Emptiness

Form is emptiness, emptiness is form;

Emptiness is not separate from form,

Form is not separate from emptiness;

Whatever is form is emptiness,

Whatever is emptiness is form.

The same holds true for sensation and perception,

Memory and consciousness. 

- Red Pine

Emptiness is the usual translation for the Buddhist term Sunyata (or Shunyata). It refers to the fact that no thing - including human existence - has ultimate substantiality, which in turn means that no thing is permanent and no thing is totally independent of everything else. In other words, everything in this world is interconnected and in constant flux. A deep appreciation of this idea of emptiness thus saves us from the suffering caused by our egos, our attachments, and our resistance to change and loss. - James Ure 

True emptiness exists when the mind is clear and all forms have disappeared. Externally, there are no objects. Internally, there is no mind. There is only emptiness. In this state even emptiness does not exist. In true emptiness there is no space, no desire, no will; there are no appearances, no thoughts. All realms of existence are dissolved. In absolute stillness there is no self and no other. There is only Earlier Heaven in its undifferentiated whole. - Shui-ch'ing Tzu

Proverbs

What is worth doing is worth doing well. - Unknown

You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. - Unknown

The busy bee has no time to be unhappy. - Unknown

The old cow thinks she was never a calf. - Unknown

Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. - Unknown

Calamities may be blessings in disguise. - Unknown

There is light at the end of every tunnel. - Unknown

A good name is better than a good face. - Unknown

Kill not the goose that lay golden eggs. - Unknown

A drowning man will clutch at a straw. - Unknown

Open confession is good for the soul. - Unknown

What happens, happens for a reason. - Unknown

Cut your coat according to your cloth. - Unknown

He who pays the piper calls the tune. - Unknown

There is many a slip twixt cup and lip. - Unknown

God helps those who help themselves. - Unknown

You cannot have your cake and eat it. - Unknown

A lion may be beholden to a mouse. - Unknown

There are two sides to every picture. - Unknown

None but the brave deserve the fair. - Unknown

A constant guest is never welcome. - Unknown

Potato Garden

              An old man lived alone. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his predicament. 

              Shortly, he received this reply, “For HEAVEN’S SAKE Dad, don’t dig up that garden, that’s where I buried the GUNS!”

              At four am the next morning, a dozen police showed up and dug up the entire garden, without finding any guns. 

              Confused, the old man wrote another note to his son telling him what happened, and asking him what to do next. 

              His son’s reply was: “Now plant your potatoes, Dad. It’s the best I could do at this time.”

Will Hot Air Shake Off That Cold?

The claim: Hot, humidified air can help to cure a cold.

The facts: Inhaling steam or humidified air - a cold remedy as old as the steam kettle - supposedly clears congestion, improves breathing and kills cold viruses, which are sensitive to heat.

Laboratory studies show, for example, that the rhinovirus - the most common cause of colds - is inactivated at temperatures above 43 deg C.

Yet a number of studies have failed to find strong evidence that a dose of heated, humidified air makes any difference for sniffling, sneezing cold sufferers.

In 2006, a report in The Cochrane Database Of Systematic Reviews examined the remedy by combining data from previous studies.

The report included six randomised controlled trials in which cold sufferers were exposed to heated water vapour.

Three of the studies showed benefits, while the others found either a worsening of symptoms or no change at all in antibody levels or shedding of viruses.

One of those studies, carried out at the Cleveland Clinic and published in The Journal Of The American Medical Association in 19994, had 68 cold sufferers sit through 60-minute steam treatments that raised the temperature inside the nose to the required 43 deg C. The treatments had no effect on symptoms like congestion and sneezing.

Ultimately, the Cochrane report concluded that steam inhalation should not be recommended as a remedy for colds until more studies bear out its usefulness.

The bottom line: The evidence for heated or humidified air as a cold treatment is lacking.

- The New York Times 

A Bet

              Bob walked into a sports bar around 9:58 PM. He sat down next to a guy, who doesn’t look like he is the brightest light in the harbour, at the bar. 

              The 10 PM news was coming on. The news crew was covering the story of a man on the ledge of a large building preparing to jump. 

              The man looked at Bob and said, "Do you think he'll jump?

              Bob said, "You know, I bet he'll jump.”

              The man replied, "Well, I bet he won't."

              Bob placed a $20 note on the bar and said, "You're on!"

              Just as the man placed his money on the bar, the man on the ledge did a swan dive off the building, falling to his death. 

