meditate I look at the all the things I have around me and realise that I do have enough, I don’t need anything else in my life, I’m happy, I have a loving wife, beautiful children, good health, a good job, a roof over my head, enough clothes to last me forever, food on my table, my spiritual awareness and happiness! So what more could I want?

I guess I could say world peace, the end of poverty and starvation, a clean environment, the end of disease, education for all, equal rights for all, happiness amongst all races and religions etc, but One day at a time, One day at a time 🙂

I went to my local Buddhist temple today and sat in quite contemplation and meditated for an hour on my own gratitude and I feel so happy now 🙂

 

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May you all be blessed with a day like mine 🙂  Happiness, peace and love to you all.

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

My Wife, My Love, My Passion

Published 15/10/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Happiness is in her smile

Joy is in her step

Laughter is in her voice

Love is in her heart

Gentleness is in her touch

Gracefulness is in her movement

Calmness is her nature

Compassion in all that she does

Gratitude for all she has

Understanding of all my faults

Patient each and every day

Loving kindness always unconditional

My Wife

My Love

My Passion

 

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Contemplation and Peace On Earth

Published 13/10/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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I lit an incense stick this morning

In memory of loved ones lost

To my higher self

To God, The Buddha and the Angels

 

Kuan Yin, Lao Tzu and Confucius 

Ascended Masters and Family members

Were all present in my prayers

As I sat in quiet contemplation, at peace with myself

 

Giving silent thanks for all I have in my life

To my family, my friends and my colleagues

My love, my compassion and my gratefulness

Unconditional thanks and love for all

 

The sweet heady smell of incense wafts through my room

As I sit and give praise to all

To Mother Earth, The Environment and Humanity

And May the God’s give us Peace on Earth.

 

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Life Is So Ironic

Published 11/10/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Do You Still Love Yourself, Do You Need a Reminder of How Great You Are?

Published 15/09/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Some days, I’m not so sure!
I wake up and start my day, I amble out of bed
Feeling tired, lethargic and grumpy
More sleep needed maybe, more time to rest, to lie dormant and be; just me!

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A pick me up coffee to raise my spirits, its heady smell and strong taste slapping me awake like a hand to my face
Or does it help suppress my mind, control my senses and take away my creativity
Breakfast…Oh no, that’s for wimps, no time for that in my busy life
Off to the bathroom for me instead, the slow walk to that place of awakening

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The mirror lies before me, standing proud and tall the size of my wall, no place to hide
I’m naked for my eyes to see, Ohh a sight for sore eyes and not for the faint at heart
Too much fat hiding my chin, my eyes are red and sleepy, lids wanting to close and sleep once again
Plenty of excess around my middle, my arms my hips, my rear, it appeared overnight, I think!

Is my hair receding even further, is that a spot on my face
I’m no teenager, where have they come from, maybe a memory of day’s gone bye
What’s that hair doing coming from my ears and nose, should it not be on my head
It wasn’t there yesterday, my body it would seem to be out of control

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A clean shave is what I need and into the shower I go
The fresh warm water cascading down upon my head
Awakening my body and my soul
Water cleansing, washing away my negativity, bringing life back to my body like rain to a seed

The towel meets my skin, rough and soft all at the same time
The water disappearing into the fabric, leaving my skin soft and dry
A splash of aftershave hits my jaw, awakens my senses to the sweet smell of summer
Stepping into my trousers, and a fresh shirt completes my attire

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Looking into the mirror a new man, a new day, a new opportunity
I love my self again, I’m happy in my skin, I’m proud of what I have achieved
I’m off to start a fresh day, out into our wonderful world, more people to help, more spirits to lift
Opening the door, the sun greets my face it awakens me to mother nature, warm and gentle welcoming me once again

Stepping down my steps I feel my breath, catching the fresh morning air
Feet touching the ground with a steady momentum, taking me on to more challenges in life
I hear the sounds of our world, the noise of the city, millions moving towards their day, but if I listen carefully there is so much more to hear

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The quietness of nature, birds in song, the soft rustling of leaves as the gentle breeze passes through the trees
Mothers walking their children to school, grandparents exercising in the gardens their slow Tai Chi movements, bringing life to their aging bones
Ladies dancing under the trees, awakening their limbs and bringing smiles of joy to their faces

