Servant in Training

An Epic Whirlwind of the Heart

2010-12-20T09:29:00.001-08:00

The Blog of Travels ~

Dear Journey,
I have many things I want and need to ponder
But I will get to them as they come.
Because I didn’t come here to worry, I came to be free.
And I have to thank you for bringing me here,
enjoy..
with love, Tarázát

Narration:

"I have worked hard since my first job doing a paper route at 14
getting up before dawn, buying my own clothes because we
were poor and learning how to live frugally. I had many wonderful
opportunities and great work experiences with so many people
over the years.

I found someone and saw the height of my abilities but it all came
crashing down when that union failed. I felt like all this time and
energy was failed. I felt inadequate. And my temporary solution
was to turn into a ball of joy and love, not worry about anything
and travel with my savings that was hard earned, find refuge,
give inspiration to everyone around, and in turn it healed me in
so many ways. I focused on developing my artistic nature; I
traveled to sacred places of my past and put all pains into
expressions of growth. This was April 08 and I basically became
a new age hippie, till about the end of summer 09.

I spent over a year and a few months waiting for reality to really
give something. It was such a time of profound learning, but the
free spirit lifestyle wasn’t working anymore. Much of my best
video work was produced but it wasn’t paying the bills and near
the end of this period I was broke, and tired after struggling
to get by with only a little wisdom and joy left to give. I had
to really 'work' on me again. A full and complete introspection."

(fades)

going back a little,
to that time..

originally posted ~
"Eye of the Seeker"
8-20-08

We wake each day and wonder... Amidst the daily needs and outward projections, energies and emotions, I find that we really just want love to flow, for it to be strong, to be surrounded by it

I sat at this moment to meditate on what was next. Who was next. I sat there and thought, once again, who am I

We must continue to search the inner work
that needs to be done during our travels"

A summer of travels ~
July- Sept - 08

journals - Aug 08

"I am still young at heart, still curious, still lost in wonderment, still growing spiritually.. still in a great search, for many things.

To find what we need to be doing and what our inner self is searching for is what this journey is all about. Finding the right way to connect soul to "home." Finding the right one for our heart, and the endless discoveries of our own selves which will either propel us forward or keep us behind.

Finding... Searching..

I love to be in a place of growth because I have always
needed to see this and learn this process more than others would.

'03

You are trying to hold on to something that was.. something that you know IS there
you just wish that you could access it. I must ask, what are we becoming? My daily
prayer is of awareness. To be aware, be strong, to love and care for others,
to strive for excellence, to listen and LIVE this life.

and live this life...

I wake up early tomorrow, a shuttle will pick me up before
dawn. I will ride the quiet roads. The dream will come back
to me once again. I go to Detroit and then Flint, MI by the
afternoon. In these days I will wake up early to watch for
deer, meditate in the forest, and spend quality time with
Zeta, whom I met when we were serving together four
summers ago..."

I felt a presence in my heart. What was this..
How I am doing really, is there enough time.
Who will I share this all with…?

Where will I go next..."

Other days - July 08

::Meeting fellow travelers::

I believe in you. No one is telling you any other way to be.
Feel for what you have gained in your past and have trust and
faith in yourself. Love and look forward to what is positive
and brings prosperity, remembering the Light that touches
the eyes that see.

Poems - reflecting back - 09

"During long days the signs would reveal

Themselves in the many paths deep

In the forest of self.

And he would travel with his new companions

Commune of the things inside

The things that burn.

Round the fire many nights were spent,

awake and waiting for the turning of the moon

It was his secret language.

He could only speak to those who listened.

For it is in the openness of our minds and gentleness in our touch

that makes us, Mystic Travelers ..."

~ Tarazat

~ The videos ~

(click play then pause video
to let it load or else
it may playback choppy.
And pause music at the top
before playing)

(Like an intro.. I love this
one because i blended two
different audio tracks, the drums
and the vocals and they went
together perfectly)

(This ones my favorite)

U my Love R Solar

An Epic whirlwind of the Heart

A Galactic Spin

Delicate twist of Fate

Of that which comes to Change.

~ Distantrealm

Related ~ "This Time is for New Eyes"

Tarázát Photo Visions ~ "Pilgrimage to Bahj" (Israel)

2010-12-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

(this from the windows in pic before)

(Tel Aviv)

Letter to Life (08)

2010-12-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

Like a poor cat looking for someone to follow home, though its easy to love,
I always felt my love was stronger with everyone I came close to.

