happy?

, originally uploaded by JasonChamberlain.

What is True Freedom

Reverend Heng Sure, Ph.D (恆實法師)

One of the things that I have really started noticing in my friends, family and others in general is a lack of contentment. People just seem to not be truly happy with what they have. I know this isn't breakthrough stuff but this really is the heart of our problems… not being content is very closely related to greed. 

Advertising is designed to sell you products based on a desire they create in you of your "lacking" or your "insufficiencies." Companies want to succeed and in order to do that, they have to sell you on the idea that you "need" their product or service. Most people would call buying things you don't truly need a form of greed… I fully agree. Greed really causes so many of the problems we face in our lives. By seeking for more, we tend to neglect the things we already have and we end up wasting time, effort and money pursuing that insatiable urge to have the "latest and greatest."

I know most of this is elementary stuff and we all recognize these things. The problem is that we don't do anything about it! We nod our heads and agree, but when it comes time to cutting back, no one is willing. No one wants to be without. In our minds, we've come to accept this idea that if we don't buy everything that piques our interest or appeals to our sense of "want," then we'll suffer greatly… Its funny how quite the opposite is true. And this doesn't just apply to material possessions. 

This video, although long, really covers this. Reverend Heng Sure is an American who was ordained under the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua (宣化上人) in 1975. In an effort to change his own heart and mind and reduce the amount of greed, anger and stupidity in the world, Reverend Heng Sure took a vow bow once ever three steps from Los Angeles to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah. The pilgrimage took nearly 3 years and covered more than 800 miles of the California coast. Since then, Reverend Heng Sure has been studying, cultivating and lecturing around the world since he is fluent in Chinese, Japanese and French and holds a MA from UC Berkley in Oriental Languages.

I really do hope you'll spend the time and watch this lecture. Reverend Heng Sure has been a monk for over 30 years and he is doing all he can in order to help make Buddhism more accessible and comprehendible to "Westerners." He's actually put out an album of American Buddhist Folk Music and you can download the entire album absolutely free at this website - http://berkeleymonastery.org/fazang/paramita/

All he asks for in exchange is an act of kindness and that you share it with the site. 

I don't mean for this post, one of very few, to sound like I'm just trying to spread the word about Reverend Heng Sure's work and music, but I really have learned so much from his lectures and his music has really changed the way I look at life. 

I'll do more posts about each song and some of the messages in them, but I encourage you to download the FREE album and listen and share what you learn. Post your insights as comments or post them to my Facebook wall. 

So, here's what I have to ask you to do:

1- Watch the video in it entirety and really listen as best you can

2 - Download the Buddhist Folk Music album and contribute your act of kindness

3 - Try, for at least one day, to be more content. Don't feed into your greed and instead look at why you feel that you "want" more.

Don't worry so much about doing things perfectly. Just try your best. Do whatever you can as best you are able. You won't always succeed, but you'll have done all you can to figure it out :-)

Here are the lyrics to "Satisfied Mind" which is the song Reverend Heng Sure mentions in the video:

"Satisfied Mind"

(By Rhodes & Hayes)

How many times have you heard someone say 

"If I had his money, I could do things my way?" 

Little they know that it's so hard to find 

One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind. 

Once I was winning in fortune and fame 

Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game 

Suddenly it happened, I lost every dime 

But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind 

Money can't buy back your youth when you're old 

Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold 

The wealthiest person is a pauper at times 

Compared to the man with a satisfied mind 

When my life is ended, my time has run out 

My trials and my loved ones, I'll leave them no doubt 

But one thing's for certain, when it comes my time 

I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind 

I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind 

Go get 'em. Do the work. Try your best.

:-D

Shin knee-ann kwhy luh :-P 新年快樂

Thats my hill-billy Pinyin by the way ;-)

Well, the new solar year is upon us... in fact, most of the world's population has already said "Happy New Years!" to the person standing adjacent to them or to their family and friends... having said that, I just wanted to take a bit of time to update the blog, since I've been seriously lacking in that department.


2010跨年101煙火秀, originally uploaded by zeropro.

(Thats a photo of 臺北101 shooting off fireworks to celebrate the New Year in Taiwan's capital, Taipei... after which, of course, the building was named :-P More info here)

Its been quite a bit of time since I last posted and I don't blame most of you for deleting the bookmark for this blog, but I'm hoping that my new excess of spare time will remedy that.

Thanksgiving came and went.
Festivus came and went.
Christmas came and went.

And here we are, at the brink of the year 2010, and nothing has really changed. I've gotten older (as usual with new years) and I doubt I've really gotten any wiser. I'm still working on being more patient, but that is always an uphill battle so to speak. I've certainly gotten fatter, having been a "bit" lax in my gongfu practice. I have noticed that 2009 in my life has been a bit more filled with compassion. This was my first full year as a vegetarian and I've really loved the journey so far.

I really wish I knew what to write, but I'm pretty empty on word right now. I'm still waiting on my Work Visa and paperwork from the Chinese Government. My boss, Christ, has said that she expects that things will come together for a departure date in mid to late February. That is also when Chinese schools resume their year. Chinese New Year (Spring Festival/農曆新年) is February 14th this year and so schools will be out for a few days after that as well, since the festivities extend for several days.

Anyway, I'm sitting here watching the Count of Monte Cristo with Becca while my newest "snapshots" are uploaded onto Flickr... check them out in an hour or two. Download the original resolution by clicking "All Sizes" above each photo.

