Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Share Native wisdom and some thoughts on Nature


Excerpts from “The last hours of Ancient sunlight” by Thom Hartmann.

A Cree Native American storyteller and teacher told me: “ According to my tradition, from the beginning of creation, every morning, when the sun comes out, we are each given 4 tasks by our Creator for that day. First, I must learn at least one meaningful thing today. Second, I must teach at least one meaningful thing to another person. Third, I must do something for some other person, and it will be best if that person does not even realize that I have done something for them. And fourth, I must treat all living things with respect. This spreads these things throughout the world.”
……..

Last year, I met a Native American medicine women. She said that when she went into the forest or fields, she didn’t see just trees and plants and animals but saw their spirits and heard and felt their consciousness. The trees told her of their lives, their pain and joy, the plants told her which could heal and which could harm humans. The animals gave her instructions on how to live in harmony with the land, and the land spoke to her in an identifiably female voice.
“This is how native people have seen the living things on this land for eternity,” she said. “You whites were blind when you arrived here, and are still blind.”
………..

The author (Thom Hartmann) went out to the forest around his home in US Vermont.
“Is there conscious life in you?” I said softly, looking at the maple and spruce. They gently waved in the wind, a distant bird began to sing, and I could smell the fresh scent of moist earth.
I wondered if the entire forest might answer me with,”We are alive,” but instead I got a powerful sense of individual aliveness from each life-form I looked at. Each tree, the bird and the chipmunk, the soil under my feet teeming with microorganisms; each seemed to assert its own individual aliveness. Like the individual musicians in a symphony orchestra, they played together to create a beautiful sound.

I raised my hands, palms out, imagined my life co-mingling with that of the forest around me, and was filled with thrill at touching the life of the Earth.

This is a different type of science – the science of the first people who viewed the life of the planet. When Jack Forbes, who first wrote about wetiko told me,” Native people do not necessary believe that only humans can talk,” I felt an immediate contact with an ancient knowledge, something that has been hidden and lost in our attempt to make everything in the world fit into our machine-like worldview. Just as our Younger Culture at one time couldn’t imagine that Earth was round because the concept didn’t fit into our reality, we have also rejected much ancient knowledge that has value because it didn’t fit in with our Cartesian worldview.

Try it yourself. After you set down this book, walk out into the natural world and try communicating with – sensing and speaking to – the plants and animals around you. Find within yourself the place where you sense the presence of life, and from which you can reach out to other life, to all life. From this place of seeing all life as sacred life, you can then begin to thoughtfully consider other things you can do to create sustainable future.
……….

Share some thoughts on the above :

From personal experience, I have known the above to be true.
For a long time, I have known that there is a tranquil, peaceful and healing energy from Nature.     
I have gone to a neighborhood park/ garden, sit underneath a tree, listen to the birds, watch flocks of birds fly in unison,  just observe snail/ ants going about their daily lives. When I observe these natural phenomenal, I was often awed by the Beauty of Nature and a quiet happiness enters my heart. If I am able to spend 30 mins in the park, I find that I would be relieved of my tiredness and renewed with life.

Many times I have gone to the sea side at night, just to lay down on the beach, enjoy the sea breeze, and look at the stars. Again, the Beauty of the canopy of stars, the moon, and the ocean would sometimes overwhelm me. I am like a child, lying in the arms of Mother Earth and enjoying the company of Nature. I can spend 30 mins to 1 hr at the sea side and again, I would be relieved of my physical exhaustion and be filled with renewed energy and life.
The sounds of nature have a calming effect on the mind. If I listen to the wind, or the song of birds, the frogs’ song (after a heavy rain) or the crickets/ worms singing in the night, the mind would calm down easily and all the worries of the world would be gone. ( You can try any of the above and experience it yourself.)

I have learn from my experience with Nature that every tree, every insect, every animal have some work to perform on the planet. Just because we humans do not understand their work does not give us the right to destroy Nature, the animals en mass.

We are somehow interconnected with Nature, with every being on the planet through a web of life. If we destroy Nature/ the animals en mass (like what humans are doing now through the destruction of rainforest, the overfishing of the oceans and the mass production and killing of animals in animal factory farm), we would cause a huge disturbance to the life-supporting system of the planet, cause a huge damage to the web of life and would finally be the ones to suffer in the end.

I sincerely wish that we humans would start to appreciate the wonderful beauty of Nature and wake up to the plight of the planet and the animals on the planet. We are the ones who are destroying Nature/ the planet, we need to be the ones who would turn around to repair/ restore Nature at large.

Clip of Du Du sleeping



This is a funny clip of "Du Du" sleeping (while sitting.) Du Du is the dog of a relative of mine.

Shiny movie (2)



This is a movie of Shiny, our mini-Pomeranian dog. She is about 2 years old at the time these clips are taken. Enjoy.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Hilarious animals (funny and educational)


Share some funny and educational animal clips. :>
[Hilarious, kind, beautiful, gracious :> Can help to de-stress :>]
…………

From : Animals are beautiful people: (each clip is about 3 mins)

Animals are beautiful people: Trailer

Drunken Animals (from eating fermented fruits)

Mother Duck protects ducklings:

How to find water with the help of animals:

Meerkat tries to eat an egg:

Poor Little Warthog:

Invitation to dance:

……..

