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divinum-pacis · 4 years ago

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Divinum Pacis’s Reference Guide- UPDATED 2021

Let’s face it, schooling is expensive, and you can’t cram everything you want to know into 4+ years. It takes a lifetime (and then some). So if you’re like me and want to learn more, here’s an organized list of some books I find particularly insightful and enjoyable. NEW ADDITIONS are listed first under their respective sections. If you have any recommendations, send them in!

African Religions 🌍

African Myths & Tales: Epic Tales by Dr. Kwadwo Osei-Nyame Jnr

The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead: Prayers, Incantations, and Other Texts from the Book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge

Prayer in the Religious Traditions of Africa by Aylward Shorter (a bit dated but sentimental)

The Holy Piby: The Black Man’s Bible by Shepherd Robert Athlyi Rogers

The Altar of My Soul: The Living Traditions of Santeria by Marta Moreno Vega (autobiography of an Afro-Puerto Rican Santeria priestess)

African Religions: A Very Short Introduction by Jacob K. Olupona

Buddhism ☸

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Dhammapada by Eknath Easwaran (collection of Buddha’s sayings)

Liquid Life: Abortion and Buddhism in Japan by William R. LaFleur

The Tibetan Book of the Dead by John Baldock (the texts explained and illustrated)

Teachings of the Buddha by Jack Kornfield (lovely selection of Buddhist verses and stories)

Understanding Buddhism by Perry Schmidt-Leukel (great introductory text)

Essential Tibetan Buddhism by Robert Thurman (collection of select chants, prayers, and rituals in Tibetan traditions)

Christianity ✝️

The Story of Christianity Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation by Justo L. Gonzales

The Story of Christianity Volume 2: The Reformation to Present Day by Justo L. Gonzales

By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther's Small Catechism by R. Guy Erwin, etc.

Introducing the New Testament by Mark Allen Powell

Who’s Who in the Bible by Jean-Pierre Isbouts (really cool book, thick with history, both Biblical and otherwise)

Synopsis of the Four Gospels (RSV) by Kurt Aland (shows the four NT gospels side by side, verse by verse for easy textual comparison)

Behold Your Mother by Tim Staples (Catholic approach to the Virgin Mary)

Mother of God: A History of the Virgin Mary by Miri Rubin (anthropological and historical text)

Systematic Theology by Thomas P. Rausch

Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Fr. Michael Romazansky (Eastern Orthodox Christianity)

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (very spiritual)

The Names of God by George W. Knight (goes through every name and reference to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Bible)

Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church by Alfredo Tradigo (for those who like art history AND religion)

The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God by St. John Maximovitch (the Orthodox approach to the Virgin Mary)

East Asian Religions ☯️

Shinto: A History by Helen Hardacre

Tao Te Ching by Chad Hansen (a beautiful, illustrated translation)

The Analects by Confucius

Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell

Shinto: The Kami Way by Sokyo Ono (introductory text)

Understanding Chinese Religions by Joachim Gentz (discusses the history and development of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism in China)

Taoism: An Essential Guide by Eva Wong (pretty much everything you need to know on Taoism)

European (various)

Iliad & Odyssey by Homer, Samuel Butler, et al.

Tales of King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table by Thomas Malory, Aubrey Beardsley, et al.

Early Irish Myths and Sagas by Jeffrey Gantz

The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology by Snorri Sturluson and Jesse L. Byock

Mythology by Edith Hamilton (covers Greek, Roman, & Norse mythology)

The Nature of the Gods by Cicero

Dictionary of Mythology by Bergen Evans

Gnosticism, Mysticism, & Esotericism

The Gnostic Gospels: Including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene (Sacred Texts) by Alan Jacobs and Vrej Nersessian

The Kybalion by the Three Initiates (Hermeticism)

The Freemasons: The Ancient Brotherhood Revealed by Michael Johnstone

Alchemy & Mysticism by Alexander Roob (Art and symbolism in Hermeticism)

The Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity by David Brakke

What Is Gnosticism? Revised Edition by Karen L. King

The Essence of the Gnostics by Bernard Simon

The Essential Mystics: Selections from the World’s Great Wisdom Traditions by Andrew Harvey (covers Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Greek, Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions)

The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall (huge book on esoteric and occult religions)

Freemasonry for Dummies by Christopher Hodapp

Hinduism 🕉

The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan

7 Secrets of Vishnu by Devdutt Pattanaik (all about Vishnu’s various avatars)

7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik (all about Hindu goddesses, myths and symbolism)

Hinduism by Klaus K. Klostermaier (good introductory text)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada (trans. from a religious standpoint)

The Mahabharata, parts 1 & 2 by Ramesh Menon (super long but incredibly comprehensive)

The Upanishads by Juan Mascaro (an excellent introductory translation)

In Praise of the Goddess by Devadatta Kali (the Devi Mahatmya with English & Sanskrit texts/explanations of texts)

Beyond Birth and Death by Srila Prabhupada (on death & reincarnation)

The Science of Self-Realization by Srila Prabhupada

Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God (Srimad Bhagavatam) by Edwin F. Bryant (totally gorgeous translation)

The Perfection of Yoga by Srila Prabhupada (about “actual” yoga)

Islam ☪️

The Handy Islam Answer Book by John Renard (a comprehensive guide to all your questions)

The Illustrated Rumi by Philip Dunn, Manuela Dunn Mascetti, & R.A. Nicholson (Sufi poetry)

Islam and the Muslim World by Mir Zohair Husain (general history of Islam)

The Quran: A Contemporary Understanding by Safi Kaskas (Quran with Biblical references in the footnotes for comparison)

Essential Sufism by Fadiman & Frager (select Sufi texts)

Psychological Foundation of the Quran, parts 1, 2, & 3 by Muhammad Shoaib Shahid

Hadith by Jonathan A.C. Brown (the history of Hadith and Islam)

The Story of the Quran, 2nd ed. by Ingrid Mattson (history and development of the Quran)

The Book of Hadith by Charles Le Gai Eaton (a small selection of Hadith)

The Holy Quran by Maulana Muhammad Ali (Arabic to English translation, the only translation I’ve read cover-to-cover)

Mary and Jesus in the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf’Ali

Blessed Names and Attributes of Allah by A.R. Kidwai (small, lovely book)

Jainism & Sikhi

Understanding Jainism by Lawrence A. Babb

The Jains (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) by Paul Dundas

The Forest of Thieves and the Magic Garden: An Anthology of Medieval Jain Stories by Phyllis Granoff

A History of the Sikhs, Volume 1: 1469-1839 (Oxford India Collection) by Khushwant Singh

Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction by Eleanor Nesbitt

Judaism ✡

Hebrew-English Tanakh by the Jewish Publication Society

Essential Judaism by George Robinson (this is THE book if you’re looking to learn about Judaism)

The Talmud: A Selection by Norman Solomon

Judaism by Dan & Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok (introductory text)

The Jewish Study Bible, 2nd edition by the Jewish Publication Society (great explanations of passages)

The Hebrew Goddess by Raphael Patai

Native American

God is Red: A Native View of Religion, 30th Anniversary Edition by Vine Deloria Jr. , Leslie Silko, et al.

The Wind is My Mother by Bear Heart (Native American spirituality)

American Indian Myths and Legends by Erdoes & Ortiz

The Sacred Wisdom of the Native Americans by Larry J. Zimmerman

Paganism, Witchcraft & Wicca

Magic in the Roman World: Pagans, Jews and Christians (Religion in the First Christian Centuries) 1st Edition by Naomi Janowitz

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: 2nd Edition by Hans Dieter Betz

Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice by Thea Sabin

The Path of a Christian Witch by Adelina St. Clair (the author’s personal journey)

Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by C.G. Leland

The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, & Witchcraft, 3rd ed. by Rebecca L. Stein

Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce & River Higginbotham

Christopaganism by Joyce & River Higginbotham

Whispers of Stone by Tess Dawson (on Modern Canaanite Paganism)

Social ☮

Tears We Cannot Stop (A Sermon to White America) by Eric Michael Dyson (concerning racism)

Comparative Religious Ethics by Christine E. Gudorf

Divided by Faith by Michael O. Emerson (on racism and Christianity in America)

Problems of Religious Diversity by Paul J. Griffiths

Not in God’s Name by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (on religious terrorism)

The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade (difficult but worthwhile read)

World Religions 🗺

Understanding World Religions by Len Woods (approaches world religions from a Biblical perspective)

Living Religions, 9th ed. by Mary Pat Fisher (introductory textbook)

The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism & Daoism by Jack Miles, etc.

The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam by Jack Miles, etc.

Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices by Mary Boyce

The Baha’i Faith by Moojan Momen (introductory text)

Saints: The Chosen Few by Manuela Dunn-Mascetti (illustrated; covers saints from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and more)

The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong (the evolutionary history of some of the world’s greatest religions)

Roman Catholics and Shi’i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics by James A. Bill (a comparison of the similarities between Catholicism & Shi’a Islam)

God: A Human History by Reza Aslan (discusses the evolution of religion, specifically Abrahamic and ancient Middle Eastern traditions)

A History of God by Karen Armstrong (similar to Aslan’s book but much more extensive)

The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions by Keith Crim

#religion #world religions #reference #judaism #christianity #islam #hinduism #buddhism #jainism #sikhism #paganism #witchcraft #wicca #library #divinum-pacis

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siumerghe · 4 years ago

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Li Bi, from Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians: Stories of Taoist Mystics

Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians: Stories of Taoist Mystics is a collection of biographies of 144 historical figures associated with Daoism, compiled under the title Xuanping lu 玄品錄 by daoist Zhang Tianyu 張天雨 (1279-1350) and translated by Thomas Cleary.

Li Bi was styled Changyuan. He originally lived in Demon Valley. At the age of seven he knew how to write compositions, and in 728 he was summoned to meet the emperor as an extraordinary child. He was most favored by Zhang Jiuling,(67) who called him his little friend.

When he grew up, he studied widely and became expert in the I Ching. He used to travel around to Mount Song, Mount Hua, and Mount Zhongnan, seeking the spiritual immortals’ art of not dying.

During the Tianbao era [742–755], he went to the imperial establishment and presented Proposal for Restoring the Yellow Emperor’s Nine Cauldrons. The emperor, considering him quick-witted, had him lecture on Lao-tzu. He had a command of the principles and obtained the position of attendant scholar.

When Xiaozong [should be "Suzong": it seems the translator confused 肃 with 萧] assumed the throne at Lingwu in 756, he was making inquiries searching for him when Bi showed up on his own. Once he had interviewed him, the emperor was pleased, having had the successes and failures of the empire set forth to him. He was going to give Bi an official post, but Bi stoutly refused. Instead he asked to be allowed to attend discussions of national affairs as a guest and join the imperial entourage on excursions. Everyone pointed and said, “The priest is the ruler, while the layman is the hermit.” [I think it's a mistranslation of the phrase 衣黃者圣人也衣白者山人也 - "In the yellow dress - the ruler, in the white dress (i.e. in commoner's clothes) - the hermit."]

