She must be one of the most modern goddess, nicely dressed up and enveloped in some loving smell of a flower fragrance. I think Shri Laxmi loves Hong Kong which has already conquered the name of Paradise of shopping worldwide. She makes money circulating, jobs creating and people being blessed by her rapid touch. She has some preferences, being her gusto of a divine type. She keeps testing on folk’s inner energy to see if it is used in the proper dharmic way with balance and immense love, detached. Laxmi is the prettiest of all, She never forgets to wear jewerly and khajal. She acts in the subtle with endless inspirations: today indulging on the creditcard, tomorrow resting in the pink lotus flower busy with new works for the times to come. Peaceful and tireless. Diwali of course is Her favourite because is when She can truly bestow or confirm powers with the spontaneous meditative style freely accessible to everybody now. Today Laxmi is a reality. Feel your stomach and feed the others.
Spiritual teachers, sound shamans, crystal healers, general healers, no idea how much rubbish there is also in Asia. They come from Europe or America and start estabilishing themselves in China, Thailand, Indonesia…they even succed in opening retreat or healing centers with the sole scope to earn money and live their life. They are very clever and organize lots of workshop using the words: WISDOM – ENERGY – MEDITATION – RELAXING – CREATIVITY – SECRET – CONSCIOUSNESS – SUBTLE – POWER – HEALING- DIVINE SELF – EXPERIENCE TO EVOLVE – MIRACLE – CREATION.
Be careful. And be smart.
Here in Hong Kong they plan saturdays 7 hours workshop for 1.111 HKD and will promise to make you familiar with the keys to success and power, an easy guide to create your own life and improve it in all kinds of aspects.
Be smart and be alert.
They will tell that gratitude is the attitude and that money in this materialistic society is not leading to anything. On the other hand they will charge you a lot of money for a workshop and for 1 hour session (here in HK 800 HKD) of consultation, healing or astrology.
They will come up with some secret code or secret book that will want to teach you about, recalling some master or knowledge from the ancient times. Sometimes they dont live in Hong Kong and travel here in the weekend just to collect the money of their students. But once they go back home their students (are you or have you already been one of them??) are left in a transitive happy mood which will last only for some hours, then it will vanish and again there will be the need to go back to another workshop, and another and another. But the reality of life and the true joy cannot depend upon a workshop or a weekend seminar. It depends only on you.
Working with toys is one of the most exciting and creative thing. Behind each design and project it is moving a vibrant mixture of all the qualities enclosed into a child himself. Infact toys are directed to children and they are created for their evolution and wellbeing, fun and growth. Nowaday the attention towards children’s positive maturation is becoming bigger and bigger. All parents and educators want to put their best effort to give a life of great quality to their children. What is great quality? The answer is easy. Like the seven basical musical notes do re mi fa sol la si do create wonderful melodies and songs, at the same way these seven qualities create a wonderful lifepath.
And to have them expanding from inside out will enable anybody to develop the best stuff for any child.
innocence
creativity
dharma
love
collectivity
balance
joy
Last year i experienced a couple of seminars in toy exhibitions directed to foster connections between all kinds of folks involved in making toys at different levels, also from different countries. When listening to their speeches i was wondering how truly childlike is their nature.
In Hong Kong you get EVERYTHING from any point of view, that is why many people who have lived here a long part of their life can miss the everthing feeling. And that’s what makes this city so unique in the whole world and the kind of place to not be missed once in life. It is just unbelievable! Moreover, if you are a content person that is not seeking special entertainments or adventures in life, Hong Kong is still perfect for you because of its deep Chinese heritage which is all pervading in people and happenings here! There are no cities like Hong Kong, where progress is showering from all sides, there is no fear of Big plannings ahead in the years, a character which is blossoming nd blossoming every day. If you come to Hong Kong you will leave transformed for sure. In a world that cannot escape the game of transformations, this city is playing each card with the professional skills of a champion.
My new route at sunset betwen traffic jam in the heart town and the Chinese sea flowing thru the beautiful hills (and hundreds islands).
Mostly a tribute to flickr either because i am writing this post between home (where my pics are stored) and office and because soft copies of the pictures are only available from the last five years. I didnt follow a meaningful order, just browsing in my memory:
1. Aragonese Castle, Italy
A unique place with an awsome history connected also to Michelangelo Buonarroti’s life. It shall deserve a rich post asap. (image by me)
Even though Hong Kong and Genoa Italy aquariums are two of the biggest and most beautiful, i still loved Frisco one. why? Because you walk under real tunnels of the Bay Area!
