A Trip to Beijing
20 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
With Bisong back in Beijing until the New Year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to write a few words about her last trip there. At the end of October, I travelled with Bisong to Beijing where we attended a number of meetings. For me, it was an opportunity to meet some of her contacts and also to take a side-trip to Shanghai to meet with an eco-building company down there.
I had been to China once before back in 2002/3 when I spent an enjoyable three months in Shanghai trying my hand at journalism at an English language newspaper there. Back then, I unfortunately didn’t make it to Beijing so I thought my chances of ever visiting the capital had probably come and gone. However, behind the scenes, the Dao had evidently been concocting plans on my behalf!
Life Science Forum – Chinese Medicine meets Modern Physics
The main catalyst for Bisong’s trip was to attend a two day meeting entitled the Life Science Forum – Chinese Medicine meets Modern Physics. Attendees came from a diverse range of backgrounds, all however with a keen interest in health and wellbeing. Held at the 301 Military Hospital in west Beijing, the purpose of the forum was to provide a platform for a series of presentations by the attendees and subsequent round table discussions.
As well as Bisong and myself, attendees included Professor Charlie Zhang, a biophysicist whose presentation focused on his research into the electromagnetic fields of living systems particularly the human body and its internal aura (see here for more detail http://bit.ly/sCghfs) and Professor Li Jixing, director and researcher of Peking University’s China Centre for Balance Theory Research. Prof Li talked about moving toward a more holistic approach to healthcare, one which looks not only at medical wellbeing but also the interconnections with wider society including the economic, cultural and political systems.
Other presentations heard ranged from practitioners in Classical Chinese Medicine through to more esoteric topics such as applying the wisdom of the Dao De Jing and the I Ching.
It was a stimulating forum (even for a non-Mandarin speaker such as myself!) one which will hopefully lead to further developments, which may hold the potential of creating a shift in the way healthcare is provided in China, if not the wider world.
Digital Wellbeing Project
Another meeting we attended was also exploring potential new ways of healthcare/wellbeing provision with the focus this time being on taking advantage of developments in digital technology. Attendees came from various sectors including broadcasting, marketing and telecommunication networks. Proposals discussed included setting up a distance medical consultant network, utilising mobile phone networks in the provision of information to elderly people and also broadcasting wellbeing programmes into people’s homes and on public transport.
Related to this, we’re currently looking at ways of sharing best practice between the developments taking place in China and closer to home here in the North East of Scotland.
Farmers Market
Visiting Beijing also provided me with a welcome opportunity to catch up with a friend, Tianle, from my days in Shanghai back in 02/03. We’d last met a few years ago while she was in New York studying and she had since moved back to China to work for an international NGO in Beijing.
It was great to hear that she was now working on growing and developing farmer’s market events in Beijing with all the produce coming from local organic farms. They have a Facebook page no less http://www.facebook.com/farmersmarketbj (somewhat strange given you can’t access Facebook in China!) Indeed, while I was in Shanghai, Tianle appeared on CCTV’s English news channel to talk about farmer’s markets. The program can be found here http://bit.ly/sdkI7B
With the various meetings and opportunities for sightseeing, my trip to Beijing was short yet fascinating and certainly left me longing for a return. Perhaps the Dao will be kind enough to afford me another opportunity to do so in the future.
Martin
Conscience
08 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
The Conscience is used much in some Eastern societies, but Western society knows it more to be a voice that tells you off for doing something ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’.
This is the channelled wisdom of a Soul Journey student.
It gives us a different definition.
“Conscience
Today you need to examine the role of conscience in your practise. Conscience is not about guilt or retribution. Conscience is the voice of the stars reminding you of the cosmic law and order. It reminds you when you have deviated from this natural law. It is designed to lead you back with minimum effort. But you must learn to distinguish between the voice of conscience, which is the voice of the higher self, from the self-pitying and self criticising ego.
Ego tries to hijack the spiritual function of conscience by giving voice to that which it deems unacceptable by its own laws. These are not the laws of the Cosmic Order. Neither are the laws of humanity, which relate only to the ego projected outwards onto society. This is the law of restriction, of must and must-not’s. It is rigid and unyielding.
