Religion

All posts tagged Religion

Change Our Thoughts and Change Our World

Published 23/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

coexist

Change Our Thoughts and Change Our World

One sun warms our planet from East to West each and everyday, come rain or come shine mother earth provides for us, One Mother Earth with no preference to who we are, what country we are from or what race, color, religion or creed we are from.

The beauty and bounty that Mother Earth has to offer us is endless as long as we protect her, protect her from harm, harmful pollutants, de-forestation, fracking, oil spills and poisoning of our land and waterways.

Mother earth can and will provide us with all the crops we need and fish from our oceans and rivers as long as we protect her, protect her from the endless greed and profits of man.

What we need to do is ‘Respect, Accept and Coexist’; this could be the starting point of world peace and the coming together of mankind for the good of all.

As the Buddha said:-_

 

One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.

 

Speak not harshly to anyone, for those thus spoken to might retort. Indeed, angry speech hurts, and retaliation may overtake you.

 

Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself greater harm.

 

Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is law eternal.

 

From the Bible:-

Proverbs:6:16-19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

John 1:19 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Islamic Philosophy;-

The Arabic word salaam (سلام) (“secured, pacified, submitted”) has the same root as the word Islam .One Islamic interpretation is that individual personal peace is attained by utterly submitting to Allah. The greeting “As -Salaam alaykum” favored by Muslim, has the literal meaning “Peace be upon you”.

One of the terms meaning peace and peacemaking in Arabic, sulh, which is used in the Quran, is also the root of the word islah denoting development and improvement. This term is used to refer to peacemaking. Peacemakers are agents of good and those who breach it are elements of corruption and sin. It is therefore observed that peace and peacemaking are seen in Islamic tradition as part and parcel of human development. In Islam peace and making peace are seen as Godly acts worthy of praise and reward. In Islam peace is advocated as a divine quality to be pursued in order to achieve the state of felicity that we were in paradise, man’s former dwelling.

The Hindu Concept on Peace;-

The rulers think that punishing the peace-breakers will bring peace.

The oppressed think that eliminating the oppressors will ensure peace.

The nations think that destroying or subduing the enemy nations will create peace.

But the wise say that ever-enduring peace can never be obtained through external means.

One who has found inner peace has indeed found peace that abides forever.

Through spiritual discipline alone this inner peace can be acquired.

One who has found peace within transmits peace to others by one’s own life’s example, though one be not aware of it.

Therefore, say the wise, may all try to create peace within, before trying to create any temporary or superficial peace in the world through external means.

 

All religions want peace so in my simple mind if we start acting peacefully in the names of our religions rather than just preaching about it then we could move forward to wards world peace.

May all that have life be delivered from suffering and may we come together as one for the benefit of mankind during my lifetime.

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Freedom, such a small word, but what does it mean to you?

Published 20/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

orchid

What constitutes freedom in one country may be far different to that in another.

Am I free?……Am I Really Free?

In many countries, freedom of speech is not even thought of because you can most often do and say what you like, its your right to get up on your pedestal and speak your mind, you can talk freely about politics, government, the monarchy in some countries, human rights…all without a worry regarding repercussion.

But in some countries, freedom means so much more, the simple freedom to be able to go outside without the fear of being killed by militia or other warring factions, the freedom to be able to draw water and drink it freely without the thought of catching a disease or suffering from severe dysentery. The freedom to speak out against the rules of the land, to stand up for your basic human rights, the freedom to pray to your god without the fear of persecution, the freedom to have a choice to eat or not eat today, the freedom to choose your own partner and not be forced into a marriage of convenience or by family arrangement, the freedom to be gay and marry if you want to, the freedom to travel across borders and be with your loved ones once again, the freedom to feel comfortable in your own color of skin, the freedom to receive education even if you are a girl, the freedom to go outside without the fear of being raped because you are a girl, freedom to access the internet free of restrictions, the freedom to earn the same as your male colleagues, the freedom to dress as you like, the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief.