Thus the emperor bestowed the gold seal and purple cord of court rank upon him and appointed him minister of war for the Infantry of the Chief Commander, king of Guangping.

The emperor once said, “You wait on the deities above, you are our teacher in the center, and now you judge the infantry of Guangping below. Thus are we, father and son [emperor and king] sustained by the principles of your Way.” Cui Yuan(68) and Li Fuguo(69) were jealous of the closeness and confidence Bi enjoyed. Bi feared there would be trouble and requested retirement on Mount Heng. An imperial decree provided him with a salary of a third-ranked official, presented him with the outfit of a retired gentleman, and prepared a dwelling for him on Mount Lu.

Bi once took a curved pine branch to use as a backrest, calling it “fostering balance.” Later he found one shaped like a dragon, which he presented to the emperor. All around vied to imitate this.

When Daizong became emperor [in 763], he summoned Bi and housed him in the library of Penglai Hall. At first he didn’t eat meat, but since rank was bestowed on him he was forced to eat meat by imperial decree.

When Dezong [r. 780–805] was at the Sanctuary in Service of Heaven, he summoned Bi to his temporary headquarters and appointed him policy adviser. Bi first had a road cut through the mountains to the Triple Gate [sluices of the Yellow River] to facilitate shipping. Because of this effort, he was promoted to minister of rites, then in three years to associate manager of affairs.

The emperor once casually remarked, “Lu Qi(70) was puritanical and outspoken, but he had little learning and could not broaden us with the ancient Way. Everyone pointed out his treachery, but we never noticed.”

Bi replied, “Had Your Majesty been able to sense Qi’s evil, how could the troubles of the Jianzhong era(71) have occurred? Li Kui(72) combined the foreign commanders of Chinese armies, while Yan Zhen-qing(73) used Xilie. The damage done to longstanding benevolence and goodwill was great indeed.

“Also, Yang Yan(74) was condemned, though not executed; Lu Qi brought about his downfall and made Guan Bo(75) minister. When Li Huaiguang(76) became successful, Lu Qi goaded him into revolt. This is deceiving heaven.”

The emperor said, “What you say happened, true enough, but you must know what Sang Damo(77) said about the chaos of the Jianzhong era, that it was destined to be so?”

Bi replied, “So-called destiny is something said after the fact. Leaders make destiny; they shouldn’t plead destiny. If you plead destiny, then there’s no rewarding good and no punishing evil!”

The emperor said, “I’ll try not to say ‘destiny’ anymore.”

Shortly he was made a scholar of the Library Honoring Literature, working on national history. Bi requested that the first day of the cycle of the second lunar month be made the Day of Harmony in the Center(78) instead of the last day of the lunar cycle of the first month and that on that occasion the great ministers be given royal relative residence rulers, signifying the sizing up of bureaucrats. He presented a book on agriculture to teach basic production. The emperor was very pleased and issued an order making the second day of the second month, the third day of the third month, and the ninth day of the ninth month three official holidays, when everyone was to be given a bonus of a string of a thousand cash and invited to a banquet.

In the eighth month of 788, the sun eclipsed the two stars associated with literature and culture. Bi said, “Those stars govern maps and books; among the great ministers there will be someone aggrieved. Since I’m both a managing minister and a scholar, it must be me.” The next year, as it turned out, he died.

Bi had free access to the imperial palace, and he worked for four emperors, so he was the object of the jealousy of crafty sycophants numerous times, yet he always escaped by his wits. Moreover, time and again there were factional plots, of which he was able to alert the emperor, and he also improved and enlightened government himself. The restoration of the two capitals praised by historian Liu Bi was due in large part to the planning of Li Bi; his contribution was even greater than Lu Lian’s(79) and Fan Li’s.

Footnotes:

67. Zhang Jiuling (678–740) was a scholar and poet who held a number of high positions under the Tang dynasty, including director of the Secretariat and grand councillor.

68. Cui Yuan was a regional inspector and officer of the Secretariat under Emperor Suzong (r. 756–762).

69. Li Fuguo (704–762) was a eunuch who held high offices in the department of the military under Emperor Suzong.

70. Lu Qi was prime minister under Emperor Dezong, who is faulted for judging people on appearances.

71. This refers to a rebellion of regional authorities. The Jianzhong era lasted from 780 to 784.

72. Li Kui (711–784) held numerous offices under the Tang dynasty, including commissioner for entry into alliance with Tufan. Tufan was a Tibetan state considered a major threat to Tang dynasty China.

73. Yan Zhenqing (709–785) commanded several successful battles against the rebel An Lushan and served in a number of posts under the Tang dynasty, including minister of works and minister of justice. When Li Xilie rebelled, Lu Qi sent Yan to negotiate a surrender, intending to encompass Yan’s death. Yan stood up to Li’s threats and won the latter’s respect. Yan was later assassinated.

74. Yang Yan (727–781) was briefly a minister of state for Emperor Dezong. He is noted for reforming the tax system.

75. Guan Bo held many posts under the Tang dynasty. He is said to have been promoted for prime minister by Lu Qi because the latter considered him easy to control.

76. A regional inspector.

77. A famous prognosticator.

78. On this occasion the emperor customarily gave a banquet for the ministers of state.

79. That is, Lu Zhonglian.

#tang dynasty #li bi #daoism #xuanping lu #suzong #li fuguo #daizong #dezong

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officialscaramouche · 4 years ago

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Companions

pairing: Chongyun x Xingqiu

summary: As playful, oddly suspicious, and teasing big Xingqiu was, the duo leave with some pretty good intel. With the end in sight, little Xingqiu feels a sudden disconnect with his traveling partner and begins to worry about going back to his time period.

warnings: none

word count: 4,106

also posted on ao3!

Ch. 4 of 5 < prev | next >

Xingqiu crossed his legs, leaning back against the tree. The bark dug into his back too uncomfortably but he knew that if he sat up again, it would tug at the delicate silk fibers and he didn’t want to ruin it any more than he already had. He admired the sunset before him as it flowed into the edge of the plains across the river. This was nice, he admitted, eyeing the area they had come from and began to understand a little bit about why he chose this secluded area to reside in later in life.

He observed the river closely, watching the current pull gently along, leaves drifting unbothered in the slight breeze. Lolling his head to the side lazily, he watched Chongyun drop small stumps of wood onto the ground. He stripped himself of his long, linen vest, his arms stretching either way to shrug the material off. Then, he rolled up his sleeves to air off his arms that procured a bit of sweat from cutting the small trees, his moisture-wicking sleeves clinging tightly to his muscle. And one by one, Chongyun placed a small log onto the large rocks there and brought down his blade with harsh force, splitting the wood in two. The longer he did this, the more tired he became. Soon he was panting heavily and sweating more than before. He tugged his sleeves off, exposing the skin finally, and wiped his forehead with the cloth.

Xingqiu was in a trance. Watching the exorcist chopping wood over and over again had him hypnotized. It wasn’t until the pole in his hands flew off his lap and down the river that he came back to Teyvat. “A-Ah!” Xingqiu dashed after it, feeling the bark pull apart the silk threads once more. “The pole!”

Chongyun, sitting on the rock now catching his breath, groaned when he saw the young boy chasing after the fishing rod knowing that he had to get it himself. He gets up reluctantly and begins a light jog that quickly becomes a sprint, swiping the rod from the river and pulling it back to at least try to catch the fish. He tugs it back firmly, reeling it in when the line tightens. He’s wrestling the fish as it tries desperately to swim away with it’s free meal but Chongyun is just as desperate to catch it after Xingqiu let every other fish go. “X-Xingqiu!”

The boy perks up and looks at Chongyun for orders. “Y-Yes! How can I--”

“Get the knife! I’ve almost got it!”

Xingqiu grimaced. “You want me to touch--”

“Quickly!!”

The scholar whines a little, stomping his feet in disgust. “Oh..fine!”

The boy kneels by the edge of the water, watching with disgust at the water thrashing about. Behind him, Chongyun plants his feet firmly on the ground, turning to the side and, with the last of his strength in a final attempt to get some food, he swings his arms down with a guttural shout, sending the fish flying into the air. It flies right over Xingqiu’s head and onto the ground, flopping in the dirt and grass. Chongyun tumbles to the ground, exhausted from the sudden burst of energy. Xingqiu stood there, holding the small pocket knife with both hands and staring at the fish. “Will you stun it already?” Chongyun breathes, his chest heaving.

Xingqiu shuts his eyes tightly, and slams the blunt end of his knife into the fish’s head. When he feels the fish still in his hand, he falls back and lets out a dramatic sigh. “I killed a fish…”

“Yeah and you’ve eaten plenty of em. Hurry up, give me the knife so I can clean it.” Chongyun crawls over to the boy and grabs the knife from his limp hand before crawling over to the fish and taking it to the rock. Xingqiu lifted his head slightly to watch Chongyun cut the head off the fish and slice it in half along the bottom. He stares intently at his back, admiring his broad shoulders for the first time since they left his estate. Oh, Xingqiu quit it, he thinks, laying his head back down. He rolls over and slowly picks himself up, dusting off his now ruined outfit.

He watches on, again, now filled with a tinge of sadness. After being on such a wonderful adventure-- his first adventure-- Xingqiu had briefly forgotten that he didn’t belong here. The Chongyun in front of him was not his Chongyun. This Chongyun was a seasoned exorcist. This Chongyun had lost his innocence a long time ago. This Chongyun does not look at him the way he looked at him. And most importantly, this Chongyun belonged to a different him. It was painfully obvious how loyal he was to his Xingqiu. His expressions when he talks about him are softer and kinder. His words are carefully selected and intentional. But when he talks to this Xingqiu, he’s terribly sarcastic and irritable.

Xingqiu missed his Chongyun. He missed the puppy-like devotion and the few words spoken. He missed being looked at like a treasure and being touched like a paper thin vase. His Chongyun was always so gentle and tender with him. His Chongyun appeared anywhere he wanted him to and at any time. His heart ached at the idea of not seeing Chongyun again, perhaps the same way that this Chongyun ached for his Xingqiu.

The boy watched as the older man ran bamboo sticks through the flesh of the fish, each puncture meticulous and careful. He placed them on his linen vest that he discarded moments ago to prevent the fish from getting dirty and opened a rolled-up pouch that had little vials neatly stored inside. Taking only a specific few, he dusted the fish skewers with what was inside the vials and the smell wafted over to Xingqiu. He recognized the smell of salt, pepper, dried onions, parsley, and mint. These were the spices Xingqiu liked in his fish. The boy shakes his head slightly and sighs with a small smile on his face. Maybe this Chongyun wasn’t very different from his at all.

It was quiet with the exception for the croaking frogs, the rippling river, and the fire cracking. The stars twinkled particularly brighter this far out from the city. Xingqiu had never seen the sky so plentiful and bright before. He stared up at the sky, resting his head on his arms beneath him. As he was getting lost in the stars, a bouquet of fish skewers wrapped in a leaf popped into view. Xingqiu sat up and took the skewers, noting the absence of any more on the fire. “You’re not gonna eat any?” Xingqiu took a bite out of the chunks of fish on his skewer and watched as Chongyun crushed different dried herbs between two rocks.

