Life for everyone is a struggle against the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death.
Happiness is not the abscence of problems or worries,
it is to be undefeated no matter what problems or worries we may face.
And this happiness is not solely focused on oneself.
Truly happy are those who can help others become happy.
Life contains the capacity, like flames that reach towards heaven,
to transform suffering and pain into the energy needed for value creation,
into light that illuminates darkness. Like the wind traversing vast spaces unhindered, life has the power to uproot and overturn all obstacles and difficulties. Like clear flowing water, it can wash away all stains and impurities. And finally, life, like the great earth that sustains vegetation, impartially protects all people with its compassionate, nurturing force.
From Buddhist philosopher and spiritual leader, Daisaku Ikeda:
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hallelujah: Cohen in Coachella Lineup
Updates on a few of our favourites - or should we say, iconic figures.
First up:
We have been waiting to see "Our Man" live, but until now, he was only touring dates in Canada.
Our prayers have been answered and LC, Leonard Cohen, is scheduled to take the stage April 17th at Coachella.
Here's a review of his recent show in NYC at the Beacon Theatre, where he played for over 3 hours.....eh, we will definitely be at the Coachella show.
SWEET!
We also congratulate Chef MC (Michael Chiarello) and Eileen on yet another inspired adventure - restaurant Bottega- which opened recently in Yountville (Napa Valley)
Seems that hard to please restaurant critic Michael Bauer was pleased and 'lusty'. His review here
First up:
We have been waiting to see "Our Man" live, but until now, he was only touring dates in Canada.
Our prayers have been answered and LC, Leonard Cohen, is scheduled to take the stage April 17th at Coachella.
Here's a review of his recent show in NYC at the Beacon Theatre, where he played for over 3 hours.....eh, we will definitely be at the Coachella show.
SWEET!
We also congratulate Chef MC (Michael Chiarello) and Eileen on yet another inspired adventure - restaurant Bottega- which opened recently in Yountville (Napa Valley)
Seems that hard to please restaurant critic Michael Bauer was pleased and 'lusty'. His review here
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Homeless - Help is Needed
We urge your compassion and support to those less fortunate.
Now more than ever, more families are becoming homeless.
The LA Family Housing (LAFH.org) has reported a 95% increase in demand for their services from people in need of food and shelter for themselves and their children.
Partnering for Change reported:
As unemployment becomes worse, community-based organizations are noticing a change in their clientele. Shelters are seeing clients who are more representative of the newly unemployed.
In recent months we've noticed a change in the needs of our program feeding homeless children. I've mentioned, there are over 11,000 elementary age children in Orange County, CA who are homeless. They are homeless for different reasons.
But here's a scenario you wouldn't think would take place:
Two able body parents in their early 30's. He has a 4 year college degree in marketing, she went to a technical school in information technology. Both are smart with a willingness to work. They have 3 kids, ages 8, 5 and 2. But guess what, they are both unemployed....for 9 months now.
What would you do? When your unemployment runs out and no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to get a job? How would you feed your family? How would provide shelter?
Unfortunately this family is representative of the new face of homelessness in our community. The college educated family forced to leave their rental home and bounce around from motel to motel with no money for food to feed their children.
Other resources:
Change.org has an entire area - end homelessness- for more information and resources.
Project Homeless Connect
Now more than ever, more families are becoming homeless.
The LA Family Housing (LAFH.org) has reported a 95% increase in demand for their services from people in need of food and shelter for themselves and their children.
Partnering for Change reported:
As unemployment becomes worse, community-based organizations are noticing a change in their clientele. Shelters are seeing clients who are more representative of the newly unemployed.
In recent months we've noticed a change in the needs of our program feeding homeless children. I've mentioned, there are over 11,000 elementary age children in Orange County, CA who are homeless. They are homeless for different reasons.
But here's a scenario you wouldn't think would take place:
Two able body parents in their early 30's. He has a 4 year college degree in marketing, she went to a technical school in information technology. Both are smart with a willingness to work. They have 3 kids, ages 8, 5 and 2. But guess what, they are both unemployed....for 9 months now.
What would you do? When your unemployment runs out and no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to get a job? How would you feed your family? How would provide shelter?
Unfortunately this family is representative of the new face of homelessness in our community. The college educated family forced to leave their rental home and bounce around from motel to motel with no money for food to feed their children.
Other resources:
Change.org has an entire area - end homelessness- for more information and resources.
Project Homeless Connect
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Set In Stone
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure we welcome the latest addition to inkit.com's blogger family, Thombstone Johnson StoneBone. Applause!