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I am indeed grateful for all I have in my life
I have a gift, the gift of sight, the gift of sound, the gift of smell, and the gift of touch
The ability to realize all that is around me, the gift is LIFE itself
So easy to forget in our crazy non stop world, so easy to loose sight of what we have, So easy to fall into the hands of the media and follow their never ending tales of doom and gloom

I do love my life; I do love my world
I’m thankful and grateful for another day to share this gift with you

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Some Wonderful Wise Words From Lao Tzu 老子 That Still Ring True After 2,600+Years

Published 21/08/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Lao Tzu always spoke of going with the flow of life, be like water and you will always find a way, and if you want to help awaken others then first understand yourself and awaken yourself. Learn the gifts of silence and listening as they are two of the greatest strengths for you to possess my friends and always remember to give to others from your heart, and you will reap benefits in return and lastly be thankful and grateful for all you have in your life, once you reach this understanding then you will realize that there is nothing lacking in your life and therefore nothing else matters, you will then be at peace with yourself and the world.

 

I will be traveling for the next few weeks but I will try to post as and when I can. Peace and Love to you all.

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Less is More!..And Happiness Comes From Within.

Published 07/08/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Most people would look at this picture and disagree because they cannot see any value in what the picture contains, but I see unconditional love and respect. And I thoroughly agree with the statement ‘The less you have the more you value it’.

We live in a material world when goods/products out value lives, when the throw away left overs from your meal cost more than these people on the streets have to survive on all month; and even more depending in which country they are from!

Human kindness takes a different turn when you have little, you see the goodness in the small things, you notice the sun shining, the warmness or the rain, the flowers blooming, the scent of freshly mown grass, and the genuine kindness and smiles of hope given to you by a passer by, in this image the man treasures his dog, his companion on his life journey and he will protect it and care for it unconditionally.

I look around me and see so many things, things i take for granted, things that make my life easier, computers, cell phones, printers, pens, paper, books, clothes, food, drinks, everything I could possibly want….but…., do they bring me happiness? No!…Happiness comes from within, I don’t need these things to make me happy and more of these things will not raise my levels of happiness, only I can do that. I often look and watch children playing, children with nothing, some of the poorest children around me, these children play on the streets with the simplest of toys that they pull together from scraps, pieces of string, the wheel of a cart, a box for them to sit in, but their smiles say it all, they live in the now, the swiftly fashioned toy takes them to somewhere else, and they live the dream. They don’t need more expensive toys to bring them happiness, because happiness is within!

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I wish we could all see these children play, to watch their joy, their simple lives not yet effected by the media, the sales promotions that create ‘Want and Desire’, If only we could learn that ‘Happiness comes from Within’

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Namaste with Love My Friends

Always

Mark

War, It’s Not Just A Game On A Computer Consul or Mobile Phone!

Published 05/08/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

In a world where war is just a video game to some, it’s perhaps worth taking time to remember the true cost of war.
在当今世界,战争对于一些人来说只不过是视频游戏,而对于战争的真正代价可能会需要时间铭记在心。

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This weekend saw the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, which over 4 years, grew to claim the lives of over 9’000’000 (Yes thats 9 Million) service personnel from countries around the world. During WWI, across Europe, the flower of the red poppy became a symbol for remembering all those lost in War. As part of the commemorations this weekend in London, British artist Paul Cummings placed 888’246 ceramic flowers around the Tower of London – one flower for each soul lost from countries around what was then the British Empire.
刚过去的周末中我们见证了第一次世界大战爆发的100周年纪念日,在那4年里世界各国参战牺牲的总人数超过了9千万人。一战期间,在欧洲大陆的这片土地上,红色的罂粟花成为了战争中所有遗失祭奠的象征。在本周的伦敦为了纪念一战,英国艺术家保罗·卡明斯伦敦塔周围放置888’246陶瓷花 —一朵花象征着每一位在一战中为大英帝国所壮烈牺牲的灵魂。