“No,” he answered, twisting the stone to grind the flowers into a fine powder. “I need three of them to give to the you hun ye gui. There’s only two left.”

Xingqiu blew gently on the steaming fish. “Yeah, two. One for me and one for you.”

Chongyun funneled the powder into an empty vial with a leaf and continued with other herbs. “Two would hardly be enough for you. It’s fine, I don’t eat much. I’m okay with fruits and nuts.”

Xingqiu peered at the exorcist through his lashes and pursed his bottom lip into a pout. “Is it because I’m a ‘growing boy?’”

“No, it’s because you’re a glutton.” Chongyun held the half-full vial up to look at it.

“What are you doing?” Xingqiu scooted over to the other side of the campfire, cradling the other skewer in his arm.

Chongyun gathered the next dried herb onto the center of the rock and began grinding it beneath another rock. “Making incense.”

“Oh yeah,” he said with a mouth full of fish. “What else did I say we needed?”

Chongyun paused and sighed. “...Guidance talismans.”

“Oh right...and you can’t make any?”

Chongyun chuckled, shaking his head. “No way. I don’t even know how to.” The man turned to face Xingqiu. “See, the difference between guidance talismans and, say, a sealing talisman is that it moves. It’s easy to make a talisman that doesn’t need to make its own decisions-- especially since I have no clue as to what this demon wants. But if you need a good one that stays still, I’m your man. The only person in my family that could make guidance talismans was my great aunt…”

Xingqiu tossed his bamboo skewer into the fire and eyed the last one. “I’m assuming she didn’t leave any notes, huh?”

“No…” Chongyun placed his elbow on his thigh, resting his chin in his hand. “The steps can’t be any different, though...right?” Xingqiu shrugged. He didn’t read a lot of exorcist, Taoist, or talisman books. He always kind of assumed that Chongyun knew everything. Chongyun leans back onto the ground, laying in his hands. “Well you should go to sleep. We’re gonna set off bright and early.”

Xingqiu felt that wave of sadness wash over him again as he looked on at Chongyun laying down and gazing at the stars. In the beginning, he felt like his journey would never end but now that they knew how to quell the demon, he wasn’t all too sure about what would happen for him next. Over these past days, almost week, he had grown attached and used to this older Chongyun. He found himself accustomed to sleeping in the dirt rather than a freshly made bed. And he found a bit of joy from traversing over the spanse of Liyue. But the most pressing question was whether or not he was going back home.

When Xingqiu woke up, Chongyun was sitting criss-crossed with his hands on either knee, his forefinger and thumb touching delicately as his palms faced the sun. He was incredibly still. Xingqiu had never seen Chongyun meditate as he wasn’t very good at it. He was always too restless and often found himself bored and seeking enrichment elsewhere. But Chongyun was a master exorcist now. Xingqiu wasn’t sure why he imagined that Chongyun couldn’t meditate now, and perhaps he did this often while he slept, able to rest peacefully while also keeping watch of their camp. And he knew Chongyun was aware of the area surrounding them, because when Xingqiu opened his eyes, he was greeted almost immediately with a grumbly “good morning.”

“Ah, good morning,” he croaked, his voice laced with sleep. “Did you sleep?”

“I haven’t slept this whole trip. Not like you, anyways.” He was right, he had been meditating all this time. “Are you ready?”

Xingqiu smoothed down his bedhead and combed his fingers through the knots. “Can I at least rinse out my mouth?”

Chongyun stood up, twisting left and right to crack his back. “Fine, but be quick.” Xingqiu hurried to the river to swish water around in his mouth, remembering his lingering thoughts from last night. If he could return to the beginning of this adventure, he probably would once more. But he was also very anxious to return home to a bustling harbor.

When the scholar returned, Chongyun wrapped something neatly into a thick leaf, tying it closed with strong fibers into a little box. Xingqiu’s footsteps grew louder as he approached the exorcist and he extended the box over to the boy. “What’s this?”

Chongyun chewed something and spit it onto the ground, wiping the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “Mint. I use it to freshen up when I’m out on a journey.” Xingqiu untied the fibers and inside were crushed up mint leaves. The refreshing smell wafted out of the box and Xingqiu smiled, putting his nose to the rim. “You can do this,” Chongyun swiped a finger through the mint and Xingqiu watched as he rubbed his teeth and gums with the mint. “Then you can chew it until the taste is all gone.”

Xingqiu mirrored his best friend, swiping a finger through the mint to gather a bit and rubbed his teeth, cheeks, and gums before chewing it. “Thank you for sharing your mint,” he sings, handing the box back to Chongyun.

“No, that’s yours. I picked the mint this morning while you were sleeping. Keep it.”

Xingqiu looked at the box in his hand and blushed, tying the box closed to save the mint. “Thank you,” he said with a toothy grin. “So where are we headed now?” The boy asked, seeing Chongyun straighten out his linen robe and setting off. “Closer to the harbor.” Chongyun turned around and extended a hand for Xingqiu to grab, helping him up and over a big step. “The you hun ye gui stays in that area. I’m assuming it used to live here when the harbor was still being built.”

“I don’t know,” Xingqiu hummed, recalling one of their earlier nights together. “You said it only sought out exorcists and others similar. Didn’t exorcists only grow popular a couple of generations before you?”

Chongyun ran his hands through his hair, pulling his fringe out of his face. “Exorcists have always been around. It just didn’t become a large career until a few generations ago.”

“So I’m guessing that guidance talismans weren’t often made way back when either, huh? Since it’s hardly in production right now.”

“No, they were made more in the early years of Liyue. People were still very close with their archons and were often granted ‘favors,’ if you will.”

“Like what? What do you mean?”

“Exorcists weren’t a thing until Rex Lapis shared his power with my ancestors. Mortals were not to interact with the dead, but you can consider Rex Lapis as the escort to the other life.” Xingqiu closed his eyes as he thought, listening to Chongyun’s history lesson very carefully. “Now, the archons’ powers are watered down into these little pendants we call visions. We get a bit of their elemental prowess, but none of their omnipotence. I’d eat a million chilis right now if it meant Rex Lapis would reincarnate and give me but a pinch of his power.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that about visions! But why don’t we have geo visions?”

“We were recognized by other archons, that’s all. Anyways, we’re here so get comfortable.”

Chongyun dropped to a grassy spot underneath shade and crossed his legs once more. “What’s the plan?” Xingqiu sat atop his knees and placed his palms delicately in his lap.

“This whole trip, I’ve been meditating to try and communicate with my great aunt...but so far nothing has worked,” Chongyun said, without opening his eyes and with only moving his lips. “Hopefully I’ll be blessed by Rex Lapis’ spirit and he’ll give me wisdom.”

Xingqiu clapped his hands together in excitement. “You can speak with Morax when you meditate?!”

“I’m being sarcastic.”

“Oh.” Xingqiu sat back down and enjoyed the moment in silence for a bit. He studied Chongyun’s perfectly straight posture, the entirety of his body as still as stone, and his breathing so small that his chest was not visibly rising. “Is there anything I can do in the meantime? “Yeah, see if that book says anything more.” Chongyun opened his eyes suddenly and slouched a little, relaxing his hands. “Shit, I should’ve asked Xingqiu for the enochian decoder. Oh well.” Just like that, he resumed his straight posture and closed his eyes again.

Xingqiu pursed his lips and quirked an eyebrow. “Hmmm.” He laid the book flat on the ground, flipping through the pages and scanning the text for any recognizable words. Only few and far between words were revealed, but none of it helped to translate. ‘Demonic hatred coursed through the fingers wrapped around my throat. This is where I die, without answers, in the hands of my beloved.’ He revisited the early translations to try and find similarities in other words.

He looked back to Chongyun who sat motionless. He looked peaceful-- the most unbothered he’d looked this whole trip. Chongyun had grown into a capable young man who can take care of himself all alone. And he, too, became a successful individual doing what he loved. It was clear to himself, though, that he may not have gathered the courage to do certain things but he was still as constant in Chongyun’s life as much as he could. He remembered the somber look on his face when Chongyun explained to him that they’d both become busy. And when he got sick, Xingqiu was hardly around to help him get better. The boy sighed, telling himself that he needs to do better. He looked back to the book and clapped his hands on his cheeks. They were going to be here for a while, he might as well be productive.

‘The privilege to be bored was something I took for granted. I had realized that I had done not a single thing, not been helpful with the exception for entertainment. Which, in hindsight, I believe is what kept us together for so long. I am intolerable and loathsome, but my dearest sees through me and the facade and brings me along anyhow. Quiet moments like these will forever warm my heart in memories. We are not sharing a single activity, yet we are bonded by the coexistence. The rays of the sun stunk like poorly washed laundry and our hair clumped together from the bodily oils but it is fun to reminisce and I enjoy being sullied every now and then.’

“Ugh!” Xingqiu threw his brush as far as he could across the plain in frustration. “This has nothing to do about the demon! Stupid book!” Xingqiu crossed his arms in anger and huffs to the air. He jumps a little, afraid that he had been too loud and slowly turned to peek at Chongyun. He continued to sit there as lifeless as a rock. The shade he was in had now moved as the sun positioned itself differently in the sky and his cheeks began to flush a bit red. The stray strands of hair stuck to his face from the sweat, but he still looked as cool and collected as ever. But Xingqiu had an idea.

“Hey, Chongyun!”

The exorcist was shaken awake. He opened one eye to see what the matter was. “Yes?”

Xingqiu pushed something into his lap. Chongyun closed his eyes. “Can you freeze this for me?”

Chongyun, in a desperate attempt to get back to undisturbed meditating, grabbed the round object and coursed ice through it. He held it out for Xingqiu to grab.

“Thanks!” Chongyun could hear the young boy shuffling around. The sound of water being sloshed around hinted that he used his vision. Then, the boy came running back. “Here!”

Chongyun huffed in frustration, irritated by the harsh sun. “Please, I’m trying to--”

The exorcist opened his eyes to an amateur wooden carving of a bowl filled with a messy, dirty looking bowl of frozen water. Inside, he could see little blades of grass and granules of dirt but also recognized the petals of the qingxin flower. “I don’t have popsicle sticks, but I still remembered how to make it!”

Chongyun took the bowl in tired, shaking hands and stared into it in shock. “You made this for me? Where did you get the flowers?”

Xingqiu pointed to a small hill behind him. “I climbed up there! I got a little dirty, but that’s fine. Taste it! Is it good?”

“You climbed up there?!” Chongyun shot a finger in the direction of the mountain, his brows turned down in anger. “That’s dangerous!” Xingqiu didn’t know how to respond. Chongyun had never yelled at him before. Maybe raised his voice, but never yelled. “Ah, I’m sorry. I’m burning up.”

Xingqiu sat next to the exorcist. “Then eat up!”

