Awareness Heals tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2008-02-19:/blog//1 2009-09-09T03:00:11Z Movable Type Open Source 4.1 The Preciousness of Death | 死を通して、生き方を学ぶ tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.24 2009-09-09T02:49:32Z 2009-09-09T03:00:11Z Death, as natural a part of life as birth, is always a shock when it comes to friends and family members. But it is also when it happens close to home that we pay attention, that our hearts are inevitably... Gillian ]]> Kyudo at Meiji Jingu | 明治神宮で弓道 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.23 2009-08-26T04:27:21Z 2009-08-27T09:31:12Z Gillian
Shiseikan1.jpg      Shiseikan2.jpg

I've been practising kyudo at Meiji Jingu since November 2008 and find this a wonderful dojo to practice at. Here, attention is paid to the moral and spiritual development of the person rather than focusing on whether one hits the target or not. There are actually two kyudo dojos at Meiji Jingu; the one that members (門人) use is called Shiseikan (至誠館), while the one open to the public is called Chuo Dojo (中央道場). Chuo Dojo is the venue for many kyudo testings and tournaments held in the Tokyo area.

One does not need to have experience to be a member of the Shiseikan. All practice sessions are led by well-respected kyudo teachers, who teach new members the art of kyudo from the very basics. One usually spends several months learning the movements associated with the practice before actually shooting an arrow at a target.

The following is the kyudo practice schedule at Shiseikan.
　
  Mon (月) Tue (火) Wed (水) Thu (木) Sat (土)
14:00 - 16:00 Kurosawa Sensei
(黒澤先生)		     Arahata Sensei
(荒畑先生)		 1st: Arahata Sensei
(第1: 荒畑先生)
2nd: Kurosawa Sensei
(第2: 黒澤先生)
18:00 - 20:00 Ishikawa Sensei
(石川先生)
Arahata Sensei
(荒畑先生)		 Sakuma Sensei
(佐久間先生)
Arahata Sensei
(荒畑先生)		 Ishikawa Sensei
(石川先生)
Kurosawa Sensei
(黒澤先生)		 Sakuma Sensei
(佐久間先生)
Kurosawa Sensei
(黒澤先生)		  
Note (注) (i) Practice is allowed only during the days and times when a teacher is present.
お稽古は先生のいる日時のみ出来ます。
(ii) There is practice only on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month.
第１と第２の土曜日だけにお稽古があります。
]]> Gocoo in Kamakura 2009 | ゴクーの鎌倉での演奏 2009 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.22 2009-08-09T12:01:30Z 2009-08-27T14:29:15Z This year brings a very busy summer for Gocoo, who's been performing in various locations in Japan on a rather tight schedule. Perhaps this is no coincidence since Gocoo was selected as one of the 100 most respected Japanese people... Gillian Gocoo, who's been performing in various locations in Japan on a rather tight schedule. Perhaps this is no coincidence since Gocoo was selected as one of the 100 most respected Japanese people in the world by Newsweek Japan, in their July 8, 2009 issue.

Below are some photos taken during their performances at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine during the Bonbori Festival and at the Yuigahama beach in Kamakura. (Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.)