Here are some images of the exhibition.
下方陈列一些相关图片

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The poppy is a way of not forgetting the sacrifice of those who didn’t return home to their loved ones because of War and whilst we should never forget the price they paid, we should also look forward and remember that with a little more understanding, kindness and love for those of us who walk the Earth with us today, we could potentially have less need for more poppies in the future.
罂粟花一种用来祭奠那些在战中为国捐躯、壮烈牺牲的英魂,由于战争导致其无法回到所心爱的人身边,然而我们应该永远铭记所付出的代价,同时也应该向前看,记住对身边的每一位多一分理解,仁慈与关爱,我们可能对那些未来的英勇之士给予的太少。

poppies-9

It’s now 2014, 100 years on since the start of what they called “The Great War’, and I can still see no real progress, there have been over 260 major wars fought around the world since 1918 the end of World War 1 and they still rage on, mainly due to Religion or Greed by governments and corporations to control natural resources.

Now is the time to really step back and look at these pictures, every one of those red poppies represents a soldier killed in that 1 war alone, I wonder how many have fallen since? What would that picture look like and how far would the poppies go? A frightening thought my friends!………….Here is the reality of that frightening thought……….

Name of War ∨ ∧ Years ∨ ∧ Fatalities
Libyan Civil War 2011 – 2012 2,080
Syrian civil war 2011 – 2012 18,821
Yemen vs Al-Quaeda 2009 – 2012 3,811
Kivu Conflict 2006 – 2012 4,272
Mexican Drug War 2006 – 2012 83,000
Southern Lebanon War 2006 – 2006 1,003
Waziristan conflict 2004 – 2012 22,016
Iraqi Insurgency 2003 – 2012 23,461
Iraq vs US led coalition 2003 – 2003 8,202
Al Quaeda vs USA and allies 2001 – 2012 4,538
Afghanistan war 2001 – 2012 43,917
Civil War in Côte d Ivoire 2000 – 2005 1,471
Eritrea vs Ethiopia 1998 – 2000 98,192
Guinea Bissau Coup 1998 – 1999 1,700
Congo Brazzaville Civil War 1997 – 1999 15,540
Yugoslavia vs NATO Forces and UCK Guerilla 1997 – 1999 4,992
Nepal Civil War 1996 – 2006 12,284
First and Second Congo Wars 1996 – 2006 208,367
Russia vs Chechnyan Secessionists 1994 – 2007 20,381
North Yemen vs Secessionists 1994 – 1994 1,491
Tajikistan Govt vs Opposition 1992 – 1998 6,834
Bosnian Govt vs Serbian Insurgents 1992 – 1995 24,504
Iran vs rebel groups (MEK,PJAK etc) 1991 – 2011 3,200
Burundi Civil War 1991 – 2005 13,671
Sierra Leone Govt vs Rebels 1991 – 2002 12,034
Georgian Civil War 1991 – 1993 2,439
Croatia vs Serbian Irregulars, Rep. Krajina 1991 – 1992 1,749
Rwanda Civil War (Hutus vs Tutsis) 1990 – 2012 527,145
Somalia Civil War 1990 – 2012 37,236
Algeria Govt vs Islamic rebels, 1990 – 2005 18,348
First Gulf War 1990 – 1991 22,848
India vs Pakistan, Kashmir Dispute 1989 – 2012 24,253
Liberia Civil War 1989 – 2003 22,247
Indonesia Gvt vs Aceh Liberation movement 1989 – 2003 5,280
Nagorno-Karabakh War 1988 – 1994 4,623
South Yemen Coup 1986 – 1986 10,000
Indian Govt vs Punjab 1985 – 2000 7,247
Turkey Gov vs Kurdistan Guerilla (PPK) 1984 – 2012 33,990
Sudan Government vs Militias 1983 – 2012 68,769
Sri Lankan Govt vs Tamil Militants (LTTE) 1983 – 2009 62,313
Senegal Civil War 1982 – 2011 1,781
Iraq Government vs SCIRI 1982 – 2000 1,306
Falklands War 1982 – 1982 964
Nicaragua Govt vs Contras 1981 – 1990 30,000
Uganda Civil War 1980 – 2007 116,044
Peruvian Gvt vs Sendero Luminoso and MRTA 1980 – 1999 19,466
Iran vs Iraq 1980 – 1988 644,500
Iran vs Muhajedin e-Khalq 1979 – 2001 4,395
Cambodian Govt vs Khmer Rouge 1979 – 1998 84,950