3. Pan de Azucar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilby flickr
A combination of spirituality and cable car is the most thrilling experience for me!
4. Big Buddha, Lantau Island
This other combination of spirtuality&cable-car is really close to my home and I could potentially get the experience every weekend. Last month with a friend from Vancouver we went up for two consecutive days just for tasting the feeling to fly higher and higher into the mountains and have the majestic Buddha waiting for us on the other side! You may also want to enjoy a more accurate post about it soon. (image by me)
5. Jamaican beach
It was a lovely family tour during my stay in US. Bathing in the warm Caribbean waters every morning and chatting with the locals on the beach all day long until evening. We also met a direct friend of Bob Marley living upon discographic projects and hand making palm leaves hats for tourists. Most hospitable place. (photo flickr – my dad keeps all the real pics)
6. Havana de Cuba downtown
Harmony of colors and extreme relaxation and freedom in the streets. On our fly-route back from India e Moscow with my friend Maneesha, we took loads of pictures and then… lost the camera. Ahahahh. I just remember we were in ecstasy for the whole day spent there. A most welcoming taxi driver strolled us everywhere and gave us contact number in case we’ll be back. If anybody interested. (photo flickr)
7. Parque Chicaque, Colombia
The most vivid nature, the real “selva Colombiana”. An amazing day trekking in thejungle, few of us, completely absorbed by beauty and silence in the country Garden of the world. There is an Indian story about Shri Vishnu, He had to leave India because in trouble and went seeking refuge with Garuda precisely in Colombia, chosen because it was the only place on Earth so much rich in plants and fruits.
8. Faraglioni, Italy
Did you know it’s the Zen Garden of Italy? Have a look, it’s my home. Really.
9. Beihai park in Beijin, China
A remarkable park to understand the lifestyle of old emperors. Many of them have written lovely poems to their own mothers, whose words are often engraved on marble pillars around.
10. Elephanta caves, India
I was speechless here I was totally stunned by the grandness of majestic Lords Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu.
I just realized there are more than 10 spectacular places i’ve seen but for now i will just confine into the maryadas of this TAG. And yes you have been tagged too!Which one are your most spectacular visits… 5, 10, 15 you number them. And leave me a message below when you have done the post, and please tag more people. Let’s travel all together! Do you know something shocking about travelling? I know it cause my sis is a travel agent in Italy. Last week she spoke over the phone that Italians are so crazy about traveling and holiday that despite of the economy struggle they are paying rates for their vacation even if it’s just for few days!
While walking in Central few nights ago i was attracted by this huge paiting on canvas in a windw gallery. since sometimes i am dreaming of Tibet i went searching for this artist. He has been working for China railway Corporate for long time and thanks to his job he could depict the natural grasslandey landscape of Tibet.
To me , searching and selecting are vital when it comes to the study and examination of life. Painters should open their hearts and merge into life without prejudice.
the thing which really attracted my attention was the laptop the girl is showing to the yak. An element of viratian modernity into a quite pure setting of countryside. this girl is meant to be the symbol of a flying goddess of nature hovering along with these majestic bovins. These paintings have been considered as meditations on progress and ethical lifestyle in regions of the planet where the nature is very much incontaminated; nonetheless it is alterated by technological infiltrations build by man power. For example the Tibet region assisted to the construction of a long railway three years ago for the first time.
When I came to the United States I was surprised that there were so many translations of the I Ching in English. I cannot immagine how these translators all found the I Ching scholars and did the decades of study necessary to truly learn the I Ching.
To the Chinese, the I Ching is like a Holy Bible written by the four most honored sages in our history – Fu Xi, King Wen, the Duke of Zhou and Confucious. The Chinese translation of Holy Bible is Sheng Ching. Sheng is equivalent to holy, and Ching means classic. Chinese understand that Ching is the Tao, the Truth, the holiest of the ancient books, and because they revere and respect the sacred writings of the Jews and the Christian church, they honor the Bible by calling it Ching.
The I Ching is truly a profound book. It is the source of much of Chinese culture. Originally, the I Ching was a handbook for divination. After Confucius and his students had written the commentaries, it became known as a book of ancient wisdom. It is a book that not only tells one who consults it about the present situation and future potential but also gives instruction about what to do and not to do to obtain good fortune and to avoid misfortune. But one still retains free choice. The guidance is based upon comprehensive observations of natural laws by ancient sages and their profound experiences of the principle of cause and effect.
