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.

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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!

Serendipity

I am always loving and wishing for each opportunity to communicate and feel, because whenever I move with you or with any other person, that being at that instant is a reflection of me! I am always aware of what moves inside me, and I invent personal mantras each week (for several weeks now I still repeat to myself: "just breathe. ain't never too late to learn stuff"), and later I throw them away in order to pass onto the next lesson.

I am the luckiest woman in the universe because I allow myself everything. I allow myself to get pissed off, to desire, to cling, to empty, to feel alone, to feel basic, I allow myself to play touching the sacred, I allow the applauses fill my rocker’s ego, I allow myself to bow deep down until I touch the ground, I allow myself to disappear, to get dressed in shining lights so that everyone can see me, I allow myself to give and receive gifts, but most important of all, I allow myself to laugh, to be thankful and to be aware that this (the way or どう, 道 ) is not difficult. It is only unique. To know that this is unique, I stopped comparing my rhythm of growth with others, thus I stopped judging, thus I learned how to forgive myself, thus I discovered how easy it is to be happy.

I don’t know what Zen is. I only know that when I am awake, I have another opportunity to be thankful.I still don’t know what Zen is. I only know that the world isn’t about me. The world is about the world. As I move in the world, I create and give the gift of my universe to the universe.

My favorite word is “serendipity”. The word was invented by the English author, Horace Walpole, who based it on a name from the ancient country of Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that the name was part of the title of a fairytale called “The Three Princes of Serendip”: while the princes travelled in their voyages, they were always making discoveries, but always through accident or coincidence, because they were never looking intentionally for anything in particular…”

Serendipity:1. The capacity of being able to make fortunate discoveries by accident 2. The talent of being able to make fortunate discoveries while looking for something else 3. An instant of making such a discovery

My friend, each time you see me, you will read in my eyes how thankful I am. You know how special it is to be a witness of your happiness? I feel so blessed.

I still don’t know what Zen is, and neither do I know what is a good ukemi (how to take falls in aikido). I only felt something different and it is because I never stop communicating. Bravery is not measured with weapons. To be brave is to be able to communicate despite my ego, despite my fears, despite my mistakes. I am thankful for my ability and will power to be able to express myself!

But above all other things, I thank you for your love that you give to me freely, to accompany me in this discovery! …in the search of something else, I generate and I allow myself other revelations!!!
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¡Yo me la paso amando y deseando cada oportunidad de comunicarme y sentir, porque cuando me muevo contigo o con cualquier persona, ese ser y ese instante es el reflejo de mí! Me la paso atenta a lo que se mueve adentro, e invento mantras personales cada semana (por varias semanas aún me repito "just breathe. ain't never too late to learn stuff"), luego las desecho cuando debo pasar a otra instrucción.

Soy la mujer más afortunada del universo porque me permito todo. Me permito arrecharme, me permito desear, me permito el apego, me permito vaciar, me permito la soledad, me permito ser básica, me permito jugar a tocar lo sagrado, me permito los aplausos que llenan mi ego rockero, me permito inclinarme hasta tocar el piso, me permito desaparecerme, me permito vestirme de luces para que todos me vean, me permito recibir y dar regalos, pero sobretodo me permito reír y agradecer y estar conciente que esto (el camino) no es difícil, sólo es único. Al saber que es único, dejé de comparar mi ritmo con otro, por ende dejé de juzgar, por ende supe perdonarme, por ende descubrí que es fácil ser feliz.

No sé lo que es zen. Sólo sé que cuando estoy despierta tengo otra oportunidad más de ser agradecida.

No sé lo que es zen. Sólo sé que el mundo no se trata de mí. El mundo es el mundo. Y yo al moverme en el mundo, creo y regalo mi universo al universo.

Mi palabra favorita es “serendipity”. La palabra fue inventada por un autor inglés llamado Horace Walpole basándose en un nombre del antiguo país de Sri Lanka, Serendip. El explicó que el nombre era parte del título de un cuento de hadas llamado “Los tres príncipes de Serendip”: mientras los príncipes viajaban, siempre estaban haciendo descubrimientos, pero era siempre por accidente o casualidad, pues nunca buscaban intencionalmente alguna cosa en particular…”

Serendipity:
1. La facultad de poder hacer descubrimientos afortunados por accidente
2. El talento de poder hacer descubrimientos afortunados mientras buscabas otra cosa
3. Un instante de hacer tal descubrimiento

Mi amigo, cada vez que me ves, leerás en mis ojos cuán agradecida estoy. ¿Sabes lo especial que es ser testigo de tu felicidad? Me siento bendecida.

Aun no sé lo que es zen, tampoco sé lo que es un buen ukemi. Sólo sentí algo diferente y es porque nunca dejo de comunicarme. La valentía no se mide con armas. Ser valiente es comunicarme a pesar de mi ego, a pesar del miedo, a pesar de las equivocaciones. ¡Agradezco mi facultad y voluntad de expresarme!
Pero sobre todas las cosas, te agradezco tu amor que me das libremente para acompañarme en este hallazgo!
…en búsqueda de otra cosa, genero y me permito otras revelaciones!!!

The Here and Now

The here and now. The only way to live! Beyond all sorts of possible distractions, I relish and savor the here and now. I am truly fortunate.

What's important

What's important? In aikido or singing or dancing, when I step onto the tatami of life, what's important is...

To breathe
To stretch my body and mind
To forgive myself
To forgive ourselves

So that space opened up from all the above, permits me to
Feel
See
Relate
and then
Interact

The moment feels suspended in time, but really it's because I am so aware of my mortality, that each second is a whole universe of possibilities which I treasure, absorb, then release.
I am so fortunate to be loved, to be alive, and to able to touch people with my small voice.