Himalayan Experince with Prem?
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(This is a sticky post, please find current news items below) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste,
As most of you may know, I am planning a trip to Nepal in 2010. Many have showed interest. I am very excited to show you the world that I have lived in. As time unfolds you will know more about the trip and so forth regarding what you should do or to be prepare but for now I am just keeping you updated, that this trip will very much going to happen. In fact, there will be two categories, I am assuming based on the physical ability and personal taste if we do get a bigger group. 1. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan Jungle Safari & Hike to 10,000 ft. Adventure (Medium Trekking) 2. Easy Hiking around Kathmandu, Pokhara & Chitwan Jungle Safari. Number of days however will be shorter in Easy one vs. the Adventure one. Therefore, please be advised to categorize and plan yourself, in which group you would like to be. Either one will have its own quality and excitements. Even though your choice becomes easy Hiking & around the City, you will still be able to see the mountains, may not be as close as Adventure one but still mountains can be visible from near by hill stations. Sometime even though one would trek to the mountains, if weather doesn't cooperate, one may not be able to see a thing, such natural events are out of our reach therefore cannot be guaranteed. However, what I can guarantee is that "you will not forget this trip for rest of your life and you will still be talking about it in years to come." I will give you my word.
This kind of trips are done once in a life time, therefore should not be taken lightly. As I would suggest to anyone, it is not like going to Cancun for sure. This trip is to see the world, where time seems to be stopped a long ago and yet trying to merge into this modern time. This sort of trips are spiritually awakening, mentally fulfilling and physically demanding. Be prepare to see the another planet. Don't expect anything. Keep your mind open and I will show you my world. Why is this trip any different than any other trip, one may ask. Well, such questions are unlimited yet the only answer I can think of is because you are going with Prem. How many times can you say that? Ha ha.
I was born and I lived in the country of Nepal and yet it is never enough for me to go back over and over again. May be it is my own country or some but the things you will see and experience will somehow change your perspective in life and the way you will live in the western world. All positive of course. I don't want to give you entire scoop on your trip but what I wanted to say is, keep your desire active to see the historical city of Kathmandu to the youngest mountain chain in the world.
Namaste
Prem
On the job keep it cool.
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Friday, 22 August 08 - 01:14 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
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Namaste, I saw this on e Himalayan news, so I thought you may like to read it as well.
Be well
Prem
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His Holiness' teachings more than needed.
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Wednesday, 23 July 08 - 02:55 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
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Namaste Friends,
As I have mentioned in my previous post that how thrilled I was when I knew I was going to go to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Well, now I feel blessed and feel wonderful to be his students once again after more than 10 years.
First I saw him during my Kalachakra initiation back in late 90s in North East India, where I witnessed more than 100,000 participants were congrigated to receive 13 days Kalachakra teaching from His Holiness. Well, this time around a little different. There were not as many people as in India but quite the number. And of course it isn't Kalachakra either so the number would differ for sure. I however noticed that this might have been the first time ever I have seen that many Nepalis and Tibetants gathered in one place called Calcium Center in Madison.
As we got there we saw some protesters outside to divert the feeling against Dalai Lama. What we heard from many people at that gathering is that these protesters are there because they are being paid by various Chinese related firms and etc to divert the Free Tibet issue. Many were dressed like monks but they don't even look like monks rather I just wore a monk dress and got in the crowd to shout. First I felt, oh wow, its the Free Tibet protest but it wasn't the Free Tibet one rather against His Holiness. I was wearing my Free Tibet shirt to show my solidarity for Tibetan Freedom
Anyway, we got inside the center. Nothing was allowed because of the security reason. No camera so, no pictures. We got in and we sat on our chair. His Holiness was already inside in his special throne with back drop of huge Buddha tapestry and on his both sides, two groups of monks were sitting along with the translater. As we were entering the center, we were handed a bag with books. There were two books and we went through the points. As His Holiness put it "If he goes through the entirely, he may get tired because his English is poor and if he reads it entirely, the students may fall asleep so going through the points keep teachings interesting as well he would not have that hard time reading the book" He said, it's a mutual benefit. Such a sense of humor.
Teachings were on "A guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, by Santideva" and Stages of Meditation, by His Holiness" I could write the teachings here but it would be too long.
To tell you the truth, to be able to see him only gives us so much pleasure and feel blessed and on top getting the teaching from him is way beyond my imagination.
I strongly recommend anyone to see him. He is not only just a monk but extraordinary monk. He is the King of Tibet. Not like ordinary political King but a God King.
Through this writing, I send you all the blessings from His Holiness.
Om Mani Padme Hum
July month for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
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Tuesday, 15 July 08 - 11:56 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
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Namaste Friends,
Today I felt like writing again. Well, as my title states it, that July became the month for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Well it started with the idea of Parading for Tibet. Then Mary our next door neighbor who has a great juice bar by the way, helped me in creating a sign or banner for the parade. That is how our July became the month of Tibet or His Holiness. Well, when I said Tibet or His Holiness's, it simply goes to the same direction.
