Manose is a bamboo flutist from the country of Nepal. His music is very soothing, earthy and “organic”… very much a product of The Himalayas… definitely recommended to take you to distant lands.

Hurtful expressions should never be used,
Not even against an enemy;
For inevitably they will return to one,
Like an echo from a rock.
—-The Precious Treasury of Elegant Sayings

. . . .

The late Srimat Kuladananda Brahmachary, of the Jatiababaui Math, Puri, India.

He was one of the most beloved gurus of the Madhwacharya Order, and had many disciples, one of whom is kneeling at his side in reverent obeisance. He was physically remarkable for his beautiful features and luxuriant growth of hair, as the photograph suggests…
—by W.Y. Evans-Wentz from Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines

. . . .

We are all tired of war and hatred.

There is no need to hate. I personally don’t have the energy (now) to hate back. I can only send everyone my positive vibrations of peace, love and compassion. Does this sound so crazy? Not really, because deep down we all wish for the same thing.

I will pray and meditate for all. I wish you all joy and happiness…

…may you be blessed with enlightenment and eternal bliss. No need to hate… hatred only stirs up more hatred. Love conquers all… if you will allow it.

Namaste.

. . . .

I tried to battle hate with kindness today.

I was at a Home Depot buying a few thing in the garden section and the Filipino lady at the checkout counter seemed very cold and distant toward me. It felt as if she were just tolerating me, and deep down I felt a certain resentment. I wondered if she could tell I was Filipino too, or did she think I was Mexican?

After saying “hello” in a very nice tone, I was resolved that she just wasn’t going to act better toward me. Still, after I was finished and I had paid and gotten my receipt, I said, “thank you, and have a nice day”. She didn’t respond, nor did she smile.

As I was walking away with my back already to her, I heard her greet the next customer with much more enthusiasm, and even started up a conversation with him. I turned around and he was a white, middle-aged man. And I thought, what is the difference between that middle-aged man and me? I’m a nice person. Why was I treated so coldly? And from someone who is of my own race?

I’m not angry, because I know that anger doesn’t resolve the problem within my own mind. But the problem still lies with me. I am still not compassionate enough. Well, enough to just forgive and forget, but not strong enough yet to not be sad about it.

Forgiving and loving your enemies is so hard to do. But I know it is the right thing. Hatred just leads to more hatred… indifference and misunderstanding… on every level of our existence.

But I still wish the best to everyone, even if they don’t accept or like me.

This version is a variation of my previous recipe. The big difference is that we don’t freeze the bananas. I’ve found through experimentation that if you use ice cubes to make this beverage cold and thick, you can simply peel a couple of bananas and throw them in the blender. Not freezing the bananas makes this shake taste richer and creamier.

INGREDIENTS:

2 large ripe bananas peeled
12 ice cubes
1 heaping tablespoon trader joe’s organic cocoa powder
1 cup silk “very vanilla” soy milk
1/4 cup trader joe’s organic maple syrup (dark amber)
1 pinch organic sea salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional - for an extra vanilla flavor)

Place the 2 bananas first into the blender so that they catch on the blades. Then add the ice cubes. Then the soy milk. Place the remaining ingredients into the blender and blend until rich and creamy.

Makes 2 servings.

Today, for the first time… I was able to be friendly with someone in real life who doesn’t like me. In fact, I’m sure he hates my guts for some reason…

But, I tried chatting with him, and talking to him in a nice, friendly tone, as if I were talking to a brick wall once he decided not to acknowledge me any more.

Then I left feeling good about myself, but felt pity on this person. That he doesn’t share the same feelings of friendship and compassion as I do. But now I have closure with “the hate” that I’d been feeling in the past toward him, because of the way he has treated me and my family.

Anyway, I can’t look back from how I hated before. I don’t want to hate anyone, not even if it’s in retaliation for what another has done in the past.

I think I can bury all hatred and look on everyone with love and compassion. It’s a monumental acheivement, but I now think it can be done. And I think I can free myself from the bonds of “karmic negativity”.

There is a certain amount of this “karmic negativity” in this world, especially in the middle east… there’s always been hatred over there that has lasted years and years.

How can people become more compassionate toward others. Especially, to become more compassionate toward their enemies… who have families and loved ones of their own… who must have things that they love, and that they long for peace and brotherly love in this world….

How can we fix the problems of this world?

I can’t believe it!

I’m finally caught up with all my email. I have my regular email account, plus my yahoo and my gmail accounts… all caught up! And I haven’t been caught up with email for years… It’s minor miracle!

I’m looking at 3 empty inboxes right now!