              The man was very upset, but willingly handed his $20 to Bob. "Fair's fair. Here's your money.”

              Bob replied, "I can't take your money. I saw this earlier on the 5 PM news, so I knew he would jump."

              The man replied, "I did, too, But I didn't think he'd do it again."

              Bob took the money.

Teachings Of Buddha

One must not accept my teachings from reverence, but first try them as gold is tried by fire. 

You are your own teacher. Looking for teachers can't solve your own doubts. Investigate yourself to find the truth - inside, not outside. Knowing yourself is most important. 

Don't just go and believe in the teacher because he says a fruit is sweet and delicious. Taste it for yourself and then all the doubting will be over.

Teachers are those who point out the direction of the Path. After listening to the teacher, whether or not we walk the Path by practicing ourselves, is strictly up to each one of us. 

We must learn to let go of conditions and not try to oppose or resist them. Know your own body, heart, and mind. Be content with little. Don't go and hold on to emotions.

Self is a fever; self is a transient vision, a dream, but truth is wholesome, truth is sublime, truth is everlasting. There is no immortality except in truth. For truth alone abideth forever.

By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one made impure. By oneself only is evil stopped, by oneself is one made pure. Purity and impurity depend on oneself. No one can purify another.

The noble swerve not from the right path let happen what may, and crave no longer after worldly joys. The wise remain calm and constant in mind alike in joy and sorrow.

The one of few desires is the happiest. The one who knows contentment is very rich and honoured.

Just as the dweller in his body passes through childhood, youth and old age, so at death, he merely passes into another kind of body. 

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

Yield not to idleness, neither give way to lust nor cravings. He who is full of earnest, diligent in devotion to others attains great happiness.

Friends

A friend...

… never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down. - Arnold H. Glasow

… that you have to buy won’t be worth what you pay for him, no matter what that may be. - George D Prentice

… that frowns is better than a smiling enemy. - Suraine

… should bear his friend’s infirmities. - Shakespeare

… in power is a friend lost. - Henry Adams

… will see you through when others see that you are through. - Unknown

… to all is a friend to none. - Unknown

Friends are …

… those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. - Ed Cunningham

… relatives you make for yourself. - Eustache Deschamps

… treasures. - Horace Bruns

… like Angels who brighten our days in all kinds of wonderful, magical ways. - Unknown

… like a beautiful garden. They require regular care, and friendship is a plant which must be often watered. - Unknown

Love is ...

Love is ...

- missing someone whenever you’re apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you’re close in heart. - Kay Knudsen

- a gift. You can’t buy it, you can’t find it, someone has to give it to you. Learn to be receptive of that gift. - Kurt Langner

- but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition. - Alexander Smith

- an emotion experienced by the many and enjoyed by the few. - George Jean Nathan 

- something eternal, the aspect may change, but not the essence. - Vincent Van Gogh 

- always a stranger in the house of avarice. - Andreas Capellanus

- the harmony of two souls singing together. - Gregory J. P. Godek

- the noblest frailty of the mind. - John Dryden

- when you take away the feeling, the passion, the romance – and you find out you still care for that person. - Unknown

- like a violin. The music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever. - Unknown

- the essence of everything beautiful, the force behind everything wonderful. - Unknown

- a word, no words can define; a power nothing can confine. - Unknown

- the key that will open even the hardest heart. - Unknown

- is for fools wise enough to take a chance. - Unknown

- giving, especially when it hurts. - Unknown

- a fire which burns unseen. - Unknown

Humming Away Sinus Problems

The Claim: Humming can ease sinus problems.

The Facts: When a cold leads to a sinus infection, the misery can double.

Some researchers have proposed a surprising remedy: Channelling your inner Frank Sinatra.

Sinus infections generally occur when the lining of the sinuses - hollows in the bones of the face around the nose - becomes inflamed.

It then traps air and pus and other secretions, leading to pain, headaches and congestion.

And what better way to keep air moving through the sinuses and nasal cavity than by humming a a tune?

In a study in The American Journal Or Respiratory And Critical Care Medicine, researchers examined this by comparing airflow in people when they hummed and when they quietly exhaled.

They found that the level of nitric oxide - a gas produced in the sinuses - exhaled during humming rose by 15 times.

Another study a year later in The European Respiratory journal found a similar effect: Humming resulted in a large increase in nasal nitric oxide.