If I live my life with feeling and hard work, is this a skill? Do people admire
those that make a living exerting themselves in a kitchen or outside doing
manual labor? Not usually. And it’s those people (I believe) that don’t live
and –see- what ‘real’ life is.

To really experience it you have to see it from a lower level, with a humble
nature of understanding, from anothers perspective. These kinds of people I
get along with GREATLY. They see that any way you choose to work in this
world is a form of -worship and they respect you for that.

That is hard to come by in this day and age.

Here we are forced to re-think our idea of making a living, having a family and
knowing what decisions to make just based on what school puts us through.
The wrong efforts are put trying to mold others (children) into what they
(parents, teachers) want (wanted) for - themselves.

I saw how money makes a family communicate less. This is for many reasons;
the 'dad' or in some cases both parents are off working away so much that there
is less and less time focused on the children. Sometimes they are taken to day
care, maybe even sent to a boarding school.

Years go by and the burden of doing the same old job takes its toll. All they want
to do is come home and plug into something. And the children are left with a
fragmented view of love and life.

When children aren’t loved and encouraged to be themselves they end up not
having any direction. This is why you find the many young ones with cars,
clothes, and alcohol taking the lead in making them feel okay with themselves.

The only other alternative to this life is excelling in school or following in
their parents footsteps but this also causes them to lack personal identity
if they were never given the space to 'be their own self.'

When my family moved to Washington we were all close because we had been living
with my granddad in Montana. My mom wasn’t working, and dad was working in
Washington. We moved there to be closer. I was about six, Dad would read prayers
to us every evening and mom was there to talk with as usual.

My mom soon had to start working. And my dad started to go to school for his
masters. We were poor. and so at the end of the day, poor people like in many
countries become very close and do everything together.

My dad knew that he needed to support us and he knew what he loved to do.
So he became a family therapist and was always there when we needed him.
And when we were home and they were away, we all took care of each-other.

To this day I still make sure everyone is happy in the family.. My idea for marriage
was that my soul could shine in another and make the other happy even if we were
poor.

In truth, money can make many insecure, emotionally out of whack, tired..
lonely.. distant.. and it eventually can take away our spiritual life. It’s how
we use it that determines this and how attached we are to the physical world..

Many families forget how to show an -interest- in the things their children ‘like’
to do, they are raised to not see enough, and they aren't shown enough love
or affection which is due to the parents being too busy minded.

The process is flawed when we forget to show them our humanness by telling them
“I love you” or “you are doing a good job” and the big one, “I’m proud of you..”

If things aren’t ok it is really soothing to hear parents offering help and guidance.
That’s -how- parents show how much they care.

The family that does not express love does not flourish.

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~

It is dramatic and real. It can be profound confusion and an immense waste of
human energy and time. Yes, love can be the greatest distraction in life. But it
is so needed and holds the key to the future of humanity.

..Now with divorce becoming popular, this new life appeals to some because they
are released from a burden. As the wounds heal.

Is it you? Whose fault is who. What do they need, what do I need.. And then money,
family drama, wants, conflict of interests and other passions makes the union of
two souls pretty much impossible. And then we go back to where it all started –
when the love was in our hearts..

It seems that just when you are coming to this huge point of understanding,
this awakened time with the idea of so much change happening, that we are
given yet another test we still haven't passed.

All I was wanting was some kind of acknowledgment and maybe even a praise.
The support during those times would have really helped. I guess my choice of
work was not appealing though.

Well let me say what that has earned me ~ ~ ~

I got certified in digital media at Bates Technical College and have been
making short films and projects for over 10 years now.

I have had a excellent resume starting with my first job lasting four years and
then doing a year and a half of service where I learned many more skills by
working with lots of people, in maintenance, grounds keeping, working with
children, banquet catering.

I came home and worked in food service (and again around people, which
I love most)

To then becoming a prep cook where I learned an art form in the kitchen

Then becoming a barista and café manager in the great downtown Tacoma!

So I have never had problems with money. Never asked my parents for money,
always enjoyed a frugal life.

You can compose many questions to your self while learning who you are.

With new realizations that seem to be never ending..

Why.. cant.. it. be. simple.

You have to truly see into the persons heart. You have to have an emotional

and spiritually balanced connection for some time to have an answer.

We all must search the inner work that needs to be done. Many give up on love.
They will settle for safety and security but just know, that the materialistic
don't make progress. You have to get out of your house.

