Obaitori

an opportunity to create peace

 

On Thursday evening we have a wonderful opportunity to give to others in need.

There is a fundraising movie on at Avoca Beach Cinema organised by Kerry Wright, the well-known local teacher, humanitarian and very good friend of Burma and Tibet.

Kerry is holding a special evening to raise funds for Burmese refugees in India. Avoca Cinema will be showing the film The Lady.

Burma's national heroine Aung San Suu Kyi has just been re-elected to the Burmese parliament.  In The Lady (Michelle Yeoh) is a living symbol of freedom. The Nobel Peace Prize winner was held under house arrest by Burma's military junta for more than two decades until her release in 2010.

Kerry says, "Each year we bring 50 tired Burmese refugees from Delhi to Dharamsala, for 3-5 days, to be nourished and supported by the Tibetans. Last November's group sat in the Tibetan Parliament, met His Holiness the Dalai Lama (who speaks to Her regularly) and the Prime Minister of Tibetan Government in Exile, Dr Lobsang Sangay. We raise the money for this from Australia, and it has the wonderful support of organisations in Dharamsala, like Students for Free Tibet, Tibetan women's Association, Tibetan Youth Congress etc. It has meant a lot to the Burmese people, many of who were forced to flee Burma, and who are unable to return yet."

 'The Lady is recommended for anyone interested in how a lone woman can alter history with a strict code of anti- violence - as did moral giants such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela among others. It's inspirational and reassuring: humans can redeem themselves and dictators shall perish.'(Urbancinefile).

PLEASE COME! BRING AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!

Thursday 24th May at 7pm, just $15.

 Humans are not born with claws, fangs or strong jaws to kill for survival. We are more like sheep and rabbits. Tigers and the cats are made to kill as they cannot go and buy meats from super market. It shows we are gentler by nature. War and violence is not part of human trait... We humans have created most of the trouble in this world... Therefore, we have to find solutions for it... Peace does not fall from the sky.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

 Eternal Oms and Love to Kerry Wright.

Hope to see you there. Katie xxx

 

 

introducing spirituality through nature ~ + giveaway ~

 

Today I am very happy to introduce Ilchi Lee.

 

A beautiful teacher of spirit, Ilchi Lee is an educator and mentor who has developed many mind-body training methods including Dahn Yoga and Brain Education. 

He is also the founder of Sedona Mago Retreat and the author of thirty-three books, including the New York Times bestseller, The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart. For a closer look, click here.

I asked Mr Lee how to nurture spirituality in children. Here is his golden advice for all of us to imbibe.

~~~

For conscientious parents, introducing spirituality to children can be difficult. On the one hand, you want them to develop that side of themselves. But on the other hand, you don’t want to foist your beliefs onto them. I would like propose that the most natural way to expose kids to spirituality is nature herself.

 

The first thing parents should realize is that teaching spirituality is not about telling your child what to believe. In fact, the need to compartmentalize spirituality into a set of beliefs has caused much trouble for humanity throughout history. In its purest form, spirituality is about experience, not belief, and thus words will always fall short. Thus, your goal should be to allow children to experience their spiritual side, rather than to believe any particular thing.

 

Nature is the perfect place for children to experience their spiritual selves. Outdoors, children very naturally experience the awe and wonder of life without all the noisy, artificial distractions of modern life. They do not have to know any facts or figures about nature to feel this. Nature teaches about the cycle of life and the oneness of all things in ways that far exceed the words written in any sacred document.

 

When out in nature, there is little that you as a parent have to teach. All you have to do is provide the opportunity to interact with nature. The most important lessons of nature are communicated intuitively and automatically, if a child is given enough time to romp and play and explore. What is more important, I think, is what you demonstrate in your own behaviors toward nature. Do you look at nature as something for humans to exploit, or do you regard nature with reverence and respect? In their lifetimes, children will be exposed to many ways of thinking and relating to the world. By communicating to them through your own behaviors toward the earth, you could be communicating a sense of sacredness in regard to the earth and the natural environment. These behaviors could serve your children for a lifetime. 