Since reduced air flow plays a major role in sinus infections, the researchers suggested that daily periods of humming might help people lower their risk of chronic problems. But further study is needed, they said.

The bottom line: Studies show that humming helps increase airflow between the sinus and nasal cavities, which could potentially help protect against sinus infections.

- The New York Times 

Success …

… in any endeavour depends on the degree to which it is an expression of your true self. - Ralph Marston

… isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire. - Arnold H. Glasow

… does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time. - George Bernard Shaw

… does not come to those who wait . . . and it does not wait for anyone to come to it. - Unknown 

… requires effort; failure little or none. Success is self-evident; and so too is failure. - Unknown

Success is …

… neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals. - Jim Rohn

… a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number One. - Arthur Ashe

… full of promise till one gets it, and then it seems like a nest from which the bird has flown. - Henry Ward Beecher

… achieved by development of our strengths, not by elimination of our weakness. - Marilyn vos Savant

… only another form of failure if we forget what our priorities should be. - Harry Lloyd

… determined by those who prove the impossible, possible. - James W. Pence

… nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day. - Jim Rohn

… simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time. - Arnold H. Glasow 

… often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction. - Al Bernstein 

… the maximum utilization of the ability that you have. - Zig Ziglar

… steady progress toward one's personal goals. - Jim Rohn

… where preparation and opportunity meet. - Bobby Unser

… a ladder you cannot climb with your hands in your pockets. - Unknown

… counted sweetest by those who never succeed. - Unknown

Proverbs

Books are hindrances to persisting stupidity. - Unknown

Better to see the face than to hear the name. - Unknown

It is nought good a sleeping hound to wake. - Unknown

Two cannot fall out if one does not choose. - Unknown

To speak kindly does not hurt the tongue. - Unknown

A pig bought on credit is forever grunting. - Unknown

Win without boasting, lose without excuse. - Unknown

Two buckets of tears will not heal a bruise. - Unknown

Today’s egg is better than tomorrow’s hen. - Unknown

Nothing can be done except little by little. - Unknown

A fox is not taken twice in the same snare. - Unknown

Those who lose today may win tomorrow. - Unknown

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. - Unknown

One man’s meat is another man’s poison. - Unknown

Who begins too much accomplishes little. - Unknown

Wishing does not make a poor man rich. - Unknown

To a quick question, give a slow answer. - Unknown

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. - Unknown

Never rely on the glory of the morning. - Unknown

The willing contemplation of vice is vice. - Unknown

If better is possible, good is not enough. - Unknown

If It Wasn’t For The Money

              Frank and Phyllis moved into their new home and she told him bluntly, “You know, if it wasn’t for my money, we wouldn’t be here.”

              When the house was fully furnished, she told him: “You know, if it wasn’t for my money, this furniture wouldn’t be here.”

              Later, when the twenty-four inch colour television was delivered, Phyllis said, “You know, if it wasn’t for my money, this television wouldn’t be here.”

              Frank looked up from his paper and replied: “You know, Phyllis, if it wasn’t for your money I wouldn’t be here!”

Teachings Of Buddha

The wise man never changes in face of happiness or sorrow, even as a mountain shakes not, being blown against by fierce gusts of wind.

He who destroyed craving has overcome all sorrow. Conquer your desires or they will conquer you.

A wise man blows off the impurities of his self, as a smith blows off the impurities of silver one by one, little by little and from time to time.

Blessed are they who earn their livelihood in a way that brings hurt or danger to no living thing.

Rude speech is the sharp sword. Greed and lust are the repulsive poison.

If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer.

Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care. 

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love, this is the eternal rule. 

Nothing is, everything is becoming. There is no present - only change.

Hatred is the great blazing fire. Ignorance is the deepest darkness.

No one and nothing can free you but your own understanding.

Death appears unlovely only to those attached to earthly things.

Patience is the strong armour. Wisdom is the sharp weapon.

Of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme. 

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others. 

He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. 

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. 

From what is dear to us, suffering arises.

Joyful is the accumulation of good work. 

All things are transient and void of self.