We look very forward to the posts from our pal, The "King of the Road" in his own words:
I am Jack the Compassionate. The freeways, highways, streets and alleys of the San Francisco Bay Area are my royal dominion. My throne is the drivers seat of a Crown Victoria Ford. I hold court there.
A lady-in-waiting, running late for a job interview, asked me one day, "who made thee king?" In a regal and modest manner I responded.
There are many pretenders to my throne. They know not when to open the door for the old and disabled. They know not when to take the short cut, when a subject is running late. My faithful subjects and regular riders pay homage to me, they recognize me as monarch. These
are the jewels in a sovereign's crown.
When a surf, knave or buffoon plays the court jester and fails to pay proper tribute---I have yet to send one to the gallows. It's pretentious for others to claim my crown, yet I have not sent one of them to the dungeon.
I am no tyrant, but hold sway over the troubled masses in my kingdom. Late for an appointment, trying to catch a plane, giving birth, pacemaker going bad? Need a recommendation on a hotel, a restaurant,
or just someone to talk to? Only the most seasoned Road King can help you. When I grant you an audience, in a down pouring rain, you will recognize my power.
His Majesty
Jack the Compassionate
Cab Driver
We look very forward to the posts from our pal, The "King of the Road" in his own words:
I am Jack the Compassionate. The freeways, highways, streets and alleys of the San Francisco Bay Area are my royal dominion. My throne is the drivers seat of a Crown Victoria Ford. I hold court there.
A lady-in-waiting, running late for a job interview, asked me one day, "who made thee king?" In a regal and modest manner I responded.
There are many pretenders to my throne. They know not when to open the door for the old and disabled. They know not when to take the short cut, when a subject is running late. My faithful subjects and regular riders pay homage to me, they recognize me as monarch. These
are the jewels in a sovereign's crown.
When a surf, knave or buffoon plays the court jester and fails to pay proper tribute---I have yet to send one to the gallows. It's pretentious for others to claim my crown, yet I have not sent one of them to the dungeon.
I am no tyrant, but hold sway over the troubled masses in my kingdom. Late for an appointment, trying to catch a plane, giving birth, pacemaker going bad? Need a recommendation on a hotel, a restaurant,
or just someone to talk to? Only the most seasoned Road King can help you. When I grant you an audience, in a down pouring rain, you will recognize my power.
His Majesty
Jack the Compassionate
Cab Driver
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Compassion and Love
Uniting romance, relationship and ascension is a code of compassion,
which goes as follows:
Be kind to yourself and others.
Come from love every moment you can
Speak of love with others
Remind each other of your spiritual purpose
Never give up hope
Know that you are loved.
(excerpt from Deepak Chopra's Path to Love)
Chopra also wrote a sutra that 'creativity is the highest form of love'
With Love and Respect, always.
which goes as follows:
Be kind to yourself and others.
Come from love every moment you can
Speak of love with others
Remind each other of your spiritual purpose
Never give up hope
Know that you are loved.
(excerpt from Deepak Chopra's Path to Love)
Chopra also wrote a sutra that 'creativity is the highest form of love'
With Love and Respect, always.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Affairs of the Arts - Spring Art Show- Closing Event 5/3
(click on image to enlarge)
Spring 2009
Glass mosaic sculpture words on form
by Sofia Harrison
Additional Artists Showing:
Bren Bataclan
Lynn Bridget
Robyn Holmes
Scott Kildall
Tim Weldon
Ink Studios
NoHo Arts District
11135 Weddington Street #220
North Hollywood, CA 91601
info-at-inkit-dot-com
By Appointment
415 425 5683
(Directions)
Glass mosaic sculpture words on form
by Sofia Harrison
Additional Artists Showing:
Bren Bataclan
Lynn Bridget
Robyn Holmes
Scott Kildall
Tim Weldon
Ink Studios
NoHo Arts District
11135 Weddington Street #220
North Hollywood, CA 91601
info-at-inkit-dot-com
By Appointment
415 425 5683
(Directions)
Closing: Sunday May 3rd, 6-9pm
Additional Open Studio Dates:
Opening: March 1st. 6-9pm
Sunday March 15th, 5-7pm, Followed by Screening of Messengers documentary short
Thursday March 19th, 6-8pm, Artisan Wine & Cheese Reception
Sunday April 5th, 6-9pm
Percent of proceeds from 'Affairs of the Arts' show will go directly to support the Ink Spring Mural Project with LA Family Housing/LAFH.org.
L.A. Family Housing helps homeless families and individuals rebuild their lives through an integrated system of housing and supportive services.
Please consider lending your support to families in need of shelter today.
