Babel

Blog

  • Quan Yin – Goddess of Mercy and Compassion

    Quan Yin, Guan Yin or Kannon Quan Yin is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion in Buddhism. She is known as Kannon in Japanese, Guan Yin in Chinese, Chenrezig in Tibetan and Avalokiteśvara in Sanskrit. Avalokiteśvara and Chenrezig are usually depicted as a male or androgynous, while Quan Yin, Kannon and Guan Yin are female.  Illustration left is Kannon.

    Guan Yin (觀音, pinyin guānyīn, Wade-Giles: kuan-yin) is an exact translation of Avalokitasvara (अवलोकितेश्वर, Sanskrit). The prefix ava = down; lokita = to notice, behold, observe and svara = sound, noise or sound perceiver. Literally “he who perceives sound (or hears the cries of sentient beings who need help)."  From Tibetan Chenrezig translates as chen = eye; re = continuityAvalokiteśvara and zig = to look. From this one can derive the meaning "he who always looks upon all beings (with the eye of compassion). Illustration right is Avalokiteśvara.

    According to legend, Quan Yin was born into this world as Miao  Shan, the daughter of a king of the Chou Dynasty (1050-256 B.C.). Another legend says, in a previous time a devoted, compassionate monk became a Bodhisattva, who later became Avalokiteśvara. Most of the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas have a living breathing man or woman associated with them. This shows humanities ability to become enlightened with dedicated practice.

    In the Buddhist teachings, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva postponed his own Buddhahood and vowed to end suffering by listening to and assisting every sentient being to attain enlightenment.Chenrezi

    Lama Jigme a Tibetan Buddhist monk explains, "No matter how you address the Buddha of Compassion (by which name), the Buddha of Compassion is still the Buddha of Compassion." He says about the mantra, "Chenrezig’s Six-syllable mantra, Om  Ma-ni  Pad-me  Hum, is the compassionate wisdom of all the Buddhas manifested as sound." Illustration right is Chenrezig.

    Bokar Rinpoche writes, "Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig."

    Duane, Reiki Teacher says "I’ve always found the theory that Quan Yin, Mother Mary, Isis, Avalokiteśvara, Kannon and even Ha Hai-i Wuhti of Hopi Indian lore (amongst many others) are all actually one and the same… manifesting at different times, to different cultures in an attempt to bolster the belief that love and compassion are amongst the stronger powers known to man to be quite fascinating."

    Interesting indeed… let’s take that a step further… ultimately we are all One. This implies that you and I are One, as well you and Quan Yin are One. And Quan Yin and I are One… as she and every sentient being are One. We humans just don’t recognize this. We have forgotten and see ourselves as separate from everything and everyone. Isolated and alone… we suffer. This is an illusion! We simply have forgotten our connectedness and our own Sacredness.

    A few Souls incarnate with full remembrance. Some of them we recognize and call ‘Buddhas, Avatars, Saints or Messengers of God’. They are us… walking, breathing, talking reminders who impart knowledge. They show us ‘Who We Truly Are’. But we only see their Specialness or Godliness, put them on pedestals and end up worshiping them. We create entire religions full of dogmas based on their messages. We think so little of ourselves that we couldn’t possibly be ‘THAT’. So we worship it, rather then remembering, emulating and becoming ‘THAT’ ourselves.

    Even if we have the understanding we are ‘THAT’, we still don’t fully believe. For if we did… when we do… we will walk not only in the footsteps of the Great Masters… we will be the One’s creating the footsteps. All we have to do is set aside our beliefs, forget all we have learned, feel our connectedness and just be… in this moment.

    We are all Love and Compassion in beautiful diversity. If we all walked this, imagine the wondrous, magical things we’d create together. Reiki helps us remember, builds our compassion and love, and reconnects us to the Gift of Spirit. Thanks Usui Sensei for this great gift!