So what does freedom really mean to you and can you help others around the world that are far less fortunate than you?
I live and work in a country where freedom of speech is controlled, where access to the wonderful rich world of the internet is restricted and controlled, where human rights are not so important, where freedom of religion is controlled, where the rich get richer at the expense of the poor, where food is tainted by chemicals and the chance of repercussions for speaking out are high…but am I free? Yes I’m free, at least I have a choice, I can find a way, I will speak out in the hope that one day we will come together as one world, one world working together as free spirits for the good of mankind.

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Buddhist Tours to Bhutan

Published 19/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

Hi Everyone,

I don’t know if any of you are interested or in fact have the time, but i’m organizing small Bhuddist tour groups to go to Bhutan in the Himalaya’s, I have a Bhutanese friend partnering with me in Bhutan to make all the internal travel arrangements. We are currently organizing a 7 night 8 day tour which includes flights to Bhutan and back to Bangkok Thailand, all transportation in Bhutan, an English speaking tour guide, hotels, meals, Visa’s, country taxes all trips to natural places of beauty, temples, markets and the famous Taktshang (Tigers Nest)  which is perched on the side of a mountain ( see photos below) a Buddhist Monk as tour guide at each temple, meditation sessions with the monks and at least one meditation and prayers session with a Buddhist Lama at the Taktshang Temple. I will be going there myself in September along with a small group of Chinese Buddhists.

If you are interested, please let me know and I will give you the details and prices, Bhutan is one of the happiest places on earth and so far unspoiled by mankind.

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

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Before We Became Civilized Men….!

Published 18/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

civilized men

 

What ever happened to our so called civilized society?

Greed has taken over and so called politics and laws have made things worse; so much so that our countries are at battle with each other for natural resources.

It’s about time we sat back and thought up a new way of life, life for all humans to live in harmony with mother nature for the good of our world and for our future generations to come!

 

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Feeling Lost and Alone

Published 16/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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Feeling Lost and Alone

Some days my heart is lost, lost in its own special world

Wandering about in its own state of emptiness

The feeling of loss like a deep abyss

As tears well up in my eyes, my heart misses a beat

My body not in control, my emotions running wild

My mind conjuring up many things; sad but true, the magician of my life

The skin on my face is weighted by bad experience

And my brow takes the strain of the world

I sit alone with memories of old flashing through my mind

Children playing, happiness and joy, my family, my loved ones, my life perfection

Then the arguments, the rage, the tears, the pain and the disappointments of life

Forever etched deeply in my mind

The need to break free from this torment, so difficult to do, broken hearts and minds are left behind

Cutting the chains that anchored me to so much pain, the abuse, the humiliation

The tears of sadness, the screams of rage, still echo in my heart

Each day I remember, each day I cry, and each day I wish the pain will end

People move on and change their lives, hiding their guilt and passing the blame

My heart knows the truth, my soul to bear; my memories forever remain

But as each day dawns, a new start, a new life, a chance to break free, forever

So from behind the mask a tear falls but outside a smile is free

My prayers are for life, for love, for happiness and compassion for all

No one to blame only me

The pain for a reason, bringing me understanding and experience to my heart

Meditation for the mind taking me closer to understanding…..me

As the tears of mother earth wash the pebbles in a stream since the dawn of time

So to do my tears, cleansing my soul, washing away my pain

Step by step, day by day

Getting stronger, living life, breaking free

Holding out a hand in kindness, brings kindness in return

A smile begets a smile

Love brings love

Today is a new day, my heart beating a new love of life and for me

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

He Who Speaks

Published 11/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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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

Zen Needs No Translation, Only Understanding

Published 03/06/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

Zen

I love this comment from Alan Watts and quotation by a Japanese Zen Master.

Think about it for a while 🙂

Namaste with Love
‘Always’
Mark

Fo Xing 佛性: Buddha Nature

Published 29/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

buddha

Fo Xing: Buddha Nature

Fo Xing 佛性, Buddha-nature (Classical Chinese: 佛性, modern pinyin fó xìng) literally corresponds to the Sanskrit Buddha-dhātu – “Buddha Element”, “Buddha-Principle” the Chinese term translated as Buddha Nature refers to the potential within a sentient being to awaken into enlightenment and become a Buddha. This potential exists within everyone, it is not a question of if you will ever attain Buddhahood; it is a question of when.

