HAPPY LEI DAY!

May Day is LEI DAY in Hawai'i ... Aloha Ho'olaulea!

Pāli Word a Day for May 01, 2014

paramaṃhita — the ultimate welfare

Daily Words of the Buddha for May 01, 2014

Puññameva so sikkheyya

āyataggaṃ sukhudrayaṃ.

Dānañca samacariyañca,

mettacittañca bhāvaye.

Train yourself in doing good

that lasts and brings happiness.

Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,

and a mind of boundless love.

Itivuttaka 1.22

Gemstones of the Good Dhamma,
compiled and translated by Ven. S. Dhammika

Don't look back ... you're not going that way.

DAILY AFFIRMATION

I possess an endless supply of creativity,

energy and tolerance for any project that I assume.

BE THE CHANGE ...

A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.

Intuition can serve as a compass. People who are highly connected to their "gut feelings" often do things a little differently.  Even when we're not at a fork in the road, wondering what to do and trying to hear that inner voice, our intuition is always there, always reading the situation, always trying to steer us the right way. 

But can we hear it? Are we paying attention? Are we living a life that keeps the pathway to our intuition unblocked? 

Feeding and nurturing our intuition, and living a life in which we can make use of its wisdom, is one key way to thrive, at work and in life.


BE THE CHANGE ...

Awaken your inner voice by being and doing something different ...  spend  time alone or let go of negative thoughts ... at any moment in your day, ask yourself:  "What is my intuition counseling me to do differently, now?"

Pāli Word a Day for April 30, 2014

akampita — that which does not tremble

Daily Words of the Buddha for April 30, 2014

Ubhinnamatthaṃ carati,

attano ca parassa ca;

paraṃ saṅkupitaṃ ñatvā,

yo sato upasammati.

Knowing that the other person is angry,

one who remains mindful and calm

acts for one's own best interest

and for the other's interest, too.

Saṃyutta Nikāya 1.188

Gemstones of the Good Dhamma, 
compiled and translated by Ven. S. Dhammika

Pāli Word a Day for April 29, 2014

pipāsavinaya — the dispelling of thirst

Daily Words of the Buddha for April 29, 2014

Attanā hi kataṃ pāpaṃ, attanā saṃkilissati;

attanā akataṃ pāpaṃ, attanāva visujjhati.

Suddhī asuddhi paccattaṃ:

nāñño aññaṃ visodhaye.

By doing evil, one defiles oneself;

by avoiding evil, one purifies oneself.

Purity and impurity depend upon oneself:

no one can purify another.

Dhammapada 12.165

Gemstones of the Good Dhamma, 
compiled and translated by Ven. S. Dhammika

Sarah Varcas: 29th April 2014 -- Solar Eclipse in Taurus

Life IS Change!

The eclipse occurs on 29th April at 6:15 a.m. GMT in the 9th degree of Taurus. A couple of weeks ago I described this stage in recent astrological events as the point post-birth (birth being the Cardinal Cross) at which we begin to appreciate just how profoundly our lives are now changing. The new state of being, situations and circumstances brought about in the shadow of recent cosmic events begin to reveal their true implications now. This is one of the reasons I was encouraging so strongly any attempt to do things differently during the time of the Cardinal Cross, because all efforts to change made then will now begin the process of bearing fruit. Interestingly the Sabian Symbol for this degree is a Christmas tree, and this is certainly a time when we can begin to unwrap some gifts. Of course, I don’t need to tell you we don’t always get exactly what we want for Christmas, nor do we always appreciate what someone else thinks is just the thing for us!

In the earthy sign of Taurus, this eclipse asks of us commitment and staying power, together with a healthy dose of common-sense! If we have been bashed about by recent events, now’s the time to gather ourselves up, brush ourselves off and begin to work on our plan from here on in. If, however, the Grand Cross brought things to positive fruition, the message of this eclipse is not to allow success or satisfaction distract us from the fact that maintaining those positive results will take that commitment and staying power aforementioned!

