China Impressions
Hi folks!
Well, the jet lag has been manageable- I’m getting used to waking up at 2-3am and occupying myself for a couple of hours then going back to sleep. I figure by the time I’m totally adjusted I’ll be flying back!
Saturday I went on a tour at 7:30am and climbed the Great Wall, visited the Ming Tombs and several government sponsored crafts factories where very talented folks carve jade, paint cloisonné (fascinating process), weave rugs. We also went to a government sponsored Chinese Tea House where we got to sample several wonderful teas and had lunch at a government sponsored international restaurant where the food was quite tasty. The government is very focused on keeping tourists happy and engaged in spending money. They do a good job! I did have a chance to do a little bartering and know more opportunities will come when I go to the local markets later this week.
The Wall was incredible – the stairs at one point so steep it felt like I was climbing a ladder. I was worried about the return trip as going down is often more challenging than climbing but I had no problem at all. My fellow tourists were from San Francisco, Denmark, Mexico and Malaysia. It was very cool to be with all these folks, all of whom spoke at least 2 languages (except me and the guy from SF) and to share so much in common. It was a very full, rich day.
Today started out with a Chinese breakfast. I had congee (like oatmeal only its made out of rice). It was yummy. When I shared a hotpot lunch (very fun) with 5 other coaches from Australia and the US we all passed on the chicken testicles, tripe, fish balls…. (glad I’m mostly vegetarian these days…didn’t know chickens had testicles) I’ve heard street vendors sell skewered scorpions, silk worms, baby birds and other assorted delicacies. Any requests? I’ll mail some to you!
The training has been great and highlights the fact that we truly are one in a wonderfully diverse unity. Folks are from the US, Mexico, Germany, France, the UK, Malaysia, Australia, Norway, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, and Singapore. My spiritual psychology teacher has said that the soul loves diversity and requires it for its fullest expression. I think this is the only way we get to see the richness of the creative power of Life, the Divine, God. This diversity can be expressed subtly in the use of language, gestures, unconscious assumptions and understanding. One of the US participants asked about where the Divine fits into the model we are learning. Based on Eastern philosophy, there is no concept of a Divinity, we are it, we live it. This is very different from the many of the traditional religions and Western idea that there is a source that exists outside of us. Life is spiritual! In Eastern philosophy the distinction between inner and outer is blurred – the connectedness and unity of life is assumed. In the West we are focused on individualism. Lots of food for thought!
Well, jet lag just hit. Time to sign off….more later…
Blessings to you all and thank you for your loving support!
Monique
Well, the jet lag has been manageable- I’m getting used to waking up at 2-3am and occupying myself for a couple of hours then going back to sleep. I figure by the time I’m totally adjusted I’ll be flying back!
Saturday I went on a tour at 7:30am and climbed the Great Wall, visited the Ming Tombs and several government sponsored crafts factories where very talented folks carve jade, paint cloisonné (fascinating process), weave rugs. We also went to a government sponsored Chinese Tea House where we got to sample several wonderful teas and had lunch at a government sponsored international restaurant where the food was quite tasty. The government is very focused on keeping tourists happy and engaged in spending money. They do a good job! I did have a chance to do a little bartering and know more opportunities will come when I go to the local markets later this week.
The Wall was incredible – the stairs at one point so steep it felt like I was climbing a ladder. I was worried about the return trip as going down is often more challenging than climbing but I had no problem at all. My fellow tourists were from San Francisco, Denmark, Mexico and Malaysia. It was very cool to be with all these folks, all of whom spoke at least 2 languages (except me and the guy from SF) and to share so much in common. It was a very full, rich day.
Today started out with a Chinese breakfast. I had congee (like oatmeal only its made out of rice). It was yummy. When I shared a hotpot lunch (very fun) with 5 other coaches from Australia and the US we all passed on the chicken testicles, tripe, fish balls…. (glad I’m mostly vegetarian these days…didn’t know chickens had testicles) I’ve heard street vendors sell skewered scorpions, silk worms, baby birds and other assorted delicacies. Any requests? I’ll mail some to you!
The training has been great and highlights the fact that we truly are one in a wonderfully diverse unity. Folks are from the US, Mexico, Germany, France, the UK, Malaysia, Australia, Norway, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, and Singapore. My spiritual psychology teacher has said that the soul loves diversity and requires it for its fullest expression. I think this is the only way we get to see the richness of the creative power of Life, the Divine, God. This diversity can be expressed subtly in the use of language, gestures, unconscious assumptions and understanding. One of the US participants asked about where the Divine fits into the model we are learning. Based on Eastern philosophy, there is no concept of a Divinity, we are it, we live it. This is very different from the many of the traditional religions and Western idea that there is a source that exists outside of us. Life is spiritual! In Eastern philosophy the distinction between inner and outer is blurred – the connectedness and unity of life is assumed. In the West we are focused on individualism. Lots of food for thought!
Well, jet lag just hit. Time to sign off….more later…
Blessings to you all and thank you for your loving support!
Monique
posted by Monique @ 11:44 AM
<< Home