~~~

 

I would like to offer you the chance to win Ilchi Lee's book, the bestseller,The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart. Please leave a comment for your chance to win.

 

For more information about Ilchi Lee's teachings, visit www.callofsedona.com

Mary Adams writes for Mr Lee's blog. It is filled with interesting insight into spiritual lessons and how we can live an enriched, full, beautiful life. 

Good luck! The giveaway is open for one week. Please share this post around and kindly tell others of the competition. I'll announce the winner next Friday.

A very special thank you to Mr Lee for his very generous contribution to Obaitori.

~~~

The winner of Ilchi Lee's book, The Call of Sedona; Journey of the Heart goes to Amanda from

Bound for Home;

Amanda said...

"Beautiful and inspiring! So simple, yet so important. The last few weeks, as I began the herb and vegetable seeds for the garden, having the children involved, helping me with the seedlings, has been such a wonderful way for them to develop their connection with Nature.

Thank you for an amazing giveaway!"

Congratulations Amanda!

  

Mala Making

Making your own mala is a very wonderful experience. It also makes a beautiful gift.

Tying a barrel note is a helpful skill to have too, especially if you have plenty of broken malas. My 108 mala strings usually last a really long time but my wrist malas of 27 beads don't last. Some people say that once a mala has broken it is an indication that you don't need it anymore - well I tell you, that does not apply to me, I always need to chant. Some of the benefits of japa yoga are; concentration, developing one-pointedness, strong will-power and high vitality.

Return to the Center shows how to make a mala without the barrel knot. The author enjoys the 'click' of each bead & the hang that the sutra or thread creates. Instead of recreating the wheel here, I recommend that if you want to create a mala with a barrel knot go here & then follow the very thorough instructions from Return to the Center.

From Satyananda in Yoga Magazine ~

The purpose of the mala is to keep your awareness on the practice. At times you may be so involved in your thoughts that you forget what you are doing. It is only when you complete a round of mala rotation that your attention is brought back to the practice. A mala is also used to indicate how much practice you have done.

The mala should always be held in the right hand between the tips of the thumb and the ring finger. The middle finger moves the beads and the second and little fingers don't come into contact with the mala. Rotate the mala towards the palm. When you reach the sumeru you have completed one round. Turn the mala with your fingers and start the second round.

Traditionally, the mala is always held just in front of the heart. The left hand is cupped and placed in the lap facing upwards. It can be used to catch the lower end of the mala to prevent it from swinging about and becoming tangled. If you prefer, your right hand can be placed on the right knee and the mala can rest on the floor.

Here is the full article.

Do you make your own malas? Please share any of your tips and thoughts here with us. I find that I'm often fixing Rosary Beads also. I try to but the more expensive ones but alas... So any suggestions for any type of prayer beads are very welcome!

knitting in divinity

It's cold and raining here today, a perfect reason to sit, read, knit, drink lots of tea with milk and honey and listen to divine music.

Yogi's collar has been pulled out several times since last week sometimes purposely, sometimes accidently and sometimes accidently on purpose! Alas, no photo of Yogi for this time.

I'm reading Piero Bargellini's treasure, "The Little Flowers of Saint Clare." Dazla bought this book back from Assisi, Italy for me, ♥ ♥ ♥. It is a collection of short stories about Clare's life and her miracles. I read it when I need comfort. Here is a little more I wrote about Saint Francis and Saint Clare.

Whilst I'm knitting I'm listening to Misere ~ Allegri ~. From Wiki; "Miserere, full name "Miserere mei, Deus" (Latin: "Have mercy on me, O God") by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri, is a setting of Psalm 51 (50) composed during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, probably during the 1630s, for use in the Sistine Chapel during matins, as part of the exclusive Tenebrae service on Wednesday and Friday of Holy Week. The service would start usually around 3AM, and during the ritual, candles would be extinguished, one by one, until one remained alight and hidden." The full article including English translation is here.

 

 

 

