The Invisible Bomb みえないばくだん えいご

We should think about our future world, not only for ourselves.

because invisible bomb will damage us and all other creatures on the earth for ages.

Doctors's Orders

January 3rd, 2012.
For two days, that have now passed, I've resigned to my bed. Doctor's orders. This Centre for fasting  has been my hospital since my arrival. We intended to be here for a five day medically monitored period of fasting. Due to catching a virus the day before, which came to full fruition while we were on the train headed for Kobe, I have been ordered to stay isolated in a private room while they monitor my recovery.
At first it seemed this was bad timing, catching a virus and then falling sick on the day we travelled to this Centre for health. Fortunately the residing Doctor and Sensei of this institution took pity on me, allowed me to stay under his care so that I can recover. Allowing a person infected with a virus free in an institue where people are without food for many days could be dangerous. I felt sorry for arriving in such a state with a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F). From one point of view, I am actually fortunate to be here now, with this virus. I might not have come, so I'd be alone in Tokyo, without knowing where to go, or what to do. I could manage it, but it would be hard and stressful to get around with such a high temperature, alone in Tokyo.

Aco is here with me. She is in this Centre, but roaming free as she will with the rest of the people. She has visited me a few times a day and brought tea. I am grateful. She is in her third day of fasting, feeling a bit dizzy she says, and with a slight headache. She was worried that she might catch the virus from me. I dont blame her.

Besides my state of health, my time here has been enlightening in a way. A retreat from the daily search, and the heavy desire for food. To be honest, I haven't though much about food, if at all, since being here. I have had some meals while being here, doctor's orders. But they were small, and I did not eat more than half of the amount that was served. I'm starting to enjoy the feeling of spaciousness in my gut and intestines. Physically and Mentally I feel light, soft, less distracted by an habitual magnetism toward eating food. Most of the time eating is done out of habit rather than necessity. I might have thirty minutes without being occupied, and almost every time I am sure, the mind, or I should say the stomach conscience raises it's monotonous plea for something to fill it up, to satisfy and pacify it.

I just had a meal, again, only eating half or less. Yesterday, around the same time, I ate less than half. Within the next hour I was violently shivering with a cold sweat. Aco thinks, it was a reaction from eating food. I agree. Whatever virus I have caught, it clearly doesnt like food. I have barely been to the toilet in three days. My body seems to want to deal only with fluids at this point. So it is logical to think I should only consume fluids while my immune sytem fights this virus. However, contrary to this logic, I have been told to keep eating while I recover.
Today might mark my ascent out of this illness, my condition has improved. That has eased my mind. No more fever reducing pills from now, Doctor's orders.

Mount Oyama, Kanagawa.

 Photos taken during my adventure climbing up Mount Oyama in Kanagawa. From waiting at a bus stop below Oyama-san, to reaching the top, and Shoujin Ryoori nourishment when I reached the bottom four hours later.

Oyama Cable Car takes people up the the hiking path.

Many Trees, and steps on the way up. I feel appreciation for the natural ancient mountain environment.

 Beautiful Yellow Leaves above.

I could see Fuji-san. Who's summit was covered in clouds.

 At the Top.

 Tofu-Ryoori, Shoujin-Ryoori. My favorite cuisine.

The day that I climbed up the mountain, I didn't eat anything until I returned at the bottom of the mountain. It was 17:00, I felt refreshed, and appreciation for this day, this place, and for the fine delicious considerate cuisine of Japan. Shoujin-Ryoori, Buddhist cuisine.

Who and What are we mining for? How selfishness can contribute to world pollution.

Hello All.

This post originally started as an email. There was an article on the BBC news website which I found today about the side effects of drilling for resources such as gas. I wanted to share it with friends and family . While writing what I intended to be a short, "for your information" style email. There were many thoughts coming to mind. After 15 minutes I realized this was no longer the email I originally intended to write. So, I copied and pasted what I had written, in this post. I never sent the email. 

Here is the BBC news article about the possible pollution that drilling for natural gas produces.