Hachimangu2009.jpg       dojyousei_at_Hachimangu2009.jpg

chiyo_haruna.jpg  backstage_fun.jpg  kaoly_tatsuro_tarow.jpg
yumi.jpg  nogzo.jpg  takema.jpg
yuko.jpg  hide_haruna.jpg  friends.jpg
]]> Arroz con Bogavante | ロブスターご飯 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.18 2009-06-26T05:12:48Z 2009-07-16T00:43:05Z My last day in Madrid and my dear friend, Ah Hung, wanted to treat me to one of her favourite dishes, Arroz con Bogavante, which is Rice with Lobster in English. Mmm....tastes heavenly, perhaps somewhat like a deliciously rich... Gillian arroz_con_bogavante.jpg
My last day in Madrid and my dear friend, Ah Hung, wanted to treat me to one of her favourite dishes, Arroz con Bogavante, which is Rice with Lobster in English. Mmm....tastes heavenly, perhaps somewhat like a deliciously rich paella in broth. This is a specialty of the El Urogallo, and is prepared for a minimum of two persons. The above picture is an order for two people, but four of us could not finish it, so a lucky friend got the leftover.
]]> Gocoo in Budapest 2009 | ゴクーがブダペストで演奏2009年 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.17 2009-06-18T13:17:58Z 2009-08-26T14:12:32Z Gocoo's European Tour this year started with a performance at the Millenaris Teatrum in Budapest, Hungary. Rika and I planned to visit Budapest during this time so we could be at the performance. There was something about sharing the Taiko... Gillian Gocoo's European Tour this year started with a performance at the Millenaris Teatrum in Budapest, Hungary. Rika and I planned to visit Budapest during this time so we could be at the performance. There was something about sharing the Taiko in a foreign country that felt very special, as if we were there as cultural ambassadors, and yet, as Gocoo struck their drums, their shamanistic rhythms united everyone in that hall in a universal beat.

preparing_drumsticks.jpg
Gocoo members preparing their drumsticks for the performance while Rika looks on stage_testing.jpg
Gocoo testing the acoustics of the hall kaoly_with_young_fan.jpg
Kaoly with young fan]]> Sights and Tastes of Cinque Terre | チンクエ・テッレ tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.19 2009-06-11T12:48:37Z 2009-07-16T01:08:17Z Gillian manarola     cinque_terre

cave     sea
Cinque Terre (literally "Five Lands" in English) refers to an area in the Liguria region of Italy that comprises of five separate villages and the hillside surrounding them. The five villages are Monterosso Al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, in that order coming from Genoa. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cinque Terre is now visited by scores of tourists, especially in the warmer months. A hike from Monterosso Al Mare to Riomaggiore, or the other way round, takes a little more than 5 hours, not counting rest time. It was a very hot day when we visited, so we only managed the hike from Riomaggiore to Corniglia, and then took a train to Monterosso Al Mare, where one of the best pastas I've ever had was awaiting us. Despite the hoards of tourists, I'd still recommend a visit to this beautiful Ligurian coastline.

trofie     seafood pasta

trail     hike

tricolor sea     colorful rocks
]]> Graduation | 卒業 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.21 2009-06-02T11:55:16Z 2009-08-26T14:10:42Z The London Gourmet Buddies -- a commitment towards a deeper, richer, fuller spiritual life and a passion for good food. Although not all of us are students of Buddhist Psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute, it feels as if we've all... Gillian
A precious three-year journey and companionship, a jewel to treasure.

London_food_buddies.jpgLama Lobsang, Teddy, Atsue, Mari, Heather and Robyn Michele at Teddy's Malaysian restaurant, the Rasa Sayang, in London Lama_Lobsang_and_Gillian.jpgLama Lobsang and me]]> 駒澤聖刀 | Komazawa Seitou tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.16 2009-05-25T13:22:00Z 2009-07-07T15:07:14Z 駒澤先生に初めて会ったのは、今月の連休でした。研ぎを先生に習いたいと思って、広島に行ってきました。二日間を先生と過ごして、研ぎはもちろん、生きるということについてもいろいろ勉強になりました。とても有意義な時間で、私の人生の中では大事な出会いでした。先生の研究所に二日間通って、木彫りや研ぎに関して、様々なことを教わりました。先生の奥様と99歳のお母様も優しく歓迎してくださったので居心地良く過ごせました。先生にとっては当たり前のことかもしれませんが、私は先生の繊細な感受性、親切さと寛大さに感動しました。先生のことを知ったきっかけは小笠原先生からもらった「やさしい仏さまを彫る」という本でした。木彫りには刀が必要。刀には研ぎが必要。木彫りを続けるためには、やはり研ぎからだと思いました。駒澤先生の本に載っている研ぎについての章を読んだら、研ぎの道の深さを感じました。先生に会って、いろいろお話が出来た御陰で、研ぎというのは刀だけではないと痛感しました。磨いているのは、自分の魂です。アメリカに居住している弓道師範・御弓師第20代柴田勘十朗氏の言葉を思い出します。「弓道は魂を磨く為にやることです。的を当たるためではありません。」このように生き方を教えてくださる先生方に巡り会えたことは、人生の宝物です。写真は駒澤先生の作品例です。There are people whom we may meet for only a moment, and yet our lives are changed forever. A shift takes place, and suddenly, we're never the same person again. Actually, I believe that all experiences and all encounters touch... Gillian
駒澤先生に初めて会ったのは、今月の連休でした。研ぎを先生に習いたいと思って、広島に行ってきました。二日間を先生と過ごして、研ぎはもちろん、生きるということについてもいろいろ勉強になりました。とても有意義な時間で、私の人生の中では大事な出会いでした。