Despite its Buddhist origin, this term can be freely used by Tao cultivators, because it’s meaning is universal. For instance, if a spiritually advanced Christian priest becomes truly enlightened, then the title ‘Buddha’ fits him even if he does not know anything about Buddhism. Words are but labels, we must always remember to look beyond the label for the meaning it represents.

You may not think of yourself as a candidate for Buddhahood, but the Buddha Nature is in you, too. It lives in your heart regardless of your background, your education, intelligence, compassion or any other attributes, and one day it will manifest its full expression as you awaken to greater reality.

The presence of the Buddha Nature in everyone is the reason why Tao cultivators would never discriminate against anyone based upon ethnicity, background or any other superficial distinctions. As the sixth patriarch Hui Neng one said ‘People may be differentiated into northerners or southerners, but there is no differentiation in the Buddha Nature’. It is one and the same for all of humanity. It is the Tao in all of us.

Namaste with love
Always
Mark

Walking, Just Walking in Peace.

Published 27/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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As I walk, I walk in peace
One step at a time, one step at a time
No priorities, no judgment, no destination
Just walking in peace, walking in peace

My feet touch the ground, I’m home, I’m home
At home, in love and in awe of mother earth
She saves me, provides for me and protects me,
The mother of all, our keeper, our life
One step at a time, one step at a time, she gives life to our world

The rays of the sun caressing my skin, awakens my senses and lighting my way
The wind gently cooling my brow, filling my lungs with compassion and love
Birds sing in the trees, their games of love on wings above, flying so high touching the sky
As I walk in peace, one step at a time making my way through life

I stop, close my eyes and just be
Listening to the world that surrounds me
The bees gently working their magic, passing the love from bud to bud
The flowers in bloom their scent, pure passion and love

My breath is slow, in out, in out, my mind empty of thought, pure calm
Aware of my surroundings a joy to behold, a picture of joy unfolding before me
A wonderful world with so much to offer, plenty for everyone and free for us all
If only we could all walk in peace, walk in peace

One step at a time, one step at a time
Our world is forever changing, one step at a time, one step at a time
On the road to peace, the road to peace
A new world of happiness, of love, peace and joy is unfolding
One step at a time, one step at a time

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Gratitude, Be Thankful For Your Day

Published 26/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

My dear friends,

I posted this video a year or so ago but when I woke up this morning I realised how thankful I am to be me and I have so much in my life to be grateful for. This past weekend has been simply wonderful and I have seen so many happy loving faces, experienced the beauty of nature and had the opportunity to eat lovely food and spend time with beautiful people so I felt it was about time I shared this video with you again in celebration of my re-awakening this morning.

Just a few things i’m continually grateful for.

My lovely wife, her smile, her boundless energy and deep support and love for me
My four wonderful children, their differences and their love for who they are, their friends and their lives
My two wonderful puppies, their endless energy and unconditional love for us
My Life, my health and the gifts I was born with
My work and what that has enabled me to do during my lifetime
My education and how it has helped me throughout my life and how learning keeps me young at heart and of mind
The beautiful sunny day
The birds singing in the gardens below my window
My colleagues for all they do for me, for each other and for our clients
My blog, my blogging friends all around the world, your continued support and friendship amazes me daily
The fresh food I made up for my lunch and the freshly ground coffee
My spiritual awareness and practice and the gifts that allow me to help others who need my support
My weekend and the chance to travel to another province in China
For the smiles I see and the joy that brings to my heart
The thought of peace
My meditations and mindfulness practice
My love for my wife, my children, my family, my friends, my colleagues, humanity and mother earth

I do hope you will take the time to stop for a while and to watch this wonderful video and I hope it will bring as much joy and happiness to you as i has done for me

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

Work is Love Made Visible!

