Four Virtues

Schwen and I listen to Dr. Wayne Dyer a lot. We went to see him March 2008 in Toronto. During that time, Dr. Dyer mentioned the 4 Virtues as stated by Lao-Tzu, who is credited as writing the Tao Te Ching (The Way). Dr. Dyer wrote a book .. Living the Wisdom of the Tao - his translation of The Tao. This is when I first heard the 4 Virtues - Wayne Dyer talked about them in March 2008.

So .. just now we are listening to a pod cast that Wayne Dyer does (a podcast of his weekly radio program), and he mentioned the 4 Virtues. We also just heard them again in his new movie that we saw a few weeks ago - Ambition to Meaning .. it just came out in January 2009. It is wonderful .. please order it (http://www.hayhouse.com).

So .. back to the 4 Virtues - here they are:

1. Be Gentle
2. Be Kind
3. Be in a space of service .. "How May I Serve"
4. Reverence for all Life

Enlightenment is the process of recovery and returning to your "self". Let go of your ego and live a life of peace, kindness and joy .. this is our true nature .... once we let go of the ego.

This is really great stuff .. and real .. and key.

Mare

Chickpea Curry

I am going to be posting one vegetarian recipe a week. Wouldn't it be great if everyone just for one day ate vegetarian.
I think there are a lot of people that think about it and want to, but they think it is not possible - the thought that comes to mind, is that it would be denying ourselves of something. I am reading a great book again that I got in the summer - Dr. Andrew Weil - 8 Weeks to Optimum Health. Dr. Weil speaks about changing habits - his thinking is that we do not take things away, but gradually replace them with better, healthy alternatives. It isn't about what you can not have, but more about adding positive behaviors - to strengthen and extend habits we have that are already positive. Speaking for myself, I couldn't imagine a year ago how I would ever be vegetarian, but March 30th 2008 I had a shift .. very sudden and not planned .. and here I am - coming up on one year. I have had some small slips over the year ... really not very many at all - but I celebrate my accomplishment and new way of thinking and not dwell on a set back.

I make this recipe a lot ... try it on rice and with some broccoli on the side (or even add baby spinach in with it and just have that on rice) ... it is great!

CHICKPEA CURRY

2 onions
4 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon salt (I leave this out)
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 cans chickpeas (14 oz ea)
1 can tomato pieces (14 oz)
1 teaspoon garam masala

Slice onions finely, crush the garlic. Heat oil in a medium pan. Add onion, garlic to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring until soft.
Add the chilli powder, salt :), turmeric, paprika, cumin and coriander. Stir over heat for 1 minute.
Add chickpeas and undrained tomatoes, stir until combined. Simmer, covered, over low heat 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in garam masala. Simmer uncovered another 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Mare

Say Thank You

OK ... so, this is a book I just borrowed from the library Feb 14th. One of many I found on Saturday - I came across it looking for a different book (that seems to be the way I find most of the books I end up signing out, looking for something else). This one really caught my eye - there are many in the series, but all based on Five Good Minutes. This one is 100 morning practices to help you stay calm and focused all day long.

I was especially drawn to this book because I seem to have a block with meditating. I want to and I know I should - meditate each day for at least 20 minutes. In reality, I have the time, but maybe it comes down to the discipline to start - I really can't put my finger on it. So .. When I saw this book, Five Good Minutes - well, that doesn't seem so intimidating. Of course I have five minutes.

I thought I could just post a sample from this book, I read this one today, and I love the message .... gratitude. This book is really inspiring me to get started.

#64
Say Thank You

This practice is simple, yet profound - and possibly difficult. It invites you to explore and to experience more fully the power of gratitude.

1. Sit comfortably either indoors or outdoors, breathe mindfully for about a minute.
2. Set your intention. For example, "May this practice give me peace and joy."
3. Close your eyes and breathe mindfully for a few more breaths.
4. Open your eyes and look around. As your gaze falls on each thing, silently say thank you (even if it makes no sense!). For example, to a plant - thank you. To a chair - thank you. To a tree - thank you. To a computer - thank you.
5. As you do this, gently let go of any additional thoughts or stories that your mind creates about the objects. Just do the practice: say thank you.
6. Continue for a few more minutes, noticing your own thoughts and feelings without
judgment.
7. End with a few mindful breaths.

So, I am hopeful that this book will keep inspiring me to start on my path to meditation each day ...ooooommmmm. See, it is working already!

Mare

My New Library Card

It has been so long since we posted ... and funny enough - I am starting with my pride and joy ... my brand new Library Card!!

Well, I obtained this card on Dec 31, 2008. I got in right at the deadline of the year .... it was one of my goals for 2008 - so like a lot of things I do, I waited for the last minute. It was not really planned that way. I had chatted with my brother John the night before and he talked about 2 books I should read. I wrote the names down so I could go buy them the next day at a Chapters. Next day, there I am, on my way to Chapters - and I have to drive past our library to get there ... it all just fell into place right then. I talked all year about wanting to join the library .. I was just about to pass the library (another one of my goals made in 2008 for going forward was not to spend money on anything I don't need) it was so perfect. It was like the Universe brought me to that place.

I went in ... such a warm, inviting space. I love books, I used to read so much as a young girl and into my teens - then it sort of dwindled down to... well, not so much.

I signed up - very quick process ... I didn't have to pay anything :) She gave me my card and said "there you go". I was thinking .. "there I go what" ... what do I do now. I kind of smirked and laughed and said (in my quiet library voice), well .. the last time I belonged to a library was when they had card catalogues to look up books - and I am talking about a library in a small town ... so this being in the city where the library is actually 2 floors, this was a bit intimidating for me. The woman laughed .. she said - oh, you are going to love it here. She was telling me about movies, and audio books, CD's .... all the things I could sign out. She showed my where the computers were to look up the books. I was on my way ... putting my tax dollars to great use!! I can pick any book ... almost unlimited ... and just walk out with them ... wow!

The funny thing to this whole exercise .. is that in the end I couldn't find the 2 books that my brother told me to get - although one was there, I saw it on the computer, but that did not translate into finding it on the shelf (I was a newbie at it then, I am sure now I could spot it right away).

I didn't go home empty handed .. in fact, lesson one at the library ... bring a bag. I signed out more than I could carry (well, almost .. it was a juggling act back to the car). I felt like I won the lottery ... I got 9 books and 2 DVD's in total .. knitting, crocheting, 2 vegetarian cook books, Reiki, Massage, bead weaving, card making ... mystery movies on DVD .. and last but not least ... the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (a new post all on it's own ... that is next).

Well, that is my exciting library story ... I think everyone should join the library .... I have no idea why it took me so long to do that!! Now the fear of all fears ... it came back to me about a week later ... dun dun dun dun ... can I find all the books in time to take back to the library so I don't get fined.

Mare