But the Voice of the Law, the voice of Conscience is the voice of compassion transposed onto the human ego. It cares deeply about the human situation and is readily adaptable to the true nature of things. It yields, but it does not yield through human intent, rather to a higher law and functioning. Cause and effect – or karma – is not a system that binds one to a grinding wheel, but is a system whereby one can grow and evolve in accordance with the cycles (not laws) of nature. It allows total freedom of will and movement, but seeks an energetic equilibrium. Conscience is the guiding hand through the karmic cycles – it offers a way through that is the way of least resistance. Conscience guides us to freedom by following its demands and dictates to the letter. This is not rigidity. Do not misunderstand. It seeks to place mankind at the very centre of the evolving spiral of life. It reminds us of our overall place in the scheme of things and guides us gently through to truth.”
The Three Pue’rs
19 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
Her eyes popped
The steam arose
The cake was sweet
And Paul read prose.
Emma’s nose
Like traffic lights
Her feet like lead
The nose went red
and she stopped…
“Enough!” she cried
The Gu Qin played
On and on we drank
While some of us swayed.
The cure was more
So she succumbed
Stirring, pouring, drinking
The Pue’r
In Scotland
In Winter.
——-//——-
by Les Robson.
Truth
18 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
About a week ago, a course was held here at Shen called “”Soul Journey”.
It lead to several students forming stronger connections with the wisdom inside themselves.
This excerpt below is a piece of wisdom writing from one of these students:
“You must learn to distinguish between what you belive to be true, and what is actually true.
There is a truth which is relative and permeable, and a truth which is permanent and impermeable.
Seek and speak the truth that is resonant with the Universal truth.
Truth means total honesty, total commitment. There is no second guessing Truth.
Truth shines brighter than any Sun, and contains multiverses.
The essence of the Universe is Truth, not love, but love is contained within truth when held at its highest vibration.
To attain this, we must be completely honest, completely at one and in harmony with our inner essence and being.
Right speech is an aspect of truth, it resonates at the same frequency.
Speak openly, speak honestly, align yourself with the highest and shine.
You tell yourself small lies to cover mistakes and insecurities, to give voice to the ego.
You tell yourself big lies to convince yourself and others that things are other than they actually are.
It is a form of avoidance, or hiding, a child’s reaction to fear of punishment.
Grow up, be true.
- Today you need to open your heart to complete honesty. When you do, your heart will shine.”
Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!
12 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
This year, Chinese New Year fell on February 3rd.
It has become the year of the Rabbit!
According to Chinese astrology, you are a Rabbit when you are born in the years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 – and then every 12 years afterwards. Rabbit people are kind, sweet, popular and good company. They are sentimental, compassionate and enjoy being quiet and peaceful. To read more about Rabbit characteristics, please click HERE.
The forecast for the coming rabbit year is that, just like the animal itself, we will have quite a sophisticated period with gracious manners and sensitivity. Intuition and gut feelings will be strong and wise but we are warned not to be impatient or in a hurry, and to carefully weigh up each side of a choice before we make it. The more we take care in what we do, the more we will succeed.
So… this year, use all your senses to sniff the air before you come out of your rabbit hole. Sniff, sniff and sniff again. Then when you are sure the coast is clear… run. jump, play, enjoy yourself! Nibble fresh dandelions and roll in the grass! Enjoy your family, eat good food, spend time with friends – build compassion and practice being patient and listen to that inner voice which tells you when to be careful and when to let go.
In honour of the year of the rabbit, here at The Shen Foundation, we threw a big party on new years eve! All our local friends and neighbours were invited to have fun, share yummy Chinese food and sample some of the cultural delights that China has to offer.
<— We made Chinese dumplings! A simple dough was prepared. Cabbage, carrot and other vegetables were cut into small strips for the filling. All our guests helped to flatten out the dumpling dough into very thin circles, then brushed garlic and olive oil over it, added a handful of vegetable mix and squashed it down on one side in a semi-circle shape. Then the edge was pinched along the side and hey presto…..