There are too many that store everything inside.. building many walls. When by
creating these walls we are only protecting the problem, creating pressure, and
insecurity.

There is no way to understanding life by storing up all the hurt you experienced.
There is no way of being able to find love unless you let go and wake up.

We all need to wake up to what love really is ~

A giving relationship
A forgiving heart
An open mind

One forgets to simply listen, after all one goes through,
Don't shut out the lights, don't slam doors,
Listen to your words, listen to their words,
And listen to the unspoken words,

The gift of the soul

The End

Tarázát Photography ~ "Effected" (Enhanced and filtered works)

2010-12-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

"Using the Vintage Filter"

*Cell phone w/ Adobe Photosmart

More Mobile Uploads ~

Thurs, Jul 12-07
Point Defiance Park
Tacoma, Washington

Ornament Pictures Collections: "Music videos"

2010-12-07T01:43:00.001-08:00

Work from Jan 09 ~

Music: The Nextdoor Neighbors
Remixes: "Starships" and "Rhapsody" by Chonie Diego (aka Sammy Swell)
Filmed and edited by: Taraz Dannells
Locations: Portland, Oregon. Olympia, WA. (Evergreen State College,
The Waterfall Park. MT. Rainer National Park

Adventures with Taraz ~ Quincy Lakes 07-08

2010-12-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

Dad and Mom

Older bro Ruhullah

Me swimming around the caves of.. you guessed it ~ WONDER

Looking for a good place to take a dump... joking! lmao!

Extremely poetic imagery captures a really different feel. With excellent sunsets and intimate sharings around the fire, this was the beginning of a new time for us all, just before leaving for a summer of travels..

Ornament Pictures Presents

Adventures with Taraz

"Quincy Lakes"

Now Playing ~ Jerry Goldsmith
(pause background music
before playing video below)

Staring the fam ~ Mom, Dad, my brother Rue, his wife Annie and daughter Daisy. We brought my best bro Aaron,

for his very first camping experience. Everyone soaked up the big sky's... it was a rich treat to go away with.

Past experiences to Quincy Lakes .....

Tarázát Photo Visions ~ "Kiva"

2009-09-30T12:36:00.001-07:00

“There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a
poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that
irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.”

we must all start from being a fool,
which means, that we recognize that, at times, we have been the fool,
we have all been the blind fool,

this is the first step, in the awakening of the soul,

~Arthur-Poet-Shadow~

To confront a person with his own shadow
is to show him his own light.
--Carl G. Jung

The light of Spirit

enters our hearts

when we
choose to open

when we are
learning about
loving ourselves
and others,

and the darkness

enters our hearts
when we

choose to

close up

and act
based upon
states of

anger,

fear,

shame,

judgment

or hurt.

the key word

in all of this?

CHOICE

~Shadow Worker~

Truly a paradise could exist wherever material progress and spirtual values could be properly balanced. ~ Malcolm X

A younger tree

Each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry;
our lives are woven together for a reason...

I do not fear love, I believe in it

I choose the thoughts and outlook of my life and path

I choose carefully who to love, and remain faithful to myself while

taking hold of the beautiful future.

In the Prime of Life 08

2008-06-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

~ Annual camp out at Lake Wanatchee May 26-30th ~

Together with Mom, Dad, brothers Rahmatullah, Ruhullah, and
his daughter Daisy & wife Annie, my sis Ruhiyyih, and
cousin Eve, Aunt Bonnie and uncle Frank

The weather gave us a bit of everything. The first day it was
windy cold all day and throughout the night. The next day started
with a heavy fog and then a light rain. And then we had beauteous
sunshine on the last day. We hiked, relaxed, and everyone took
turns canoeing.

A journal log of events –

Day 1 ~

-many hours bundled up in front of the fire most of the day
-the family talked and talked. Someone said of my cousin
Eve and I dressing similar. I also talked with her about
Arthurpoet and what a release it is to express through
blogging and the videos and pics.
-I would be sharing a tent with my bro Rahmat
-The first night we talked of many things, like how
humans have had to live like this for thousands of years.
About the natives and how they might set up camp, the quest
for fire, how to hunt and just overall survival. This makes camping
a very rich time, where you actually try and rough it and think
of your own progress in life.. you think of the evolution of humanity
and the health of our planet.

We laid back in our tent and listened to the howling winds. Rahmat sat up
some time later and listened to some music while looking out at Lake
Wenatchee. I stayed up a bit more to write by candlelight. The winds
continued until an hour before dawn.

