Apparently this Buddha didn’t make it to full acceptance into the temple because he had a drink problem! Is this why his blue eyes are crossed, I wonder?
If you touch a part of the Buddha where you are feeling pain he brings healing. His head ( presumably from being rubbed by people with hangovers) and his tummy are worn smooth with touches over the centuries.
This rock has the most beautiful colours in it, and the little grove has many statues of various deities
Now I don’t know which we’re published, and which not, so before you get fed up, here are a few more!
Yukari and Kiyomi are standing in front of the temple. Kiyomi lives in Kamakura, and very kindly acted as our guide for today. There are so many temples, so she chose the ones she thought we would be most interested in. She also chose a lovely vegetarian restaurant. Bless her.
I have a day off today, so have more time to write my blog.
I do get very tired in the evenings. The work is full-on with 5 private one-one sessions a day, plus the 3 weekend courses, which although the information and format is structured, and I have been using it for a long time, of course when you are sharing what you have learned with others it is always a personal interaction.
The students are lovely, as always, and we have a lot of fun, especially on the courses. I have level II this weekend, then next weekend on retreat in the country. Some students are actually coming back for the same level again, just because of the location. I have planned something extra for them, which I will tell you about after we have done it!
I want to share some more photos of my visit to Kamakura. The iPad will only allow me to upload a few at a time, perhaps because of my location, I am not sure, but the atmosphere needs capturing. I am still feeling the effects now of visiting such a sacred spot.
The immense Buddha, Amida Nyorai, is known as Kamakura Daibutsu. Construction of him began in 1252, and lasted approximately 10 years. You can see the joins of the different parts in the copper, and the designer of the statue is unknown, although the names of some of the craftsmen are recorded in the temple. The hall in which Daibutsu once stood was destroyed by strong winds in 1334, but he was untouched. His base allows him to move, in case of earthquakes. His height is 13.4 metres. His weight I will have to find out.
Some of the beautiful Juniper trees that you see in the photos are 750 years old. Near these trees was a gorgeous smelling Jasmine, so I said a little blessing for Mia’s kittens, Jasmine and Juniper. Little Jazzi has been through a tough time lately, but her courage shone through, dear little thing, and Juniper has one eye which will never see properly, although it doesn’t stop her getting into mischief. Rescued Persian babies, with a sad start in life.
Please, anyone who is thinking of getting a new pet, consider a rescue animal. There are too many of them, and also too many unethical breeders of pedigree animals.
The first temple we visited has a hundred sculptures of Kannon, goddess of compassion, who the Chinese call Qan Yin. Such serene images in a temple designed for Zen meditation. There are so many beautiful stories attached to this temple and garden, I will have to tell you in person. One though, is the legend of a herd of white deer which appeared from a cave to listen to the founder of the temple at the opening ceremony. I have included a picture of the cave.
Wow! What a day we had yesterday!
Started off with the solar eclipse, which I didn’t see because I hadn’t got the right glasses, but those of you on Facebook can go onto my page where there is a glorious photo shared by a Japanese friend of mine.
The energy was palpable, and visiting the temples of Kamakura gave me such a feeling of peace and joy that the day will be one of the most memorable I shall ever have.
In fact while delivering Munay- Ki rites today I was aware that my psychic perception was much heightened, and the sense of service to the greater good made my heart sing.
These pictures are just a small selection of over 70 that I took! I haven’t found out how to title photos on the I pad yet, so please forgive me.
Just share the wonder and sense the deep peace of these ancient sacred sites, dedicated to meditation and peace. Oh, and the trees! I can’t begin to tell you how wise the trees are! Like spiritual teachers who have seen and experienced so much.
These temples are ancient, as are the statues, paintings and carvings in them. The birds nest in every hole in the roofs. What sanctuary!
I will have to show more pictures later. The IPad can’t cope with more than a few at a time.
I am so tired now, I will write more when I have had time to process the whole experience.
Love and Blessings
Xxx
The kame-kazi mozzies have come out of hibernation! I have a spectacular bite on my little finger, and some on my head, so will have to take the repellant today.
That was the only drawback to a successful day with level I. The sun goddess smiled on us, and the students soon got into the swing of it when out in the park in the afternoon.
The morning, as is necessary, was theory, and even though there were a couple of sceptics then, I was pleased that they felt the energy of the trees in the afternoon. The impression of the group as a whole is a happy, lively bunch.
The photo of the Yew is especially for my dear friend, Rachel
Xxx
This is the view from my balcony. As you can see, it really is central Tokyo, although there is a children’s play park where the trees are.