(Look at the bottom of the picture for dumplings ready for the next stage.) —>
Then they were deep-fried in a wok and served with many other yummy Chinese dishes – courtesy of our very own Chinese chef, Wendy!
As well as Chinese dumpling making, we had plans to write people’s names in calligraphy – but most people chose to make dumplings instead! We had a special Chinese tea ceremony and our (currently) resident palm reader got lots of takers for readings:
All in all, a good night was had by everyone. We hope people
enjoyed their small cultural taste of Chinese New Year.
Happy Year of the Rabbit to everyone!
Winter Solstice Practice – 21st December
19 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
In Chinese medicine, Winter is associated with the kidney meridian. Its
fundamental role in the body is to supply life force. Winter is an ideal time
to nourish kidney chi and the winter solstice is a powerful opportunity to
harness this life force for the year ahead.
It is traditional to practice Qigong for the whole solstice day, without talking
or being too active. The principle is to bring chi deep into the body, preparing
it for the year ahead. The human body has natural rhythms, in the same way
trees or plants have. In winter the body closes, and, likewise, seeds gestate or
leaves fall. When spring arrives buds open and trees blossom. On the winter
solstice moment chi moves at the bottom of the spine. From then after it rises
through the spine, until the summer solstice when it reaches the top of the head.
From there it travels back again. The chi moves in an orbit, like the circulation
of planets. Preserving the chi at the bottom of the spine on the day of the solstice, is
like laying strong roots, or nourishing seeds. If seeds are exposed to the
surface of the Earth too soon they may be harmed, and so it is with our chi levels.
The solstice practice involves being quiet, and not speaking for the whole day.
Try to maintain a Qigong, trance like state; ideally without thinking or being
too active. Empty the mind, and in deep stillness internally visualise the
lower dentian. It is best to start the day before, in order to feel really calm
and prepare chi – and then to extend a little into the next day. If the solstice
day is really calm, and we locate our chi, we can accumulate enough to shoot up
when needed.
During the winter months it is also advisable to take cold showers. These shut
down the system. In winter everything is deep and shut down. Inside, however,
the body is still warm. Hot water does not help to keep you warm, since taking too
much heat into the skin bring chi to the surface and pulls out resources. Hold the
chi like a secret.
These principles apply especially at the moment, when we are in a moment of Earth
transformation. The Earth’s climate is currently being experienced in extremes. For
example Scotland has had an earlier winter than usual. Strengthening our chi through
rituals such as the winter solstice is a good way to prepare for any transformation that is
or may occur.
Wisdom from the Cosmos
06 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
Here at the Shen Foundation, we run many different courses and trainings. From Tea Ceremonies to Qigong and Soul Training, we support each person to realise and attain their unique potential and understand who they are and why they are here.
One of our great friends and a long-term volunteer and team member of Shen called Les Robson, recently went on a course with us called Internal Alchemy Qigong Teacher Training. During it, he had an experience which he felt moved to share with the world out there…
- “Within the internal alchemy trainers course at the Shen Foundation, I tuned into the Divine Wisdom deep inside me and the Cosmos. I would like to share the inner wisdom I received with you:
- “The Cosmic Intelligence:
- Ten minutes is not long but we understand.
- Firstly the Internal Alchemy is an Eastern historical teaching which takes many years to learn. In the Western world it is relatively unknown or at least miss-understood.
- The essential ingrediants in its understanding and operation are:
- A period of service,
- A clear body and mind,
- A centred body,
- Humbleness,
- Lack of ego,
- Virtuousness.
- Once these elements have been achieved the practitioner must devote himself to a period of dedication for the remainder of his life; Understand the meridians,the internal organs, the chakras, the law; Have a high vibrational level, a calm manner and be non-judgemental; Learn how to use the five elements to be able to purify the body even further and to understand the process; To be able to control and improve the internal imbalances and once that has been achieved, to be able to maintain that.
- Once this has been achieved the student will enter the higher dimensions and progress through other incarnations. To build on these achievements, further training and service during these new incarnations should enable the student eventually to attain enlightenment. (Very, very few attain this.)””