    ~Bonnee

    This blog post was inspired by ‘Reiki Sense of Compassion‘ by Duane Flowers

  • Dance of Sarasvati – Kitaro live in concert

    Kitaro is an inspired musician, he plays for spirit. Here he is live, playing his song Dance of Sarasvati; album Mandala (released 1994, Nominated for Grammy Award).

    sarasvati Sarasvati (pronounced as sə.rəs.ʋə.ti) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and the arts and the consort of Brahma. Sarasvati literally translated means: the knowledge of self or the essential part of self. sara = the essential part, knowledge, energy, motion, strength or power; sva = one’s own (self); ti = for, after. One says or sings the Sarasvati Mantra for higher knowledge and wisdom, and to come to the understanding of true, essential self. Kitaro sings, ‘Om namo Sarasvati’.

    I first heard of Kitaro in 1989 when I lived in Kauai, Hawaii. Bought every album I could find I loved his music so much. Enjoy Kitaro and Dance of Sarasvati!

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • Wonder – Zena gazing at the moon

    wonder-

    Wonder by Alex Grey is innocent, sweet and profound. 

    Alex is an incredible visionary artist who draws the world of energy, spirit and unfoldment.  Wonder is a portrait of Grey’s daughter Zena gazing at the moon. 16" x 20" acrylic on paper done in 1996. Many of his beautiful works can be seen in the galleries at alexgrey.com.   Spectacular!

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • the dove

    ~a poem by Bonnee Klein Gilligan

    Lovers Rock Sedona, AZ photo by Light. © 2008 Bonnee Klein Gilligan. All Rights Reserved.

    Yes dear friend we all get hurt

       and others they can stir up dirt.

    In love or out it matters not

       for human love is not what’s sot.

    We look here and we look there

       and try to find love everywhere.

    But what we find is half at best

       and breaks our hearts, perhaps the rest.

    It’s not the love we’re seeking friend

       it’s half at best and in the end

    We remember what we’ve lost

       at such a great emotional cost.

    It’s God’s love, not the human kind

       that fills us with a gift Divine.

    And when two in this space of love

       find each other, they find the Dove

    This is the gift, these are the plans

       this is what our God demands.

    To love like God, with heart and Soul

       and open up… let go control.

    Connect with body, soul and mind

       into a place of Love not blind.

    but wholly seeing, holy knowing

       this is the seed that God is sowing.

    To love each other like God loves us

       and this my friend takes perfect Trust.

    It takes letting go ways of thinking

       that hem us in and keep us sinking.

    And letting go of future and past

       for these are false and do not last.

    Now is all we have to love in

       so open gentle heart… begin.

    Love opens us to possibilities

       and tears down all of our hostilities.

    It heals all wounds, and mends all harm

       so let go the past, let go alarm.

    Open up to life and love

       and live again, fly like the dove.

    Open to God’s Divine Plan

       live in Love and hand in hand

    Heart to heart and soul to soul

       watch the Divine gifts unfold.

    Beautiful is life with of love

       it is the magic of the Dove.

  • Green ecology, Green finance, Green consciousness

    This week I’ve been talking to people and reading a lot about the condition of the economy. But from the most gut wrenching levels… the effect financial mis-management has had on the people and the world at large.

    tentcityDid you know there are increasing numbers of people who are jobless and homeless too? Some people are living in their cars or in tents. I lived in a tent and a car for 3 years so I know what it’s like, but mine was by choice, not necessity a very different thing.

    The foreclosure rates are soaring in the USA. 102,000 in August alone. Year-to-date, 1,450,000 US homeowners (19.6 of every 1,000 households) faced pre-foreclosure. That is mind boggling.

    Credit-card debt is on the brink of imploding and will be the next storm to hit. Innovest StrategicValue Advisors, a consulting firm, forecasts that banks will charge off $18.6 billion worth of credit card receivables in the first quarter of 2009 and $96 billion in 2009 — that would be 261% more than in 2007 and 131% higher than the level it expects by the end of 2008.