A friend is someone …

… who fills our lives with beauty, joy and grace and makes the world we live in, a better, happier place;

… whom we can lean on when our heart aches but who will never take advantage of our leaning;

… whom you would want to have near you when you are dying and whom you would like to be with when you are living;

… who will get down on his knees beside you when you are down and forget that he did so when you are on your feet;

… who makes allowance for your limitations without allowing them to obscure your talents;

… who knows all about you and likes you anyway. - Christi Mary Warner

…who is there for you when he’d rather be anywhere else. - Len Wein

… with whom you dare to be yourself. - Frank Crane

A friend is …

… a priceless gem for the crown of life here and a cherished star in memory forever. - Cyrus S. Nusbaum

…one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success! - Doug Larson

… someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. - Jim Morrison

… a gift you give yourself. - Robert Luis Stevenson

… a second self. - Aristotle

… not an object to be possessed but a subject to be cherished.

… a treasure more precious than gold.

… never known until needed.

… easier lost than found.

Love ...

Love ...

- cannot survive if you just give it scraps of yourself, scraps of your time, scraps of your thoughts. - Mary O'Hara

- endures only when the lovers love many things together and not merely each other. - Walter Lippmann

- can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes just be an illusion. - Javan 

- cures people – both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it. - Karl A. Menninger 

- arrives on tiptoe and bangs the door when it leaves. - Robert Lembke

- will enter cloaked in friendship’s name. - Ovid 

- means never having to say you’re sorry. - Erich Segal 

- builds bridges where there are none. - R. H. Delaney 

- grows each day in its special way, with the things we do and words we say. - Unknown

- involves a peculiar unfathomable combination of understanding and misunderstanding. - Unknown

- cannot be measured, bought, or sold. For it to be valued at all, it must be given freely. - Unknown

- looks beyond the exterior of a person and sees inside one’s heart. - Unknown

- can achieve unexpected majesty in the rocky soil of misfortune. - Unknown

- takes your world and turns it around. - Unknown

- teaches even asses to dance. - Unknown

Quick Way To Ease Heartburn

The Claim: Lying down on your left side eases heartburn.

The facts: For people with chronic heartburn, restful sleep is no easy feat. Fall asleep in the wrong position and acid slips into the oesophagus, a recipe for agita and insomnia.

Doctors recommend sleeping on an incline to allow gravity to keep the stomach’s contents where they belong.

However, sleeping on your side can also make a difference - so long as you choose the correct side. Several studies have found that sleeping on the right side aggravates heartburn, while sleeping on the left tends to calm it.

The reason is not entirely clear. One hypothesis holds that right-side sleeping relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, which lies between the stomach and the oesophagus.

Another holds that left-side sleeping keeps the junction between the stomach and the oesophagus above the level of gastric acid.

In a study in The Journal Of Clinical Gastroenterology, scientists recruited a group of health subjects and fed them high-fat meals on different days to induce heartburn.

Immediately after the meals, the subjects spent four hours lying on one side or the other as devices measured their oesophageal acidity.

Ultimately, the researchers found that “the total amount of reflux time was significantly greater” when the subjects lay o their right side.

In addition, the average overall acid clearance was significantly prolonged with the right side down.

In another study, this one in The American Journal Of Gastroenterology, scientist fed a group of chronic heartburn patients a high-fat dinner and a bedtime snack, then measured reflux as they slept.

The right-side sleepers had greater acid levels and longer “oesophageal acid clearance”.

Other studies have had similar results.

The bottom line: Lying on your right side seems to aggravate heartburn.

- The New York Times

Beware Of Dog

              Upon entering a little country store, the stranger noticed a sign saying “DANGER! BEWARE OF DOG!” posted on the door glass. 

              Inside, he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor near the cash register. He asked the store’s owner “Is that the dog folks are supposed to beware of?”

              “Yep,” the proprietor answered, “that’s him.’’ 

              The stranger could not help being amused. “That certainly doesn’t look like a dangerous dog to me,” he chuckled. “Why in the world did you decide to post that sign?’’

              “Because,” the owner replied, “before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him.”

A New Beginning

           

How would like to live your life - if you have a chance to do it all over again? 

While you may not be able to start your life all over again, you can make a brand new start of it from this day! 

If I had my life to live over I’d like to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual trouble, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. - Jean de La Bruyere

The only life worth living is the adventurous life. Of such a life the dominant characteristic is that it is unafraid. If is unafraid of what other people think. It does not adapt either its pace or its objectives to the pace and objectives of its neighbors. It thinks its own thoughts, it reads its own books, it developed its own hobbies, and it is governed by its own conscience. The herd may graze where it pleases or stampede where it pleases, but he who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when he finds himself alone. - Raymond B. Fosdick