Mozambique Govt vs Guerilla 1979 – 1992 115,600
El Salvador Gvt vs FMLN Guerrillas 1979 – 1992 55,000
Sino-Vietnamese War 1979 – 1988 48,223
Syrian Govt vs Muslim Brotherhood 1979 – 1982 2,075
Afghanistan Civil War 1978 – 2001 121,536
Rebels vs Ethiopian Government 1978 – 1991 52,398
Uganda vs Tanzania 1978 – 1979 4,000
Iranian Revolution 1978 – 1979 1,100
Vietnam vs Cambodia (Kampuchea) 1978 – 1979 32,500
Nicaraguan Gvt vs Sandinistas 1978 – 1979 10,000
Ethiopia vs Oromia rebels (OLF) 1977 – 2012 3,070
Chittagong Hill Tracts Conflict 1977 – 1997 1,152
Ethiopia vs Somalia 1977 – 1978 4,000
East Timorese Guerilla vs Indonesian Govt 1976 – 1999 75,150
Ethiopia vs Somali (Ogadeni) Rebels 1976 – 1983 3,839
Angolan Gvt vs UNITA Guerilla 1975 – 2000 157,400
Iraq vs Kurdistan (KDP/PUK) 1975 – 1996 5,928
Western Sahara War 1975 – 1991 13,000
Lebanese Civil War 1975 – 1990 144,000
Argentina: Civil War and Dirty War 1975 – 1983 20,000
Ethiopia vs Eritrea 1974 – 1991 98,927
Turko Cypriot War 1974 – 1974 5,000
Balochistan Insurgency 1973 – 1977 8,600
Chilean MIlitary Coup 1973 – 1973 2,095
Yom Kippur War 1973 – 1973 6,450
Hutu Rebellion 1972 – 1972 153,000
Philippines Govt vs Mindanao Guerilla 1971 – 2008 13,639
Sri Lanka Govt vs JVP 1971 – 1990 1,902
Bangladesh War 1971 – 1971 50,000
Philippine Government vs CPP Guerrilla 1969 – 2008 25,000
Northern Ireland, The Troubles 1969 – 1994 3,149
Israel vs Egypt 1969 – 1970 5,520
Football War Honduras vs El Salvador 1969 – 1969 2,107
Rhodesian Government vs ZANU,ZAPU,PF 1967 – 1979 27,080
Chinese Cultural Revolution 1967 – 1976 2,050,000
Cambodian Civil War 1967 – 1975 246,204
Nigerian Civil War 1967 – 1970 75,000
The Six Day War 1967 – 1967 10,047
Chad Civil War 1966 – 2010 37,233
Namibia vs South Africa 1966 – 1988 10,000
Guatemalan Civil War 1965 – 1995 88,575
Indonesian annexation of West Papua 1965 – 1978 2,100
Vietnam War 1965 – 1975 2,048,050
Second Kashmir War 1965 – 1965 5,000
Dominican Republic Coup 1965 – 1965 4,027
Colombia Govt vs Guerillas Farc and ELN 1964 – 2012 47,303
Mozambique War of Independence 1964 – 1975 13,500
Sudan Government vs Insurgents 1963 – 1972 10,000
First Rwanda Civil War 1963 – 1964 1,000
Guinea Bissau War of Independence 1962 – 1974 15,000
North Yemen Civil War 1962 – 1970 10,000
Algerian Civil War 1962 – 1963 1,500
Sino-Indian War 1962 – 1962 2,105
Angolan War of Independence 1961 – 1975 79,000
Laos Civil War 1960 – 1973 21,500
First Kurdish–Iraqi War 1960 – 1970 6,600
Congo Crisis 1960 – 1965 7,150
1959 Mosul uprising in Iraq 1959 – 1959 2,000
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 1958 – 1958 1,500
First Lebanese War 1958 – 1958 1,400
PRRI and Permesta revolts in Indonesia 1957 – 1961 27,200
Cuban Revolution 1956 – 1959 1,000
Tibetan Uprising 1956 – 1959 12,000
Soviet Invasion of Hungary 1956 – 1956 3,171
Sinai War 1956 – 1956 2,142
Vietnam Civil War 1955 – 1964 164,923
Cameroon War of Independence 1955 – 1960 11,700
Algerian War of Independece 1954 – 1962 182,526
First Taiwan Strait Crisis 1954 – 1955 2,370
Moroccan War of Independence 1953 – 1956 3,000
Indonesian Govt vs Darul islam 1953 – 1953 2,700
Kenya, Mau-Mau vs UK 1952 – 1956 17,100
Tunisian war of Independence 1952 – 1954 3,000
Bolivian Revolution 1952 – 1952 1,000
Korean War 1950 – 1953 995,000
Third Sino-Tibetan War 1950 – 1950 4,000
Burmese Government vs Separatist Guerillas 1948 – 2012 49,243
Israel vs Palestine 1948 – 2012 16,697
Burmese Govt vs Communist Guerillas 1948 – 1988 17,700