Day 2

(Filming the latest video 'In the prime of life 08')

-crazy adventurous forest frolic

-took pictures

~ a family of photographers ~

-had some of the best canoeing moments with Rahmat

-we paddled to a spot where there was this huge dead tree
far from shore, in the water, not floating, but big enough to
hold itself above the surface. We got out and sat on it and
took in some extreme beauty on every side. We sat there for
a little bit quietly. Took this shot there on the log ~

-came back got bite to eat then headed back out

-we went along the shore, collected sticks

-went back to camp, had dinner

-stood and enjoyed the sunset for a while

-goofed around most of the evening

-my chair broke, i fell on my bum

with Eve coming to my aid. and look at those chuncky shoes!

hey uncle frank! pull my finger ~~

-we all talked into the night

Last day ~

my younger brother and older, sis, mom and dad

From moms blog:
"The most memorable moment on the trip was when everyone sat
down with my 'Polenta and Eggs Breakfast'. I fried left-over sliced
bratwurst with garlic and onions, steamed some asparagus, and
fried up the polenta with tomatoes and orange peppers. Then I
cracked some eggs over the top to poach them until they were
cooked. When the eggs were done, I piled it onto paper plates,
which George passed around to our family. As everyone took their
first bite they all looked puzzled, paused, looked at the food and
spit it out.

Ruhiyyih looked up and said, "MOM, there is SOAP in this food!"

She put the meal down, came over and put her arms around me,
laughing and consoling me at the same time. I couldn't figure it out
until I realized that I had two plastic bottles filled with what I
thought was olive oil.

One was labeled with O for oil. The other was left-over Palmolive
Dishwashing Liquid from last fall and wasn't labeled. When it
poured slowly from the bottle, I just thought it was due to the cold
weather; when it bubbled, I figured moisture in the onions.

What a disaster! I had to send them over to Rue's cook station for breakfast.."

And now for my favorite part ~

Ornament Pictures Presents

~ Adventures with Taraz ~
"In the Prime of Life 08"

(BEST to download high quality HERE
or click above link to view in windows media,
double click screen for 'full screen' wait a
couple min to load, turn speakers UP)

(ha is that what i really look like behind the camera??)

Note on the video ~ I LOVE trees! But I also love
to push down the dead ones. I get a little crazy here
but that is what I feel is great about nature, leting out
all of your energy. Its just a good time, and this was
the most fun video I have made to date! In the end
I am asleep on the log where last years fun happened.
I go into a dream state where i remember and show clips
from last years video. And the music is so amazingly beautiful !

Watch on youtube ~~

There are lots of new changes that i will explain in the coming
blogs. For now i am set to travel to Denver Colorado on the
summer solstice for a warm season of adventure. Everything
will take off soon and i will have an update shortly after i get there
with my plans and happenings and more details of this new life. I
will be doing video blogs and have just purchased a new video
camera. Been trying to get this blog posted for a few weeks now
but have been moving and getting prepared to leave. For now i
leave you with hope and prayers, of the guiding light within and
the chance of a new time and place ~

Love,
Tarázát

ps we ended up going for a camp in eastern washington a week or
so later where i used my new camera and made a very high quality
video that i will post next after i get settled in Denver. See you all
soon, wish me luck

~ Last entry
~ Others
~ Svadyaya

Now Playing ~ Yasunori Mitsuda,
Dan Barnaba, & Deep Forest

One year ~ a lifetime of growth

2008-04-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

:: My Period of Service Oct 03 - May 05 ::

When one reaches spiritual maturity you have the chance to embark on whatever journey you choose to take.. A time period where one reflects on what it means to serve humanity while deepening in their knowledge of self.

Here I spent this time providing volunteer service. Generally you live somewhere and have room, board and everything taken care of. (usually!)

It can be heaven on earth but its not meant to be easy. Many youth have never tried to go deep inside themselves and ask those important questions of faith and what their purpose is. For me, this was the time. This was the place~

~:~ Louhelen Baha'i school. ~:~

I had just finished my studies in digital media over the summer of 03, and just turned 22.. It was October 4th and I had just arrived, ready for lots of work and lots of learning.

Surrounded by beautiful acres of land and forests to explore in your free time, self awareness was the aim here. If one really is intent on this being a time to serve then you have to learn that this is a selfless act. That was the first lesson for me. And from that moment on I thrived..