Yesterday, when I was passing on Munay-Ki rites, there was a very loud organised demonstration outside. There is a Russian embassy near here, and people frequently read out loud protestations of injustice in front of it. This march yesterday, however, was by people carrying the Russian flag, and shouting in Russian (I presume). There was one small placard saying “Justice for China”, but whether that had anything to do with it I have no idea.
What struck me was how organised and peaceful it was. They ended up in the children’s park, but there was not one sign of disorder or aggression. There are many things here which sadden me when I think of my own country, and how it is deteriorating. There is no respect for other people, property or the environment. Here, there is no rubbish on the streets, no layers of chewing-gum, drunks or people off their heads on drugs.
Could it be the Shinto/Buddhist belief system, I wonder, or just plain old-fashioned manners and respect indoctrinated from the cradle? Everyone works hard, I have been told that there is no benefit system, and perhaps the Western influence has not penetrated too much into the culture (except for the dreaded MacDonalds and Starbucks).
I would be very sad to see any of that change.
I am sitting on my little covered balcony while a magnificent storm rages all around me. This last photo is of the skies at the moment. I don’t know whether you will be able to see the sheets of rain, but unfortunately already there is a clear bit of blue sky, and I suspect it won’t last much longer.
Thunder and lightning rages, the rain plummets down, and I pretend I am on top of Firle Beacon!
Xxx
On May 21st we in Japan will be lucky enough to see an annular solar eclipse. This is when the moon passes in front of the sun, but is too far away to totally obscure it, as it did 5 years ago.
This results in a beautiful sight of a golden aura of light around the moon. It takes place here at around 6am, continuing until around 11-30am. I doubt whether I will be able to see it because of being in central Tokyo, and I am running the first level of Celtic Earth Magic that day, so won’t be able to travel anywhere.
We should all be able to feel the effects of this, however, so be aware of any synchronicities,
changes in habits, feeling emotional or spaced out, or psychic awareness.
Have had two very busy days, but day off today. The weather is just right for May – warm and sunny. I hear it is not the same in England. I am lucky enough to have a little balcony. It is strange looking out over skyscrapers and traffic rather than green fields and trees! Looking forward to being in the Emperor’s palace garden this weekend, and listening to the ravens and trees. Their are some truly beautiful butterflies here, and they remind me that I am in the Eastern sector of the world. I am hoping to visit Kamakura, which I am told is very beautiful.
Will take more photos soon.
Woke up really late today – 10am. Those who know me that even after a late night I am never in bed after 7-30 at the very latest. My usual time is between 6-7am. Hope I get up earlier tomorrow as my work begins in earnest. I have 3 Munay-Ki students, a meeting in the afternoon, then a Ustream video, which is where I give a lecture on what I do, followed by an Internet guided visualisation and questions and answers directly from the people watching me on their screens at home. Clever eh? Won’t get to bed until really late, as the whole Ustream thing finishes at gone 10pm.
Anyway, here are some pictures of my flat. The thing in the toilet is a hoot! I can imagine some people I know spending hours in there fiddling with the buttons! No pun intended, I assure you
Xxx
Wow, that flight is LONG.
I haven’t used in-flight movies before as I knew I would have trouble getting all the buttons right, and sure enough it took me ages to get a film to start. I chose ‘Shame’ to begin with, but couldn’t see a thing cos the person in front put their seat back, and a lot of that film is shot at night. It seemed very depressing anyway. Then I tried ‘Jane Eyre’ which I had seen at the cinema, so lovely countryside, but having read the book periodically all my life, and seen most versions I knew what to expect. Then I had a break, saw how slow the time was going so tried a film about the relationship between Freud and Jung. Would have been interesting, but couldn’t hear a thing, and the theme suggests one needs to listen. So that one for another time, methinks. There is a connection between all these films which one reader will get straight away!
I am staying in a beautiful flat, which I will take pics of later. It is all electronically operated, so buttons to be pushed for every single thing to work. Guess who locks herself out of the bathroom? Someone had to force the lock open from the outside with a screwdriver! There is a lot to be said for good, old-fashioned doorknobs.
It may not be possible for you to comment on the blogs at the moment, but I am working on uploading an app which should fix that.
Missed hearing the morning chorus today. No drunken louts either though, just quiet Tokyo streets. Probably won’t be the same on Monday morning.
Weather sunny and breezy. Let’s hope for the next few weekends the Sun goddess, Amaterasu, smiles on me
Xxx
If I could choose this would be my ideal home!
