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Published: December 26th 2010
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My life has slowed down immensely in every respect with the formal study behind me. My head is virtually empty which is quite a strange space to find myself in. Enjoying the changes though. One of my inspiring Swami's did a talk about how its easy to carry an empty or full matka (one of those Indian pots) on your head, but not easy to carry one that is half full as it sloshes around.... I'm usually carrying the full one so it's really a different space to be in to carry an empty one!
I'm applying for a few different places to work and am happy to go anywhere. Really open to whatever the Universe throws at me! Such a difference as usually I create what I want and this time I have virtually no desires... Currently pursuing an opportunity to work at Ningbo. Not so far from Jinhua where a lot of our Chinese friends live and also very close to Putoshan, the Beautiful Island, dedicated to Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy. Guanyin is revered by many Buddhists as a Bodhisattva of Compassion, by Taoists as Immortal and by many that believe She originated from Sanskrit's male form of
Avalokitesvara. Many spiritual threads coming together to weave the same cloth of the essence of it all.... with Mercy and Compassion as a foundation, the potential is massive.
Many Tibetans believe Avalokitesvara is incarnated in their spiritual leader Lamas, such as the Dalai Lama. However it pans out, a lovely example of the unity of devotion with interacceptance by many people and belief systems. Guanyin has been a long time favourite with the boys since we first visited China. It has been said many times "If you want to know the people, know their Gods".
My Chinese friends are the masters at noticing what sort of a mental space I'm in and commenting on my physical appearance. They are so thrilled when I go there 1kg or 2 more than my last visit! For them it means I'm taking care of myself and they are the happiest ones. It's been quite a journey with many of these people on my path of Chinese study. As much as we enjoy checking in with them each year, they also love our visits, especially to their home villages. Any early notions I had of trying to understand 'Why' about aspects of
this culture are long gone. I've accepted them as they are and expectations that they may understand my world have fallen by. We've come to a beautiful mutual understanding that our similarities are greater than our differences and I immensely enjoy the time with China's people.
We enjoyed some relaxing days with Liz and her family. YuanYi was trying out her hurdling in preparation for the school sports carnival. It sounded so funny on the actual game day. Many students had never hurdled before and ran around, under or crashed right through the hurdles rather than jumping over them! Had a couple of days of rain and lots of sunny days. We climbed the mountain behind the University, Bei Shan, as it faces to the North. Liz took us to one of our favourite places out of town for a picnic lunch. It's quite a novelty to have a barbeque in China, so that's just what we did! There were many temples around and we found one of Liz's inspirations who I think will become her Tai Chi teacher.
One leisurly Sunday we had a relaxing day in a village with the people who cared for Cal in
the mornings when I studied here. They enjoy our visits each year and seeing the boys grow. One of the locals is farming purple coloured dragonfruit, which is quite an exclusive market. The sugar cane was broken into edible pieces and chewing and card games went on well into the afternoon. The favourite passtime for Chinese women at the moment seems to be cross stitch, while the children are engaged with mastering yoyo tricks!
We picked up Mark and Cal was stoked to finally have his hair in a different style! He enjoyed some extra long noodles to celebrate his 7th birthday in traditional Chinese style, symbolising long life.
Hua Shan had been on my list of unconquered Chinese mountains. Always a struggle when traveling with Mark to get him to any of these daydreams of mine, though once we manage the arduous task of arriving, it's Shanti Shanti (peaceful)! Such a beautiful mountain, meaning flower mountain and full of a variety of paths, cats and free climbing opportunities for the not so distant future through the eyes of Cal the climber. On the mountian, one of the informative signs referred to itself as tourist propaganda!
Banpo
Neolithic Village. What a piece of history this is, taking us back to a village of approximately 6000 years. After my persistance with the third visit, here we were allowed inside the gate. Previously they were restoring and I must say it was worth the wait. They've done well in this phase, however drawn out it may have seemed. We meandered through the displays, admiring the architecture, articles made from stone, a 300m moat as their protection, horizontal and upright kilns and imagined the daily life of the Banpo people. The bone remains were well preserved, heads toward the West. I guess when the spirit left the body they wanted it to be abe to greet the rising sun again. Their pottery was decorated with animals and 12 different brush strokes used in Chinese characters. The outer gardens were people free and it was a relaxing place to spend the afternoon.
According to the very informative literature to support the exhibition, the Banpo People followed a 'primitive form of communism'. A Chinese classic! I gave my grateful thanks to the lady outside selling tickets as we left and also commented on how cheap the admission ticket was. It seems
that when another phase of the construction is complete, there will be a theatre to show some sort of insight into daily life and dance of the Banpo people and then they will feel inclined to raise the ticket price.
We enjoyed some wonderful Xian food as well as meandering about.... particularly enjoyed the view from the old city walls. A good place to escape the crowded streets and another amazing feat of construction. We're kitted up with gloves and a few more layers due to the drop in temperature. Almost time to board the train for Lhasa.
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