Regretfully, I work in the mining industry, catering for a company that drills for coal seam gas. The position is only temporary, but by having this job, I unintentionally support the industry. I'm not proud of it. I dont have the power to stop these companies from mining in ways that pollute the environment. It is up to a select few, who have power to make big changes to stop the polluting of the earths pure waters and environments. I would happily give up this job in an instant if it would cause the end of pollution produced by industry. All I can do is gently express myself and hope that my actions have in some way touched another person in a way that might cause them also to strive to create a more considerate lifestyle.

Awareness and consideration does ensure the gradual reduction of carelessness. It is not a necessity of living, to pollute without care. Proper care can be employed, people only need to care more about the aggregates which make up their life, body and mind, the whole world, rather then only caring about the profit they can make and eventually loose when their life ends. 

What will we leave behind when we die?

A pile of bones, dust, and depending on what we have done in our life possibly a heap of trouble and hardship because we cared not for our world.

I think we need time to learn, time to slow down, and develop a lifestyle that is more considerate.

We all need to support our lives, but more importantly we need to care. We need to act with care and regard and respect the aggregates as the manifestation of the one life force... the many forms make a complete life. WIthout an inclusive view, we become selfish. Perhaps it is selfishness that grows into inclusiveness. Many people, including myself, need to make mistakes before we see that we can reduce suffering in life. Sadly, many people never find truth in suffering, they go on suffering and cause suffering until they die, and the effects of their actions produced by their suffering mind leaves traces of that sorrow behind.

Is that what our society is creating?
Why are we mining? Why are we polluting the earth?
Yes we need comfort, we need warmth in the winter, but we also need to be careful.
Haven't the brilliant minds of our time invented ways to harness electricity that leaves less of a trace, that better suits the environment?
WInd, Sun, Water, there is so much power in this earth already.
The world powers need time, to slow down, to re-configure their order to encourage a cleaner environment.

I wish it will happen, before too long.
Many people are already suffering from the effects of industrial pollution such as polltued water from mining, and radioactive fallout from nuclear power, how can these obvious facts be ignored?

I realize I do not have to power to make big changes in this world, I can only take care of myself and try my best to treat people and this world with kindness and appreciation.

To walk the path of life in kindness and to be considerate, I need to realize that although it is me who makes choices and lives in this body and in this world, I cannot walk the path alone. Taking care of myself while walking along with life is different then being selfish. We have to take care of ourselves to support a mind and body in which our realizations grow. But, If I think I can walk a path alone, as if I am different from all others, I am walking a selfish path. To support this world I need to unlearn what I have learnt, to let go of my selfish mind, to see that the whole universe is included on that path. There is no path without this life, no life without all things that exist.

To be selfish is to pollute the world with selfishness.
We should open our hearts to the sky above and give thanks to the universe for this brief existence and encourage others to be kind by being kind ourselves.

"Pay attention to all the leaves, the flowers, the birds and the dewdrops. If you can stop and look deeply, you will be able to recognize your beloved manifesting again & again in different forms. You will again embrace the joy of life." Thich Nhat Hanh

Thank the World for Tea

Chamomile 

I recently bought a tea mug with a filter.

Since Aco introduced me to the special Black Tea from Japan I have started to appreciate the feeling, aroma, taste, and health benefits of drinking tea. Thanks Aco, and thanks to the world for producing such wonderful teas.
My favorite is the tea Aco sends from Japan. It is a black tea, which is fermented for many years I think around 20-30 years?? I might be wrong about that number.
Anyway I love the taste of that tea. It tastes so much like it has been taken straight from the earth itself. It taste clean, woody, not at all bitter. Now that the weather has started to cool down I can appreciate even more a hot mug of tea in the morning or evening. I especially enjoy a hot cup right before bed :)

The Lotus Sutra

I am sitting in a cafe reading a guide to The Lotus Sutra.

It is written by Nikkyo Niwano.

Over 8 years ago I had started to study the original text of The Lotus Sutra, which is a record of the last sermon giving by the Buddha Shayamuni before he died.

Before the last few years, almost all I would read were books on Spiritual Philosophy and Psychology. Most of all I was attracted to the Sutras of the Buddha, and other Buddhist and Taoist texts. I appreciated their illuminating nature and their medicinal and meditative attributes.