A Solar Eclipse in Taurus is a time to feed the roots of our own creations and tend to the nascent shoots which are peeking through the soil. Pulling at them won’t help, neither will dancing all over them in the moment of excitement when they first appear! They require patient attention and gentle handling as they build up their strength for the lifetime ahead. Events around the time of this eclipse may well reveal to us which shoots are in it for the long haul and which are not strong enough to make it. It can be hard to give up on the weakest ones, especially if they’re of particular importance to us, but we would do well to take note and act accordingly at this point if we want to avoid a whole load of wasted effort in the months to come. This is a time of careful discernment about where we invest our attention and energy from this point on. And it hardly needs saying, but I’ll say it anyway: if our creations are undesirable, we need to clear them out right now. Failure to do so may leave us with a lot of weeding to do in due course and we need to make space for new shoots to grow, without being strangled by the tap roots of our less productive habits and foibles.

This eclipse also highlights the risk of assuming we have reached a destination, be it desirable or otherwise. Wherever we find ourselves, we are still on a journey, no matter how it may actually feel. I talk about change a lot, and sometimes people get frustrated with me: ‘no more change!’ they cry. But change is life and life is change. We don’t reach a point where everything stays the same and it’s all exactly how we want it to be. Not least because exactly how we want it to be will eventually change too! As the Buddha so wisely observed, all conditioned things are subject to change, and there’s a whole lot of suffering involved if we can’t accept that fact (I’m paraphrasing, by the way…). So whilst this eclipse brings us into the sign of Taurus who is traditionally uncomfortable with change, it does so to remind us that change is all there is. Nothing lasts forever, be it good or bad, fulfilling or mind-numbing, what we want or the very thing we have spent a lifetime fearing. It is all transitory and passing through.

Which is exactly what we are, too, and this eclipse arrives to remind us that if we want our life vibrant and fulfilling we’d do well to remind ourselves of that fact. People who face life-threatening disease often report how much sweeter life becomes as a result of their predicament. Suddenly it is so much easier and more natural to appreciate each moment, even when there doesn’t seem to be much going on. When something is limited, we appreciate it more, and whilst we are all limited to a relatively short life, we easily forget and end up demanding so much more than the miracle of being alive, to keep us satisfied.

So it may seem like a mixed message: nurture the roots of your dreams whilst appreciating simply being here without demanding more. But in fact the two go hand in hand if we want a peaceful and satisfying life, for as we nurture those roots there may not seem like much happening, and if the roots fail we may draw a blank. But we are still alive, and as long as we can recognise the miracle of that fact, whatever happens we will know ourselves to be already blessed beyond measure.

Happy eclipse everyone!

Sarah Varcas

© Sarah Varcas 2014. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to freely share this article in its entirety on the condition that full credit is given to the author, it is distributed freely and the URL www.astro-awakenings.co.uk is included.

DAILY AFFIRMATION ...

I will remain confident and unaffected by negative attitudes around me.

DAILY INSPIRATION ...

The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper,

and re-imagines the world.

RITUAL: NEW MOON -- APRIL 28, 2014, LUNAR ECLIPSE

NEW MOON RITUAL

The following ritual will be observed by The Sanctuarium for each New Moon occurring in 2014.

All New Moon / Full Moon dates found here: 
http://www.calendar-365.com/moon/moon-phases.html



GROUP FUSION:

I am one with my group brothers and all that I have is theirs.
May the love which is in my soul pour forth to them.
May the strength which is in me lift and aid them.
May the thoughts which my soul creates reach and encourage them.


ALIGNMENT:

We recognise our place, as a group, within the heart centre of the new group of world servers. Mentally extend a line of lighted energy towards the spiritual Hierarchy, the planetary heart centre; to the Christ, the "heart of love" within the Hierarchy; towards Shamballa, "where the Will of God is known".


HIGHER INTERLUDE:

Hold the mind focussed for a few moments on the planetary role of the new group of world servers mediating between Hierarchy and humanity, responding to hierarchical impression and meditating the Plan into existence.



MEDITATION:

Reflect on the seed thought:
Through the impression and expression of certain great ideas, humanity must be brought to the understanding of the fundamental ideals which will govern the new age. This is the major task of the new group of world servers.



