Vision, Come On…

Sunday night. Aw, Yes… So vision has come on… 

Minimal life updates, but I can say that my winter intrigue is in process. To end the last chapter which was Israel all I can say is that I am haunted by the modernity of Israel. That is, I am particuarly haunted by the modernity of tea culture in the state, which really isn’t a culture at all. Although I was struck by the way in which my hot cups of tea were presented. Key words include: modern, clean & clear mugs, tea bag innovation and particuarly moments experienced at a picturesque cafe  relatively closeto Azrieli Center.

Sound Vision: It’s beautiful  when rain is electronically processed and subsequently amplified with additional tones and drum patterns of some far out culture that I find halcyon. Don’t forget, “Blue Holds Up The Sky”.

So it’s only when you accept yourself deeply, that is –  dig your existence, that you truly can live in this universe as yourself. Otherwise you are second guessing what others think, especially those closest to you. If you dig yourself deeply, then you’re so beyond the ramblings of others that you are capable of existing as your vision. Yes, I write this without green tea in my veins. 

I’m going to call Manisha and see what’s on her mind momentarily. She says she’s getting ready for office. Manisha has undeniably become a soul that deeply attracts my energies. I will return to the land of India this January for adventure, 69, and to share my vision of eternal love. In some ways, as I listen to this Misterons Mix, I am waking up to it all.  I wake up when I can tranverse beyond what others think and believe. These days, I find wet concrete and modern steel structures more natural than soil and seed. Still I refuse to consume meat of animals and remain vegetarian. Even though I still feel that plants do suffer when we eat them regardless of what extent their nervous systems (if that even applies) are capable of experiencing what we call suffering or pain. I just think eating leafy green vegetables is just that more sexier and intelligent. 

Regarding my own sex appeal, it seems my vegetarian ways have left my body that more skinnier.  I’m able to admire the way my body is cut, and my only desire is to toughen up my muscles for added sex appeal. I still feel my own skinniness is a sex virtue, whereas I also find feminine fat to be extremely sexy–that is not overly excessive–but I appreciate a little more on her. I will work on an accelerated workout program over the next month–I want to be in prime sexual fitness. 

No other updates. Vision, Come On…

Distinctive Dharma

  I’ve been in contemplation of my life as a hindu vis-à-vis the teachings of Osho. Sri Krishna clearly presents the idea of distinctive dharma in the Gita, that being that all individuals have their own unique sacred duty and pathway in this universe. In my attempts to connect deeper to Sri Krishna I printed out some instructions on how to do proper pooja. I think deeper about this and it’s clear I’m recycling back into that problem of the Westerner embracing the ways of the East. To quote that ancient Chinese alchemical text, The Secret of the Golden Flower, “if the wrong man uses the right means the right means work in the wrong way.” 

  Carl Jung explores this theme deeply in his essays which can be found in “Psychology & The East”. Essentially, Jung looks at the Westerners who embrace the religions (as distinct from spirit) of the East as pitiful imitators. He goes onto say that these ideals never originated in the Western mind and therefore can never be profitably grafted upon them. Jung’s perspective here is relative to the context in which he writes; the truth is that the Westerner has a lot to learn from the East. The actual problem arises when the Westerner blindly surrenders his lifeways those those of the East at the expense of his own being. Through my own experience I’m against such blind adoption of religion and adamantly believe the wholeness of the individual should never be sacrificed to philosophies or teachings that possess no living substance.

  The rebellious spirit of Osho encourages us to move beyond the limitations of religion and tradition so that we can situate our lives in awareness and understanding. We should ask ourselves how can we bring Sri Krishna into 2008 or the Japanese tea ceremony into the twenty first century. The basic tenet of the I Ching reveals the intrisnic law of perennial change which stands in stark contradistinction to  the static nature of religion. Too often religion breeds cynicism and fails to appropriate respect and even reverence for alternative spiritual paths. . This contradicts the emphasis of selflessness and love that seemingly is the bedrock of the world’s greater religions. Mahatama Gandhi once said, “What have I to take to them other than my nakedness, rather than have them join in my prayer I would join in theirs”. This is spiritual harmony.

  This respect and reverence is foreign to the religions of today. We live in a world divided by religion and these ideals of division are subsequently pushed forward through the ideal of family and education via teachers who are unwise. Sri Krishna says in Gita, “If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, or a fruit, or water. I will accept it”. So in this way I intend to show love and devotion to Sri Krishna in a way which is true to my own intrinsic sacred being. And when I have children I will tell them from my heart that Sri Krishna is my conception of god, but you have to find out what makes sense to you my child. Ultimatley love and devotion is what is key and not lifeless scriptures and not teachers who are secretly our on evangelical conquests. Acceptance, understanding and love is real living that teakes place right here, right now. Use the scriptures insofar that they inspire you to live a loving and harmonious life. Remember that from the beginning to the end love is love. And from the beginning to the end you are your own unique blossoming in this universe.

Buddha with no name

  After a long day I decided to go outside and meditate with the calmness and serenity of the cool evening. It’s been many moons since I’ve set aside time to meditate, to simply breathe. I was reading Eknath Easwaran’s translation of Bhagavad Gita this evening and was moved by the third chapter in which Sri Krishna teaches Arjuna about yoga: the controlling of the senses. Sri Krishna says to Arjuna, “Those who take wisdom as their highest goal, whose faith is deep and whose senses are trained, attain wisdom quickly and enter into perfect peace”.  Perfect peace, I like this. 

