The Anger-Eating Demon

For my first blog, I thought I’d retell a story once told by the Buddha himself:

Once upon a time there was a great and wise emperor who had to leave his palace for a business trip. During the emperor’s absence, a large, ugly, foul, smelly and vulgar demon approached the palace gates. He was so fearsome, that his very presence froze the palace guards and advisors in sheer terror. Unable to move out of fright, they watched as the demon walked right into the palace and sat down on the emperor’s throne. Upon seeing this, the guards fear was replaced by anger, and they stormed to the throne shouting, “Get out of that throne, who do you think you are!” And as they shouted this, the demon grew one inch taller, a little uglier, a bit smellier and his language became more vulgar. Upon seeing this, the guards were enraged even more and continued shouting at the demon, “If you don’t get out of that throne right now, we’ll cut off your head!” And with each insult and threat, the demon grew a little larger, more smelly, even more vulgar and fearsome. This continued for some time until the demon was so large that he took up most of the room. He was so vile and smelly the guards could barely stand and his language was so vulgar and loud that even the biggest brute blushed.

When the emperor returned to see this enormous, vile demon in his throne, and being the wisest of all in his empire, he knew immediately what to do. He entered the throne room and exclaimed, “Hello, demon! How nice of you to visit me! Has anyone offered you something to eat yet? Would you like something to drink?” And with the emperor’s kind words the demon shrunk just bit, became a bit less smelly and less offensive. When the guards saw this, they immediately realized their mistake and joined the emperor. “Please, sit there and let us bring you some fruit, and perhaps some wine. Would you like us to draw you a bath? How long will be you staying with us?” And with each of these kind words, the demon slowly shrank back to the size he was when he first arrived.

But the emperor didn’t stop there. He continued his kindness and compliments until the demon was so small that just one more act of kindness and he would disappear entirely. And he did. The emperor retook his throne and all his guards and advisors learned a valuable lesson.

The Buddha called this demon an “Anger-Eating Demon.” Many times in our lives we encounter anger-eating demons. They could be at work, at home, anywhere we choose to let our anger overcome us. It’s interesting to see that even when it’s someone we love, the blindness of anger makes them appear ugly, vile and fierce, when we give anger back to those who give it to us. And just as the emperor shows in this story, anger is only defeated by kindness and compassion. So please remember, that when we say we are angry with someone, it is not really the person you are angry with, but the actions they have taken against you. Perhaps it is not even you that they are intentionally directing that anger towards. Perceptions are phenomena which rise and fall within our own minds. Remember this and match your anger-eating demons always with kindness and compassion.

As we close in on 2007.... Some Thoughts

It seems as though as this year ends and we come upon 2008 we have all had quite a few changes, shifts and personal earthquakes.
I know in my life this year I did. And I thank the fact that my belief and surrender into the Dharma has helped me along. I no longer feel that I am in this all alone, and can call upon the Dharma/Buddha/Sangha for support when I do need it the most. And this year I have needed it!
But as my acceptance of life grows so does my peace, and well at times bliss.
I believe that whatever we go thru if we call upon the Buddha we can get thru it. I usually am filled with a overwhelming amount of peace, then I can go forward. :)
I have much to learn in the Dharma, but am a willing student, and open to the teaches, no matter where it may lead me.

I find that I blend my Buddhism with being a Americano. The fact that we live in this country a predominatly Christian based country I at times blend that with my Buddhism. I don't celebrate Christmas, but do gift gifts and see it as Dharma and part of the joy of living. I also don't decorate my house, but I do decorate one of my Buddhas. By putting something festive on him (he is rather large and ornate and I can put fancy garland around his shoulders and fancy Christmas small wreath around his head. I know if I was in Japan or Thailand I wouldn't have to worry about celebrating Christmas, therefore I wouldn't think of Dressing up my Buddha. But since I do live here I feel that Buddha honors all walks of life and even probably gets a nice giggle out of being dolled up.
I also put presents under my Buddha. To honor him and his teaches, and have a beautiful candle that burns in front of Buddha. My offering to Buddha. It is a fancy essential oil, all natural one! :)
I also give gifts to my doggies, since they have been so good and they enjoy opening them. I call the Day of Christmas our Buddha fest in America! We love each other and celebrate with special gifts and fun! As well as enjoy our time together as well as make something really scrumptious and delicious to eat!! We celebrate being Buddhist! And we also do something swell for those less fortunate then us, again part of the Dharma. So to me The Holidays is a time to practice the Dharma and enjoy being a Buddhist! And to let my Sangha know they are loved!