Chongyun eyed the contaminated water in the bowl in his hands and shrugged. He held a hand out to the scholar. “Can I borrow your short knife?” Xingqiu slipped it out from the inside of his boot and Chongyun hacked at the ice deliberately, cutting out a small piece and popped it in his mouth. He sucked on the ice for a bit before it started to melt and gulped down the ice. It didn’t take long for the medicinal properties in the flower began to take effect. Chongyun continued to tear pieces out of the bowl, popping them in one by one each time with more vigor. Once the bowl was empty, Chongyun got to his feet with newfound energy, his sweat nearly gone. “That was so good, Xingqiu! Thank you!”

Xingqiu stood too, and tugged at Chongyun’s sleeve. “Before you go back to meditating, I want you to look at what I’ve done these past few hours!” The boy leads him to where his book lay and pulls out a paper from underneath it. “I haven’t got much, but I managed to decode some of the script.”

Chongyun looks at the messily written notes. There were enochian scripts next to legible characters and various drawings of symbols. “These,” Chongyun references, pointing to the drawn symbols. “Are the designs for the talisman. You did all this?

Xingqiu grins, holding his hands behind his back. “Yeah! And look, I got some of this translated. I didn’t care to check the beginning yet because we’re nearly done, so we only need the ending, right? But none of this seems relevant to the demon and what we’re doing.”

Chongyun reads the translated text and looks at Xingqiu who stood on his tippy toes to see the book. “Can I?” He asks, lifting the book and paper.

“Well, sure.”

Chongyun leads the two of them to a shaded area and he sits against the side of the mountain, flipping the decoded notes over to the blank side. His eyes shift from the book to the paper, making notes as he reads. They sat there until the sky had darkened and the book was no longer legible. “You were right,” he says with a smile. “This is a diary!”

Xingqiu snaps awake and throws himself over the book. “How do you know?”

“The writer continually refers to himself in first person. And these last two chapters are all written from his perspective. He’s travelling with his significant other and he’s talking about the you hun ye gui. The style of writing though…”

“Hey! Kind of like us!” Xingqiu grabbed the paper and read what Chongyun translated.

“Anyways, what I translated gave me an idea. Can you fill this bowl again and also draw me another talisman, but bigger this time?”

“Sure!”

Xingqiu pulled his finger out of his mouth and held it in the air. “The wind stopped, finally.”

Chongyun organized the fish on a large leaf and picked up the incense on the floor. “Good, maybe this time it will stay lit.”

The moon was high in the sky and the world was oddly quiet. At least to Xingqiu. They weren’t close to the harbor, but usually the liveliness could be heard from out here. He looked back to the moon and felt his stomach flip. He missed home. “How do you think I’m gonna get home?”

Chongyun struck flint, causing sparks. He stopped to look up at Xingqiu, who stood above his kneeling form. “I don’t know, I’ve never dealt with time travel before.” He looked down to continue striking the flint. “You’re probably the first.”

“Do you think I’m stuck here? Forever?”

The incense lit and Chongyun stuffed the flint into his pocket. He threw an arm around Xingqiu’s neck and they walked back towards the mountainside to hide behind some shrubs. “Well...if you’re here in the future, doesn’t that mean that you do? I mean, we grew up together. If you didn’t then you’d probably have disappeared by now. Or I might have even lost my memories of you.”

“Maybe another Xingqiu took my place!”

Chongyun laughed and ruffled his hair. “I think I’d be able to recognize a fraud, fanboy!” Chongyun paused and blushed. “But, in all seriousness, I did have fun on this trip.” Xingqiu looked at him quizzically. “And...seeing you as a kid again...I should’ve told you how much you meant to me more. I really did-- and still do-- enjoy hanging out with you. So thank you for being my friend.”

Xingqiu felt his heart beat a little harder. It was relieving to finally know that his strong feelings weren’t unrequited. But he might have to work on expressing his feelings just the same.

#companions #chongxiu #xingyun #writing

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polyadvice · 6 years ago

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I recently started seeing someone, and we're talking about the future, but she's about to leave for a year

Started seeing a friend unexpectedly, 1000 miles away. She had her 1st real romantic/sexual experience with me. My wife & I are trying for a baby, and my gf is stoked to co-parent, but wants to go overseas a year. I'm crazy for her. Is 5 months too early for a 'commitment ring'? Wife & I were engaged a month in but I’d known her for 8 years.

I tend to be a very aggressive control freak in all aspects of my life, and I especially like to try and control the future. But while I’m great to go camping with, all the planning, prepping, scheduling, worrying, and fussing won’t work to make a relationship with another person go a certain way. I use a specific metaphor to help me be more chilled out about relationships, loosely cribbed from Taoist philosophy:

Imagine you’re floating in a river. The river has a flow to it, and you could allow yourself to float along with the river. Within that, you have choices - whether to swim alongside the current, or just float; whether to hold onto floating branches or stay free; whether to hang out in the deep center or closer to the shallows. You can control your choices while you’re in the river, but you can’t control the flow of the river.

If you decide you don’t want to go where the river is taking you, you can grab hold of a rock and stay in one place. But the river is going to keep flowing around you and pulling at you. You can try to swim backwards against the current. But the river is never going to give in and take you the other direction. The river is reality, flowing all around you, taking its own way, and your energy is much better spent finding ways to participate in what the river is doing - to “go with the flow,” as it were - than to ignore or resist the river.

That’s what relationships, especially in the early stages, are like. You have to let them go with their own flow. You can’t pre-emptively ensure that certain things happen or gird the future against certain outcomes. It sounds like in this situation, there’s a lot of “flow” that you need to float along with. It’s possible that while she’s experiencing her travels, and you’re dealing with a newborn, things will naturally fizzle out while everyone focuses on their imminent priorities. It’s possible that things deepen between you two and after her year abroad, the three of you decide to move in together and see how that goes. It’s possible that she remains a long-distance connection, with intimacy and commitment but less of an intention to share daily life.

You have to kind of trust that if everyone acts in good faith, whatever happens is what needed to happen. It will cause a lot of pain to try and force things along a specific path or cling to a future that hasn’t manifested yet. The best thing to do is keep things really open, both in terms of “open to different possible futures” and “open and honest communication.” Ask her if she would appreciate a piece of jewelry she can wear during the long distance relationship to symbolize your connection, and leave space for her to be unsure or uncomfortable. And remember that the presence of that item doesn’t guarantee a certain outcome. Everyone here is in a transition state, and there’s a lot of uncertainty - try to respond to that with open acceptance and curiosity rather than a focused plan to nail things down.

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steelandcotton · 2 years ago

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Twin Cities Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar March 3-6, '23

Great River Taoist Center Twin Cities

https://grtcmsp.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

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nkn1 · 6 years ago

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Way of the Jianke Essential Elements of Chinese Swordsmanship Illustration series for Scott M. Rodell 5th generation teacher and his Great River Taoist Center (est1984) martial art school, Virginia, US

#martial arts #Illustration #swordsmanship

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victoriansword · 4 years ago

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Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship: Qing New Army Sabers

After the Qing Defeat in the Sino-Japanese War, steps were taken to modernize the Chinese military. Yuan Shikai was tasked with organizing the New Army with the aid of German advisors. In addition to adopting new uniforms, modern rifles, machine guns and cannon, they also adopted a European Military style saber. This video looks at five examples of these late Qing sabers and the history that lead up to their use.

#sword #swords #sabre #saber #china #chinese #chinese army #19th century #20th century #qing #antique #antiques #great river taoist center #scott rodell #youtube

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guynamedtroy · 4 years ago

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Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship: the Qing Wodao #chinese sword

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#Chinese martial arts #Chinese Swordsmanship #Daofa #Great River Taoist Center #GRTC #Internal Martial Arts #Jianfa #kung fu #Neijiaquan #Scott M. Rodell #tai chi #tai chi chuan #Taijiquan #Xingyiquan #yang family tai chi chuan #yangjia taijiquan

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superseraphim7 · 7 years ago