Animals are truly beautiful people,
they never take more than they need from Nature,
they never waste/pollute the food & water resources,
they never force other species to live in confinement but allow others to live their life naturally.
They treasure their family relationships and take care of each other,
& they are always contented when their basic necessities are met. :>
[ quite civilized :>]

Brings to mind a quote from Dr Jane GoodAll,
“If we are the most intellectual creature that ever walked on the planet,
 how come we are (the only ones) destroying that planet?”

Makes one really wonder .....  

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Nice Ebook "A Gentle Day"


Share a nice e-book "A Gentle Day" that I've just created.   

It's a poetic collection of what can happen in a Gentle day, from morning till night. It is filled with family warmth and kindness. A delightful read for both parents and children.:>

(just click on the link to view) 

It's created using the Storybird website. 
Storybird is an online tool that teachers use to help students to write stories. You can create your own story too. :> ( Just create an account, write a story & share with friends. :>)

Have fun. :> 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

How to get the most blessings (from Nature)


I have long known that Nature has blessing powers.

I have often visit the parks, sit under the trees, admire the flowers, enjoyed the cooling breeze.
I have often visit the ocean, wonder at the immensity of the water bodies, amazed by the array of colors in the rising sun, and  in awe of the vastness of the clear blue sky.
I have walked in the drizzling rain, mediate in a storm, and swim for hours in the ocean.
I have listened to the joyous chorus of the frogs after a noonday rain, watch the butterflies play among the flowers and enjoyed the company of a playful puppy.
I have slept under the canopy of stars, listen to the murmur of the waves and allow Nature to wash over the tiredness in my body, and replenish my spirit.

Yes, I am familiar with the blessing powers that Nature and animals offered to humans.
However, I was not very much aware how much blessing powers each component of nature offers.  

Share with you a video in which Supreme Master Ching Hai, (a spiritual master and an environmental champion who gives video conferences on environmental matters in over 30 countries), expounds on the blessing powers of Nature and the animals. It is 30 mins and covers in detail how much blessings the Air, the Earth, the Oceans, the animals offer to humans.
“How to get the most blessings”: http://www.suprememastertv.com/blessings/

Some how, humans are so busy in our daily life that we have lost our connection with Nature. That is how we can destroy Nature, create animal factory farms (that seriously violates the laws of nature by subjecting the animals to a lifetime of imprisonment and prolong suffering) and deplete nature’s resource at such a speed beyond Nature’s capacity to recover! : /   In our disconnection, we also feel felt empty and sad and wonder why life is such a misery.  

We have to slow down and be aware of the immense blessings that are flowing all around us.
We have to learn from the animals, who are contented with a little food, enjoys the closeness of family relationship and live their life joyously/playfully every moment.

We have to regain our connection with Nature and with ourselves, so that we can be happy, be comforted and not be so dragged down by the mechanics of daily living.
May all have peace, and may all be blessed.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Shiny movie (1)



This is a movie of Shiny, our mini-pomeranian dog when she was very young. (about 2-3 month old). It's taken during 2010 Dec to 2011 Jan Period. Shiny is a cute, playful doggy. She bites everything in the house. : / :P : O. Yet, We love her very much. :)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Low the Watch-repair-man: Repair 2 watches












Recently, both of my watches Kaput! [gone case/ spolit : > ]

One of them has battery flat, the other one drop into the sea. :>

I consider to buy a new watch but the price is about $20 to $30, so I thought … why don’t I try to repair the watches. :> [ Surely Ah Low can manage something as simple as changing battery for a watch & repairing a watch :> ]

So I took out my tools, small / tiny screwdriver, and try my luck.
I dismantle the watches one at a time, and change the battery/repair the watch…



After 2 hours of trial & error …. Hey Presto … The watches are repaired :>

Save $40, + learn a skill. [Skill Level upgrade !!! ] Ha Ha :>

Not bad, considering that this is the first time I try to repair a watch. [I’ve seen the watch smith do it and thought that it is not too difficult. :> ]

You just need some nimble fingers & good eyesight as the screws are tiny and the parts of the watch are small. :>

One day, you can try it yourself too.
[Save some money :>]

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Water Colour Painting "Messenger"

Recently, I was feeling a little down. :> :/
Swam by some bad habits, I feel quite sad. :/
[Feel that some good part of me was lost. :< ]
So … I took some nice picture collections and flip through them.
As I was watching the angelic pictures, I have a silent urge to paint :>

So I took up a brush, and concentrated on painting :>

As the picture unfolds, some little joys sprung up in me.
Some measure of Kindness, Generosity and Hope wells in me.
A sense of Peace and Simple joy returns to me.

The painting took a couple of hours and the end result looks like this:

After finishing the painting, I ponder on the title of this piece.

