Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there, any wondering monk can remain in a Zen temple. If he is defeated, he has to move on.
In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brother monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger one was stupid and had but one eye.
A wandering monk came and asked for lodging, properly challenging them to a debate about the sublime teachings. The elder brother, tired that day from much studying, told the younger one to take his place. “Go and request the dialogue in silence,” he cautioned.
So the young monk and the stranger went to the shrine and sat down.
Shortly afterwards the traveler rose and went in to the elder brother and said: "Your young brother is a wonderful fellow. He defeated me.“
"Relate the dialogue to me,” said the elder one.
“Well,” explained the traveler, “first I held up one finger, representing Buddha, the enlightened one. So he held up two fingers, signifying Buddha and his teaching. I held up three fingers, representing Buddha, his teaching, and his followers, living the harmonious life. Then he shook his clenched fist in my face, indicating that all three come from one realization. Thus he won and so I have no right to remain here.” With this, the traveler left.
“Where is that fellow?” asked the younger one, running in to his elder brother.
“I understand you won the debate.”
“Won nothing. I’m going to beat him up.”
“Tell me the subject of the debate,” asked the elder one.
“Why, the minute he saw me he held up one finger, insulting me by insinuating that I have only one eye. Since he was a stranger I thought I would be polite to him, so I held up two fingers, congratulating him that he has two eyes. Then the impolite wretch held up three fingers, suggesting that between us we only have three eyes. So I got mad and started to punch him, but he ran out and that ended it!”
There are some events in life that occur which seem to break your world apart…or it feels like that at least.
I remember the first time when it felt like my world was ending. The night before it happened I was restless and I felt happy like everything was starting to make sense. And so I woke up with a smile on my face. I started to hum as I got ready for school… as random as it sounds I still remember the weird taste of the toothpaste. I was brushing my teeth when I got the news. She had passed away. That one phone call changed me forever. Going from quite a high to a depressing low…it all felt strange. In that moment, I fell back into reality. I woke up…I really woke up. At that time I didn’t know it but that would just be the start…there were more bad things to come.
I can say that this quote is in fact true. Life Goes On. You might think it’s all coming down and it won’t get better but it does and it’s good when it does.
I won’t lie and say that it lasts because for me the good times have never lasted! Maybe because I’ve never let them…or it’s just the way life is meant be. You can’t always be happy but then you can’t always be sad either!
I’m soon going to be entering a new phase in my life and I’ve decided that next year I will be travelling and I will somehow get to Italy. I’m trying to follow my instincts here - for many years I’ve been wanting to go but something has always come up. Next year will be the year! Travelling will be a good opportunity to find myself and do a bit of ‘soul-searching’ - as you do! :)
Next year I will do things differently and open myself up to different opportunities. I won’t let little things get to me. Instead I will accept them and move on!
Traditionally I come from a country where coffee is a staple moment of everybody’s routine at home or outside. In Italy you start the day heating your moka and waiting for that unique sound ready to serve two small cups; if you’re on the go, your espresso and a Nutella croissant with the newspaper under your arm depict the average bar goer in the morning. Plenty of cafes placed here and there that offer this important drink at any time of the day.
In Italy there isn’t that status-quo of tallorgrande paper cups to carry around while going to work or while driving to get the kids from school. However, the market for coffee in North America is a well established business that in the last twenty years managed to go beyond the beans, entering a whole new dimension of corporate branding and personal status.
Today sporting a cup in your hands is not about taste anymore, but about who you are. That cup is a beacon sending a subtle message to others about your life style and preferences. Corporate identities acquired a more powerful aspect when designers begun working with the experience element to be used in the equation. Advertisers could only go so far in convincing people to buy this or that product, that’s why understanding the user was essential to the business.
Famous brands like StarbucksandTim Hortons are the two essential names in coffee consumption in Canada. The former constitute a different brand loyalty from customers than the latter which attracts a different crowd. Starbucksis not just coffee but a way of life. Those who hold that large white paper cup with the green logo on it are not just drinking their beverage, they are telling others around they belong to another plain of society, usually a middle class and above, and they enjoying being seen with something in their hands that is a totem of status-quo: I can afford an expensive coffee and I belong to a circle of people similar to mine (usually the white collars).
On the other hand the Canadian chain Tim Hortons is a business which belongs to a broader percentage of the population; it encompasses the average Jane and Joe which rise early in the morning to go to work, who hold a trade which involves labor and specific manual/technical skills; I’m thinking about your neighbor carpenter, your middle school teacher, the plumber who just repaired your sink, the road worker with the yellow vest. It’s essentially a blue collar coffee for it’s accessible price and quality.
Two distinct cups for two distinct brands. Starbucks focuses more on the logo to visually engage those around the cup in suggesting status; Tims sports a different interaction with the user to engage a larger crowd through cost and quality accessibility.
The behavior of these two brands is visible everyday at any moment, whether at the mall, outside offices, while doing groceries, at the bank. Those who spend twice as much for coffee at Starbucks want to be seen, and that’s why the cup is designed to stand out: white with the bright and visible logo that is unique and easy to identify. It never changes. Whereas Tim’s has its cups shifting throughout the year in style with different seasonal themes and prize winning months (Roll Up The Rim contest).
So, in this quick analysis of coffee, the choice of cups goes beyond the beans; it’s not just the quality but a way of expressing one’s personal status and kinship to a specific mindset or group of people. There are other brands that might have worked too making the comparison; however, in Canada this polarization of brand choice offers an outstanding window of user behavior just by looking at a cup of coffee.
A Little Light that shines through sometimes is enough to give you enough courage to move the mountains ! The mighty Annapurna Range :) #storiesofhimalayas #travel #travelbag #wanderlust #bagpacker #natgeo #natgeotravel #natgeolandscape #landscape #vscocam #destination #himalayas #nature #bliss #travelxp #experience #hiking #treking #mountains #thrill #adventure #story #india #nepal #bhutan #tibet #himalayanescapader #himalayangeographic #delightingyoualways #everest (at Nagarkot Choke)
I’ve been thinking a lot about naming this post. I would call it Butterfly syndrome, but it doesn’t quiet exist, so let’s just pretend this is something I made up.
It is a feeling of being stuck at one point of your life, as if you feel like you are not going anywhere.
I’m sure a lot of you have felt this before, but I decided to give it a name. I chose those name since butterflies go through…
Some time ago I decided to obtain a safety razor. For me the easiest way to buy it was online. So I chose a simple one with bamboo handle.
There are many advantages of switching to a safety razor:
It’s traditional and enjoyable.
It’sbetter shaving than while using disposable razor, also safety razor reduces skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
It’sless expensive. Disposable razor cost 1 to even 5$. I bought my safety razor with about 21$ and razors are really chip and fully recyclable. It’s very good way to save money.
I enjoy shaving with safety razor because of the attention I’m paying to it. It demands focus so it helps not to think about anything else. I’m taking careof myself and relaxing at the same time.
I’ve always had a problem with cutting myself while shaving, now while using safety razor I rarely do it.
Furthermoredisposable razors are not recyclable. According to the EPA 2 billions of them end up in landfills every year. Terrible, right?
To be honest I was surprised how easy is the safety razor in use and in fact it’s a lot easier to use that kind of razor. I was also impressed with that feeling after shaving when my skin felt smoother and softer than while using disposable razors!
I highly recommend it to people who don’t want to give up shaving but want to be more eco friendly.
By the way from my point of view it’s also a very good gift idea!
This is the waste I created using a safety razor for 14 months. Eight recyclable blades instead of about 30 disposable razors ;)
And I haven’t change my mind about that topic - I absolutely love my razor ;) Seriously, using it is easier than it seems!
What about you? Do you own a safety razor or look forward to obtain it? ;)
This is a tough time for many people. At the moment in my country there are 7918 confirmed infections and 314 deaths.
Remember to always make your health a priority.
I want to share with you some less waste tips that may help you these days.
Let’s start with masks - they are not difficult to sew at home (or even make without sewing!) and it is obvious that having a reusable one is better than using lots of disposable ones. After use you can disinfect it with boiling water or just put it into laundry ;) I recommend you having a few face masks.
Hand sanitizer - the world went crazy about it. Try making it yourself, it is easy! Ingredients:
12 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol
5 tablespoons of aloe vera and 3 tablespoons of glycerin which will prevent your skin from drying out and provide extra protection
You can also add some drops of essential oil;)
Most of people started to care about cleaning much more due to the pandemic. Using homemade cleaning products is a goal that I still have not achieved yet. If you feel ready to start using them, go for it, look for the recipes (for example on pinterest) and make your own natural cleaning supplies!
I know that gloves are required to be worn now, but to be honest I do not believe that using disposable gloves will save us and from my point of view we are just making a huge waste with this plastic or rubber accessories. But…
please,wash your hands after touching any questionable surface. It is crucial to keep you and others save.
If you are storing food, remember that using aluminium or metal cans is probably a better choice than choosing plastic or glass due to recycling. Of course you can reuse most of packaging. But again, make yourself comfortable and buy what you need to survive.
Buy fruit and vegetables that stay fresh for a long time as: apples, potatoes and sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, lemons, beetroots, cabbages, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower. You can also freeze fruits, I often freeze my bananas ;)
Grow your own food and make your own bread, cookies, muesli, pasta etc. ;)
I hope you’re doing great and have everything you need. I wish you good heath! Greetings!