Its funny that you are trying to be selfless but at the same time learning a great deal about yourself.. Its incredible what you gain from this practice.

There are sure to be many tests and difficulties along the way but it is a path that proves to have more bounty than anything else. To be away from home can be the first of tests. One gets lonely and people will find a need for distractions.

You see, so many come with the attachments they brought with them. TV, past relationships, cell phones, friends back home, your car… It is healthy and normal to have these things but you can create a once in a lifetime experience if you can just let go of this for a short while. And to try and develop your own sense of being.

After some months of this I started to write about all the distractions in my past in the form of a screenplay that spanned the duration of my time there.

The hard fact is that you must eventually leave, bring what you have learned and start over. Many youth have a kind of culture shock because they see what their friends are really like and are reminded of the condition of the world.. and we wonder what to do. and sometimes we slip back into our old routines.

I continued to have new challenges and tests.. I retreated to nature all the time.

I used this as distraction from myself at times and as a way to connect to the Creator. Even if you're only able to just meditate, you are connecting with your soul.

I was looking for a hidden truth. An unknown path. The hidden truth for me is that my distractible mind makes it hard for me to be firm and focused. It's like when I would sit in school for 8 hours; I want to do the work and I enjoy education but I just couldn't fully grasp it or focus on it. The main thing I discovered during that year and a half was that service kept my head afloat. It made the most sense - to be selfless, to be humble..

I learned my true nature through helping people. When not helping in the kitchen or outside in the gardens, my free time would be spent hiding in the back during lectures or just spending time being with children.

(co-camp counselor summer 04)

When I came home I was without an idea of my next path, cautious of who I was, what I really gained, and what would I have to offer now?

Sometimes when we are left alone once again we have to find new inspiration..

I wrote this in my journal ~

..It felt so good to pray. in the silence. in the aloneness. To write and listen to calming sounds. I felt the feelings and memories shared by all. I felt the paths and thoughts that used to flow all around. and the people came and went. the smiles and rich feelings.

I crossed my hands in silence and went deep down, deep down to that enshrouded sanctuary in my soul to plant the seed of that wonderful time captured in a timeless palace, where those memories will always be closest to me.

Now playing - Cirque Du Soleil blend w/ music
from Baraka and nature mix by Dj Ornament

Ornament Pictures ~ Tel Aviv

2008-02-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

"Adventures with Taraz"
Tel Aviv, Israel

Now playing - Kumi Tanioka

The Terraces on Mt. Carmel

2007-03-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab

Video - Running up the terraces

A time of all times ~ LGI ~ The Louis Gregory Institute

2007-01-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

(LGI - Oct 04 - April 05)

It is hard to imagine that it was just a few years ago...

..that I was here, serving my last months down in South Carolina at WLGI (radio Baha'i) where I experienced the Most Great Peace.... I still have not yet left that place, for it lingers in my mind to this day.. everyday.. I still have dreams of going back and revisiting the lake……. the lake… everyday.. I remember.. and I even dream….

These are the most precious images to me.. sacred.. The most sacred place... I had a rich personal experience during this time.. rich... I was isolated and found solitude at the lake near by where I canoed every day. The lake was surrounded by trees and there was no trace of city or noise.

I cannot say enough and will say no more... take this time to be here with me…

Feel, listen, see,

You could not imagine
what this kind of freedom was like
for me.. a much needed time..
a time of all times and yet,
I did have tests and things
that I was still letting go of.
But past regrets and pains
of the present were released
here and I truly breathed
and drank deep
the water of life...

Related ~ My year of service

Now playing - Thomas Newman
and Koichi Sugiyama

My Mom is Amazing

2006-10-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted to copy this post from my moms blog
because I see in it how I am SO much like her.
She writes with eloquence here and note - this
is not a boring blog! My mom is the most real,
the most genuine person I will ever know. Enjoy..

I've been tagged by Gangadhar to list 8
things about myself, and if I give it much
thought I will probably stall and not do it, out
of sheer fright of 'exposure'! But, I just had a
cup of coffee, and I'm revved up, so here
goes....stuff that just enters my mind:

1. I'm constantly pondering human nature,
its current definition and its possibilities and
its limitations. (this would have been my exact answer!)
All over the world I see the
effects of poverty and injustice, and I wonder
if we are stuck with an abysmal sense of
human worth. Because if we thought and
lived better, we'd upgrade what it meant to
be human.

