Monday, March 19, 2012

Nov. James Kwanjin Gibbs



Nov. James Kwanjin Gibbs  (HJN: Haengjanim)  
Novitiate James Kwanjin Gibbs is an ordained Novice Priest in the Five Mountain Order. Nov. Kwanjin discovered Buddhism in about 1959, while a senior in high school. He read the Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac and thenThe Way of Zen by Alan Watts. In the ensuring years, he read everything he could get his hands on about Zen Buddhism. Kwanjin learned to sit in the full lotus position and he considers this to be his greatest achievement in the first twenty years or so of his life. This is a beautiful video and song from his heart about War and Peace, I hope you enjoy..

Saturday, March 17, 2012

A 100 Foot Flagpole

 This is one of the most brilliant cinematic moments ever put to film. Guy Ritchie, in his film "Revolver," explores the 'self selfing the self," throughout the entire movie. Jason Statham in this scene portrays the moment where all "the cosmic tumblers come into place" and we realize who and what we really are.

We have these conversations with ourselves, thinking that the one who is talking to the other somehow has substance, also we believe the lies that the one tells the other. This is just our back seat driver who just wants to complain and take control. In the Zen there is a saying, "when standing at the top of a hundred foot flagpole one more step is necessary."

This is that struggle to find our true self, this is how hard the 'battle' with our 'self' becomes. I am not my idea of myself, or I am not my idea are easy to say, but how will we transcend the illusion.

Each of our paths are different, we don't all come to the same conclusion the same way; however, the path is full of pitfalls where we check ourselves and try to convince ourselves that our ideas are who we are and not our inherent self. I hope you enjoy the video and I recommend the movie if you have see it.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Festival of Colors


add some color to your average life!!!!!!!!
Holi (Hindi: होली), is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colors. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. This year it is celebrated on March 8, 2012.

In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Indians together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.

Every year, thousands of Indians participate in the festival Holi. Waiting for the day after the full moon in the month of Phalguna, or early March, These men and women are ready to spread the joy. Holi has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.

So do yourself a favor and get some color on and lighten up and have some fun with friends, family and acquaintances. 

The Gourd - Life of Brian


This is how religious doctrine is established, and we base wars upon this type of understanding. Monty Python were brilliant.