Blissings
Shanti

Week of Events that require deep breaths

Last week full of events... And required me to stay still and breath.

My Father in Law passed away last week...And we went down to Delray where there was such a wonderful service given for him. Jewish in spirit, and all heart.


I meet some of my extended family (brother in laws and wifes and children) they came from Seattle and Washington I think.. Everyone was able to gather in a positive manner, one that was filled with love and admiration. It was nice to be part of it. My Mother in Law was so beautiful and full of love, she was strong, but also so kind and possibly even at peace, knowing Dad is in a better, peaceful place.


I also was able to be there for Tony. His grieving and letting go process. It was nice to provide a shoulder (since he does it so much for me!). I see Tony's Dad as a beautiful White Dove who is flying away over the Ocean toward the sky and luminating white healing light all around him, free of the bondage of the human body.


Ahhhhh....


I honored death for him by seeing it as a release and a celebration of all who loved him coming together and unity in joy and happiness for all that he was and still is in everyones heart and soul. A celebration of him, a tribute if you will.


I unfortunately have had a horrible migraine for the last few weeks on and off. And before going I had one that was a killer, it took me two days to get rid of it..


I am accepting that this is what is at the moment. And I am also going to a eye doctor (since my sight is getting kinda bad) and a Endicrinologist for my thryoid. I have a nodule on each side of my thyroid and I know that my tumors on my ovaries are all part of the thyroid not functioning.


I believe in living in the now, and then doing what I can to change it in the future.


But I also know that acceptance is the most important thing I can do to heal my body!


I have been busy with my etsy online shoppe. I have alot of new jewelry designs and vegan/natural soap, and skincare next week. I feel good about that. I have started to sell slowly at first, which is fine, and now I am going to need a bigger mailbox! Since I am having to mail stuff out for sold items and my mailbox is a regular size one :(


Haha..


I also am more at peace then I have been in a long time!


I miss the Spa and Yoga studio, but not the headaches!


I don't miss the issues either.


I am the peace that I feel and I share that with the world around me.


And hopefully with a smile on my face


Namu Amida Butsu


Shanti

An Invitation to Join The World Peace Prayer Ceremony Global Link Teleconference 10/27

An Invitation to Join
The World Peace Prayer Ceremony
Global Link Teleconference
Saturday, October 27 ~ 11:00 A.M., USA EST
Invoke PEACE in each of the 196 countries and regions of the world.
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Voices calling from around the world
For Peace to Prevail on Earth
Call in Telephone Number
USA 641-594-7000 pass code 474779#

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH®

Saturday, October 27, 11:00 A.M.
USA Eastern Standard Time
Call in Telephone Number
USA 641-594-7000 ~ Pass code 474779#

Add your LIVE PRAYERS to The Global Link Teleconference
For more information or to register, click the link below:

Register Here

New Creations

New Week New Start

Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Well I am starting to feel like I am coming out of the crazyness of last week.
I have so many people to contact that were kind and loving and emailed or called me, I just wasn't in a place to chat, I guess you could say I was licking my wounds, after the fall out of last week.

But now it is time to look toward the sun, look outward, and to be at peace with all that has occured.. I am finding that peace, and starting to come back to balance within myself. Thur quiet time and my daily practice....

I was gifted this past weekend with a new camer the elixm by casio.. It is one I have wanted for the past few months.. I have a thing for cameras, I have four, but am always wanting the newest, smallest one! :)

I have a thing for mp3's also.. I betya I own four or five, two apples, two creatives and i dunno another one somewhere around my pad...