Published 23/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

the-ploughman-wilmington-polegate-near-eastbourne-joseph-harold-swanwick

Then a ploughman said, “Speak to us of Work.”

And he answered, saying:
You work that you may keep pace with
the earth and the soul of the earth.
For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons,
and to step out of life’s procession,
that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.
于是一个农夫说:请给我们谈谈工作。
他回答说:
你工作为了要与大地和大地的精神一同前进。
因为惰逸使你成为四季的陌生人,
一个生命的落伍者,
生命的行进是庄严的、自豪的臣服,向着无限迈进。

When you work you are a flute through whose heart
the whispering of the hours turns to music.
Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent,
when all else sings together in unison?
在你工作的时候,你是一管笛,
从你心中吹出时光的微语,变成音乐。
你们谁肯做一根芦管,在万物合唱的时候,
你独痴呆无声呢?

Always you have been told that work is a curse and labour a misfortune.
But I say to you that when you work you fulfil a part of earth’s furthest dream,assigned to you when that dream was born,
And in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life,
And to love life through labour is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.
你们常听人说,工作是祸殃,劳力是不幸。
我却对你们说,你们工作的时候,你们完成了大地的深远的梦之一部,
他指示你那梦是何时开头,
而在你劳力不息的时候,你确在爱了生命。
从工作里爱了生命,就是通彻了生命最深的秘密。

But if you in your pain call birth an affliction
and the support of the flesh a curse written upon your brow,
then I answer that naught but the sweat of your brow shall wash away that which is written.
倘然在你的辛苦里,将有身之苦恼和养身之诅咒,
写上你的眉间,则我将回答你,
只有你眉间的汗,能将它们清洗。

You have been told also that life is darkness,
and in your weariness you echo what was said by the weary.
And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge,
And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,
And all knowledge is vain save when there is work,
And all work is empty save when there is LOVE;
And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself,
and to one another, and to God.
你们也听见人说,生命是黑暗的,
在你疲瘁之中,你附和了那疲瘁的人所说的话。
我说生命的确是黑暗的,除非是有了激励;
一切的激励都是盲目的,除非是有了知识;
一切的知识都是徒然的,除非是有了工作;
一切的工作都是虚空的,除非是有了爱;
当你怀着爱工作的时候,你便与自己、与他人、与上天合而为一。

And what is it to work with love?
It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart,
even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.
怎样才是怀着爱工作呢?
从你的心中抽丝,织成布帛,仿佛你爱的人要来穿此衣裳。
It is to build a house with affection,
even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.
是用慈爱建造一幢房子,
仿佛你爱的人就要居住其中;

It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy,
even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.
是用柔情播种,带着欢乐收获,
仿佛你爱的人就要品尝这果实;

It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit,
And to know that all the blessed dead
are standing about you and watching.
是用你自己灵魂的气息,来充满你所创造的一切。
要知道一切受福的古人,正站在你身旁注视着。

Often have I heard you say, as if speaking in sleep,
“He who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone, is nobler than he who ploughs the soil.
And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet.”
我常听见你们仿佛在梦中说:
“那在大理石上工作并找到他自己灵魂轮廓的人,
比耕地的人高贵多了。
那捉住彩虹,传神地画在布帛上的人,
比织履的人强多了。”

But I say, not in sleep but in the over wakefulness of noontide, that the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass;
And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving.
我却要说:不在梦中,而在正午极情醒的时候,
风对大橡树说话的小的草叶所说的更甜柔;
只有那用他的爱心,把风声变成甜柔的歌曲的人,
是伟大的。

Work is love made visible.
And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste,
it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
工作就是爱的显现。
假如你不能怀着爱工作,而只觉厌烦,
那你不如放弃工作,坐在庙堂门边,
接受那些快乐工作的人们的施舍吧。

For if you bake bread with indifference,
you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger.
And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine.
And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man’s ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.