Xinnian kuaile everybody! Make the most of this opportunity to cultivate and make progress in your mind and world. :-D

ecca's irthday :)

So, whilst here in the USA, I got to be with Becca to celebrate her birthday. The whole family came over and it was a jolly o' time.

I was playing with my cousins and my niece, so I had little knowledge of what was gifted and what went on, but I did see that Becca got a new iPod... well, actually... I went with Mama to go pick it out :-P

Anyway...
I gave her her first pair of TOMS Shoes... not classic style, but TOMS nonetheless. Ask her to show you them.

See all the photos here:
Becca's Birthday

By the way...
You can download the full resolution versions of any of my photos by clicking "All Sizes" above every photo (after you click to see one)... then, to download the full resolution, click "Original" at the top and go wild :-P
All of that is provided to you for free... so please use it!!!!!

Peace

Octo 26

Well, today is my birthday and I really could care less. I'm not depressed or anything like that. I would say that I'm more apathetic than anything else. I feel like birthdays are such arbitrary occasions to celebrate. If you're going to celebrate something, celebrate your first steps or something meaningful. Being born is nothing you did. I am in full support of a tradition that Michael Jackson supported which is to celebrate your mother on your birthday. If anyone did some work and deserves a day to celebrate the culmination of 9 months of "heavy lifting," it is your mom. I have no idea what today will hold since we have no plans and we already had a "going away/birthday party" for me back at the end of Sept. Don't get me wrong... I love and appreciate the care that my family and friends show me, but I can live without a day to myself.

Gifts: I know that as my life goes on, various needs arise. I appreciate every single gift that I've been given. Even saying "happy birthday" is something I consider a gift. There are a lot of good people out there and a lot of people just trying to do the right thing. I know there will be times in my life when I need something or I could really make good use of something, so I appreciate those gifts that come to me to help fill a need I may have or that my family may have. However, from this day forth, any person who sincerely wants to give me a gift for any reason, please consider giving that money to a charity of your choice. You don't have to put it in my name or anyone's name other than your own (if you are also wanting to write it off). That is enough for me. Any organization that you see as worthy, give. If you are having trouble finding one, let me know. I have many in mind that could really benefit from your generosity :)

If giving to charity isn't your thing (and thats perfectly fine), I ask is that you do something kind for someone else. It can be anything. Being a good neighbor, helping a friend or stranger, or simply going a whole day without doing anything harmful... anything you'd like. The one thing I'd ask though is that after you do your good deed, that you say the little verse beneath the picture and just smile. Thats it.

May every living being,
Our minds as one and radiant with light,
Share the fruits of peace
With hearts of goodness, luminous and bright.
If people hear and see,
How hands and hearts can find in giving, unity,
May their minds awake,
To Great Compassion, wisdom and to joy.
May kindness find reward,
May all who sorrow leave their grief and pain;
May this boundless light,
Break the darkness of their endless night.
Because our hearts are one,
This world of pain turns into Paradise,
May all become compassionate and wise,
May all become compassionate and wise.


This verse, known as the Dedication of Merit, is available for download by simply clicking this link:
Dedication of Merit



I know this post turned out super random, but thats what happens when I write off the top of my head without a real subject.... get ready for more of it when I get to China and start posting some more. 


Talk to me... let me know what you think. Input?


Peace


by the way:
The pictures have nothing to do with anything. I found them on flickr and liked them enough to include them :-D

uPDATE

So its been a while since I started this blog, so I figure I owe it to the people who may check it to let you know what is going on if you don't already know.
With the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China at the beginning of October as well as outbreaks of some serious diseases, the Chinese Government is being extra cautious about who they let into the country. They don't want to run the risk of having a visitor, such as myself, bring nor acquire any viruses when I come to China. They also are very wary of terrorist attacks with the large celebration. Sufficed to say that my entry into China and the start of my new life has been delayed. In fact, this is the second time that my trip has been pushed back. There are basically two things I am waiting on. The first is the actual paperwork from the Chinese Government which certifies that I am coming to China for employment purposes and that I am working with a company that is legitimate. Once that paperwork is finished, it is sent to the Chinese Embassy here in America where I will have the second item, the Work Visa, stamped into my passport and then returned to me. The paperwork from the Chinese Government is the thing that is taking the longest. This is going into the third month that myself and the other teachers have been waiting for the paperwork to clear. No one has any idea when those papers will be completed and cleared so I cannot buy another plane ticket. We purchased our plane tickets for the last speculated date and some of us, including me, had to take it as a total loss; no refunds, no vouchers, no exchanges. We are all hoping that this week brings completed paperwork so that things finally start to move forward.
In the meantime, I have simply just been waiting. With no idea of the time frame I am now dealing with, it has been difficult to make plans other than working as Security for FBC whenever they need an extra hand. Most of my days are spent copying Chinese texts and books onto my computer, jamming to iTunes, cleaning, and eating.
My mom and I got to spend time with my niece (her granddaughter) this past weekend. We took her to butterfly world since she loves the pretty butterflies and the birds. I opened a new flickr account so that I could share the photos I take on my trip to China, but I'll just post to it the various events that go on :-P
Anyway, enjoy the photos and feel free to download them by clicking "All Sizes" above each photo. Until next time, thats it.