La Violencia 1948 – 1958 29,800
Malayan Civil War 1948 – 1957 9,100
Arab-Israeli War 1948 – 1949 8,000
Cheju Rebellion in South Korea 1948 – 1949 17,000
Costa Rican Civil War 1948 – 1948 2,000
Yemeni Imamate War 1948 – 1948 5,000
First Kashmir War 1947 – 1949 3,200
Civil War in Mandatory Palestine 1947 – 1948 4,009
Telangana Rebellion and Indo-Hyderabad War 1947 – 1948 5,210
Madagascar Rebellion 1947 – 1948 12,200
Indian Partition Communal Violence 1947 – 1948 200,000
Taiwanese revolt 1947 – 1947 1,250
Paraguayan Gvt vs Rebels 1947 – 1947 1,000
Philippines, Huk rebels vs Govt 1946 – 1954 11,300
First Indochina War Comm. vs France 1945 – 1954 269,500
Soviet Union vs Baltic Partisans 1945 – 1951 32,400
Chinese Civil War 1945 – 1950 1,200,000
Ukrainian Revolts 1945 – 1947 59,700
Indonesian Independence 1945 – 1946 5,400
Greece Civil War 1944 – 1949 68,207
Franco-Thai War 1940 – 1941 1,400
World War II 1939 – 1945 50,000,000
The Winter War in Finland 1939 – 1940 151,798
The battle of Khalkhin Gol 1939 – 1939 28,000
Changkufeng Incident 1938 – 1938 1,726
Third Sino-Japanese War 1937 – 1941 1,000,000
Spanish Civil War 1936 – 1939 466,300
Arab revolt in Mandatory Palestine 1936 – 1939 2,576
Second British-Waziristan 1936 – 1939 10,200
Italo-Ethiopian War 1935 – 1936 20,000
Spanish Socialists vs Govt 1934 – 1934 1,335
Saudi-Yemeni War 1934 – 1934 2,100
Chaco War 1932 – 1935 92,661
Aprista Revolt in Peru 1932 – 1932 1,100
El Salvador, La Matanza 1932 – 1932 2,600
Brazilian Revolt 1932 – 1932 1,000
Xinjiang Muslim Revolt 1931 – 1934 21,000
Manchurian War 1931 – 1933 60,000
Communists vs Koumintang 1930 – 1935 500,000
Saya San Rebellion 1930 – 1932 1,140
The Yên Bái Uprising 1930 – 1931 1,000
Ikhwan Revolt 1929 – 1930 5,500
Kuomintang vs warlords 1929 – 1930 75,000
Escobar Rebellion 1929 – 1929 2,000
Sino-Soviet war 1929 – 1929 3,200
Second Afghan Anti-Reform War 1928 – 1929 15,000
Kuomintang vs Gansu Rebels 1928 – 1928 200,000
The Cristero War 1926 – 1929 10,000
Northern Expedition 1926 – 1928 126,500
Druze revolt 1925 – 1927 6,000
Third Chinese Warlord War 1925 – 1926 1,000
Afghan rebels vs govt 1924 – 1925 2,000
Honduras Coup 1924 – 1924 1,000
Second Chinese Warlord War 1922 – 1922 20,000
Soviet-Turkestan War 1921 – 1923 3,500
Moplah Riots in Kerala 1921 – 1922 2,450
Ireland freestaters vs Irregulars 1921 – 1922 4,000
Kronstadt Rebellion 1921 – 1921 2,600
Senussi Orden vs Italy 1920 – 1932 40,000
Third Rif War 1920 – 1926 70,000
Blackshirts vs Leftists 1920 – 1922 3,300
Conquest of Mongolia 1920 – 1921 4,000
Green Rebellion 1920 – 1921 6,700
Iraq vs UK 1920 – 1921 9,540
Franco-Syrian war 1920 – 1920 3,500
First Chinese Warlord War 1920 – 1920 35,000
Lithuanian-Polish War 1920 – 1920 1,000
Nejd-Hejaz Wars 1919 – 1925 4,000
Second Greco Turkish War 1919 – 1922 50,000
Turkish War of Independence 1919 – 1921 40,000
Hungary Civil War 1919 – 1920 1,500
Polish-Soviet War 1919 – 1920 100,000
First British-Waziristan War 1919 – 1920 2,000
Hungarian–Romanian War of 1919 1919 – 1919 11,000
Sparticist Rising 1919 – 1919 2,170
Third Anglo-Afghan War 1919 – 1919 2,136
Caco Revolt 1918 – 1920 2,102
Estonian Liberation War 1918 – 1920 11,750
Latvian Liberation 1918 – 1920 13,246
Finnish Civil War 1918 – 1918 15,150
Second Sino-Tibetan 1918 – 1918 1,500
Russian Revolution and Civil War 1917 – 1922 802,225
Russia-Turkestan 1916 – 1917 1,350
Southern China Revolt 1915 – 1918 1,000
World War I 1914 – 1918 10,670,868