因为,
假如你心不在焉地烤面包,你烘出的苦面包就只能让人半饱。
假如你勉为其难地榨葡萄,你的忿懑就在葡萄酒中滴入了毒液。
假如你宛若天使般地唱歌,却并不热爱歌唱,你便堵住了人们聆听昼夜之声的双耳。

Namaste with Love
Always
Mark

I See

Published 22/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

I See

I see your indifference
But I want to warm the cold heart
I see,
In fact, I am yet to accept your indifference

I see your pain
But I want to end the pain
I see,
In fact, I did not accompany your pain

I see your selfishness
But I judge your selfishness
I see,
In fact, it was driven by my selfishness

I see your anger
But try to get rid of your anger
I see,
In fact, I did not let you feel angry

I see your anxiety
But I feel worry about your anxiety
I see,
In fact, I start being anxious
I see your weakness
But I do not know which hand shall I use to give you a hug
I see,
In fact, I am feeling weak now as well

I see your beauty
And I appreciate your beauty
I see,
I am getting beautiful now as well

I see your kindness
And I am delighted with your kindness
I see,
Originally I have such kindness as well

I see you are true
And believing in your truth
I see,
Originally I am also being true

I see you are firm
And see the gentle accompanying
I see,
I am firm and gentle now

I see you are strong
And feeling the flexibility of the strength
I see,
I start having such power now
I see your humbleness
And feeling the self-confidence inside
I see,
I start am being humble as well

I see your peacefulness
And feeling the peaceful mercy
I see,
I am walking towards mercies now

I see your open-heart
And hugging your open-heart
I see,
In fact, I am opening my heart as well
I see you giving
Without any condition
I see,
In fact, I am learning how to share myself

I see your purity
Simply just,
Do what you want to do
Love who you want to love
Walk on the road you want to
Cry when you feel pain
Laugh when you feel happy
Rest when you feel tired
Go on when you are fine
I see myself too

If only see it, that’s only seeing
And accepting what we see
But not immediately thinking what shall be changed
Through seeing
I see myself
And I also see
The original purity and completeness of life

seeing the light

我看见你的冷漠
却想去温暖这个冷漠
我看到
其实我还没接纳你的冷漠
我看见你的痛苦
却想去结束这个痛苦
我看到
其实我并没有陪伴你的痛苦

我看见你的自私
却去评判你的自私
我看到
其实真正涌动的是我的自私
我看见你的愤怒
却想躲开你的愤怒
我看到
其实我没有允许你可以愤怒

我看见你的焦虑
却去担心你的焦虑
我看到
其实我已开始陷入焦虑
我看见你的无力
却不知道要伸哪只手来抱你
我看到
其实当下我也无力
我看见你的美丽
并欣赏着你的美丽
我看到
当下我也开始美丽
我看见你的善良
并喜悦着你的善良
我看到
原本我亦善良
我看见你的真实
并相信着你的真实
我看到
原本我也如此真实
我看见你的坚定
并看到相守的温柔
我看到
我正坚定并且温柔
我看见你的坚强
并感受着柔韧的力量
我看到
我正承接到这样的力量
我看见你的谦卑
并感受到内在的自信
我看到
我也开始低头谦卑

我看到你的淡定
并感受到平静的慈悲
我看到
我正在走近慈悲
我看见你的敞开
并拥抱你的敞开
我看到
其实我也正在敞开

我看见你的付出
不带任何条件
我看到
其实我也学会将自己分享

我看见你的纯粹
只是
做自己想做的事
爱自己想爱的人
走自己想走的路
痛了就哭,喜了就笑
累了就歇,好了就走
我也看到了自己

如果对于看见
只是看见
并接纳所有的看见
而不要想要马上去改变
透过看见
我看见了自己
也看到
生命原本的纯粹与全然

What Are We Waiting For!…It’s Time For Change!

Published 11/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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It’s time we made a new majority, a majority for peace and love.

Peace on earth and love for all beings on our earth 🙏

May you all be blessed with a great weekend, filled with Peace and Love 🙂

Namaste with Love
Always

Mark

Listen To Your Heart and Follow Its Infinite Wisdom

Published 08/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

listens

How many of you listen to your heart?