先生の研究所に二日間通って、木彫りや研ぎに関して、様々なことを教わりました。先生の奥様と99歳のお母様も優しく歓迎してくださったので居心地良く過ごせました。先生にとっては当たり前のことかもしれませんが、私は先生の繊細な感受性、親切さと寛大さに感動しました。

komazawa1.jpg
komazawa2.jpgkomazawa3.jpg
先生のことを知ったきっかけは小笠原先生からもらった「やさしい仏さまを彫る」という本でした。木彫りには刀が必要。刀には研ぎが必要。木彫りを続けるためには、やはり研ぎからだと思いました。駒澤先生の本に載っている研ぎについての章を読んだら、研ぎの道の深さを感じました。

先生に会って、いろいろお話が出来た御陰で、研ぎというのは刀だけではないと痛感しました。磨いているのは、自分の魂です。アメリカに居住している弓道師範・御弓師第20代柴田勘十朗氏の言葉を思い出します。「弓道は魂を磨く為にやることです。的を当たるためではありません。」

このように生き方を教えてくださる先生方に巡り会えたことは、人生の宝物です。

写真は駒澤先生の作品例です。


There are people whom we may meet for only a moment, and yet our lives are changed forever. A shift takes place, and suddenly, we're never the same person again. Actually, I believe that all experiences and all encounters touch our lives in this same way, some positively, others less so. But there are these moments, these meetings that leave important marks that we remember as significant. They leave warm and soft imprints in the heart, as if the heart has been newly ploughed, the soil awakened.

Komazawa sensei is one such person for me. I feel blessed to be touched by his kindness, generosity and wisdom.

Komazawa sensei, who lives in Hiroshima, is a full-time teacher of woodworking and a professional carver. He's published five books on woodcarving, and has a large collection of work. A sample of his more recent work is shown in the photos.

]]> Child Kwan Yin | 稚児観音 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.15 2009-04-20T11:56:09Z 2009-07-07T15:08:01Z A year ago, I didn't think that I would eventually carve Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It seemed too elaborate and impossible to achieve. Although standing at only 8.5 cm tall and 3 cm in breadth, the intricacy involved... Gillian
first_kwan_yin.jpg
A year ago, I didn't think that I would eventually carve Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It seemed too elaborate and impossible to achieve. Although standing at only 8.5 cm tall and 3 cm in breadth, the intricacy involved in carving little Kwan Yin from a rectangular block seemed too much to take on. Nevertheless, Ogasawara sensei encouraged me to try it, and sat with me for hours guiding me in the process.

In retrospect, it was indeed a long process, and thinking about another go at it elicits a moment of reluctance, of cowardice. I recall how natural and interesting the actual process was as I was engrossed in the carving, and realize how quickly one might push away an experience that may, in the mind, initially seem too difficult. But if one can completely allow oneself to be in the experience without anticipating how it might be, each moment that we're present in the experience feels rich and meaningful.