    Makes one wonder why? Since 2004 the interest rates on credit cards have climbed from 4% to more then 24.99%. This is for those with good credit scores who maintain a balance and pay their bills on time. The credit lenders promoted card usage by upping available credit limits, issuing checks and offering 0% rates on some new cards. Some credit card companies even issued cards to those who had just filed bankruptcy. Would this be considered questionable credit lending practices? Some people abused the system, over spent and were irresponsible. But many, perhaps unwisely, used credit cards to supplement income; to buy food and pay bills, insurance premiums and medical expenses. Thinking they’d be able to payoff the balance at the current interest rate. But the rates kept getting higher and higher which can be devastating financially.

    As well subprime and prime mortgages were written with questionable financing. I have a disabled friend that refinanced his home in 2007. Said he couldn’t afford the principle and interest payments, so opted for interest only for 5 years. Another woman I know purchased a home 3 years ago and her payments ($4,600/mo.) are more then 75% of her income. Why would any responsible lender do this? Why didn’t they deny the loans? Have we put our trust in a faulty system?

    Even if the lending practices were responsible life circumstances can change. Another woman I met over coffee last week said she lost her primary income source and is doing everything she can to keep her home. She has it up for sale, but the slow markets keep her house poor. What little income she’s able to generate goes to the house payment. She applied for food stamps but was ridiculed and investigated because she owned a home. She opted instead to visit the local food bank to survive. Do we sometimes judge others to harshly? Or come to sweeping conclusions which are erroneous?

    These 3 good, honest people are on the brink of financial collapse. If anything else is added to their plates they may all end up homeless. And these are only a few of folks I know. Imagine what it must be like nationwide or perhaps worldwide?

    And we’ve got the opposite end of the spectrum. WAMU’s CEO Alan Fishman worked 3 weeks, now is headed out the door with $19 million in his pocket. There are too many other stories like that I won’t write about. I’m certainly not against people getting bonuses, but when the CEO gets $19 million and the stock holders get zip… that’s convoluted.

    When there is so much disparity, one may ask, ‘What’s wrong with this picture’?

    Global Financial Crisis?

    U.S. turmoil churns up an ill wind worldwide (1 October 2008) Park Yung-Chul, a Korea University economist, who also has taught at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology says of the USA, “On finance, you’re becoming a second-class economy. How could you do so badly managing your economy and managing international affairs? And now you’ve created this global financial crisis for which everyone is going to suffer!”

    Put pollutionClimate Change Solutions on hold?

    In Australia there is talk about a 60% or even 90% reduction  in green- house emissions by 2050. News.com.au (30 Sept 2008) Rudd’s expert wants tougher carbon goals. Top climate change adviser Ross Garnaut has warmed to the idea of a deep cut to greenhouse emissions – but he thinks it probably won’t happen. The Business lobby group, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said tackling climate change must be approached cautiously because of global financial instability.

    Let’s rethink this…

    Global financial instability is a reality. Global warming is also a reality.

    Green ecology…

    Massive change is needed in the world financial markets for survival of the global economy. Just like massive change is needed in the current pollution of the environment for survival of life. While the financial world is being restructured it is an excellent opportunity to consider greener ways of doing business, living life, interacting with each other and our environment.

    This is Green ecology –  the interrelation of people, the environment and the economy. It considers the big picture.

    Green finance…

    Green finance specifically considers money and how it is managed. The creation and distribution of money with consideration given to how it impacts not only the economy but society as a whole, the earth, and all life. How we can wisely manage money to benefit all… not just a few.

    With wise restructuring of money also comes the wise use of resources and the impact on society and the environment. Green finance as I see it is a holistic approach. It is no longer possible to live on our small planet without rethinking… implementing and living in harmony with consideration given for all life.

    Green consciousness…

    Green consciousness considers our interactions with one another. It addresses the issues of our peaceful co-existence and the creation of a worldwide balanced, equal, loving, supportive, helpful environment.

    The way things have been done in the past no longer work. Rethinking, devising a plan and implementing changes on all fronts is necessary for our survival financially, economically, socially and environmentally. The
    alternative… we have economic chaos, social disorder and an inhabitable planet.

    It is a critical time. An exciting time. It’s not too late to turn this mess around if we all jump on board and come from a place of  compassion and love for all life. It’s time for action…

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan