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Category Archives: Previous posts
In April 2016 I simplified to one new category. These are the previously posted items.
How Cool is Local? Let’s See.
I was in St. Paul, MN this morning. To tell the truth, I love being in the “city.” In fact, had I planned it better, I would likely have gone around exploring, the usual inclination when opportunity arises, but today the energy was different…
As it was, I considered going for a coffee, a safe way to see a place, take a break and plan looking around a bit.
Recently, however, I have been on a local bent. “Support local authors” is the tag line I use when promoting our “author readings” at coffee shops, books stores and the like.
So, I decided to go to the local coffee shop in the town in which I live, quite a drive away from St. Paul.
Here, in the coffee shop, while enjoying unimposing music, seeing others interact in positive ways, others enjoying time to do things such as read or write something poetic, I partook in espresso, sipping slowly the velvety dark brew.
This coffee shop and another in a nearby local vicinity support authors, artists, and local community connections … something I wish to honor here.
Maybe the intent to support local is wholesome in some way. Why do I ask? Well, who knows, but someone picked up the tab for my coffee for me. Wondrous how things work out, isn’t it?
Supporting and encouraging personal growth and connection among beings!
Dan O’Brien,
Author, the Japan Book Series
A Message of Hope on Easter Sunday 2013
Hope? Why not?!
I woke this morning and thought to myself. Easter has such a wonderful message of hope for Christians. It seems to me like people filled with hope, whatever their faith, can take the positive energy of the Christians today and share in it if not offer their own hopeful energy to it.
I start with me.
I hope to continue learning about sharing more and more over the year 2013 and continue growing and expanding the ability to encourage others to “grow personally and make connections,” my personal mission statement.
What’s yours? Whatever it is, you can start/ continue again today. What a positive day to do so.
Whether your Christian or not, the message of Easter is new beginnings, forgiveness, inspired renewal-chances to regroup and continue again.
I am inspired anew with hope that we can all hear a message of renewal. One of restarting our goals, interests and work toward achieving a world that is complete with all of us sharing in our differences-espcially that-sharing.
We live in a world filled with many people of various faiths, and it is filled at least for today, with the message of hope.
Japan Series Launched
The Japan Series Blog was created to share information about Japanese culture, meditation, personal growth as well as about various aspects of this author’s journey. Constructive Comments that Bring Connection and Continue the Conversation are Encouraged.
Love Heals
So often we are strapped with information overload and things to do in the 21 century.
Here is a saying that simplifies the messiness of life:
有愛就沒有距離，用愛調和能消除社會亂象。
證嚴法師靜思語
Love transcends distance and eliminates chaos in society.
It seems that this gives one the truest sense of freedom as it liberates us to be, really be, with others.
The Chinese is above the English. This was posted by the totally beneficent/giving Buddhist organization, Tzu Chi.
Daniel O’Brien
Dharma Talk: For Liberation, First you Need the Map.
Dharma Talk. Listen at your own Risk.
You may have to give up some of your preconceived notions….
Build the Intention of Peace
Clinging to a firm believing in the ego (as opposed to a naturally occuring sense of self) is based in fear;
Seeing through to (allowing the blossoming of) one’s true nature (as one of the interconnected beings on the planet) is based in freeing up the hold the sense of ego and fear has on oneself.
One does not give up themselves and become someone else, only their need to hold believing it as though it were fixed in place.
Food for thought on the journey to liberation.
Fear Can Be Overcome by Conviction
Clinging to a firm believing in the ego (as opposed to a naturally occuring sense of self) is based in fear;
Seeing through to (allowing the blossoming of) one’s true nature (as one of the interconnected beings on the planet) is based in freeing up the hold the sense of ego and fear has on oneself.
One does not give up themselves and become someone else, only their need to hold believing it as though it were fixed in place.
Food for thought on the journey to liberation.
July 2012 Teaching on Cause of Happiness
Mingyur Rinpoche describes what has been scientifically determined to cause happiness.
You probably won’t be surprised, that it is related to giving to others.
Receiving, curiously and in opposition to what we may believe, does not increase, but decreases happiness.
Enjoy!
Japan Series