Below is a photo of some of the stages of the carving process.

kwan_yin_process.jpg
]]> 様々な地蔵 | Recent carvings tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.14 2009-03-07T08:51:12Z 2009-07-07T14:53:04Z 木彫りを初めて、１年半になりました。紅松を初め、さくらやヒバ、檜の木を彫って様々な木と付き合ってきました。It's been a year and a half since I started carving little Buddhist figures. Below are the most recent additions, carved out of pine, sakura, and hiba (a kind of cypress).... Gillian It's been a year and a half since I started carving little Buddhist figures. Below are the most recent additions, carved out of pine, sakura, and hiba (a kind of cypress).

Recent-kibori-(0905).gif]]> Gocoo at Tsuruoka Hachimangu | 奉納演奏 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2008:/blog//1.13 2008-09-14T13:12:15Z 2009-07-30T09:56:57Z Gocoo was invited to perform at the offering to the gods at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu this year. It was a magical night. A clear moon in the sky on a serene and calm night embraced us all as our hearts... Gillian Gocoo was invited to perform at the offering to the gods at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu this year. It was a magical night. A clear moon in the sky on a serene and calm night embraced us all as our hearts moved with the rhythm of the drums. Something divine was transmitted from the heavens and Gocoo was the medium.

gocoo_at_hachimangu.jpg
From left: Tarow, Nori, Yumi, Haruna, Kaoly, Chiyo
More_Gocoo_members_and_students.jpg
More Gocoo members with their manager and friends
Testing.jpg
Gocoo testing the stage and sound system before the performance]]> Completion of Kyudo class | 弓道の教室が終了 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2009:/blog//1.12 2008-08-02T12:52:16Z 2009-07-07T14:58:07Z Two months of biweekly classes in Kyudo have finally come to an end. Armed with the very basics of using the Japanese bow and arrows, we are now deemed safe enough to practice with the rest of the group. The... Gillian
I have lots of appreciation for the teachers who have patiently guided us throughout these two months, and decided to carve a "ojizousama" for each of them as a token of my feelings of gratitude. Below is a picture of them riding the train to Kamakura.


Jizou_for_kyudo_teachers.jpg
]]> Taiko therapy | 太鼓セラピー tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2008:/blog//1.11 2008-05-29T14:27:37Z 2009-07-07T13:34:22Z It's been more than two months since I started learning to play the taiko with the Tawoo group with Kaoly Asano as our teacher. I experienced the therapeutic effect of playing the taiko the first time I came to one... Gillian Tawoo group with Kaoly Asano as our teacher. I experienced the therapeutic effect of playing the taiko the first time I came to one of their practice sessions, but it took me more than three months to write about my subsequent experiences with them. I had wondered what held me back, besides the usual busy-ness of a modern lifestyle, and it became clear that this experience has affected me so deeply in my core that I have been in the process of integrating it into my life on very many levels.

Some of the therapeutic benefits of taiko are quite obvious and perhaps ubiquitous to other forms of drumming as well, like the rhythmic energy that is stirred in the body and the coordination of body and mind. Because taiko is played together by a large number of people, the vibration and rhythm created by some forty people practicing together is so powerful and so direct that every cell in the body seems to be awaken, alive, and in sync with each beat.

But above all, I am most deeply moved by and filled with gratitude for the way that Kaoly teaches, for she teaches not only the skill and art of taiko drumming, but the art of living. True to all traditional Japanese art forms, especially those that end with "dou" (道), is the universality of its truths and its applicability to life. The character "dou" literally means path or way. Taiko's historical place in Japan lies in its inseparability from "matsuri" (Japanese festivals) and Shinto rites, and although its practice is not considered a "dou," Kaoly teaches it as one. In fact, the name of her taiko school, Tawoo, is Kaoly's choice of romanization of the word 道.