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Sacred Frequencies From Source The Cycle of Time Number 432 Tuning and Music Modern science is now beginning to recognizing what the ancient mystics and wise men have told us for centuries; that everything is in a constant state of vibration. The most elemental state of vibration is that of sound. Everything has an optimum range of vibration, and that rate is called resonance. When we are in resonance, we are in balance. One way to use sound to heal the body is to recognize that every organ, and every cell, absorbs and emits sound, and has a particular optimim resonate frequency. One of the 'secrets' of the universe, is the creative application of sound frequencies. John Worley Keely discovered this creative use of musical frequencies in the late nineteenth century and accomplished amazing feats that defied conventional physics and confounded the academicians of his day. The earliest conventions of Western music held that "Music on earth was a reflection of the greater 'music of the spheres', a harmony created by relative distances and rates of motions of the planets - a harmony that was constantly present, if only people were sufficiently sensitive to hear it" (Yudkin, Jeremy, Music in Medieval Europe, 1989). If we as individuals can identify with the concepts presented in this statement, and we accept that we as human beings are multifaceted creatures who must live in harmony with our environment in order to maintain our health and reach our full potential, we can begin to see into the secrets of music and its impact on our health "The distance from the center of the earth to the average height of the atmosphere. This value is given as 4320 arc-minutes, which harmonically can be reduce down to 432 the fundamental vibration for the sixth node in the octave" It is said that our planet beats from 7.82-8 cycles per second (7.82-8 hz, fundamental Schumann resonance), 8 hz is the alpha brain wave rhythm in which our parallel processors, or brain hemispheres, are synchronized to spin together equally. The neo-cortex of the brain, 90% unassigned becomes awakened in this synchronization, and one then operates in all brain cell dendrites with the maximum information flow possible on that scale. " Ordinary" awareness brain waves ranges from 14-40 hz. Here one is operating only in some brain cell dendrites, and predominantly with the left brain as the centre of activity, where information flow is billions of times slighter (like using an old PC 386 compared to a parallel process Pentium IV, or an old Mac Performa, compared to a Parallel processing G4). In other words at 8 hz one is an operating supercomputer, or congressing towards Superconsciousness. A machine that would induce 8 hz in its beholders may propel mankind into an internal Revolution, And it is here. It is often cited that humanity only uses 10% of the brain (for someone like Einstein, who profusely meditated his equations in ecstasies), and Einstein relays in his General Relativity Theory, that were the other 90% to become assigned, e = mc4 would result. Einstein states that the body would transform into pure energy: the resurrection/ascension of the Gnostic traditions of the west, the Rainbow Body and Diamond Body as it is known to the Tibetan Buddhists and Taoists of the far east. 8 hz then is possible the key to such a potential full Sovereign brain activation. At the least it is a Golden Midway Bridge towards that internal Revolution. Dr. Andrija Puharich demonstrated in the late 1970s (Proto-Communication II), that 8 hz could not be blocked by any electromagnetic shielding metal or even a triple vacuum. Which implies that it rotates through the Virtual (Everywhere and Everywhen) and quantum non-local hyperspace, constantly. Ortho-rotating through what the Hermetic Gnostic and Shaman Psychonauts may have attempted to grapple with under the term, loosely appropriated as "Spirit", and the Taoistic Wu Chi. A film was made in the Himalayas in the 1930's showing a group of Tibetan monks, who with the use of ordinary Tibetan musical instruments, would gather into a pie-shape configuration and direct their playing towards a huge boulder that was located on the ground roughly one hundred fifty feet away and at the base of sheer rising mountain wall. About three minutes after the 'concert' began, the boulder began to vibrate and lift off the ground. A moment later, it shot up about 150 feet into the air and landed on a ledge above it, where other monks were using the boulders to seal the entrance of meditation enclaves that they had cut into the sides of the mountain. Source Enhance, Heal, & Rejuvenate MUSIC OF THE PYRAMIDS Multiplications of 8 cycles gives one the significant 432 (54 x 8, and 3 x 72). The number 432 is considered sacred in a majority of the major temple complexes of this planet. For instance, one side of the Great Pyramid, Egypt, at its sea level foundation, is 432 Earth Units (51.49 cm). The major Toltec complex of Teotihuacan in Mexico, has its great Pyramid of the Sun with an overall base of 864 STU (Standard Teotihuacan Units) which is twice 432. STU was the Toltecs measure unit for this site, as their "myths" relay it was taught them by the Shaman Wizard gods from the stars. Each side of this Sun Pyramid is 216 STU, precisely half of 432, and 3 x 72. The heart has the least effort for pumping blood to endocrine glands, when operating in a rhythm of 72 beats per minute, it beats literally with the hologramme of the planet and the universe -- 72 bpm is the foundation beat of compassionate love. 432 times 432 = 186624 the classic speed of light is 186400 miles/second, a difference of .001201. E=mc2 ---Einstein's famous equation of energy and matter - - where E= energy, m = matter, and c = the universal constant speed of light. The speed of light in 1983 was generally accepted to be 186,291 miles per second in a vacuum so 432 as the square root of the speed of light should only experience the usual suspects as skeptics. This number converted by the pyramid inch is 186,496. ( 186,291 [accepted speed of light in a vacuum per 1983 agreement] x 1.0011) THIS IS OMEGA SONIC SACRED GEOMETRY The universe is based on harmonic series such as 72, 144, 432. And 144 (a "C" tone in hertz) is a perfect harmonic of the speed of light, which is 144,000 nautical miles (144,000 minutes of arc per Earth grid second) in the vacuum of space. Each of these harmonics are literally a mirror, or a cascade of mirrors within mirrors, that 8 hz can look into. For example 144 is 18 x 8 hz, and 72 is 9 x 8 hz. The way that light travels in space is thus a 144 decimal harmonic (144:144,000), The archaic Egyptian instruments that have been unearthed, so far, are largely tuned to 432 hz. In ancient Greece (the school book original place for music) their instruments were predominantly tuned at 432 hz. Within the archaic Greek Eleusenian Mysteries, Orpheus is the god of music, death and rebirth, and was the keeper of the Ambrosia and the music of transformation (his instruments were tuned at 432 hz). Frequency The number of times the medium's pressure varies (increases and decreases) in one second is referred to as the `frequency', and it determines how `high' or `low' the sound is. Ladies sing in the higher frequencies; gentlemen sing in the lower. When it appears after a number, the abbreviation `Hz', which stands for `Hertz', indicates that the number is a frequency. The frequency range that humans can hear is from 20 to 20,000 Hz. A harmonic frequency is simply a multiple of the fundamental frequency. If the fundamental frequency is 100 Hz, the third (3rd) harmonic is 300 Hz. (100 * 3 = 300) http://www.thepubliccause.net This information has been gathered from the internet , readers should do their Own research to validate key points ... The old paradigm and its premise stated that we began as biology in the womb of our mothers. Telliard deChardin tells us that we are not a human being trying to attain a spiritual experience, but, rather, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. This shift in perception causes a tremendous difference in the way we perceive ourselves. Pyramid/Orgone Energy Generating Grid Orpheus had inherited his music and knowledge from his voyage and initiation into the ancient Egyptian Osiris Mysteries, as well as from the Phoenicians, and from the archaic Mesopotamians of the fertile crescent. Amidst the E.Din between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, where the Ur Mesopotamian civilisation of Sumeria was centered, the ancient tombs of their Sanga Lugals, or Priest-King Shamans, have revealed their excelled science in the musical arts. Some of these royal tombs of the children of the historical Adam (Sanga Lugal King Ataba of Kish), are as old as 6000 years, revealing the primal musical roots and enthralment of our species. These tombs' hermetically sealed nature contained perfectly preserved and many intact musical instruments, as well as musical documentation in stone. For instance the "Sham.Ana", which is called a vehicle of Shamanic Star Flight, is at the same time also a ritual drum. These drums are depicted to be utilised in these cultural feasted rites, to induce their shamanic ecstasies and oracular union with the stellar gods the Anaki. The shamanic/festivial use of a specific series of drums, trumpets and harps in Sumeria, had them all tuned at 432 hz, and related harmonics of 72 and its decimal 720. These instruments were utilised for pre-Arabic ethnobotanical plant and metal alchemy, which harvested the elixir of divination and divinity. The "god-kings" utilised these within their sacred circle firestone dance. In the midst of these symphonic circles, they placed a phoenix (sky fire bird) fire stone, which was called the Sham.Mu. Within the Mesopotamian cylinder seals (of which more than 100,000 such books have been unearthed so far) these "fire stones" are often described to be made out of 'superconducting-like' elements, usually monatomic iridium from meteorite. And from such cultural shamanic royal ceremonies, the seals describe that they opened the door to Anu, or Anuki - the heavens, the universe, for communion. They had a very sophisticated musical science, that made a double helix (of dragons) from musical fifths and musical fourths, which were considered the sacred harmonics of the gods. The archaic Egyptian instruments that have been unearthed, so far, are largely tuned to 432 hz. In ancient Greece (the school book original place for music) their instruments were predominantly tuned at 432 hz. These proto-Greek roots of music had the sacred tuning of 432 hz, long before the Hellenistic artists musical renaissance. That itself is remarkable, since 432 hz touches the full twelve scale octaval overtones of all music in creation, whereas Bach's 440 hz only touches 8, leaving out an entire section of the complete musical resonance of the universe, which thus remains untouched and unintegrated within the 440 hz music of today. This 8 hz re-pitching of tuning hence makes A UNIVERSE OF DIFFERENCE Naturally this Mesopotamian sacred science, descended down into the Babylonian culture, and was absorbed and occulted by the ancient Roman Empire, who also absorbed some of the Greek and Egyptian Mysteries. For Rome had utilised this sacred measure harmonic series as well, embedded in their measure, where, for instance, 432 grains were 1 Uncia, which were 144 Unica in their weight measurements. Furthermore, 216 grains (half of 432 and 3 x 72) were 72 Semuncia, and 144 grains were 48 Duella. The American Federation of Musicians accepted the A440 as standard pitch in 1917. It was then accepted by the U.S. government as its standard in1920. It was not until 1939 that this pitch was accepted internationally and then standardized by the International Organization for Standardization in 1955 to serve as the audio frequency reference for the calibration of pianos, violins, and other musical instruments. Before recent times, a variety of tunings were used. It has been suggested by The Schiller Institute, James Furia and many others that A432 or C256 be the standard. A432 was often used by Classical composers and results in a tuning of the whole number frequencies that are connected to numbers used in the construction of a variety of ancient works and Sacred sites, such as the Great Pyramid of Egypt. The original Stradivarius violin was designed to be tuned to 432hz. The archaic Egyptian instruments that have been unearthed, so far, are largely tuned to 432hz. In ancient Greece (the school book original place for music) their instruments were predominantly tuned to 432hz. 432 vs. 440: the movement to return to “Verdi's A” The Schiller Institute in Milan Italy on April 9, 1988 launched a campaign to lower the international standard musical pitch to middle-C=256 cycles per second (A=432 cycles per second), in order to preserve the human voice and to return the performance of Classical music to that of the classical composers' poetic intentions. Bach's 440 hz only touches 8, leaving out an entire section of the complete musical resonance of the universe, which thus remains untouched and unintegrated within the 440 hz music of today By detuning the note 'a' to 432 (harmonic of 54, 108 & 25920 / 60) then the frequency of 'D' becomes 144 hz (144000 cycles per second) Using 432hz as frequency allows for all the wavelengths to harmonize easily with each other. Dolphins can hear our thoughts, because their sonic senses extend into the infrasonic and ultrasonic ranges. So our alpha brain waves, like 8 hz, are music to them. Mankind, in a non-shamanic state, does not hear 8 cycles. But one can make audible its harmonics, such as 72 hz (9 x 8 hz), 144 hz (18 x 8 hz) and 432 hz. And then further synchronise the music in binaural 8 hz, to reawaken us to the orchestra of our thoughts, in the cathedrals of our minds. There are many other great wonders that 432 hz phases into. Look at the Buddhist temple of Borobudur, in Java. At Borobudur there is a Pyramid of Mt. Meru. Meru is the world and universal mountain created by the Vedic original Germinating god, Manu, as he descended into this universe and planet. Bringing with him S-AUM-A (the plant from which the elixir of immortality is made) and Banana's. Meru is considered to be the Sonic mandala of creation: the Shri Yantra, likened to a sonic holographic plate that upholds this universe, like a Diamond. Instigated by the living Word AUM. An interesting Vedic creation "myth", but can a sound made from a series of syllables make a mandalic, or holographic pattern? Dr. Lawrence Blair demonstrated on a tonographer (a sensitised sound plate which vibrates sand to show the wave form pattern of the sound) that the sound AUM, when sung correctly by a Tibetan monk, indeed does make this pattern of the Shri Yantra in the resonated sand. In this coming Age, when musical instruments are tuned at 432 cycles per second, no matter how hard the music might be, it will be harmonics that are produced. It will be healthy for the body, tuning the body, vibrating in fractal harmonics with the DNA helix sound matrix of life itself. Those "DNA helixes" are musical instruments that are constantly receiving mhz of electricity and the audial currents, which require sound. If that sound is dis-harmonic, a DNA starts to resonate to external disharmonics. Should the external resonating tune sources, in a person of old age that has their DNA viruses resonating to the outside, become harmonic (such as a 432 hz based music, with all of the over- and undertones of 432) -- then the DNA viruses will remember their coherent PHI-like spiral shape And possibly form of regeneration, Since 8 hz in DNA replication has been described by Scientific American (March 1965, p 28), to be behaving as a room temperature superconductor, the use of sound may enable such genetic alchemy. 528 Hz is known as the ‘Miracle’ Frequency Frequency 528, relates to the note MI on the scale and derives from the phrase "MI-ra gestorum" in Latin meaning "miracle." Stunningly, this is the act frequency used by genetic biochemists to repair broken DNA - the genetic blueprint upon which life is based! “…And I remember sitting at a table with Dr. Lorenzen years ago, this was 1999, we just had the book ‘Healing Codes for the Biological Apocalypse’ just come off the press, and I said to Lee, ‘you know we just produced the revelations of 3000 years of the ancient musical scale’, and I said, ‘the third [3rd] note is about miracles’, and I said, ‘here are the frequencies: 396; 417; 528 (c.f. Marko Rodin mathematics). And he starts to laugh when I got to 528. I said, ‘why are you laughing?’ He says, ‘that happens to be known by the worlds leading genetic bio-chemists as the miraculous repair frequency for damaged DNA’. And he said, ‘I put that frequency, nobody knows it, but I put that frequency in my water to bless it’ (c.f. Emoto from Japan)” Dr. Len Horowitz - DNA Pirates of the Sacred Spiral What is DNA? The spiral structure of DNA reflects the spiral structure of all the proteins in the body. The spiral structures are simply there like a Tesla coil to enhance the energy reception and transmission. In a similar fashion, DNA is like a receiver and transmitter of love and divine frequency. You could also call DNA bio-acoustics and/or light and sound energy. We don’t see that in any of the traditional scientific texts. For some reason it’s missing. Now why is it missing? This is another thesis of the book. This is what the book also does. It exposes those who have stolen the Human Genome Project. The DNA "Visual Healing Pattern" & sound Frequency Of 528 Hz The media helps industry drive the message that the field of genetics exists for the greater good. When we hear this message enough, we come to believe it. We have become so sedated by the media that we no longer question what is really happening. What’s going on folks? Why do we have these great plagues of AIDS, cancer and autoimmune diseases? There are people in charge and they’re hiding the truth from us because they’re making vast fortunes off of our suffering. Dr. Len Horowitz Dr. Puleo is a naturopathic doctor currently living in northern Idaho. Through a series of unusual circumstances beginning in 1974, Dr. Puleo has been guided into the unraveling of certain vibrational frequencies and other mysteries encoded in the Bible. He was introduced, through an open vision, to the Pythagorean method of numeral reduction. Using this method, he discovered six sound frequencies coded into the book of Numbers, chapter 7, verses 12-89. These frequencies are 396Hz, 417 Hz, 528 Hz, 639 Hz, 741 Hz, and 852 Hz. The fact that these are vibrational frequencies was further confirmed when it was discovered that the frequency of 528 Hz is used in the restoration of DNA. It has a powerful effect upon the water molecules that support the DNA helix according to Dr. Lee Lorenzen, Ph.D Dr. Puleo, who holds a masters degree in public health from Harvard - spent years researching the six tones that physicists and musicians alike recognize as " an extremely unique interrelated series of mathematical and electromagnetic sound frequencies that include harmonic sequences similar to those found in the 'wedding march.'" The first note, "UT-quent laxis," is defined in Webster's Dictionary as "the Gamut of dramatic emotion from grief to joy," and "the whole series of recognized musical notes." It has a frequency of 396 cycles per second, and is also associated with a "magnetic field strength equal to 105 power gauss," or 100,000. The second tone, "RE", short for "resonare fibris" or resonance, also correlates mathematically to 144,000. The third note, frequency 528, relates to the note "MI" on the scale and derives from the phrase "MI-ra gestorum" in Latin meaning "miracle." Stunningly, this is suggesed to be the exact frequency used by genetic biochemists to repair damaged DNA, the genetic blueprint upon which life is based. Vibration Rates for Creation and Destruction! From: "Healing Codes for the Biological Apocalypse" Pages 166 & 167 by Dr Leonard Horowitz and Dr Joseph Puleo Healing Frequencies - medicinal properties? "DNA repair" by use of 528Hz DNA - l"Pirates of the Sacred Spira" - Dr Horowitz I.G. Farben is the most infamous of the cartel organizations that literally was the Third Reich. Their top directors and advisors were the top S.S. in Hitler’s time. These people are untrustworthy. The pharmaceutical cartel wants you to pop “magic” pills to cure every ill. Why? These pills have terrible side effects that will cause you to run back to your doctor only to discover that you will need some other “magic” pills. This type of dependency is convenient for those who can gain financially from our diseases. Industry and government benefit by our suffering. Their ultimate goal is to reduce the population. If people woke up to this knowledge and stopped popping the pills they would realize that we are all energy beings (just like Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein realized). We can all enjoy our true potential by using our inner wisdom to heal our bodies naturally. Dr Leonard Horowitz What Are The Ancient "Solfeggio" Frequencies? These original sound frequencies were apparently used in Ancient Gregorian Chants, such as the great hymn to St. John the Baptist, along with others that church authorities say were lost centuries ago. The chants and their special tones were believed to impart tremendous spiritual blessings when sung in harmony during religious masses. These powerful frequencies were rediscovered by Dr. Joseph Puleo as described in the book Healing Codes For the Biological Apocolypse By Dr. Leonard Horowitz. I give honor to both of these gentleman for the part they've played in helping return these lost frequencies back to humanity. As I pursued my passion for the study of DNA, I attended a workshop by Dr. Robert Girard from California on DNA Activation. His work focused on using certain sounds and frequencies to activate DNA and I started doing DNA Activation workshops. Through those workshops, an article was given to me that reported how biochemists are using the frequency 528Hz to repair human DNA. The article stated that it was a "C." When I read that I thought, "All I would need to do is go to a piano or other instrument and play a "C" and then, in the DNA workshops we would be able to repair DNA." Well, it wasn’t that simple, because I discovered that the regular "C" that we all know of in this culture (which is from the diatonic scale of do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do) was not the 528 Hz frequency "C", as described in the article. Instead, I discovered that a regular "C" vibrates to a frequency of only 512 Hz, and that the "C" of 528 Hz used in DNA repair had been a part of an ancient scale called the Solfeggio Scale. Moreover, the difference in the scales existed because of different tuning methods that were utilized in ancient times, vs. those in general use today. lightwithin.com/SomaEnergetics The Solfeggio Frequencies in Water Crystals The Six Solfeggio Frequencies include: UT - 396 Hz - Liberating Guilt and Fear RE - 417 Hz - Undoing Situations and Facilitating Change MI - 528 Hz - Transformation and Miracles (DNA Repair) FA - 639 Hz - Connecting/Relationships SOL - 741 Hz - Awakening Intuition LA - 852 Hz - Returning to Spiritual Order In the Solfeggio, "Ti" is missing and what we call "Doe" was known as "Ut". Here are the original pitch frequencies of these six notes: Another interesting tidbit that the authors included as a musical scale with words, from the work of John Keely; where Keely related the hues (not pigment colors) of light related to musical notes. On the "G-Clef" with "C" being the first line below the staff and continuing up the scale and up the staff: C = Red = Tonic D = Orange = Super Tonic E = Yellow = Mediant F = Green = Sub Dominant G = Blue = Dominant A = Indigo = Super Dominant, Sub Mediant B = Violet = Leading Tone, Sub Tonic C = Red = Octave Access any frequency between 1- 10.000 hz