Do you really listen to your heart or is it your Ego?

Im currently going through a series of dilemmas, dilemmas of which not only effect me, they also effect my wife, my children, to a certain extent my family, my career and my colleagues and although I cannot go into details here on my humble blog lets just say they are massive decisions I need to make. Now, for most people these decisions would be easy to make especially if they are looking for a bigger career, more challenges, more money and more notoriety but for me these are not my goals, I know if I go with the majority then my life for the next few years will be tied up in business, business which I enjoy very much but is it really what I need in my life? There in lies the biggest dilemma!

Actually I want to establish a spiritual and wellness counselling business, probably in another country far from here but its like starting life anew, taking risks not only of myself but also for my wife and my children, I have no worries about myself, I know I can do it, my calling from source is to follow this pathway but my ego is holding me back, the nagging ego making me procrastinate at every turn in the pathway toward making a decision!

My heart tells me to follow my destiny, following this intuition has always been good to me throughout my life, whenever i come to a crossroad or a problem is placed in front of me, my heart shows me the way every time, without fail and with its own unconditional love for my wellbeing.

So what’s holding me back? Is it the fact of starting all over again, is it the fear of failing my family or is it that i don’t think i can provide for my family through a spiritual practice?

I guess I need to do some deep meditations and truly listen to my heart and act upon its wisdom!

Namaste with Love my friends
Always

Mark

If My Heart Had Windows

Published 05/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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If my heart had windows you’d see a heart full of love just for you
A tear may appear when I hold you near but that’s for the sweet things you do
If my heart had windows you’d see a heart full of love just for you
By your side I’ll stay till we’re old and gray remembering the young moments we knew
If my heart had windows you’d see a heart full of love just for you
A thief couldn’t steal the joy that I feel heaven for me has come true
If my heart had windows you’d see a heart full of love just for you
If my heart had windows you’d see you would remain forever and ‘Always’ in my heart
If my heart had windows you’d see a heart full of love just for you

If my heart had windows the view would be resplendent, fields of flowers all colours of the rainbow, rivers flowing through the mountainside and into the sea, birds flying by on wings so high, fluffy white clouds sheltering the bright sunshine on clear blue sky, a grass as green as emeralds and trees all around providing shelter to all of God’s creations.

Does your heart have windows?

Namaste with Love
Always

Mark

What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains

Published 04/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

I love this short video ‘What the internet is doing to our brains’. We all get caught up in it, our days are full of distractions, information comes at us from every angle from the moment we awake to the moment we go to sleep, TV, Radio, Newspapers, Smart Phones, tablets, Computers and of course the never ending stream of information and disturbances from the internet, emails, text messages, chats etc.

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We have no time to take a time out, to calm our minds and to just ‘Sit’ ‘to do nothing’, ‘to reflect’, ‘to look inside’ and ‘enjoy our time with ourself’, ‘connecting with your soul’.

If you meditate, you know how powerful even 2 minutes of meditation can be for you, how these two minutes can calm your mind, take you to a place of total relaxation, away from the daily stresses and leave you fully in the ‘Present Moment’

Enjoy the video and take a moment from your day and be at one with yourself.

Namaste with Love

Always

Mark

Spring Is Truly In The Air, So Now Go Find Some Love

Published 01/05/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

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It’s the 1st of May, the sun is shining here in Shanghai, its 10am and already 23c so a great day is ahead of us and to cap it all off it’s National Holiday here in China so we have two extra days off work …yeah 🙂

I’m so full of love, love is in my heart, it’s in my soul and I can see it everywhere, it’s in the eyes of my two little puppy’s when they greet me in the morning, it’s in my wife’s smile and her cheeky grin when she’s making a joke:)

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I can see young couples on the street hand in hand, arm in arm, their eyes and body language is full of love, walking in the park, the sweet scent of spring fills the air and the birds and insects are full of love too, its time to get together with friends, with family and enjoy our love for one another. Smiles say it all 🙂

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Look for goodness and beauty in your day and you will find them and all your negative feelings like anger and resentment will recede. When you are immersed in all that is good and beautiful around you, you cannot feel angry or resentful . There will be no room in your heart for such feelings, for it will be filled to the brim with joy and gratitude.