How can we play with ease? How do we allow sound and energy to flow through us? How can we be with our limitations? These are questions that Kaoly raises and strives to help each one of us find answers to through the taiko. She patiently watches over everyone and shares in our joy and laughter. I have a knowing that not only am I learning how to do these things with the taiko, but that this is the opportunity to practice how to live life with ease, how to stay open to experiences and allow them to flow through me, and how to unconditionally accept myself with gentle lovingness and kindness.
]]> Kyudo at Hachimangu Shrine | 八幡宮で弓道 tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2008:/blog//1.10 2008-05-28T13:55:40Z 2009-07-07T13:36:44Z Four hours of Kyudo practice today after a 6-hour Taiko practice yesterday translates to shaky arms and unsteady hands. I've been in anticipation of my first Kyudo class in Japan at the Hachimangu Shrine, and finally it came. It started... Gillian Kyudo practice today after a 6-hour Taiko practice yesterday translates to shaky arms and unsteady hands. I've been in anticipation of my first Kyudo class in Japan at the Hachimangu Shrine, and finally it came. It started with what seemed to me a rather complex piece of clothing to put on, the hakama. I am certain that I won't be able to put it on again for the next class without asking for help from the instructors.

The lesson started by learning how to pay respect to Hachiman, the patron god of this shrine. Two bows, followed by two claps of the hands, and then a final bow. We learnt how we're expected to walk while in the dojo, landing not with the heel but the ball of foot. Making turns involves a very precise positioning of the back foot against the front foot and turning it by 90 degrees. Other important movements included how to make a 180-degree turn while standing and 90-degree turns when in kiza.

The rest of the lesson was spent in learning how to put on the glove on the right hand and practicing on rubber bows, which are used in lieu of the real bow while learning the various movements. I thought that the web space between my left thumb and index fingers wouldn't hold up to the practice, having developed a huge blister from Taiko practice the day before. Unbelievably, after two hours of pulling on these high-resistance rubber bows, something shifted and not only was the pain much more bearable, I became unconscious of it and felt much more present in the movements.
]]> A long journey together tag:www.awarenessheals.info,2008:/blog//1.9 2008-05-26T08:31:20Z 2009-07-30T09:51:41Z This past week was spent at the Karuna Institute with 14 other people who have been on a life journey with me for almost two years. Many unforgettable moments together, many more precious learnings. Synchronicity and serendipity, or perhaps karma,... Gillian Karuna Institute with 14 other people who have been on a life journey with me for almost two years. Many unforgettable moments together, many more precious learnings. Synchronicity and serendipity, or perhaps karma, brought us together and in that space we had the opportunity, support and holding to visit places of vulnerability and divinity within ourselves that wouldn't have been possible without an unbudging commitment to authenticity and connection.

My deepest appreciation to all of you -- Denise, Di, Dirk, Franklyn, Heather, Ian Rees, Ian Strang, Jen, Lama Lobsang, Maggie, Mari, Marianne, Maura, Ng Yin, Robyn Michele.

pqma_lastclass.jpgClass photo: [Back row, from left] Dirk, Ian Rees (tutor); [Middle row, from left] Mari, Di, Marianne, me, Robyn Michele, Denise, Ian Strang; [Front row, from left] Heather, Ng Yin, Franklyn Sills (tutor), Maggie, Maura Sills (tutor)

pqma_jizou.jpgWooden boddhisattvas that I carved to represent and give to each person, including Lama Lobsang, a Tibetan monk who is a friend, and who although is not part of the class, feels like an essential companion on this journey for me: [Back row, from left] Dirk, Ian Strang, Di, Heather, Ng Yin, Mari, Maggie; [Front row, from left] me (carved by Ogasawara Sensei), Ian Rees, Lama Lobsang, Marianne, Maura, Franklyn, Robyn Michele, Denise
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