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libertariantaoist · 7 years ago

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“The great masters of ancient times focused on the indiscernible and penetrated the dark you would never know them and because you wouldn’t know them I describe them with reluctance they were careful as if crossing a river in winter cautious as if worried about neighbors reserved like a guest ephemeral like melting ice simple like uncarved wood open like a valley and murky like a puddle but those who can be like a puddle become clear when they’re still and those who can be at rest become alive when they’re roused those who treasure this Way don’t try to be seen not trying to be seen they can hide and stay hidden”

-Lao-tzu- (Taoteching, verse 15, translation by Red Pine)

TS’AO TAO-CH’UNG says, “Although the ancient masters lived in the world, no one thought they were special.”

SU CH’E says, “Darkness is what penetrates everything but what cannot itself be perceived. To be careful means to act only after taking precautions. To be cautious means to refrain from acting because of doubt or suspicion. Melting ice reminds us how the myriad things arise from delusion and never stay still. Uncarved wood reminds us to put an end to human fabrication and return to our original nature. A valley reminds us how encompassing emptiness is. And a puddle reminds us that we are no different from anything else.”

HUANG YUAN-CHI says, “Lao-tzu expresses reluctance at describing those who succeed in cultivating the Tao because he knows the inner truth cannot be perceived, only the outward form. The essence of the Tao onsists in nothing other than taking care. If people took care to let each thought be detached and each action well considered, where else would they find the Tao? Hence, those who mastered the Tao in the past were so careful they waited until a river froze before crossing. They were so cautious, they waited until the wind died down before venturing forth at night. They were orderly and respectful, as if they were guests arriving from a distant land. They were relaxed and detached, as if material forms didn’t matter. They were as uncomplicated as uncarved wood and as hard to fathom as murky water. They stilled themselves to concentrate their spirit, and they roused themselves to strengthen their breath. In short, they guarded the center.”

WANG PI says, “All of these similes are meant to describe without actually denoting. By means of intuitive understanding the dark becomes bright. By means of tranquility, the murky becomes clear. By means of movement, the still becomes alive. This is the natural Way.”

WANG CHEN says, “All those who treasure the Way fit in without making a show and stay forever hidden. Hence, they don’t leave any tracks.”

And RED PINE adds, “It would seem that Lao-tzu is also describing himself here.”

—

We were talking, yesterday, about things not to do in order to uphold the Way of the Tao. Today, instead of focusing on the “don’t do” list, let’s review the “things to do” list.

Lao-tzu points out the great masters of ancient times for their example in following the Tao. They “focused on the indiscernible” and “penetrated the dark.” Yes, this dark, elusive Tao can be mastered.

Though he is reluctant to describe them, by describing them, maybe we can learn how to imitate them.

These are our things to do:

Be careful: Like you are crossing a river in winter. Here “careful” refers to how you relate to your natural environment.

Be cautious: Like you are worried about neighbors. Being “cautious” is different from being careful (see above). Here it relates to how you relate to the people around you.

Be reserved: Like a guest. Hey, this world you inhabit, don’t treat it like you own the place. Be like a guest.

Be ephemeral: Like melting ice. Well, melting ice is certainly a great metaphor for being ephemeral. Life is fleeting. Your own life is fleeting. Live in the moment. Adapt. Change. Go with the flow.

Be simple: Like uncarved wood. It certainly doesn’t get any simpler than that. That block of wood. What will you become? This is where you start. This is where you keep returning.

Be open: Like a valley. Lao-tzu, in an earlier verse, used a valley as a metaphor for the emptiness of the Tao. That is how open, how empty, we need to be. Be receptive.

Be murky: Murky? That seems odd. Why would I want to be murk?. Like a puddle. Well, if we carry the metaphor further, it makes a whole lot more sense. Embrace who you are in this moment. Be who you are. Is there a lot disturbing your life (your puddle) right now. Don’t worry about it. Just be murky. Don’t worry, if you are “ephemeral” and “open,” then you know things are going to change, anyway. And the next one shows how to make that happen.

Be still: Sure, you are murky right now. But be still, be at rest. That puddle will soon become clear. When you allow yourself to be still, to be at rest, you will be ready for the change that is coming. And, when roused, you will become alive.

Finally, treasure this Way: Don’t try to be seen, be content to stay hidden. Who knows, maybe hundreds of years from now, someone will come along and try to describe you.