Horrifying Total of lost lives due to war since 1914 = 76,671,289 Million Souls

PLEASE REBLOG THIS, AS WE NEED TO BRING MORE AWARENESS TO THIS MADNESS IN OUR WORLD!

Namaste with Love and in Peace
Always
Mark

Going With The Flow Of Life

Published 04/08/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

surfs up

In Taoism the Tao ‘Wu Wei’ is often compared to a river. When we talk about going with the flow, we are describing the Tao as having a definitive direction, just like a river flowing in a certain way. Since we live in the Tao, it is important to understand its direction, just as those who swim in a river must understand how its currents work and how this effects their ability to swim, or not.

Moving in flow with the Tao is like swimming downstream. It requires little or no effort at all and you can travel a large distance in a very short time without expending all your energy. Moving against the Tao is like swimming upstream. No matter how hard you try and how hard you swim against the flow of the river, you will struggle to get anywhere and very soon you become exhausted and will possibly drown.

This is why harmony, peace and love are emphasised in the teachings of the Tao. They represent the same flow as the Tao. The more you move with them, the more we experience the effortless grace that they bring to our lives. Life is smooth and easy, and you can go along way in a short time.

To swim with the flow, focus on the positives within your life. Like attracts like, so as soon as you mindfully turn your attention to the goodness of life, you start heading in the same direction. Even the smallest act of appreciation, like a slight movement of a fish to align itself to the powefful current of the river, can be all that you need to turn your life around.

Stop living your life of negativity, go with the flow of life, be thankful for the blessings your life has to offer you and open your heart to a new way of life.

Namaste with Love my Friends
Always
Mark

He Who Speaks

Published 11/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

IMG_2930

He who speaks
does not know
He who knows
does not speak

He who understands
does not preach

Temper your judgements and
your words

Smooth out your differences and
forgive disagreements

Dull your cleverness and
simplify your motives

Be open to the world as it
unfolds

Then, friendship and enmity
Profit and loss
Honor and disgrace
Will all be the same:
The world unfolding

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Quietness

Published 06/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

Yongfu Monastery

Quietness.

Rare perfection seems incomplete,
Yet does not decay

Rare abundance seems empty,
Yet does not fail

A rare truth seems contradictory;
Rare cleverness seems stupid;

Rare eloquence seems awkward.

As spring overcomes the cold,
And autumn overcomes the heat,
So do calm and quiet
overcome the world.

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Contentment

Published 05/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

In Prayer

Contentment.

What is dearer, health or reputation?

What has more worth, health or possessions?

What is more troublesome, profit or loss?

Passionate love incurs great expense

Great riches incur great fear
But contentment comes at no cost

He who knows when to stop
Does not continue on into danger
And so may long endure

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

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