   I’m never been a perfect meditator, and I’ve only been able to reach ephemeral states of halcyon and bliss. Discipline, diligence and persistance are essential to the path of yoga, but I remember Krishna saying somewhere in Gita that even small strides along the path of yoga are beneficial for this life and the next. As thoughts and memories weaved through my mind tonight I was remniscant of the Buddha with no name. 

  It was after my summer semester studying at ICMIS that I joined the 10 day Vipassana meditation course located on the distant outskirts of Bangalore. It was there I met the Buddha with no name. He was simply a meditator who had devoted his energies to teaching and guiding others in Gautamas’ teaching of Vipassana. His subtle aura radiated calmness and awareness. Often, when we imagine the yogi, the meditator, we see the image of an individual situated in some distinct esoteric asana. Asana, simply refers to the bodily position undertaken in the act of meditation. I watched the Buddha with no name situate his body in an asana where he simply sat with his legs crossed, and his hands in his lap. I’ll forever remember his simplicistic asana, and it reminds me that meditation is simply breathing, nothing more is required.

  After those 10 days, the final day would arrive and we would finally be allowed to break our vow of silence. I remember the Buddha with no name and another instructor came to me smiling. I was interesting for them as I was the only videshi, foreigner, who particpated in that meditation and they thought I wouldn’t be able to make it through the entire course. Dhyana, Meditation is fundamentally breathing, yet to simply breathe with awareness is a great discipline. We just breathe with awareness and this is all that is required. No esoteric asanas, no books on meditation, no incense just breathing with awareness. It’s as simple as the Buddha with no name.

Modern Simplicity

  D.T. Suzuki begins his lecture “Zen & The Art of Tea”, with the words… “What is common to Zen & The Art of Tea is the constant attempt both make at simplification. The elimination of the unnecessary is achieved by Zen in it’s intuitive grasp of final reality, by the Art of Tea in the way of living typified by serving tea in the tea room”. 

  It was Hiroki who initially introduced me to D.T. Suzuki’s lecture. It is an essential lecture to understand the aestheticism of the Art of Tea and it’s fundamental relationship with Zen. Modern simplicity is an aesthetic tone which I initially discovered in Mumbai, India and it was there that I realized that comfort exists in simplicity. I now think of simplicity as fundamental to my way of life and it is clear that the simplest things in life possess the virtue of transforming our lives in the most amazing ways.

  I don’t acquaint simplification with austere asceticism. Rather, I view simplification as an intelligent refinement of what is basic to our existence. Such an attitude encourages a respect for things, which is a perspective of fundamental importance evident in Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. I think of intelligent refinement as an awakened approach towards the immediate arrangement of our material territories. In the Book of Tea, Okakura Kakuzo references that too often in the West the aesthetic qualities of our homes are typified as nothing more than a vulgar display of riches. I adamantly believe that sometimes less is more.

  The asceticism of minimalism is one of an applied meditated intelligence. Within this aesthetic frame a single object possesses the virtue of transforming an entire environment. The object is amplified from the ground in which it occupies and in this way simplification creates a mood that is free from clutter or excessiveness. Such an aesthetic mood can be carried into so many dimension of our lives. The simplest words, love u, may convey the deepest love of this entire universe. Minimalism when lived is a centered meditation allows us to return to the essence of existence, purpose, and soul. 

  The comfort of simplicity is a freedom from the chaotic multiplicity of our modern lives. We are able to find a peaceful center, and through this center better relate to our lifestyles and the people who are our lives. When we intelligently refine our material lives we are better able to live the Buddhist idea of non-attachment. Psychosocially, the aestheticism of modern simplicity is a modern expression that is ultimately less taxing on our individualistic egos and greater natural environment. We are simply decluttering our immediate environments, and it is through meditation that may declutter our own mind.

Bottle Beverage – a personal habituated aesthetic

   I was walking to pick up 11 little cans of Pokka Jasmine Green Tea today and the virtues of bottled beverages appealed to me.   -B-R-E-A-K- I’m listening to Pole Folder’s – Zero Gold released on Bedrock maybe about a year ago. Amazing, Amazing Record… The synths are amazing, and it’s touching my soul.  Let’s get back to the program. So, When I departed to Israel this winter I traveled on a Greyhound bus to New York after dinner with Sayan. The bus ride was extremely warm and smug and we stopped off at a truck stop as a storm was approaching. Somehow, I found salvation in Vitamin Water. The flavored water with extremely clever modern marketing. I loved Vitamin Water and was happy to find it in Israel. Sadly, the marketing doesn’t reflect a genuine product as the is comprised of ungenerous amounts of fructose making it soda-like.   In Israel I discovered superior flavored waters. They have amazing Nana (mint-like) water with vitamins, as well as basic flavored water. It’s simple habitual consumptions like this that make me feel at home at a place. The main point is that the bottled flavored waters in United States are inferior to those of Israel. But, I have found this sweet jasmine green tea produced by Pokka and it’s amazing. But then again it’s Chinese in origin.