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Try smiling from your heart. Let this happen naturally as you cultivate your own inner joy from the beauty you see all around you today. This inner smile is vibrant, sparkling and full of life and awareness. You will know that you have done it correctly when someone else smiles back at you 🙂

Go out today, take a deep breath and smile from your heart…Live the day 🙂

Namaste with Love
Always

Mark

My Spiritual Journey Part 7

Published 28/04/2014 by inspiringyourspirit

mauna kea summit

My trips to Hawaii

During a healing session for my shoulder about 2 years ago when I was still dealing with the recent passing of my dear Father and recovering from my accident and subsequent surgery, the healer said ‘You have a calling towards Hawaii, something very strong is drawing you towards those Islands, maybe you need to go there, stay a while and maybe learn the healing of Ho’oponopono’! I had no idea what Ho’oponopono was or had I ever thought of going to Hawaii mainly because it was so far away from the UK where I was brought up or for that matter from China where I now live, Hawaii in my mind was a holiday destination, a place for surfing, Hawaii 5’O and Magnum PI, TV programs I remembered from my youth ☺ Anyways after the session I felt the drawing towards Hawaii was becoming ever stronger, I immediately started to look at travel information, flights from Shanghai to Tokyo in Japan then a change of flight to Oahu then another flight to the Big Island, a lengthy journey but one in which I seemed destined to follow! We made our plan to visit the Big Island because May and I wanted to see a live volcano and experience the sunset on Mauna Kea at 14,000ft, above the clouds, to me that was my spiritual calling towards these beautiful islands.

Our trip came around quickly and May and I were soon on our way, the journey was a little torturous, three flights and around 20 or so hours and we had arrived on the Big Island, we picked up our car and drove to the villa we had booked, one which I was immediately drawn to called ‘Bali Temple’ situated on a old lava flow close to the ocean, the black volcanic beach, spinner dolphins and Kilauea, the volcano I so wanted to see.

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The villa was all we had imagined, built on the lava flow in amongst the coconut trees, surrounded by native flowers from the islands a gentle breeze from the ocean, sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks and a lullaby each night from the frogs and insects living around us, total relaxation which I needed so badly after so much trauma in my life. I had not experienced anything like this before, yes, I had been on many holidays to exotic places, tropical islands in the sun and very remote and peaceful locations; but somehow Hawaii was different, it felt like I was home and I felt totally at ease here. The first morning we decided to visit a local pool, which was served with a mix of fresh water and salt water, the Pacific ocean fed the pool with fresh salt water all day long through a small inlet tube and the fresh water came from underground and was heated naturally by Kilauea the volcano we had come to see, the pool was set in a beautiful natural location surrounded by coconut palms, lush grassed picnic areas, the blue ocean and teaming with small brightly coloured fish, shrimps and crabs fresh in from the sea. I spent a couple of hours relaxing my bones in the lovely warm water floating on the surface and enjoying the sun, I have perfect flotation balance so I can lie flat and float on the surface for hours on end, just meditating. All of a sudden I heard a scream, the scream awakened me from my deep meditation, the scream was also accented by the feeling of my feet touching some rope, I popped up like a cork from my lying position to realize I was being drawn out to sea by the tidal pull, I was on my way out of the pool, the ocean pulling me away. Luckily I was in time, the lady’s scream had alerted me and I was able to scramble back to the safety of the pool! Thank God because my recently fixed shoulder would not have managed to help me swim against the waves out in the open ocean. As I caught my breath the lady came up to me, she introduced herself and told me what she had just witnessed. The lady and I exchanged names and I thanked her for awakening me, in fact; saving me from certain peril!