Anyhoo, this camera is like giving me such joy. I guess cause as a Artist and photographer I can create more art with it, but also it is so mucho simplier to use then the other cameras I have.. It takes great pics and is tiny tiny tiny :)
I wanna start taking more pics, for my mandala art and this is going to rock..
I can go up to Merritt Island refuge and take pics, Canaveral National Seashore, as well as just so many kewl things I see in a day I wanna point, shoot and aim at!
This camera also has the sepia feature, which I love (Love black and whites) that is my "thing"....

I do love some technology the stuff for me that makes being a artist more creative or assist in the creative process! :)

I am already feeling freed up more creatively as a artist since letting go of all that has occured for me last week (and of course before that) all the blood sweat and tears that went into the Spa.. Hard work,hard work and more hard work.. But I feel I can channel any pain or sadness from closing into my art and designs now..

Gotta move into the now be now feel am now
pain and suffering is all a illusion, my perception
letting go of attachment, letting it slip thru my fingers, slipping thru my mind, slipping thru my soul
no longer having to
being to
needing to


Blissings
Shanti

Blogging for the Environment

Blogging for the Environment

October 15, a week from today, is Blog Action Day, and the theme this year is the environment. If you have a blog and want to join in, all you have to do is use that day to post something related to the environment, in whatever way, shape, or form you prefer. You can pick an environmental issue that has meaning for you and let us know why it's important. Organize a beach or neighborhood cleanup and tell us about it. If you're into fiction writing, give us a story with an environmental theme. Have a podcast, videoblog, or photoblog? Join the fun! The idea here is to have a mass effect on public awareness by sharing as many ideas in as many ways as possible.

Free to BE

When I wrote about changes last week I didn't realize it would be coming up so quickly for me to accept them changes... This has been a very eventful, emotional, tiring, and at times overwhelming week.

I chose to though see it as a step in the journey, and not the end all and be all in my life. We closed the Spa as many of you know.... It saddened me, and yet I tried to stay at a distance from myself. My emotions so I could see that it was a part of the process for me.. My growth and to move forward this is what I needed to do for myself. It came on so quickly, we were there and then we weren't. The situation was quite untolerable with the mold and not getting any better, for six months of struggling with the landlord.. It is not for me to try and figure this out and judge, to just be. It drives my husband batty sometimes, but that is what Buddhism has taught me.. That I am able to not label a situation, and get caught up in turmoil, just be.. Especially when it is the last thing our brain wants to do.. :)

I am now getting my house back in order since bringing all the product and items, and reorganize for the house to hold the Spa inventory, etc. But it is all working out, we are busting at the seams, but we will be fine.. :)

I feel it is more important to accept, and be in the moment, then next week I can start meditating on what our next move will be. In the meantime, I am going to find out about having a Fellowship gathering in Merritt Island, and possible cocoa village. I will just let it be for the moment....Enjoy my weekend and this fall weather we are going to be gifted with.

I also am feeling blessed that I can for the time being, spend more time on my daily practice, which is very important to me...

Blissings

Shanti

They're shooting monks in Burma

Have you seen the news?
After decades of brutal dictatorship, the people of Burma are rising—and they need our help. In the past few days, hundreds of thousands of peaceful protesters, led by Buddhist monks, have flooded the streets of Rangoon.1 But yesterday, the military started shooting monks and journalists.2
In Burma when protesters last marched in 1988, the military massacred thousands. But this time it can be different—if only the world stands with the marchers.
This is a true emergency. Avaaz.org, MoveOn's international sister group, has launched a petition demanding Burmese generals negotiate rather than crush the demonstrators. They're focused on getting United Nations Security Council members—particularly China's Hu Jintao—to intervene. Will you sign Avaaz.org's petition? Clicking here will add your name:
http://pol.moveon.org/burma/o.pl?id=11318-7696032-eun8v3&t=3
Our friends at Avaaz say the petition has taken off. Already, people from 200 countries have signed, and thousands more are adding their names every hour. People around the world are mobilizing protests aimed at China and the other countries with the economic power to sway the ruling military junta. It's an unprecedented global response. If you sign, we'll pass your name and info to Avaaz.org, which is delivering signatures on an ongoing basis to the UN Security Council and the media at the UN—and communicating our support directly to the Burmese.
For decades the Burmese dictatorship fought off pressure—imprisoning elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy activists, wiping out thousands of villages in the provinces, bringing miseries from forced labour to refugee camps. One-third of children under 5 now suffer malnutrition; millions are down to one meal a day.
But last Tuesday Buddhist monks and nuns, overwhelmingly respected in Burma, began marching and chanting prayers. The protests spread—and now they're growing by tens of thousands every day , as ordinary people join in. They've broken the chains of fear and given hope to 52 million Burmese.
However, this hope is hanging by a thread. Yesterday, the regime began cracking down on the monks, raiding monasteries and staging mass arrests. Now, demonstrators and journalists have been killed by soldiers shooting into crowds of unarmed, peaceful protesters.
This is one of those moments where the world can make the difference: standing shoulder to shoulder with the Burmese people, helping to shine a dissolving light on tyranny. Let's call on powers at the UN—in particular, China (next year's Olympics host)—to warn the generals that violence will have the gravest consequences, and the time has come for change.
Click here to sign the petition, then tell everyone you know:
http://pol.moveon.org/burma/o.pl?id=11318-7696032-eun8v3&t=4
This week, the Burmese people have chosen hope over fear. We need to let the demonstrators know the world is with them.