This piece of music I hold so close to my heart. I would like to think that it is part of my soul. I like to listen to it often but it never fails to work if I've lost my temper, my dignity, had a difficult day or am just feeling awful. It holds me in good stead, it reminds me of divinity, grace, love, hope, peace and joy. It settles my children too, ♥

 

I hope you bliss out in it and make a beautiful day, sweet friend.

 

Joining up with Ginny from Small Things at the Yarn Along, pop over and have a look, become inspired!

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

 

The Link at Sunset

 

A treat today for your sweet ears. Here is our dear friend Jesse playing on the didgeridoo, bells and hang drum with Robbie on harp. Filmed in Port Douglas, Far   North Queensland. For more of Jesse's music go here.

 

 

I read the news today, oh boy ...

The headlines are scary but Jonathan Cainer - astrologer - is quoted as saying;

The London riots, largely, are symbolised by the current square between Mars and Uranus. We've seen the worst already. The wave of anxiety gripping the financial markets is chiefly to do with Mercury Retrograde...

So today, for you dear readers and me, a little bit of sweetness. My lovely friend Michelle made these gorgeous little flowers and placed them on the wall for all the children to see in the preparation class of our divine Montessori school. The world is great.

Good and bad experiences are the nature of the world. Convert the challenging experiences into steppingstones towards success.

~ Amma ~

Lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu

Om shanti shanti shanti

Hari Om

 

 

shower yourself with love

Rose is known as one of the most important flowers for women. It soothes, it worships her soft velvety skin, it calms.

The saying, 'stop and smell the roses' didn't just happen by chance.

I add it to my day where I can, and when I remember, before my mood gets feisty.

~ ~ ~    ~ ~ ~    ~ ~ ~

In a drink bottle; a teaspoon of rose water or warm rose tea.

In a bath; a generous shake of rose bath salts.

Handy in a spritzer of spring water.

A tiny glass perfume bottle with a dash of essential oil inhaled, recipe here.

 

Mary is said to be the rose itself.

 

Nourish Yourself

Aum Pond ~ Satyananda Yoga Mangrove Mountain Ashram, Australia

The stories, meanings, philosophy & teachings of the sacred pranava mantra, aum are vast. The subject of aum or om is literally massive.

Today, for you, is a short note on the sacred mantra; aum.

Typically, as mothers, we give, give, give. This is good. What is not good is our ability to receive. How good are you at receiving compliments, taking up on opportunities to spend time alone, nourishing yourself with your self-massage, kind thoughts? Usually we can do with some polishing.

Aum is comprised of three sounds, a, u & m.

Often we pronounce the a for a very long time.

This small note on aum encourages us to pronounce the m for a longer time.

So the aum would look like this;

 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

When the mmmm is longer is opens up the possiblities for us to receive more. This is not selfish because if we are able to receive more, we are able to give more. Give it a try.

Tonight, when it is quiet, light a candle. Sit in a comfortable meditation position. Settle the body, observe the natural breath for a couple of minutes. Then begin to chant aum. Chant for 5 - 10 minutes. The aums can be of varying lengths according to your breath. When finished, sit quietly observing the vibration created within the body from the practice. Smile - & know that you are alive.

 

 

Expression of Beauty & Divinity

 

Thank you dear readers for all the beautiful, kind & inspiring comments & Love. I really appreciate the thoughts, ideas, compliments, inspiration & your time to comment on Obaitori. This goes beyond praise for you ~ I see that it represents a true expression of your beauty & divinity. Thank you.

And so, a gentle humbling gift from my heart to yours.

 

Julie's Song

A soothing remedy -

We were working ourselves into a corner this afternoon of bad behaivour, impatience & general yuckiness. To break the momentum I switched on this song of joy &; soon we were dancing, laughing & had forgotten about things like the bread taking so long to bake, terrorising each other, sharing... Those things that are tricky for a four year old to comprehend & impossible for a 2 year old's developmental understanding, I think are best to avoid explain between the 'witching hours'.

Whilst we were dancing, Indira said, "Mummy, is this Julie singing? Is this Julie's song?" I replied, "Yes, darling this is definitely Julie's song!"

It is happy, uplifting, fun & you can't help but smile - a whole lot like being with Julie.

This one goes out to you Jules! & all mother's who need or want a bit of joy today. Un Bacio A Mezzanotte & a camelia flower from our garden, xxx