PRECIPITATION:

Visualise the precipitation of the will-to-good, essential love, throughout the planet, from Shamballa, through the planetary heart, the Hierarchy, through the Christ, the new group of world servers, through all men and women of goodwill everywhere in the world, and finally through the hearts and minds of the whole human family.


LOWER INTERLUDE:

Consider the many ways in which the "power of the one Life" and the "love of the one Soul" are working out in the world through members of the new group of world servers, so building the "thoughtform of solution" to world problems.


DISTRIBUTION:

As the Great Invocation is sounded, visualise the irradiation of human consciousness with light and love and power:


From the point of Light within the mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.
From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men-
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.


OM OM OM

To be kind is more important than being right. Many times what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a special heart that listens.

RECIPE: Caribbean Empanadas with Mango Salsa (gluten-free/vegan)

Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 1 hour 10 mins
Total time: 2 hours 10 mins
Serves: 4-6


Ingredients ...

For the dough:
2 cups chickpea flour (or flour of your choice)
¼ cup coconut oil or grass-fed butter, melted
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk (easy semi-homemade coconut milk)
½ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
3 sweet potatoes (small to medium: see notes)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1½ cups minced onion
3 cups rinsed, stemmed and finely chopped kale
3 tablespoons water
1½ cups cooked black beans (or 1 15 oz can, drained)
1 teaspoon lime zest
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon minced chipotle pepper with adobo sauce (from a can)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon salt + more to taste
ground black pepper to taste

For the mango salsa:
1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
½ teaspoon green chile, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
¼ teaspoon salt

Optional: Provide sour cream or cashew sour cream, for serving (see notes).


Instructions ...

For the filling:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pierce the sweet potatoes in several places with a fork, rub with olive oil and bake until soft, about 45 minutes.

In a large skillet on medium heat, warm the olive oil.

Add the onions and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 8 minutes.

Stir in the kale, add the water, cover and steam on low heat until the kale is tender, about 4 minutes.

Stir in the black beans, lime zest, lime juice, adobe chile (with its sauce), cook for 3 minutes and remove from heat.

When the sweet potatoes are done and cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh.

In a bowl, mash the sweet potato flesh and mix in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cilantro remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ground black pepper.

Add the sweet potato mash to the onion, kale and bean mixture until well incorporated and set aside.


For the dough:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the chickpea flour and salt in a large bowl.

Add the melted oil (or butter) and ¼ cup of water and stir to combine.

Begin to knead the dough, adding remaining 2 tablespoons (or more if necessary) until the dough feels slightly tacky, but not too sticky.

Cut the dough into 6 even pieces, roll into balls and lightly dust your work area and rolling pin with flour.

Roll one ball out evenly into a circle-like shape until the dough is ¼ inch think (the edges won't be perfect).

Using a sharp pairing knife, cut a perfect circle out of the circle-like shape and make a pile for the scraps.

Spoon about ¼ cup (or a little less) of filling onto the circle of dough, slightly off-center.

Fold the dough over the filling so that the edges touch. Using a fork, seal the dough over the filling by pressing down along the edge of the semi-circle and place on parchment paper. Repeat with remaining dough and filling, continuing to add to the scrap pile. The scraps should be enough dough to make one more empanada. Brush the empanadas with a little olive oil and bake 25-30 minutes until the edges are slightly browned.


For the mango salsa:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve! If possible, make the day before and store in the fridge to allow the flavors to mingle.


Notes:
Your sweet potatoes should yield about 1 cup when cooked and mashed.

This makes more filling you'll need. I used the leftover filling as a side dish for other meals, but feel free to cut the recipe in half or double the dough.

Delicious served with this vegan cashew sour cream.

DAILY AFFIRMATION

An ever-expanding awareness surrounds my being. I am living consciously!

Daily Words of the Buddha for April 24, 2014

Sabbe tasanti daṇḍassa.

Sabbesaṃ jīvitaṃ piyaṃ.

Attānaṃ upamaṃ katvā;

na haneyya na ghātaye.

All tremble at punishment.

Life is dear to all.

Put yourself in the place of others;

kill none nor have another killed.