#philosophical taoism #libertarian

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tripcom · 8 years ago

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Taohuayuan: the Peach Blossom Land（桃花源）

Taohuayuan (Peach Blossom Land), located at 23 kilometers from Changde City is synonymous with Eden and Utopia, described as by Tao Yuanming (365-427), a famous poet of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (316-420). In fact, this ever-beautiful town without has inspired numerous eminent writers and poets of successive dynasties. The Yuanjiang River flows through the scenic area, endowing the countryside with both elegance and beauty.

With a history of more than 1,600 years, the area now has become a famous tourist site. Taohuayuan is one of the China's four major Taoist sacred places featuring beautiful mountains, peach forests, fields, temples, as well as the mystique of many wonderful legends. It has nearly 100 spots and four great scenic areas, including the Taoxian Ridge, Taoyuan Mountain, Taohua Mountain and Qinren Village. Every year, the area witnesses the Taohuayuan Peach Blossom Watching Festival (from March 28 to April 28).

Taohuayuan represents a dimension of Chinese history and culture, with a high historical value and cultural artistic value. The top attractions here are:

The Center Of Taohuayuan

The Peach Hill and the Qin village are the center of the Taohuayuan Scenic Area. Here, you will find are than 70 tourists attractions, such as the Peach Hill Arch, Peach Forest, Qionglin Bridge and Jixian Temple. The beautiful scenic area has a dense growth of evergreen trees and peach blossom trees. Travelers will enjoy an authentic retreat away from the world.

The Extension Of Taohuayuan

Extending from the area is the extraordinary landscape where the grandeur of Mount Wuling, the quiet cave and valleys and the stunning Dongting Lake. Moreover, visitors can enjoy the fantastic landscape of Yuan River, the historical ruins of Cailing Castle and Xinde Mountain.

Admission Fee:

CNY 75 (March to October) CNY 65 (November to February)

Opening Hours:

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Transportation:

You can take bus at the Changde South Station to Taoyuan North Station (an hour, CNY 6.5) and then transfer the bus to Taohuayuan (half an hour, CNY 3).

Discover the Garden of Eden

Click to find the best deals for your next holidays

#china #asia #asian #traditional #village #travel #Taohuayuan #spring #blossom

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datoyau · 5 years ago

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Dato Yau | What You Do Not Know About Malaysia

Hello there. 'Selamat Datang ke Malaysia'. That means, 'Welcome to Malaysia' in our nationwide language Bahasa Malaysia. It would be difficult to tell you whatever concerning Malaysia in such a short period of time, but I will certainly offer you a general concept.

People

One of the important things you will certainly discover most remarkable concerning Malaysia is its individuals as well as society. Being a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural as well as multi-lingual society of 28 million is no easy task, as race remains to be a hotly discussed concern and permeates almost every facet of Malaysian life.

The Malaysian populace consists of 62% Bumiputeras, that includes Malays as well as the Indigenous individuals, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians, and the rest are various other minorities. Or as we claim in Malaysia, 'lain-lain' or others. Citizenship in East Malaysia or the states of Sabah and Sarawak are a little various from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for migration purposes. When West Malaysians visit East Malaysia, they are required to bring their MyKad, a biometric clever chip identity card, which have to be brought by citizens of Malaysia whatsoever times.

The Malays create the largest community, and they are defined as Muslims in the Constitution of Malaysia- simply put, if you are Malay, you are instantly Muslim. The Malays are the large bros of national politics, controling the political scene. Their native language is Malay, the nationwide language of the nation. They are also sometimes called 'bumiputra', or 'princes of the soil' and are favoured with specific affirmative action policies. This has been a point of unhappiness with a great deal of minorities. Among others, obtaining a 10% to 25% discount rate when getting a house and obtaining federal government tenders and also scholarships are some of these benefits. Just how did this happened? I'll inform you a lot more in the economic situation area.

Dato Yau

The 2nd biggest team are the Chinese. They are primarily Buddhists, Taoists or Christians. The Chinese neighborhood talks a selection of Chinese dialects including Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, as well as Teochew- all from the indigenous familial districts in China. However today, several Chinese speak English as their mother tongue; as a matter of fact there are some who talk only English. If the Malays dominate the political scene, the Chinese dominate business scene. There is a substantial middle course including the Chinese.

The third largest group are the Indians. The Indians in Malaysia are primarily Hindu Tamils from southern India whose indigenous language is Tamil. Certainly there are other Indian communities living below and also they talk many dialects like Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. Lots of middle to upper-middle class Indians in Malaysia also talk English as a first language. There is likewise an energetic 200,000-strong Indian Muslim area that grows as an independent social group. Actually, if you obtain starving in the center of the night, you most likely will head to a 'mamak', a sort of 24-hour restaurant that is frequently owned by an Indian Muslim. There is likewise a substantial Sikh community in Malaysia numbering over 100,000.

The biggest non-Malay indigenous people is the Iban of Sarawak, that number over 600,000. Some still live in standard jungle towns in lengthy houses along the Rajang and Lupar rivers, however lots of have moved to the cities. After that, there are the Bidayuhs, who number around 170,000 and also are concentrated in the south western part of Sarawak. Then there are the Kadazans, the biggest native people in Sabah and also they are mainly Christian farmers. Then there are the 140,000 Orang Asli, or aborigines, living in Peninsular Malaysia. Generally nomadic hunter-gatherers as well as farmers, many have actually been partially taken in into 'contemporary' Malaysia.

Besides that, through interracial marital relationship, there are a considerable variety of racial groups such as the Eurasians, who are descendants of marriages amongst the British, Dutch as well as Portuguese and the residents. They speak a Portuguese-based creole, called Papiá Kristang. There are also Eurasians of Filipino and Spanish descent, mainly in Sabah. Descended from immigrants from the Philippines, some talk Chavacano, the only Spanish-based creole language in Asia. After that there are Cambodians as well as Vietnamese, that are mainly Buddhists. Then there are Thai Malaysians, who occupy a large component of the north peninsular states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu. Besides speaking Thai, most of them are Buddhists, celebrate Songkran or Water event as well as can talk Hokkien, yet several of them are Muslim and talk the Kelantanese Malay dialect. Then there are the Bugis and also Javanese, that make up a part of the population in Johor. In addition, there have actually been several foreigners and expatriates that have made Malaysia their 2nd residence, also adding to Malaysia's population. After that there are the Babas as well as Nyonyas, or Straits Chinese; offspring of Chinese that came to sell old Malacca who married neighborhood Malays. They integrate Malay and Chinese traditions in such a method as to create a new culture. The majority of them dress in common Malay fashion, wearing the kebaya ketat, which is a Malay typical costume, as well as they speak an unique sort of Malay, as well as chef food that is a mix of the both cultures.

Being a multiracial nation, cultural exchanges as well as social integrations are inevitable. As an example, this can be seen in Malay wedding, which integrates components of the Hindu customs of southerly India. The new bride and also the bridegroom dress in beautiful brocades, sit in state, and feed each other yellow rice with hands painted with henna. One more instance is that the Muslims and also Hindus have actually adapted the Chinese personalized of giving little red packets of cash or 'ang pau' at events such as Aidilfitri, and also Deepavali. The colours of the packets differ, yet the practice is similar.

In Malaysia, it is totally feasible to go from a kampong or a town, to a rubber estate to a Chinese coffee bar as well as feel as if you've seen numerous different sides to one country. Travel to any type of Kuala Lumpur suburb and observe. A Chinese house will have a mother praying and also lighting joss sticks for her ancestors, an Indian family will be playing the radio including the current Tamil hit, while the Malay family members will be preparing yourself to stroll to the closest mosque.

Racial connections stay a thorny problem that permeates every aspect of the Malaysian life. Stereotypes are then unpreventable. The Malays are lazy and slow, the Chinese are hoggish and like to wager, and also the Indians are constantly drunk as well as they beat their wives. You can still hear this really frequently in the streets, most of the moment as a joke, however occasionally as a disrespect. To be identified with your race is extremely usual. For example, task meetings require you to specify your race, though this method is gradually diminishing. When you inform a Malaysian that you saw a roadway mishap, he would likely ask you if it was a Malay, a Chinese or an Indian. If you obtained robbed, you would certainly be asked if it was a Malay or an Indian. If you get paid peanuts, your employer is likely Chinese. If you ride a motorbike, you're more than likely Malay. If you reside in a premium neighbourhood, you're more than likely Chinese. I might take place, however I encourage you to figure out these stereotypes on your own!

Besides being a melting pot of various races, Malaysia is likewise a multi-religious society with Islam as the official faith. Approximately 63 percent of the populace method Islam; 18 percent Buddhism; 7 percent Christianity; 6 percent Hinduism; and also 2 percent typical Chinese faiths such as Taoism. The staying numbers are represented by various other confidences, including Animism, Folk religion, Sikhism, while 1 percent has no religion.

While the Malaysian constitution warranties religious liberty, Malay Muslims are obliged to adhere to the choices of Syariah courts when it involves issues worrying Islam. Converting out of Islam in Malaysia is a mostly problematic problem, and also while it has actually been attempted by some, it is a process that calls for lengthy lawful fights and also is not favored by the majority of the Muslim faithful. The Islamic judges in the Syariah courts are expected to follow the Shafi`I college of Islam, which is the primary religion of Islam in Malaysia. The power of the Shariah court is restricted just to Muslims over matters such as marital relationship, inheritance, apostasy, spiritual conversion, and safekeeping. Nothing else criminal or civil offenses are under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts. But there have been moves by the Frying pan Islamic Event to apply the hudud legislation, or Islamic regulation.

That was a great deal to digest. Yet it deserves understanding just how culture, race and religious beliefs operate in Malaysia in order to understand Malaysian life. Now head out and also see if you can acknowledge that's Malay, who's Chinese, who's Indian, and who's, as we Malaysians enjoy to claim, Lain-lain, or others.

Economy

Allow's take a glance at the Malaysian economic climate currently.

Flavor profession used to be industry in Malaysia while of the Malaccan Sultanate. When the British took over, rubber as well as palm oil trees became industry. Soon, Malaysia ended up being the world's largest manufacturer of tin, rubber, as well as palm oil. With these 3 lucrative commodities, Malaysia was positioned for fantastic financial development.

Throughout this development duration, the federal government attempted to eliminate poverty with the controversial New Economic Plan, or the NEP, after the May 13 Event of racial rioting in 1969. During that time, the economies were raced based- the Malays functioned as farmers in the paddy areas or civil servants, the Chinese owned and operated businesses as well as the Indians touched rubber trees in the rubber estates. The policy's primary purpose was the elimination of the association of race with economic function as it was during the time of the British. However, the New Economic Policy was stuffed with controversial affirmative plans that favoured the Malays, and also it provided discontent also up until today.

Back then, Malaysia was very reliant on farming. It required to transfer to an economy based on manufacturing. Influenced by the Asian Tigers in the 70s, which were South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, Malaysia moved from being reliant on mining and farming to an economic climate based upon manufacturing. Then, Malaysia continually attained more than 7% GDP development along with reduced rising cost of living in the 1980s and also the 1990s. Today, Malaysia is home to among the world's biggest computer hard disk manufacturing websites.

