Equilibrio

"Equilibrio: traduce balance, orden, armonía. Donde todas las piezas encajan perfectamente como en un rompecabezas. Por eso es necesario orientar nuestra búsqueda al equilibrio de todos los elementos que forman nuestra vida. Debemos procurar en lo posible de alejarnos de los extremos. Los extremos conducen a los excesos, los excesos al desgaste, y eso nos puede hacer perder el camino...." Jorge Russo sensei, 3er dan Aikikai, dojo-chou de Marubashi Aikido Dojo, Caracas, Venezuela.


El Gobierno nipón pide que los trabajadores tomen más vacaciones
El Gobierno nipón publicó hoy una directiva en la que recomienda a las empresas japonesas que animen a sus trabajadores a tomarse dos semanas seguidas de vacaciones con la esperanza de que en 2017 dispongan de todos sus días libres.
La recomendación del Ministerio de Salud, Trabajo y Bienestar japonés, no vinculante, intenta evitar el exceso de horas de trabajo al que se ven sometidos los empleados nipones, lo que en ocasiones causa problemas de salud y ha llevado a algunos a la muerte por exceso de horas, problema conocido como “karoshi”.
El Gobierno pidió a las empresas que intente establecer unos objetivos de vacaciones pagadas y que éstas duren unas dos semanas.
Según la agencia local Kyodo, el Ministerio pidió que las empresas no permitan que sus trabajadores sufran estrés y acaben por agotarse, ya que las extensas horas de trabajo, especialmente en las oficinas de todo el país, son una de las principales causas de problemas mentales en la población.
Según los últimos datos oficiales, la media de vacaciones de un trabajador japonés en 2008 fue de 8,5 días, el 47,4 por ciento de los 18 días de que disponían.
El Gobierno espera que en 2012 los trabajadores utilicen el 60 por ciento de sus días de vacaciones y que este porcentaje suba hasta el 100 en 2017.
La recomendación presentada hoy sucede a la decisión del Consejo de Ministros en diciembre para promover las vacaciones y pedir a las empresas que lleven un control de los días libres que toman sus trabajadores, en ocasiones escasos.
Debido al gran número de problemas mentales derivados del exceso de trabajo, muchos japoneses recurren a compensaciones y tienen derecho a indemnización si fallecen a causa del trabajo continuado.
Vía “EFE” 2010-03-19

I want I wish I desire

2010 March 15

I want. I wish, I desire. All those things coming from this well-known ego that is good for nothing.

I’ve asked you to forgive me, which doesn’t rule out the fact that I expect you to say you too, are sorry.

So many surprises come from this relationship we have of reflecting on our selves, our hopes, our expectations. I expected that you would share somewhat the same passion I have for this language, this instrument of communication, this art, this way or 道.

It hurt me so bad that you didn’t enjoy the gift I wanted to share with you. It hurt me when you threw away the guide for learners in this incredible path towards mastery. My mind couldn’t conceive that you would leave without even saying goodbye to sensei. For me it was illogical that you would be so uncomfortable and upset towards a Zen practice that you know consists of primary patience. It really bothered me that you would show disrespect for the instructor, as you listened to his instructions but did not follow. Were you intentionally looking to escape? Is this art causing you so much pain?

I couldn’t understand why, if you pass the day in passionate practice of writing your name, of writing kanji with the innocence of a child, you would not want to take advantage of the gift of knowledge in 書道. I couldn’t understand that you would be so the opposite in this path, when it should be the same for other paths, the same rituals, the same breathing, the same happiness, the same attitude, the same devotion, the same deliverance.

So here I am, waiting and swimming in a pool of mixed emotions, knowing that it is best to stay quiet and to receive what must flow from this unfailing universe of lessons learnt. And it’s back to basics. Basic love, basic meditation, basic forgiving, basic breathing, basic learning.

If you wish to teach, first you must wish to learn.

Convivencia

CONVIVENCIA

Coexistence, living together in harmony…
1. to exist together or at the same time.
2. to exist separately or independently but peaceably, often while remaining rivals or adversaries: Although their ideologies differ greatly, the great powers must coexist.

Coexistence synonyms:
synchronize

integrate

organize

concur

harmonize

pool

mesh

proportion

...

What makes a musical band?
It is not the ecstatic and joyous moments of applause that make a band. Even if live performances are the fibers that hold a band together, there are always days and nights when the muscles need exercise, the bones need to be flexed, the matter fed by the elements to stay alive.

What makes a band maintain its lively essence and livelihood, is to create music together with the willingness to act together, to concur on one goal, despite the different worlds and characters or opinions…

It is the turning point of a band that is still making its first steps, to pull together its resources and make a single statement of coexistence. Seven worlds in synchronicity to achieve what few have been brave enough to work for: a wonderful, beautiful and precious work of art.

I’ve always said that to be in a band is an act of faith. It is a daily click on the REFRESH button that keeps us playing notes to move souls, to move emotions, to move within a world that seeks unique expression.

It’s up to us to consider the balance.
It’s up to us to take actions on coexistence for a greater purpose.
So let’s do it.

Hit that perfect note, hit that High C!...

“C” for Coexistence…

Flow with the go. Flow with the ego...

Friday. Magical evening. Flowed with the go. Flowed with the ego???! Kept repeating the mantra “the world is not about me, the world is the world.” And as I sat next to my new friend, the fascinating Franciscan/ Modern Saint Ignatius / Modern Christian Samurai (if there is ever such a thing), I focused all my attention to him, not to me, to him. I smelled the breath of your therapeutic marihuana lift to “get you ready” for an evening of music. I looked into your eyes as you told me about your vow of chastity, yet you exuded absolute passion for things that can be tasted, felt, seen, smelled and appreciated by the senses. And then when the music started, I focused my attention on the music and was totally enraptured, however so very so very aware of you, my beautiful and fascinating friend. Fascinating because you are a paradigm. Fascinating because I get your passions. Fascinating because I understand you in any language, even the body language you wish so much to suppress.

I listen to music without prejudice, I told you, as you sought to judge sounds that you preferred not listening to. Yet you agreed with me, and acceded to listen with ears and heart open, ready to be surprised. And so you were, as the notes reached your soul, as the human spirit in charge of each instrument expressed the love. You gave in and sensations flowed in and out and back again.
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If freedom was something to be tasted, it would be the taste of sugary rose petal.
If joy were to be smelled, it would the smell of freshly baked bread and coffee.
If love were a vision, it would be seeing all of you from head to toe, naked and smiling.
And if this life were something to be felt, it would the soft touch of your hand in mine.

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Saturday, surprised myself as I became a territorial, primitive beast. Jealousy is a mean thing. And when it is mixed with pride it is a terrible and silent bomb.

It’s a good thing you forgave me.

I am your first challenging student in this path.

¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
Sunday, the pain, the self-questioning, the slow realization of accepting the imperfections of this path to self-knowledge. The embarrassment and the wonder. Forgiving myself and learning how to communicate.


And today, you again say to me: I love you. I know you because I know myself. And so, as we stretch and expand, the limits of this love seem to dissolve. No boundaries. Only this. This love!