Dhammapada 10.130

Gemstones of the Good Dhamma, 
compiled and translated by Ven. S. Dhammika

Post-Blood Moon: The Cardinal Grand Cross

Coming in on the heels of the Blood Moon is the Grand Cross. And we are in the heart of it now, today. This is a planetary alignment that is bringing great change to the earth and her residents.

Come gather ‘round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin`’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or your sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
—Bob Dylan

The Hopi elders have said about these times that there is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and so strong that there are those who will be afraid and cling to the shore and not join in the flow. Those that do, the ones who choose not to change, will be torn apart and suffer greatly.

It is vital that you do not take the negative energies being seen at this time personally and not to dwell on any negativity in your personal situation. You can use this time for the positive to dig into the depth of your heart and soul and shift old behaviors and beliefs now. If you were to take this planetary shift personally, by having the “poor me” attitude, your emotional and spiritual growth will come to a dead full stop. By letting go of your addiction to struggle, drama and pain, you will arrive at a place of stillness within where growth, abundance and peace of mind will be waiting for you.

We are in a time of great opportunity during these days in April and the benefit is to be aware and prepared. The emotional stirrings we have been experiencing are due in major part to this four-planet alignment: The Grand Cross.

As an earthquake can split open fissures in the earth, all is now akin to a personal earthquake in your personal life. Emotional, physical and spiritual pressure has been building and now it is, whether you accept it or not, being released.

The power of this time is signified by the myth of the Phoenix rising from the ashes of the karma we have burned and where we grieve for what has been lost. It is in these metaphoric ashes where you can let go of old ways and old habits. It is important to let go of any anger or feelings of bitterness or revenge for what has happened in this last cycle. Do ritual to let it go.

Now as you emerge, you are clean and beginning a new cycle and the energy is available to make and feel great change for the better in your life and the life of the ones around you.

The benefit is to come into gratitude for all that you have and all that you have done. By taking this stance the fear and anxiety that can be triggered now will be converted into an energetic force for personal and world change.

It is the time to join in community moving toward a place of working with each other for the greater good, the positive side of all that is coming toward you. And what is coming is big. These days in April are the most transformational times we have known in many centuries. That is why we are feeling the urgency to complete tasks, bond friendships and to release all relationships and situations, whether in your personal, business or emotional lives, that do not nurture your heart. These are times of cleansing of the emotional body which gives way to the realignment in of body, mind and spirit.

The Hopi the elders say this about these times:

We Are the Ones
We've Been Waiting For
You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now, you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.

And there are things to be considered:

- Where are you living?
- What are you doing?
- What are your relationships?
- Are you in right relation?
- Where is your water?
- Know your garden.
- It is time to speak your Truth.
- Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

Take the time now to meditate, pray, come to stillness and do ritual. Bring joy to your fellows as this river takes us to where we can be fully our authentic selves.
Enlightenment is remembering who we are.

Tonight, gather together in ceremony, have a drum circle, a women's circle, a sweat lodge, a temascal, a grand gathering and feast all to welcome without fear what is all around us now. Whatever you feel, do it now. It is a gift from the universe. Accept it with gratitude.

I send much love and light. Use these energies to love more and allow yourselves to receive love. And stay in the truth of “We are the ones we have been waiting for".


BobbyK

www.bobbyklein.com

Pāli Word a Day for April 24, 2014

asaṇkuppa — the unshakeable

DAILY AFFIRMATION

I know the situation will work out for my highest good.

Daily Words of the Buddha for April 23, 2014

Sambādhe vāpi vindanti,

dhammaṃ nibbānapattiyā

ye satiṃ paccalatthaṃsu

sammā te susamāhitā.

Even when obstacles crowd in,

the path to Nibbana can be won

by those who establish mindfulness

and bring to perfection equipoise.

Saṃyutta Nikāya 1.88

Gemstones of the Good Dhamma, 
compiled and translated by Ven. S. Dhammika

SIX WAYS TO SIMPLY BEGIN LIVING A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

We all know the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, but getting started is always tricky. “I’ll do it Monday,” almost always turns into Thursday and by the following Monday, the dreaded cycle begins again. For those of you who are familiar with this pattern, have no fear – these six easy steps will help get you ready for next Monday. So take the pressure off and get your body and mind ready to take on the world. Consider this your warm-up to next Monday!

Step One: Shut Your Eyes
Sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle, but sleep isn’t what it used to be. Unplug your laptop, put your phone away and relax before going down for the count. It’s important to get 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep so that your body has a chance to recover and regenerate.

Step Two: Eat Six Small Meals Per Day
Breakfast. Snack. Lunch. Snack. Dinner. Snack. By staggering your meals into six small portions, you avoid cravings and your body remains fulfilled throughout the day. This also helps you to begin better portion control.

Step Three: Drink More Water
Water flushes toxins from your body, helps with digestion, and allows you to stay active throughout the day. It also helps your skin glow and your thoughts flow!

Step Four: Eat Your Veggies!
Dark leafy greens are your friends. Kale is widely considered to be a cancer-fighting food, as is broccoli and spinach. They contain vitamins like A, C, K and folate along with minerals such as iron and calcium. They are also great sources of fiber.

Step Five: Get Outside!
Just be active. Studies have shown that outdoor activities help increase self-esteem and reduce depression, tension, anger and even symptoms of ADHD and Bipolar disorders. Take this week to walk at least 30 minutes a day for five days. If you can, throw in a strenuous workout once or twice and you’ll be wanting more come Monday!

Step Six: Eliminate Stress
Mediation, Yoga, hiking, biking and deep-breathing all help reduce stress and can even aid in reducing your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

So, before you commit to next Monday, use this week to wrestle these steps and give yourself a fighting chance. After all, Monday is right around the corner!

Sarah Varcas: 23rd / 24th April 2014 -- Cardinal Grand Cross

Tuesday, 22 April, 2014 

Cosmic Satori
As the Cardinal Cross reaches exactitude we encounter the opportunity to step outside of everyday consciousness and concerns into a landscape altogether new, in which the four elements air (Mars in Libra), fire (Uranus in Aries), water (Jupiter in Cancer) and earth (Pluto in Capricorn) present everything we need to begin again should we choose to do so.

This cosmic event brings the notion of satori to mind: the experience of awakening as taught in Zen Buddhist tradition, which sometimes arises not as a welcoming liberation but as a force of such power that it tears apart all that is known leaving the awakened one effectively broken – but free – in its wake. Satori embodies the trauma of awakening, the breaking apart of self and soul in the moment of recognition that both are false gods designed to keep us safe in our narrow, tiny lives. If we contrast this with the goal of replacing an undesirable self with a more desirable one, inherent in many spiritual teachings, we can come to appreciate the entirely different order of experience available to us now.

The Trappist monk Thomas Merton once described love as ‘the only revolutionary force capable of producing anything new’. These words also resonate with the energy of this week, for love is a raw force of such transformational potential that we, the human race, have sought to reduce it to hearts and flowers, I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine, and conditionality which demands all manner of pay-offs before commitment is made. The cosmic forces aligned right now mock such inconsequential associations with the most powerful force in the universe and will tolerate them no more.

As we journey through this week immersed in the rays of this rare alignment, we could too easily overlook the vital importance of this time. We may continue to seek refuge in the familiar, allowing change but only so far as we’re comfortable with it: conditional change on our terms. Or we may seek an experience of transformation which comes as a treat, satisfying our need for it to look and feel a certain way, delivering us to a particular destination. But any and all preconceived notions of possibility must be open to challenge right now, ready to be blown out of the water at any moment to make space for a whole other order of experience, of which we can barely conceive until it has arrived.

This is a revolutionary time, no doubt about it. Old concepts and expectations are being shattered, no matter how sacred they may have been to us. Life is not what we thought and nor are we. The life force itself rises up to take control of our lives, no holds barred and with little regard for what we think ‘should’ be happening right now.

And at times of such revolutionary spirit, as Thomas Merton recognises, love is a vital ally, the ‘only… force capable of producing anything new’. For if we cannot soften our ego edges to allow a radically new perspective or to embrace the demons within ourselves and others, nothing really changes. All we do is recreate from the same old ingredients, believing ourselves to be formed anew.

This time will not return to us. There will be others in due course, of a different order and resonance, to help us move through the most intransigent aspects of our psyches, but this particular opportunity is a rare and valuable one. If we can open ourselves to its energy and resolve to allow change to be what is necessary and not what we ordain it to be, we may discover that awakening is more powerful than we ever conceived, than we could ever conceive. That it introduces a whole new orderof being which isn’t about happiness, personal satisfaction or living the life we want. Instead awakening is revealed to us now as the very essence of the incoming Aquarian age which demands that we live in a state of radical trust, a recognition that if we can dream it, it is too small for these times and if we want it with all our heart then our heart yet needs to expand beyond it.

Whatever we believe transformation and awakening to be, the Cardinal Cross brings a new beginning which challenges all notions, reminding us that to know is to limit possibility and to believe is to impose form upon a universe that we have not even begun to understand.

Sarah Varcas

-----

© Sarah Varcas 2013. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to freely share this article in its entirety on the condition that full credit is given to the author, it is distributed freely and the URL www.astro-awakenings.co.uk is included.

Pāli Word a Day for April 22, 2014

nirupatāpa — the untroubled, or that which is without vexation

Daily Words of the Buddha for April 22, 2014

Kāmaṃ kāmayamānassa,

tassa ce taṃ samijjhati, addhā pītimano hoti.

Laddhā macco yadicchati.

Tassa ce -- kāmayānassa, chandajātassa -- jantuno

te kāmā parihāyanti,

sallaviddhova ruppati.

If one, longing for sensual pleasure,

achieves it, yes, one's enraptured at heart.

The mortal gets what one wants.

But if for that person -- longing, desiring --

the pleasures diminish,

one's shattered, as if shot with an arrow.

Sutta Nipāta 4.772, 4.773

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Recipe: Turon (Filipino Banana Lumpia)

Banana lumpia or Turon is a Philippine dessert, made of thinly sliced bananas (preferably ripe plantains), a slice of jackfruit, dusted with brown sugar, rolled in a papery wrapper and fried. Brown sugar is further added while frying for additional sweetness.

Ingredients:

6 plantains, ripe, cut lengthwise

12 spring roll wrappers, non-translucent or 12 egg roll wrappers or lumpia skins


3/4 cup dark brown sugar


6 slices jackfruit, cut lengthwise (optional)


1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)


1/4 cup water


1 teaspoon starch


1 cup oil, for deep frying



Directions:

1
place a sliced banana 1 1/2 inch from the bottom edge of a spring roll wrapper, sprinkle it with some sugar and cinnamon, and top it with a sliced jack fruit.

2
seal the sides and roll the wrapper, sealing the top as well with water/starch mixture.

3
In the meantime, heat oil in non-stick wok(so sugar doesn't stick) until it's sizzling hot with the leftover sugar and fry the wrapped bananas until it's golden brown, spooning (or use spatula) the sugar from the pan on the wrapper to give it a bit of caramelized coating.

4
Drain on paper towels or sieve.

5
Serve while still warm and the wrapper's crunchy.

Recipe: Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino eggroll appetizer)

Lumpia is a traditional Filipino dish. It is the Filipino version of Chinese egg rolls. It can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer.

 Ingredients:

· 1 lb. ground pork

· 1 cup chopped shrimps

· 1/4 cup finely chopped onions

· 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots

· 2 whole eggs

· 3 tbsp. soy sauce

· 3 dashes of sesame oil

· salt and pepper, to taste

· lumpia wrapper

· vegetable oil, for frying


Preparation:

1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix until well blended.

2. Wrap into thin rolls in lumpia wrapper. Fry in deep hot oil.

3. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to a serving platter. Serve with your favorite catsup, Chinese Sweet Chili Sauce, or make your own Sweet and Sour Sauce recipe.

Daily Words of the Buddha for April 21, 2014

Pabbatassa suvaṇṇassa,

jātarūpassa kevalo

dvittāva nālamekassa:

iti vidvā samañcare.

Were there a mountain all made of gold,

doubled that would not be enough

to satisfy a single person:

know this and live accordingly.