The Asian Financial Dilemma hit in the autumn of 1997 and supplied a shock to Malaysia's economic situation. International straight investment dropped greatly and also, as capital flowed out of the nation, the worth of the ringgit dropped from 2.50 Ringgit versus 1 United States Dollar to, at one factor, 4.80 Ringgit versus 1 US Dollar. A National Economic Action Council was then developed to deal with the monetary crisis. Bank Negara, the country's central bank enforced resources controls and also secured the Malaysian ringgit at 3.80 to the United States dollar. Malaysia rejected financial help packages from the International Monetary Fund as well as the World Financial institution, much to the shock of numerous analysts.

Renewal of the Malaysian economic situation accompanied massive federal government costs and budget deficits in the years that complied with the dilemma. It eventually enjoyed quicker economic healing contrasted to its neighbours. Malaysia's quick financial development and also success is signified by the building of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the tallest twin buildings on the planet and the head office of the national oil giant.

While the pace of Malaysia's development today is not as quick, it is seen as more lasting. Malaysia is also the globe's largest Islamic financial and also economic centre.

Eventually, the set currency exchange rate was deserted in July 2005 in favour of a managed drifting system within a hr of China introducing the exact same action. In that similar week, the ringgit enhanced one percent versus various significant currencies and was expected to appreciate further.

Presently Malaysia is recognized as a freshly industrialized nation and as of 2008, has a GDP per capita of 14,215 USD, rating the country 48th worldwide, and 2nd in Southeast Asia, however delaying much behind its Southern neighbor, Singapore.

Health care

Allow's take a quick look at medical care in Malaysia. Malaysia generally has a reliable and prevalent system of medical care. It implements a global medical care system, and co-exists with a personal health care system. Anyone can stroll into a government health center as well as get therapy completely free, though waiting time is usually much longer. Prescriptions might cost cash yet are often offered to the individual at a subsidized price. Infant mortality rate - a standard in figuring out the general performance of healthcare - in 2005 was 10, being available in favourably in a comparison with the United States as well as Western Europe. Life span at birth in 2005 was 74 years.

If you require clinical support in Malaysia, you're cost-free to stroll into any federal government or private healthcare facilities, yet as a traveler, you will not have the ability to enjoy the free healthcare.

Education

Prior to we enter some language lesson, I 'd like to inform you exactly how the Malaysian education system is arranged. Why do various youngsters go to different types of school? Now, you would certainly not be stunned if I tell you that the education system is very much based on race as well.

If you're in between 3 to 6 years old, you would certainly most likely most likely to a kindergarten. Generally they are run privately, but some are run by the government.

When you turn 7, you would certainly go on to key school for the following 6 years. There are two kinds of key institution you can most likely to. The initial is the SRK, or Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan, which are government run institutions. You would certainly be using the Malay language as the tool of direction.

Or, if your moms and dads are Chinese or Indian, they can choose to send you to the second kind of school called SJK, or Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan. Here, you will certainly be using either Mandarin or Tamil, relying on which school you most likely to. If you're a lady, you will certainly put on a dark blue pinafore, coupled with a white tee shirt, or the dark blue and also white baju kurung, or Malay typical outfit. If you're a kid, you will wear dark blue trousers or shorts and a white tee shirt. And also you'll gladly grind through 6 years, as well as by the end of year 6 or when you're 12 years of ages, you'll be taking a much-dreaded exam called the Key School Achievement Examination or Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, UPSR.

Then, you would certainly move onto Additional education and learning where you will research for the next 5 years. National high schools utilize Malay as the major tool of instruction. At the end of Kind 3 when you transform 15, you will sit for one more much-dreaded examination called Lower Additional Assessment or Penilaian Menengah Rendah, not so lovingly referred to as PMR. And also lastly, in the last year of second education and learning or Type Five when you turn 17, you sit for the actually dreaded Malaysian Certificate of Education or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, SPM. It is similar to the British Regular or 'O' Levels, and also more comprehensive that the American SATs.

You'll recognize there are a great deal of exams for Malaysians trainees to take. This is because we take after the British system of 'credentials by evaluation', a tradition of our colonial days.

While English and also Maths utilized to be educated in English for a short duration, the government has chosen to junk this measure as well as revert to Bahasa Malaysia, beginning in 2012, a step lots of have objected.

Below's one more stereotype. As a result of the rigid teaching techniques, Chinese schools are kept in mind for creating several of the leading pupils in the nation, making some Malay and Indian moms and dads send their children to these schools as well.

Oh, your education and learning journey is not over just yet. At 17, if you're fortunate adequate to be birthed Malay and bumiputra, you enter into a fast lane called enrollment as well as safeguard a safe seat at college. In line with affirmative activity policies that favour your race, you won't need to fret much if you'll get a location. If you're Chinese, Indian or Lain- Lain, you'll need to go with 2 years of top second education called Kind Six, divided into Reduced 6 as well as Upper Six, at the end of which you will be rewarded with the most dreadful of all exams- the Malaysian Greater School Certificate or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, or STPM. It is the Malaysian matching to the British Advanced or 'A' levels. However, if you have cash to melt, you can get your way out of STPM by enrolling on your own in a matriculation training course secretive colleges.

And lastly, the peak of education- the college. The variety of public universities in Malaysia is few, actually less than 20, so locations are extremely minimal. Locating a place in a public college is a yearly resource of disappointment, with many qualified pupils mosting likely to the media to whine they have actually been denied a place. If you're Malay or bumiputra, you can save your moms and dads' retired life fund as well as safeguard an almost guaranteed place in a public college, where education charges are very little. However, if you're Chinese or Indian and also you fall short to safeguard a location, your various other choice is private university education, where you will certainly need to ask your parents to delay their retired life by a couple of years.

I did inform you that race plays an important duty in the Malaysian culture.

Then, after 3 to 6 years of university, you finish with a degree and also can pick to proceed your blog post grad research studies.

Language

Alright, that's the end of our education and learning on education and learning. As well as currently, comes the sensible component. Below are some handy pointers for you to make your stay in Malaysia much better.

Interaction is very easy in Malaysia. Contrary to popular belief, most of us speak English, a minimum of some English. Bahasa Malaysia or Malaysia language is the official language. Right here are some helpful conversational Bahasa Malaysia phrases you can attempt. Allow's start!

Good morning! Selamat Pagi

Good evening! Selamat Petang

Just how are you? Apa Khabar?

I'm great, thanks! Khabar Baik, Terima Kasih

Thank you! Terima Kasih

You're welcome! Sama-sama

Good evening! Selamat Malam

See you later on! Jumpa Lagi!

Excellent bye! Selamat Jalan!

If you require to ask for some help or instructions, these are some helpful phrases:

I'm lost Saya Sesat

Can you help me? Boleh Tolong Saya?

Where is the commode? Mana Tandas?

Go right! After that turn left/ right! Jalan Terus/ Kemudian Pusing Kiri/ Kanan

I'm searching for my buddy. Saya Cari Kawan Saya.

Just how much is this? Berapa Harga Ni?

Excuse me!Maafkan Saya ...

If you're actually enthusiastic regarding trying much more Bahasa Malaysia, below are some advanced expressions.

Do you speak English? Awak Cakap Bahasa Inggeris ke?

Simply a little. Sedikit sahaja.

What's your name? Apa nama awak?

My name is ... Nama Saya ...

Where are you from? Awak Dari Mana?

I'm from ... Saya Dari ...

Where do you live? Awak Tinggal Di mana?

I live in ... Saya Tinggal Di

I have to go Saya Pergi Dulu.

I will certainly be right back! Saya Akan Pulang Nanti.

I Don't Understand! Saya Tak Faham!

I Don't Know! Saya Tak Tau!

Since you understand some easy phrases, obtain breaking as well as converse with some locals, as well as get them to show you a lot more! There's no better means to make buddies than by taking some effort in learning their language. Malaysians will like you for it!

Visitor Tips

Right here are some ideas for you. If you're being presented to a Malay Muslim for the very first time, expand both your hands, understanding theirs as well as bring your own back to your breast. This is the typical Malay 'salam.' To maintain it simple, grinning and also responding is fine if you do not know whether to drink hands or otherwise. With Muslim ladies, in general, if a hand is not provided, it's best not to drink hands!

If you ever obtain shed or require any kind of aid, seek the vacationer law enforcement officer. They can be identified by their chequered hat bands, dark blue tee shirts and trousers, and the letter "I" for details on a red and blue badge on their breast pocket. They usually stand around vacationer locations. However, if you're trying to find normal policemen, the number to call is 999 from your phone. Emergency employs Malaysia are free.

Malaysia has approximately 20 public vacations in a year, so plan your journey sensibly and check with the Tourism Malaysia site. Also influencing traveling are institution holidays, as households take day of rests with their youngsters, so particular parts of the country, like traveler websites as well as coastlines could get crowded.

As you'll be doing a great deal of strolling, you can always buy mineral water containers for alcohol consumption, and also it's typically not safe to consume right out of the faucet. The electric supply is on a 240-volt 50-cycle system, comparable to Britain.

Must you wish to catch up on local information and occasions, the English language documents that are offered are The New Straits Times, The Celebrity, Company Times, Malay Mail, Daily Express, Sabah Daily News and Sarawak Tribune. If you want global newspapers, you can most absolutely discover them at any kind of significant bookstores and newsstands. For events, attempt Time Out as well as Klue magazines.

Both significant environment changes centre on the downpour period, however besides that, the weather rarely alters. It is either warm with rain, or warm without rain. The temperature level varies in between 21 C as well as 32 C, but with high humidity. Rain tends to occur in between November and also February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sarawak, as well as the north-eastern part of Sabah.

As a result of the climate, light clothes is perfect. It is a good idea for women, when entering mosques and holy places, to put on long sleeves as well as loose trousers or long skirts. Or you can lug a stole- it's a lighter option.

If you require to adjust your watches prior to getting here, Malaysia is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Remove footwear when entering homes as well as places of worship. Malaysians do not use footwear around the house.

While sitting down or relaxing in a team, do not route your feet in the direction of a person, or any kind of spiritual statuaries.

Public display of affection in larger cities like Kuala Lumpur is generally tolerated but could welcome unneeded focus from the public. Show and tell of love in extra rural areas are frowned wupon and should be prevented. Likewise, same-sex partnership is taboo in Malaysia, so gay as well as lesbian travellers need to prevent outward signs of affection, and this consists of holding hands in public. Due to solid influence from Islam, homosexuality is technically prohibited, although there are many underground gay and also lesbian clubs.

End

This is completion of sequel of About Malaysia. I hope you have actually taken pleasure in finding out more about the people of Malaysia, and also its economic situation, healthcare and education systems, as well as the short language course as well as basic vacationer suggestions.

Since you've obtained a suggestion of the country, it's time to go out and discover! Do make certain you take your time to take in the significance of the nation, its people as well as most significantly, its food! Have a blast in Malaysia.

#Dato Yau

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