She saw my surgical scar on my shoulder and asked me what had happened, after a brief discussion she started telling me her life story, where she was from in the USA, what had happened to her throughout her life, the traumatic relationships she had gone through and the cancer that had taken hold of her, the years of struggle she had gone through, the loss of her business, loss of property, the fights and the recovery to now living in Hawaii where she is happy and I’m glad to say cancer free ☺ She said ‘I have never told anyone my story Mark, I’m a private person who just gets on with it, makes the best of the situation and look after myself, but strangely I felt the need to tell you, to share all with you and tell you my life’s story, I don’t know why but you have something special that made me tell you’!

After about an hours conversation, I thanked her for her kindness and we went our separate ways, I got out of the pool and told my wife what had happened; the trauma in the pool and the conversation with the lady, wow! Why did she come to me, and what made her tell me her life’s story? All I remember is I listened and the words I spoke came from within, I know I did not need to think about my answers, the words just flowed like the waves of the ocean, she felt calm and totally at ease with me and our meeting; although brief was very meaningful and it happened for a reason.

May and I fell into the local lifestyle easily, we spent our days, sitting by the ocean, watching the turtles play in the surf, snorkeling in the warm tidal pools enjoying the fresh air, the blue skies, the local produce and the warm sun, perfect and total relaxation in paradise.

During our trip we visited Kilauea the live volcano, we were in awe of its magnificence, its power, the devastation that Pele The Goddess of Kilauea has caused over the years, the energy that she has and the draw that her energy has over the people that visit it. May and I went back many times, we walked over the lava flows, explored the vastness of its rugged and natural beauty, walked through the lava tubes, felt the steam rising from deep below and smelt the pungent air from the depths of Gaia, we took a helicopter flight over the volcano to see its summit, gazed down into the depths and watched the molten lava flowing from Kilauea down to the sea, the steam rising from the ocean as the molten lava enters the Pacific and is calmed by nature itself. I felt my energy increase throughout our visit, I was becoming physically stronger and mentally I was starting to recover from my recent traumas and my surgery.

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The Big Island has many communes, groups of ‘New Age’ families and young people living simply and enjoying life in paradise, we visited their markets, brought fresh produce and enjoyed our interactions.

One day my wife and I were driving along a long country road, miles from anywhere heading up the east coast towards Hilo, a hitchhiker was walking along the road with his hand out looking for a ride. Now, we hade been in Hawaii for about two weeks already, we had driven past many hitchhikers and I had never stopped to pick anyone up, this is just not the thing to do back in China or the UK, but for some reason I started to pull over just as we passed this young man, my wife of course asked my what I was doing, ‘why are you stopping’? I replied, ‘I have no idea, but I just know I need to give him a ride’!

The door opened and this young late twenties/early thirties man in shorts with a mass of curly hair, bare chest, bare feet and a beard said ‘ thank you sir, wow! You have an amazing aura, thank you for stopping’, he got in the car, we asked him where he needed to go and he just said ‘just drive and I will tell you when to stop and let me off’, these roads were very remote with thick rainforest type natural deep vegetation either side of the road, as we drove he asked me some questions but said that we were destined to meet, my energy was so strong and he needed to feel it, he said I had lots to do on my journey and said I was doing great work, and I should let go, feel free and enjoy the good that will come from my life and its interactions with others who need my help! A couple of miles further on he said, stop!. My wife and I questioned him because we were literally in the middle of nowhere, he got out of the car and as we drove away, we both looked back and he had gone, disappeared from view, nowhere was he to be seen! My wife and I could not believe what had just happened, we were both a little shocked by the experience, the words that came from the man were very softly spoken, he was obviously very spiritual, his aura and energy very calm and he was a lovely person. Why did I stop and pick him up? Who knows! What was the purpose and meaning behind what he said to me? Who knows! All I know is, I was meant to pick him up and I was meant to learn from him.

I’m feeling drained right now, my energies have been exhausted by the recollections of these two encounters in Hawaii…more to follow soon, I promise ☺

Namaste with Love
Always

Mark