2. I would prefer to live in the country, so
that when I wake up in the morning there is
just a vast image of pastoral beauty. Snow-
capped mountains are great, and so is a
bubbling stream, and deer in a meadow.
(Bucolic fantasies, shaped in childhood. ) I
now live in a 'working class town', a city that
is a sister to Seattle, with its cargo ships and
shipyards, its wonderful mix of cultures and
ethnicities. When I grew up in Montana,
Indians were the only other race, and they
were so marginalized we never saw them.
When I was young, I never questioned that.

3. I enjoy going for daily walks through the
campus of the University of Puget Sound, so
that I can listen to the conversations of the
students as they pass me on the walkway. I
walk along in a T-shirt, jeans, and hiking
boots, and the girls who pass wear little
shirts with thin straps, with indeterminate
waistlines, with each layer hitting a different
belly-mark, showing skin and a summer tan.
These girls seem totally distracted by the
man-woman thing to have any comprehension
of academics and life in the world. They sit
on the grass and preen, like turkeys, and
hope that the boys throwing the football on
the commons will glance their way. They
have a book on their lap, but talk with great
animation on their cell-phone, about alcohol
and a party on the weekend. I don't think
things have changed much in the past 40
years with these young folk on campus - just
the props are different. I feel sorry for them,
for the limitations that they experience. It will
get better.

(Mom with her twin Bonnie)

4. Politics have always been difficult for me
to comprehend. It always seems more
theatrical than prudent and effective. I am
appalled at the partisan divisions that create
so much strife and backbiting, which
ultimately delay real progress. I also have to
admit my own intellectual limitations - there
is much that my mind simply can't contain.
It's all too complicated, a network of impaired
relationships and poor communication....all
in need of massive cleaning up so that some
real work can get done. I hope this happens
someday.

5. My mind 'drops' information that I wish it
would keep, because it could be useful later.
Like names - I have a hard time
remembering the names of some of the
residents I took care of when I worked as a
caregiver. Frequently I'll remember them,
with the greatest fondness, and doggone-it if
I can't remember their name. I'll remember
bathing them, dressing them, organizing
their closet - even remember all their habits -
but, I'll not remember their name.
Sometimes, I imagine the gates of Heaven
are lined with these old ones, and when I
arrive I'd like to be able to say, "Hi Dorothy!",
"There you are, Shirley". You see if I can't
remember their name, they might think they
weren't important to me - and they were.

6. I have enormous difficulty with small-talk,
or extended language on anything (even
writing). Growing up, out in Montana, I greatly
appreciate the succinct language and writing
of the ranchers there - like words spoken
during a windstorm or snowstorm, shouted
across vast distances. They keep it simple,
unflourished, unpretentious - "storm's
comin' up". Those few words conjur up all
kinds of stuff that has to be processed
privately, quickly. No time for more words.
Everyone will be thinking about the work
they have to do, and how to get it done. I
also love the dialogue of children, for the
same reasons. (And, the simple dialogue in
"The Color Purple", where the language fits
the character, Celie, making her so real.)

7. I would like to see history written in the
context of 'spirit' and 'human evolution', not
just territorial disputes and wars and politics.
That part of history is tedious, and I forgot all
the details of who won what war due to what
grievance. When I was in high school, taking
world history, I just loved map-making, the
migrations and settlements, the rise of
civilization in Mesopotamia, and the new
inventions making communication and
travel so easy. I wondered what is ahead for
all of us and how does one prepare children
for the greater world, a world filled with so
much conflict and violence. One of my
concerns is language, how it is used, and
the impact it has. Some day I think a book
will be written on how we perpetuate 'poor
practices' due to poor communication skills.
Good communication will be one of the
challenges when we attempt to promote
global collaboration in order to improve people's lives.

8. And, of course, all of you know by now
that I cherish seeing my children, listening to
them, watching them, being with them. They
are all sooooooo different, like desserts.
Ruhu'llah could be lemon merangue pie;
Ruhiyyih, apple pie; Laurel, chocolate cream;
Taraz, pumpkin; and Rahmat, pecan pie! All
of them, my favorite! And, those flavors do
fit them, they know why.