At the moment, I am also reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Letting my mind and imagination float between a beautiful fantasy, and clear illumination. Since I had mostly been reading non-fiction for many years, I had started to wonder if I could find a satisfying fictional novel. I had bought a few novels. Some old, some new. I attempted to read a few of them, but only managed to finish one of them, with much effort. There was something, which I can't explain, that gave me a feeling of inadequacy while reading them. I guess they just weren't suited for my tastes.

Now that I am reading Lord of the Rings, I can see that it was a matter of taste, and timing, that prevented me from enjoying the other novels that I attempted to read. The Lord of the Rings novels are exactly what I have been looking for. Stories rich with imagination, well planned and written scenarios, an alternate world full of beautiful and fearful lands and animals... at times the story is joyous, a feeling of innocence in wisdom, of dancing freely in high spiritual realms... and at other times, there are great challenges and suspense...

It is certainly far fetched, but it doesn't matter, to me. LOTR provides a good break from the strict and sharp insight of the other books I often read.

The Lotus Sutra guide that I am now reading is concise and an extremely shortened summary of what the author feels are the main points of merit of The Lotus Sutra. It's convenient since it is quite a small book, so it can be carried around easily. However it lacks the richness and unique language and energy of a Sutra's original text.

It is useful in that it helps clarify my mind and enables me to take a step back, and see how I am doing, to see what I am becoming, and points me towards what is useful, and what enables a stable, free and peaceful state of mind. For the Lotus Sutra accepts me as I am, and is an example of what I will be if I keep on reading, walking, sitting, moving and loving with a present mind and a heart full of love. A motivator to stand up and climb up out of myself. A picture of what might happen if I can move beyond fear, and leave my self behind.

Yummy Sandwich

Organic Whole-grain Bread, Tomato, Swiss Cheese, Cucumber, Spanish Onion, Avacado
Dill, Spring Onion, Parsley, Kyupi Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Miso Paste, Shichimi, Salt and pepper.
and Umeboshi.

これはとてもおいしかったです！

This was really yummy!

"Coopers" one of My Favorite Australian Beers

Coopers Pale Ale

I'm drinking a Coopers Pale Ale at the moment.
Coopers is made in Adelaide, South Australia.
Its one of my favorite Australian beers.
No Additives
No Preservatives
The taste is a bit yeasty, the way a good beer should taste.
I prefer a beer that has a mildly dry, bitter, refreshing taste, over a beer that is sweet and light.

I dont like to be drunk.
I like to drink for the taste, and to reach a nice tipsy warmth within. I'd rather feel a bit silly and warm from a few drinks of good さけ, wine, or a nice beer, without drinking too much and loosing my senses.

Fermented Goodness

Since the 19th November I have been at home, enjoying my break from work.
I have been taking better care of my health this break. Eating Okayu (rice soup) almost every day, for breakfast, and drinking at least two pots of fermented black tea, which was a gift from Aco.

For some time I have felt that I might have some health issue with my stomach or intestines. I often feel bloated, and full, even if I eat a small amount.
I have been following Aco's advice, trying to have a more holistic approach to my well-being. I first started learning BouKikou (CHi Kung with Bo) from Aco last year. Since then I have been practicing more frequently and finding it helps to relax any tightness in my shoulders and neck.
The tightness in my left shoulder and left side of my neck, can at times be very severe and painful. So I have asked for more advice from Aco about these symptoms, to find out what she would recommend, how my symptoms would be interpreted by Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It was interesting to learn that the left shoulder is related to the stomach. Aco had advised me to start taking better care of my stomach, by eating Okayu each morning, and Miso Shiru, and to drink the fermented black tea each day.
I have been following her advice, and I have been feeling better... less bloated, and clean within. I am now wishing to find more fermented foods and drinks. There is a tea shop in Chermside that sells fermented teas, I will have a look next week, and if it's not too expensive, I will buy some.

Thanks Aco. MD.

First batch of Cookies @ home

Chocolate Chip & Walnut Cookies.

I baked these cookies to give to friends. I stay away from sweets, most of the time, since learning how easy it is too overeat delicious sweets and desserts, and knowing that sweet foods do not support my well-being.

It is nice however, after enjoying many healthy meals, day after day, to occasionally eat something sweet just for the pleasure of tasting it. I feel, desserts taste much better after not eating them for long periods of time.