Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Journey to Zhong Shan to Find My Way

"Don't look at the finger pointing to the moon. It's just a finger. The moon is the moon, not the finger." I don't know how many times Dr. Luke Chan said that to me and the small group that met with him to study Chi Lel Qigong for the past three weeks. However, I needed this oasis more than anyone knew, even myself.Before I had departed, I had looked at what my blog had become. It was a huge departure from the direction I wanted. So, I had 'deleted' my blog, and when I made the journey back, I resolved to revive my blog along with my revived perspective on life. I honestly don't know how it happened. It seemed like I was noticing more and more negative aspects in life than the positive ones I had been used to seeing. It got to such a point that it was effecting everything in my life, to include my health. So I did what I needed to do, and found something that worked for me while here in China. Though the practice is Chi-Lel is largely based on the principles on the Tao te Ching or Dao de Jing (whichever preference you have). I found it to have many positive aspects that went beyond the physical, to effect a positive mind and body connection that was noticed almost immediately.
Also during my stay, we saw the incredible history of this city, which was the birthplace of the most revered person in modern China's history, Sun Yet-sen, who was instrumental in the overthrow of the monarchy that ruled China for over 2,000 years. The statue above is also the only statue of an American, who was a great supporter of Sun Yet-sen, Ruan Yan. The story is one of the most amazing ones, showing what one person can do to change a nation. The Republic of China was formed on 1 January 1912, and Sun Yet-sen simply pledged to support the people, and had fought many battles along the way, trying to keep the republic going until his untimely death in 1925 of Liver Cancer.
In this quite place, with a slower pace of life, I was able to retreat under the blue skies and palm trees, an oasis of time that I used to regain my spirit, find my inner muse and realize that the world will always be full of more than enough drama. It is very true that things happen and often in chaos and discord we seem to want to find a reason for things. We want them to remain the same, but they are always constants.
However, sometimes we need to ask ourselves how true the reflections are. Are you really seeing what you see, seeing what others want you to see, or seeing only what you want to see...or primarily just looking for the worst possible result...

With that thought held deeply in my mind...I thought again and began to see a different image in the reflection.

8 comments:

Savira Gupta said...

Marilyn
It is lovely to have you back. I hope somewhere within there is calmness and acceptance.
Namaste

Marilyn said...

I really needed the break and I feel a vitality that I haven't felt in ages. I am glad to see you again as well.

Earthula said...

Here you are!! I love how you move from one view to another .. fluid motion.

Happy Birthday in the days before!

Do we live in a world of polarity or is it really two parts of a whole picture,equal in beauty and wisdom?

Much love to you Marilyn Muse. Thank you for letting me know how you are, where you are and what is what!!

Marilyn said...

Lady E, I had a wonderful recovery and beautiful people I met on the journey.

The world is indeed polarized, but it doesn't have to be. I realized an important lesson gently along the way, to not give away my energy to the drama of the world. The stirring up of having to do something can often lead to the illusion that we must do something against something.

However, a snake will always be a snake, and nothing can be done to change its nature.

So in a lot of ways we decide by our actions and words along the way what we give ourselves to, and in a lot of ways, we often strengthen the negative aspects by wasting our time and energy with those aspects.

People are mirrors back to us, softness or hardness.

Thank you for the birthday wishes, it was a wonderful one, spent in good company. As it is often a place of humility one is in when you receive kindness.

It feels good to be back and good to be writing again. AND GREAT TO SEE YOU.

awitchtrying said...

I've learned lately that I have to be very careful about the information I take in. In trying to learn what was going on "out there", I lost some of my connection to myself. There is information that makes us feel small and weak. When we take a step back and soften our focus, we can see the beauty again and remember that we have great power, in our thoughts, in our Love, and in a smile. I think we need these times of darker-thought to remember our own light.

Marilyn said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This indeed has been a trying time for many people. There is strength in softness. Like the tribe in India that recently overcame a mining giant to have their land restored to them. More things like this are possible all over the world.

I found my focus, creativity and vitality has been increased, by NOT giving my energy away. I hope you find positive results in the tools that are around you as well.

Unknown said...

nice to visit your blog

Marilyn said...

Thank you and it was a lovely visit to your blog as well. I love the images you post.