..I love you Mom

Blog Ideas

2006-02-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

Things i would like to do before i die (add one thing you would like to do) Which one should i marry? Ram speech preview with Oizo music Bios - Daft punk, Afx, Gigi I have no parents; I make the Heavens and the Earth my parents.I have no home; I make the Tan T'ien my home. I have no divine power; I make honesty my Divine Power. I have no means; I make Docility my means. I have no magic power; I make personality my Magic Power. I have neither life nor death; I make A Um my Life and Death. I have no body; I make Stoicism my Body. I have no eyes; I make The Flash of Lightning my eyes. I have no ears; I make Sensibility my Ears. I have no limbs; I make Promptitude my Limbs. I have no laws; I make Self-Protection my Laws. I have no strategy; I make the Right to Kill and the Right to Restore Life my Strategy. I have no designs; I make Seizing the Opportunity by the Forelock my Designs. I have no miracles; I make Righteous Laws my Miracle. I have no principles; I make Adaptability to all circumstances my Principle. I have no tactics; I make Emptiness and Fullness my Tactics. I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent. I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend. I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy. I have no armour; I make Benevolence my Armour. I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle. I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword. 8:44 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment Monday, October 31, 2005 The Buddha My father was Suddhodana, king of the Sakhyas. My mother was named Maya. I was born in B.C. 560 and died at the age of eighty in B.C. 480. The place of my birth was a grove known as Lumbini, near the city of Kapilavastu, at the foot of Mount Palpa in the Himalayan ranges within Nepal. This small city Kapilavastu stood on the bank of the little river Rohini, some hundred miles north-east of the city of Varnasi. As the time drew nigh for me to enter the world, the gods themselves prepared the way before me with celestial portents and signs. Flowers bloomed and gentle rains fell, although out of season; heavenly music was heard, delicious scents filled the air. My body bore at birth the thirty-two auspicious marks (Mahavyanjana) which indicated his future greatness, besides secondary marks (Anuvyanjana) in large numbers. My mother died seven days after my birth. I was was brought up by my mother's sister Mahaprajapati, who became my foster-mother. My original name was Siddhartha. It meant one who had accomplished his aim. Gautama was my family name. I was known all over the world as Buddha, the Enlightened. I was also known by the name of Sakhya Muni, which meant an ascetic of the Sakhya tribe. I spent my boyhood at Kapilavastu and its vicinity. i was married at the age of sixteen. My wife's name was Yasodhara. I had a son named Rahula. At the age of twenty-nine, I suddenly abandoned my home to devote myself entirely to spiritual pursuits and Yogic practices. A mere accident turned me to the path of renunciation. One day I managed, somehow or the other, to get out of the walled enclosure of the palace and roamed about in the town along with my servant Channa to see how the people were getting on. The sight of a decrepit old man, a sick man, a corpse and a monk finally induced me to renounce the world. I felt that I also would become a prey to old age, disease and death. Also, I noticed the serenity and the dynamic personality of the monk. Let me go beyond the miseries of this Samsara (worldly life) by renouncing this world of miseries and sorrows. This mundane life, with all its luxuries and comforts, is absolutely worthless. I also am subject to decay and am not free from the effect of old age. Worldly happiness is transitory". I left for ever my home, wealth, dominion, power, father, wife and the only child. I shaved my head and put on yellow robes. I marched towards Rajgriha, the capital of the kingdom of Magadha. There were many caves in the neighbouring hills. Many hermits lived in those caves. I took Alamo Kalamo, a hermit, as my first teacher. I was not satisfied with his instructions. I left him and sought the help of another recluse named Uddako Ramputto for spiritual instructions. At last I determined to undertake Yogic practices. I practiced severe Tapas (austerities) and Pranayama (practice of breath control) for six years. I determined to attain the supreme peace by practicing self-mortification. I abstained almost entirely from taking food. I did not find much progress by adopting this method. I was reduced to a skeleton. I became exceedingly weak. I went to Sravasti, the capital of the kingdom of Kosala. Here a wealthy merchant gave me for residence an extensive and beautiful forest. I spent many rainy seasons there and delivered several grand discourses. I preached my doctrine for over forty-five years traveling from place to place. I said to Ananda, "Go Ananda, prepare for me, between twin Sal trees, a couch with the head northward. I am exhausted and would like to lie down". A wonderful scene followed. The twin Sal trees burst into full bloom although it was not the blossoming season. Those flowers fell on my body out of reverence. Divine coral tree flowers and divine sandalwood powders fell from above on my body out of reverence. I Lord Buddha said, "Come now, dear monks. I bid you farewell. Compounds are subject to dissolution. Prosper ye through diligence and work out your salvation".