I decided on the Name “Messenger” as it depicts a Messenger bringing some Good News from the Heavens. The flask in his hands contains the Water of Life and offers Hope to mankind :>

The Universe is kind,

Life forgives one’s mistakes and offers Hope and Redemption. :>

[Just don’t make mistakes all the time. :P :P ]

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Loss of biodiversity, Climate change & Measures to Save the Planet

According to World Wildlife Fund Report. "Living Planet Report 2008", over the past 35 years [from 1970s to 2008] the world's Wildlife population has declined by a third.http://www.panda.org/news_facts/publications/living_planet_report/index.cfm

Human has wiped out 1/3 of the world's wildlife with activities of overfishing, overhunting, deforestation [leading to habitat loss] and pollution.

There are also reports that 75% of the world's fish stocks are fully exploited /depleted of fish. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5icynhBY_cvmvIP8vyzFzcBHM9big
............

There is one universal law that all educators teach. "Good Begets Good, Bad Begets Bad"
It is a very simple law and is found in all the religions of the world.

The Hindus, Jains and Buddhist called it "the Law of karma - the Law of cause and effect"
The Christian bible says" As you sow, so shall you reap"
And the Scientific community knows this law as "Every Action provokes and equal and opposite Reaction."

Now consider this ...

If Human activities on the planet causes immense suffering to 56 billion Farmed animals (that are slaughtered each year for human consumption) , subjecting more than 60 % of these animals to a life of imprisonment / giving them the wrong food / pushing them to grow way beyond their nature growth rate with the use of hormones / antibiotics.

AND, at the same time, causes immense suffering to the Wildlife by deforestation/ overfishing/ overhunting such that 1/3 of the world's wildlife is now being wiped out from the surface of the earth.

Then, By the simple law of "Bad Begets Bad",
if Humans carry on with our current environmentally- destructive way of life,it is only logical that Humans cannot survive the global warming crisis that is threatening the very survival of humankind. : (
.......

However, Humans are known to have the capacity to change. :)

If we were to consider the facts carefully and turn around to live a more environmental- friendly way of life. Instead of being an "Unaware Consumer", we study and become a "Aware Protector"

If we can choose to reject the products of factory farms, and change to a more enviro-friendly plant-based diet.

If we can learn to respect all lives on Earth and allow the animals to live the life that Nature intents them to live.

If we can support organic farming that uses natural compost as fertilizers and have proven to restore health to the farmlands in as little as a year.

If we can convert the farmland that is used to produce Feed crops for animals back into Forest that acts as Carbon sinks, protects the top soil/rivers and provides shelter to the wild life.
[UN FAO Report: 70% of all Agriculture land on Earth is used for animal production. Including the land used for grazing, and land to produce feed crops to feed the animals]

If we can engage in studies of current environmental issues and help to spread environmental awareness.

If we can adopt a sustainable way of living that trends lightly on the planet and teach this sustainable way to the younger generations.

Then by the Law of "Good Begets Good, Mercy Begets Mercy, Compassion begets Compassion", we can restore the environment, eliminate the looming threat of global warming and ensure that our younger generations can inherit a sustainable planet.

Indeed, Mother Earth has shown great regenerative powers, it's just that our current rate of consumption is way above the rate that Nature can regenerate itself. [The WWF report also shows that humans are consuming resources at 30% ABOVE Nature's capacity to regenerate.]

In the words of Howard Lyman, A "Former 45-year cattle rancher-turned-organic-farmer" Let us "Return to the animals the Live that Nature intented them to live, so that We can live a life that we are intented to live."

In the words of Al Gore, let us "Be a Generation that Makes History". "
Let us be a generation that adopts a Sustainable way of living so that 100 years down the road, the people would look back and say "This is a Heroic Generation that realize their mistakes and have the courage to take BOLD Actions to turn around and adopt a sustainable way of living." Just as we now applaud the Lincoln generation that abolish the laws of slavery, the future generations would applaud our generation's adoption of sustainable living. "
.......

Top scientists have warned that we have 3 to 4 critical years before the Global Warming crisis becomes irreverisible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAeAmDFMm4A

We do not have a lot of time for reflection, the times are short and the measures that we need to take are urgent. : /

Top scientist such as NASA Director Dr James Hansen are requesting the people in the world to reduce meat consumption to reduce livestock industries contribution to global green house emissions. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbtat_9wbQ]

UN IPCC scientists are also supporting this view :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-g81_9cRZo]

"We need to realize that we do not need to do EVERYTHING to Save the Planet, we just need to do the things that we CAN DO.Be Veg, Go Green and save the Planet" --- Howard Lyman.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet" -- Albert Einstein, famous scientist

May I suggest that everyone starts to explore the vege options around you. : > It's relatively easy to get healthy and tasty vegetarian food in Singapore.

The Vegetarian Society of Singapore has a website that spells out all the vege outlets near various MRTS [http://www.vegetarian-society.org/?q=fdl]

You may like to take a look. :>

Have to do all we can to preserve the planet now : / : >

Thank you for your attention and your caring concern for the planet.
Yours sincerely,
Low ck

More information on interviews with NASA/UN / Top climate scientist could be found in the following website:
http://www.suprememastertv.com/sos-global-warming/scientists-on-climate-change.html

My SOS Global Warming Blog:
http://www.sosglobalwarming-ck.blogspot.com/

You may like to take a look :>