Ahhhhhhhh~

Well it seems like our Sangh in Satellite is grooving right along.
Although I felt puny, it was great seeing everyone, and being there.. :)
So much to be thankful for.

:)

The weekend is almost here, and I am so blissful to be spending time just chillin with Tony and Karma..... Ahhhh.. The simple moment to moment times... Be here now and now and now.

I have been working on being more light hearted.. Although I am having some health challenges, I know this too will pass.. And then that will pass, then this will pass, and on and on :) But I am keeping the mode of compassion awake within me. As I say the Nam An Dam Bu.... The Nembutsu chant.. It helps to remind me of just being..... And gives my mind a much needed rest :)

I have found some really zen zen beads, and focal points.. They will be great to use for the new fresh, funky Buddha vibe pieces.. I am getting to know alot of other Artist who have a similar vibe to me, and working with them is creating a really kewl unity of love vibration! :) It brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.. :)
The Jewelry gig has been part of my life for almost twenty years.. I always go back to it, I may do Graphic Art/Clothing/Scarves/Writings/etc.. But I always end up back to my first love in Functional Art, Jewelry :)

Ahhh well I am going to rest now and just be...
Finding the blissings in the moment of love
You are the Lotus.
I am the Lotus.
Karma is the Lotus
The Lotus Rocks! :)

Shanti

New Blog and New Moments to share :)

Times they are a changin.. change, change change...

Dog days of summer are coming to a end. We made it, and now we are going to enjoy the beautiful balmy weather of Central Florida. :)

The Indian River Today had that Algae smell to it.. ugh..... But it is so beautiful, we saw a few days ago a small Pink Flamingo on the shores.. Right by the Yoga Studio wading in the shallow waters...

Ahhh...

The Yoga Studio is looking so nice. And we are so blissed to be able to enjoy the Downtown Titusville area.. At this time, moment, place. :)

It feels like we are in a time warp here in Titusville.. The last of the quiet, simple ways of living, in Florida.

Alot of folx though are leaving.. Since we are in a time when we are having more folx leaving our beautiful state then coming.. That's a first.. :(

Tommorow is the Satellite Beach Buddhist Fellowship.. :)

Ahhhhhh we all need our little Sangha it helps to keep my vibe up and be around like minded friends.. :)

Everyone always assumes that all my peeps are Buddhist too! I acutally don't have any friends or co workers who are !!! :) It's so funny.

Labels are quaint..

I am still working on Lotus in the Mud jewelry, and products.. It is a labor of love, and takes time and care to have the perfecto items and love infused creations.

I am though addicted to Etsy.. I can't get enough of the artist goodies :)

I plan on creating a beautiful line of bracelets.. Simple, Zen and breathtaking... I wake with ideas, and then keeep working on them till the idea is made manifest into a perfect funky look and awesome fit and lovely vibe.. ommm mani padme hum.. right along asking Buddha for the guidance needed to create the perfect bliss bracelet :)

Blissings

Shanti