пользуетесь ли? кого читаете? при правильном подходе может быть очень информационно. я читаю senia, свою контору, Билла Гейтса :)и бывшего коллегу.

месяца два назад была спланирована вылазка в Атлантик сити на прощальный концерт Пугачевой. но как говорится человек предполагает, а контора располагает. в результате Пугачева была Switch-ed на Элен Баркин и Микки Рурки-Фей Данавэй. just in case... рекомендую старые фильмы Barfly и Switch.

http://www.dalailamanyc2008.org/

I've just bought a ticket to the event, can't belive that I'll listen to Dalai Lama!!!

If you asked me before the course about my reasons to take a Vipassana course you wouldn’t hear any articulated answer. I guess it was a way to surrender to some thoughts, a sip to fulfill a natural thirst for a change.

If you asked me before the course what is Vipassana you would hear a simple answer - a 10 day silent meditation course and that meditation has many health benefits although not really sure about what kind of benefits. That’s pretty much what I knew. I was perfectly fine with that explanation too.

Well, it was tough, both mentally and physically. Daily yoga and weekly running apparently don’t count much when it comes to sitting still for an hour three times a day. The 10+ hour meditation schedule contributed to the mental challenge - switching from “busyniess” (worked 18 h the day before) to a secluded lifestyle was confusing and stiffly dull. Day 1 and Day 5 were the most difficult ones for me. Gradually I got into it, experienced all ups and downs and by Day 7 took the surrounding naturally. But I was looking forward patiently to the end all ten days. Ironically switching back was not easy either so I had an opportunity to apply the technique right away.

If you ask me now what is Vipassana I agree with what they say – a way to experience mind-body connection, a way to understand this connection practically not intellectually or spiritually. They teach you a valuable technique in a universally simple manner – morality, awareness, and mastery of the mind. You learn the technique through your own experience.

While it is painful I would highly recommend taking the course. Meditation is a life skill, as essential as, for example, swimming. The 10 days generated a lot of interest on my side to learn more about Buddhism but I am still an open-minded atheist with practical knowledge of an ancient meditation technique. As for the reasons, there was only one - the time came for me to go through the course. I am leaving aside the details. They are personal as will be yours.

Be Happy!

A friend of mine resumed his training for a half-marathon. He's about my age, survived a cancer, not an athlete and he did run a half-marathon last year. So I thought what the heck – I can try, perhaps not a half-marathon, probably not this year, but if he did it why can't I. There is a joke about a runner who finishes a marathon in 5 h, who says to the winner – so, you can only run for 2 and half hour? One day I might be that runner.

Up to this moment I've finished two official races – 4 miles and 10K. Both times I finished at the end of the group of 200-300 people and am very proud of myself :) First, it's a great experience – being outside, getting endorphin naturally, achieving some small goals and hopefully not hurting my joints. My conciliation for outwearing my knees is that yoga cancels out a negative effect. Yeah, I am an optimist! Second, it was always some kind of adventure. Until the day before my first race I thought that it's 4K race, so I learned the difference between miles and km hard way. During the 10K race (this time I made sure it's Ks not miles) I got lost twice. I wrongly assumed that at every mile there will be a cheering crowd as it was during the first race and didn't print the course of the race. I got lost twice but thanks to friendly residents of the town of Norwalk, I was able to get back on track. Third, the winners wait for all participants to finish so they can get their trophies. I felt like I owe them and stayed for the ceremony. It didn't take long after my finish anyway:)

I am looking forward to my next 3 and 5 mile races. It makes me wonder what kind of adventure is waiting for me then...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WBeGAAYWg8

the guy is a Buddhist!

my version is lightness, my friend's version is love, yours?

"... hearts dry out just like complexions, and one must be very young in heart to be interested in other people." G A Dariaux

To everything there is a season…

In my mind there are three main interpretations to the line. One is full of belief for the better things, another is reiterating that whether it is a good or bad it would cease, and the third - no matter how much desire or effort you put if you missed your time you missed it eternally. Well, it is not that easy to embrace it.

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

ecclesiastes 3:1-8