These are excerpts from the Preface of The Complete I Ching by Taoist Master Alfred Huang. Before coming to China I used to consult I Ching alone or with friends, in Italy for example this book is definitely appreciated and studied by people who meditate and seek for self knowledge in their daily life. Here in Hong Kong i still did not find anybody who throughly knows about it and some local people often comment not really positively about it.
This master suggests that the best English versions of I Ching are: Richard Wilhelm’s and James Legge’s although westernized. He adds that
… the ideal translation should be English but Chinese in essence. As a book of divination, Confucius’s commentaries are crucial. The Chinese call Confucius’s commentaries the Ten Wings. They believe that the I Ching depends on the Ten Wings to be able to fly. In other words, without Confucius’s commentaries the I Ching cannot be understood.
I felt I had no choice because the more I meditated the more I felt that I had an obligation to work out a translation of the I Ching based entirely on Chinese concepts. I began to realize that during his last years, Master Yin’s proposal to teach me the I Ching was not accidental. There was a reason. I sense now that in this great time of change, when people are longing to transform and the situation is ripe, a new translation of I Ching based upon ancient Chinese wisdom and experience might be helpful for those making their own choices to enter the twenty-first century with confidence.
Tonight we had our usual dancing class in Soho, in a new stage center of a very exclusive and stylish club house. This part of the city is a real meltin pot of modern and old, trendy and old fashioned, hills and plane roads, plenty of narrow streets which i had to cross before reaching the MTR=underground train on the main street “at the feet of the mount”.
this one was the starting point, the gallery of Mr. Tagore the grandson of the most legendary and auspicious Nobel of India. Work in progress inside, it was close and they are installing a new exhibition.
Soho is always busy and crowded and at night time it represents the drink/chat place for many people workin and living in the dowtown. However some streets are very quite and almost deserted with just one shop still shining.
We ‘ll look up so many interesting details and neon lights, fashionable items and cute little shops for foodies, lifestyle, wellness and beauty. A collection of colors and ideas
Somebody is still working on the street….and somebody is still shopping at almost midnite (…i got a beautiful “casacca” with geometrical designs). one of the best fun for me is bargaining in Chinese with these local folks: sometimes running into a sweet uncle or a screamy auntie, sometimes into a young girl. i always wish that these people will go to the foundation of the economy in their own country and at the most important meaning for exchanging goods.
Late at night you can meet the usual auntie who cleans up all the road of its cartoons, pack and pile them up diligently and carry them to some receptacle-place. Or simply she cleanse the city of the daily wasted plastic bags. She is the one who knows Mother earth problems and tribulations better than anybody else and better than any philosopher and wiseman.
Finally you can also get a floreal taxi to the MTR if you dont want to walk anymore. The driver can be a close relative of the auntie above. He very possibly enjoys drinking and smoking with his friends if not on due and very possibly does care very little in his central nervous sytem about the cycles and messages of Mother earth. But he knows how to drive well in the city jungle and will bring you to destination.
Travelogues about island are not finished yet here. Lamma island is considered probably the coolest one to live in because of its artistical attractions. Lots of European families landed in Hk decided to settle down here although the houses are not modern at all and all kinds of interesting animals (lots of snakes they say) around are ready to visit anytime.
There are plenty of colorful things to watch in Lamma. Flowers, plants and trees have been marked and explained upon small wooden tags but for the aracnide up there there was nothing to read since it was a spontaneous meeting at the beginning of the main path. When arriving at the harbour, about 20 minuts from HK mainland, you may probably meet some native selling hand cooked red bean sweet soup or cookies.
Afterwards by following the main narrow street the wole greenish and easygoing, wild and relaxed environment will disclose in front of you:
There are 2 things you should pay lots of attention while hiking around Lamma. One is the strong smell of its flowers scattered in mass at any corner like in a big garden. All the fragrances fuse in the air, it s like being in heaven and the aroma is so much penetrating that your brain is so happy to swim into it! There are flowers whose petals are starting to yellow because of the Autumn season but they keep the odorous activity tuned, others present rare jungle shapes of colored lianas.
Now, why Lamma is considered so artistic?? First of all musicians, painters, dancers, writers and so on populate this place. Not only the fragrance but also the music of a piano flying out from a window for example can accompany you in the trip for a while. I met a French dancers who has been living here for years while staying in HK and she never regretted to have to travel back and forth for her job was on the mainland, and consider that afyter 11 or midnite there are no more ferries every day.