Saṃyutta Nikāya 1.156

Gemstones of the Good Dhamma, 
compiled and translated by Ven. S. Dhammika

I Ching For The Week of April 21, 2014

#1  --  Ch'ien  --  Inspiration

Above   Ch'ien  Heaven
Below   Ch'ien  Heaven


The Wisdom:

Challenges met with force
Inspires creation
Lingam is the symbol
Double your efforts with caution

You have engaged with great effort and purpose and made progress in proper measure. Yet you have not yet sealed the deal. Resolution has not been yours. By keeping your exertion tempered, strong, and steady, you will be met with auspicious times. What is coming your way is no less than miraculous. Believe.

Ch’ien is absolute yang, male energy, hence the symbol of the lingam. You are now positioned to have what you want, and through diligent, unceasing effort you will keep it. If you adhere to your truth and remain in integrity, that which Ch’ienilluminates will not slip away as it has done in the past. You are wiser now; trust your intuition, your wisdom.

For this all to work and keep the proper energies in place, the benefit will be to examine your motives for the success you desire. Be certain that it is for your highest good as well as for the good of all. Recognize your own habitual thoughts and reactive behavior that do not serve the highest good, and make a concerted effort to discard these outworn patterns. Replace them with positive thoughts and actions.

Recently, you have given much effort to correcting your own negative thoughts and the actions that arise out of them. It will not serve you or the highest good to allow the energy, power, and enthusiasm that are energizing you now to sway you from your pure and righteous path.

You have been planning
For the success that is about to be revealed;
With considered strategy
Now is the time to
Put your plans into action.  

In some ways it has felt like your success has been hidden somewhere and you lacked the key to finding it. The truth is, you never needed a key; you just had to use your creative energy and do what you have been doing—persevering. Sweet inspiration is leading you toward redemption.

Be on guard: Yang, male energy, when delivered in great measure, can cause corruption of body, mind, and spirit, so be aware and judicious. Ego is the companion to this yang energy. What you have worked for will come to you and remain, as long as you do not become egotistical or arrogant in the light of your achievements. Stay within the boundaries of humility, and maintain your inner stillness. Stay with what you have learned up to this point, that which feeds your heart. Have compassion for those you love and who love you and practice loving kindness toward all sentient beings with which you share this blessed earth.

Caution: If your ego will try to use the powerful energy stirred by your inspiration to activate base or negative thoughts, words, or deeds, immediately correct your course. If you do not, your coming upward spiral of happiness and good fortune will spin downward, and you will soon find yourself stuck in the mire of fear, doubt, anger, and this will lead to an old familiar depression.

Your creative inspirational force is activating your inner truth and strength. Persevere with your outer activities and remain quiet and still within. Your critical ego, the inner judge, will try to run all the programs of doubt, guilt, and fear by which you were indoctrinated in the past and try to pass these off as reality. Don’t fall for this lie; stay firmly in your dignity and integrity. This will disempower the old fast-talking coyote voice of the ego that wants your ear and will lead you off course.

In business, as in personal matters, let go of any thoughts and words that disparage others. Refrain from using negative generalities about the opposite sex. Use only the thoughts and words of honoring and compassion. Quell the negative voice; pay no heed to the critical judge within. In this way you will not chase away that which you have long desired.

There is a very real possibility that during this cycle you will become stressed and tired as you move forward, so take time as needed to relax, rejuvenate, and have fun with your tribe. You are the shining light now. Share your light and positive energy with those around you, be they friends or strangers. Raise the vibration around you. Good vibrations are vital now, for you, for all of us, for the earth. Shine like the sun at midday, and take in the beauty and joy that you illuminate.

You have been in bondage as far as your movement toward your goals. Good news—as Brother Bob says:

I see my light come shining From the west unto the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released.*

The arrival of the energy of Ch’ien has given you a get-out-of-jail-free card. Use it with judiciousness, purpose, love, and compassion, and what you have worked and worried so hard for will come to you and remain, as long as you adhere to the universal laws of right conduct and right action.

There is a saying that originated in the lessons for the monks of Tibet. It is the essence of the teaching of this hexagram: Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds.
  
In LaK’esh

*Bob Dylan, “I Shall Be Released” 1967

BobbyK    

www.bobbyklein.com