Selfishness is either self-centered or self-extended. - A. C. Bhaktivedanta
(public domain image from www.pixabay.com)
Sunlight is good for body, mind and spirit. That's why the yoga tradition has alwasys recommended doing yoga outside in nature and in the presence of sunlight. Now, a new study suggests sunlight also keeps us healthy by destroying bacteria that lurk indoors. The sanitizing effects are impressively close to those of ultraviolet light. For their experiment, researchers at the University of Oregon collected dust from homes in Portland and placed it in dollhouse-sized rooms. The dust inside the tiny rooms — and the microscopic creatures that lived within — stayed there for 90 days under three conditions: exposed to daylight through regular glass; UV light alone; and total darkness. When the team counted and inspected the bacterial samples, they were surprised by what they found. Lit rooms seem to harbor only half as many viable bacteria when compared to dark rooms, and nearly as few as those in the UV room. Researchers found 12% of bacteria in dark rooms were viable, compared to 6.8% in sun lit rooms and 6.1% in rooms with UV light only, according to the findings published in the journal Microbiome. Ultraviolet (UV) light is a form of light that is invisible to the human eye. One of the biological characteristics of UV light is that it is germicidal – meaning it is capable of inactivating microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. So, keep your curtains open permitting as much natural sunlight into your home as possible. Even in small amounts, intoxicating substances can make us less sensitive, more easily swayed by gross motivations of anger and greed. Some people defend the use of drugs or alcohol, saying that these substances are not so bad. On the contrary, they are very dangerous; they can lead even a good hearted person into forgetfulness. Like accomplices to a crime, intoxicants open the door to a host of problems from just talking nonsense, to inexplicable bursts of rage, to negligence that could be fatal to oneself or others Indeed any intoxicated person is unpredictable. Abstaining from intoxicants is therefore a way of protecting all the other precepts. - Sadyadaw U Pandita
When you’re on social media
resist the impulse to compare your insides with other people’s outsides. - Victor M. Parachin In 1958 McCall's magazine published a feature "129 Ways To Get A Husband". For your reading pleasure here are the top 10 ways to find a man, 1958 style:
(feel free to repost and/or link to your social media) Meghan Markle, married to Prince Harry and now part of the royal family, has a very busy schedule traveling, visiting and representing Great Britain. She's also pregnant. In order to do her daily yoga/medation practice she rises at 4:30 am to do it.
That's very inspiring and cuts through the often heard excuse "I don't have time!" Markle experienced yoga from a young ages because her mother was a yoga instructor and actually practiced yoga while pregnant with Meghan. Meghan has said she was “very resistant” to doing yoga as a kid, but her mom kept encouraging her. “She said, ‘Flower, you will find your practice–just give it time,’” Meghan said. “In college, I started doing it more regularly.” If you yoga practice isn't as regular and smooth as you'd like it to be take these two lesso ns from Meghan Markle's life: 1) just do it; 2) hear her mother whisper "you will find your practice - just give it time." One person's awakening will enlighten countless others. - Buddhist Proverb
When we do not allow time and space to digest our emotions, toxic build-up accumulates, impeding the physiological process. - Julie Dunlop
If you find no one to support you on the spiritual path, walk alone.
If you see a wise person who steers you away from the wrong path follow him. The company of the wise is joyful, like reunion with one’s family. Therefore, live among the wise, who are understanding, patient, responsible and noble. - The Dhammapada One of the earliest summaries of the Buddha’s teachings are contained in the Noble Eightfold Path – right view, right attitude, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness. Though those eight steps on the path are comprehensive, this ninth step could naturally be added - right association. Having right associations was clearly and consistently emphasized by the Buddha, so much so that it is appropriate to consider it as a ninth step on the path. The truth is that we are greatly influenced, positively and negatively, the the people we associate with the most. Here are three key ways to create right associations. First, surround yourself with positive, optimistic, joyful people. Little by little, reduce and eventually, remove from your close circle people who are negative, cynical and prone to drama. Secondly, be part of a spiritual community such as a yoga class, meditation group, or a among people who meet regularly to study religious texts. In Buddhism such a group is called the sangha or association while among Hindus it’s referred to as satsang or the community of truth. Thirdly, read or listen to teachings which are informative and inspiring. Though we cannot always be in the presence of gifted teachers, we can still benefit from them by reading their writings and listening or viewing their talks. So important are right associations that the Buddha said “if you find no one to support you on the spiritual path, walk alone.” Chow Yun Fat is a charismatic, athletically built and energetic Asian-born film star who first came to the attention of western audiences via his roles in the high-octane/blazing guns action films of Hong Kong director John Woo.
Worth nearly one billion dollars, the committed Buddhist actor says he plans to donate the bulk of his wealth to various charities. When asked why, he smiled gently and said: "“I feel that the money does not really belong to me. I am just in charge of keeping it temporarily.” Although his long career has been built on action movies and battling bad guys, the characters he plays are far removed for Chow’s own more humble and thoughtful personality. “I want to play different roles, not just the tough guy. I want to do comedies, melodramas, like Tom Hanks,” he said. “Actually, I’m a Buddhist. And in real life, I hate violence. I don't like it at all. But I'm forced to do it because it's my job.” Born in 1955 and raised in a rural farming community, the award-winning actor has clearly not lost touch with his humble beginnings. “My dream is to be a happy and normal person,” said Chow. “The hardest thing in life is not about how much money you earn, but how to keep a peaceful mindset and live the rest of your life in a simple and carefree manner.” Despite his high-profile status, Chow is also renowned for valuing his privacy and maintaining a low-key and modest personal life with his Singaporean wife Jasmine Tan that includes traveling on public transportation, eating at inexpensive street-side food vendors, engaging in charity work, and spending his free time hiking and jogging, when he’ll willingly stop for a selfie if recognized by his fans. Chow used the same Nokia mobile phone for 17 years, and only upgraded to a smartphone two years ago when his Nokia finally stopped working. He also shops at discount clothing stores, reportedly stating: “I don’t wear clothes for other people. As long as I think it’s comfortable, then it’s good enough for me.” |
Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
April 2024
Categories |