The second Art reason is that all the shops and restaurants maintain of course a well trendy made look to catch your eyes. They care about little details, sometimes extravagants, sometimes normal. So you may notice an old singer sewing machine right against the main wall of the street you are walking along or a wooden rocking horse placed like on a pedestal at the end of a street. Romantic sets have been created at the outdoor tables of all the restaurants. Lamma is perfect for the tea time and serves traditional or western home made cakes or for the dinner/lunch with the availability of the tastier and fresher of the fish (expensive!) for you to pick directly from the big tanks outside each restaurant.
AH! before night time, dont forget to enjoy the sunset that on the islands is always so spectacular and regenerating!
I cant stop watching the waterfront and with the fairytaling mind I got immedaitely jumping back with the fantasy of a little girl. In the very same point i was also posing for a pic with friends few minuts ago stories and legends at the Pirat of the Caribbeans style were taking place during the Thirties. It is not long long long time back. Today we have among us personalities who were even born in the Twenties or before and still they have so much to teach and tell us before departing. A century is nothing comparing to the huge surprises the history of the whole humanity is preserving for us.
Going back to the spot from which i am observing the waterfront whose location is ”the western bank of the Hangpou River”, the river that splits Shanghai in two parts, each of them charged with itsw own original history, characteristics and modern features. From here, Puxi, i am watching Pudong, the eastern bank, the one which makes me feel in the movie of the pirates. But they were not from Caraibi, they came from France and England to spend their wild weekends in bird huntings and gaming. They were also the protagonists of the most trafficated sea trades of the century between Europe and China. There was a British Consulate one time and foreign firms. European buying lands and building their colonial residences. They used to call this area The Bund. It replaced in luxury style the stinky path of crewmen and company.
Do you see the colonial buildings in the picture? They are all banks and hotels. Do you see the streets between each building? They are still desolate and smell horrible especially at night when the today residents of the old buildings behind “the colonial line” come out to sell oily fried-at-moment-food of all kind, animals, fruits and vegetables. I even saw Arabians young guys selling slices of their traditional gigantic cake of dates and dont know what else.
I kept walking to escape the smokes of food and motors blended and saw little children left alone sleeping or playing on cartoons on the edge of the sidewalks. This is only the night scenary of downtown Shanghai. During the day it is another story, the one of the girl picturing old film fantasies. Another way to be also child without being a child.
Peng Chau is the weekend destination of families and couples who seek to escape the imposing environment of Hong Kong city. From Central Pier there is a ferry every hour and you can reach the island in 30 minuts.
The first thing you will notice are the bycicles in line on the pier and scattered around the narrow streets and the small plaza. Peng Chau reserve for you an atmosphere of coziness and colors also perfect for children.
There are several small beaches, all at measure of this tiny island on the west side of the South Chinese Sea (Hong Kong area). The most popular is the long and wide one just in front of the pier since it is close to downtown. The seawater seems to be shallow and secure, that’s why it is the favourite of the local families with kids. The beaches are allined along a path now crossing the village now facing directly the seaside.
Old style houses mix with new buildings. There is a beach not far from the pier which with 2 big tents is perfect for yoga seminars and swims. Another tiny beach is located at the end of the path, rubber shoes are recommended here since it’s a very rockey one. At least the sunset is awsome from here and you can enjoy bathing in the sunrays water!
Time for dinner. A couple of traditional restaurants are waiting for you on the pier: fried Chinese rice, fresh pomelo water and sugar cane. Or a Western dining with delicious pizzas and juicy pasta carbonara offers indoor and outdoor comfortable tables. Two place to not miss for shopping are: the local lady who paints and bake beautiful ceramics and the Chinese artcraft store with one century furnitures from China and Mongolia. Peng Chau has it all!
Duke Ding asked: “Is there such a thing as a single saying that can make a state prosper?”
Confucius answered: “A saying cannot quite do that. There is a saying amongst men: ‘It is difficult to be a ruler, and it is not easy to be a subject either.’ If the ruler understands the difficulty of being a ruler, then is this not almost a case of a saying making a state prosper?”
“Is there such a thing as a saying that can ruin a state?”
Confucius answered: “A saying cannot quite do that. There is a saying amongst men: ‘I do not at all enjoy being a ruler, except for the fact that there is no one to go against what I say.’ If what he says is not good and no one goes against him, then is this not almost a case of a saying ruining a state?”
(image by me)