Additional Open Studio Dates:
Opening: March 1st. 6-9pm
Sunday March 15th, 5-7pm, Followed by Screening of Messengers documentary short
Thursday March 19th, 6-8pm, Artisan Wine & Cheese Reception
Sunday April 5th, 6-9pm
Percent of proceeds from 'Affairs of the Arts' show will go directly to support the Ink Spring Mural Project with LA Family Housing/LAFH.org.
L.A. Family Housing helps homeless families and individuals rebuild their lives through an integrated system of housing and supportive services.Please consider lending your support to families in need of shelter today.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mr. Jones- Takes the Purse
Mr. Monkey Jones, that is.
You may not be able to rely much on the stock market these days, but looks like our boy Monkey is a good bet.
Yes, we did report on this fetching horse last summer on this blog suggesting our friends keep an eye on the horse and in fact, Monkey recently celebrated his first win (by 7 lengths), Golden Gate Fields.
Mr. Jones races again this Saturday, Feb 7th, Golden Gate Fields, 7th Race.
(Seems to be a Seven theme going with number 2)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Summer of Love; Turning 40
To commemorate the impending 40th birthday of the Summer of Love (San Francisco, 1969) we picked up "The Sixties"- a book of magical photographs from Robert Altman which truly capture the essence of the time.
The talented Mr Altman gets us very close to feeling in it with this photo/audio essay for the Guardian accompanying some of the many memorable photos from the book.
"The overriding spirit of the book is one of youthful energy and exuberance. From unashamedly naked young lovers kissing on college campuses, to protesting hippies and crowds of people, arms uplifted swaying to the music of Joan Baez and Bob Dylan - these moments, observed by former Rolling Stone magazine photographer Robert Altman, radiate optimism."- Royal Photographic Society Journal Review
Collectors prints of the photos are available as well, and well worth the investment.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Sound of Poetry
Excerpted from Inquiring Mind's interview with poet Andrew Schelling.
IM:
In your book ef essays, Wild Form, Savage Gammar, you claim that in India a story from the Ramayana, about an archer who shoots a bird, contains what's considered to be the first poem.
AS:
It is a case of spontaneous poetry. The poet Valmiki was charged by his master with telling the story of Rama. He was wandering through the forest trying to figure out how to tell this tale when he suddenly saw an archer shoot a bird. The bird was a curlew, which doesn't have much meat nor much in the way of feathers, so it was a wanton Act of killing. What was worse was that the archer shot the male bird while it was in the act of making love to its mate. The heart-breaking sight of the female bird beating her wings onto he ground and crying out in grief prompted Valmiki to curse the archer. Later, in a moment of reflection, he realized that not only did the curse make him feel much better about his own grief but that it had come out in a rhythmic for that could be set or recited to music. The belief is that this is how poetry originated in India.
IM: A poetic curse!
AS: A curse against the wanton destruction of a wild being, a sentient being.
IM: Speaking of rhythmic curse, you claim that the sound of poetry affects us at least as much as the meaning of the words.
AS:
Poetry works with language at many different levels, and sound is the most immediate. For instance, in Buddhism some phrases have been formalized as mantras and dharanis, and while they may have some meaning attached to them, the point is more the sounds of the syllables themselves, the overtones that open up levels of awareness. It's similar to a magic spell.
IM:
In your book ef essays, Wild Form, Savage Gammar, you claim that in India a story from the Ramayana, about an archer who shoots a bird, contains what's considered to be the first poem.
AS:
It is a case of spontaneous poetry. The poet Valmiki was charged by his master with telling the story of Rama. He was wandering through the forest trying to figure out how to tell this tale when he suddenly saw an archer shoot a bird. The bird was a curlew, which doesn't have much meat nor much in the way of feathers, so it was a wanton Act of killing. What was worse was that the archer shot the male bird while it was in the act of making love to its mate. The heart-breaking sight of the female bird beating her wings onto he ground and crying out in grief prompted Valmiki to curse the archer. Later, in a moment of reflection, he realized that not only did the curse make him feel much better about his own grief but that it had come out in a rhythmic for that could be set or recited to music. The belief is that this is how poetry originated in India.
IM: A poetic curse!
AS: A curse against the wanton destruction of a wild being, a sentient being.
IM: Speaking of rhythmic curse, you claim that the sound of poetry affects us at least as much as the meaning of the words.
AS:
Poetry works with language at many different levels, and sound is the most immediate. For instance, in Buddhism some phrases have been formalized as mantras and dharanis, and while they may have some meaning attached to them, the point is more the sounds of the syllables themselves, the overtones that open up levels of awareness. It's similar to a magic spell.
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