Next thing was this July 4th Egg Harbor, WI had a big parade including most of the businesses from Egg Harbor as well as surrounding towns. So, Mary and I participated with Greens N Grains the natural food store, which also right next to us. Because it was a green grocery, the land lady, who is the owner came up with the bright idea of putting one of her friend's Smart Car as the theme for being green. It worked out perfect. To be honest it was the most talked about vehicle. So, she had all the bumper stickers saying "who's your farmer". Then I requested to put the banner for Tibet on the back of the car and it worked out great. We paraded for Tibet. It felt so good. As we were parading, I was thinking, what does it mean to the bystanders who never seen such Save Tibet parade in 4th of July. But all I had my mind was, let the public understand themselves because it if 4th of July, which marks the free and independent country of United States. Now, seeing Tibet banner, such empathy should come in general public mind. What an irony, here I am parading marking the Independence of America and other hand I wanted to deliver this message, what if Tibetans would be parading marking their Independence? How wonderful that would be? Or any nation for that matter. But no, such privileges are not granted to all.
I found very few people cheering up but I didn't expect all the people to cheer because it was not a Free Tibet March. It was a message march along with other paraders. Well, I felt so good that I am bringing this idea on the mind of public that, hey there are people here in Door County, who admires and loves Tibet. So for those who were familiar with Tibet, may have been thrilled to see Tibetan Flag flying high in the crowd.
I would have.
Then, 6th of July was the birthday bash for His Holiness. We celebrated with prayer scarfs, Nepali tarkari, chips and salsa with the movie called 10 Questions to Dalai Lama and Cry of the Snow Lion. Such powerful documentaries has to be seen and watched because what you hear may or may not be true but what you see has very small error to take place. We offered prayer scarves for every one who came to celebrate the Birthday with us. Thank you all for coming and for those who missed, we will have His Holiness' birthday every year and with different functions.
Then, to add to my surprise, my wife bought us a ticket to see the Holiness this July 20th in Madison, where he will be teaching for 4 days and we are going to the 1st of teachings by His Holiness. Cannot wait to bring you guys the news from Madison.
I am sure I will talk more on our visit to the His Holiness' teaching.
Until later
Namaste
July 4th Weekend @ Himalayan Xpressions
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Wednesday, 02 July 08 - 04:37 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalayan Shop News |
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This July 4th weekend Himalayan Xpressions @ Egg Harbor will be organizing various functions to mark Dalai Lama's 73rd Birthday.
Thursday night Drumming will take place at Get Away Car Juice Bar right next to Himalayan Xpressions.
Friday Himalayan Xpressions LLC will participate in Egg Harbor, Parade for Tibet displaying banner "SAVE TIBET".
On Saturday the 5th a video named "TIBET Cry of the Snow Lion" 
On Sunday the 6th, Himalayan Xpressions will be celebrating 73rd birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama all day @ Himalayan Sacred Space with the movie
10 Questions for the Dalai Lama.
Please visit and celebrate Dalai Lama's Birthday with us at least on Sunday.
Swasthya Yoga Expands to Himalayan Sacred Space!
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Thursday, 12 June 08 - 11:01 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
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Namaste, OM Namo Shivay Namah. OM I pay homage to Shiva.
Dear readers, I feel pleasure writing this little note to let you know that through the help of spiritual Yoga practitioners, who have been practicing Swasthya Yoga with me over couple of years now, we were able to bless the Himalayan Sacred Space on top floor of Himalayan Xpressions today the June 12th of 2008.
Present moment such a wonderful moment as Venerable monk Tich Nath Hans would say. Feels great to practice mindfulness in present moment with gentle yet very effective yogic moves.
Please feel free to comment or spread the word around. The space is very small yet beautiful with full of Tibetan Artworks around to feel the energy. As it is on the top floor, we can feel the breeze going. We have not yet set the regular day & date yet for future sessions however, it is once a week program.
OM Shanti OM (Peace all around)
Prem
Learning from Each other.
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Thursday, 05 June 08 - 11:18 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
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M y parents are divorced,” a frequently heard phrase in the West, is becoming more relevant to Nepal too. The rate of divorce in Kathmandu has increased in the last few years. In some cases, divorce maybe a beneficial solution for both partners.
International Campaign for Tibet
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Monday, 02 June 08 - 12:28 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
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Dear Friend, As a supporter of Tibet and ICT, I’m sure you have been following the recent events in Tibet and the media’s ongoing coverage of the Tibetan struggle. We’re facing a truly defining moment in Tibet’s history, which is why I write today. In the wake of the Chinese government’s brutal crackdown on protesters inside of Tibet and with the approaching 2008 Beijing Olympics, Tibetans throughout the world are in desperate need of your help to get the message out about human rights abuses inside of Tibet. |
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Now is the time to be as active as possible in your support of Tibet and the Tibetan people. We must take this vital opportunity not only to reach out to those who have always defended human rights in Tibet, but also to reconcile with our brothers and sisters inside of China, who are blinded by their government’s pursuit to undermine the integrity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. |
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I have been the Chair of ICT’s Board of Directors for many years because I believe it is one of the most effective organizations at comprehensively addressing the Tibet issue. With the recent events affecting Tibetans around the globe, ICT has been at the forefront of the struggle, providing research, advocacy and political action to bring about a negotiated solution.
As an ICT supporter myself, I urge you to make the most generous contribution you can to ICT today so we can continue to build on our momentum.
Please also visit savetibet.org to read the latest updates from Tibet, register for email alerts and take action during this critical juncture for Tibet.
As you know, this issue is very close to my heart, and I am grateful to each and every one of you for your honesty, your compassion and your support.
The critical moment for Tibet is now, and with your help we can shape Tibet’s future. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Richard Gere
ICT Board Chair
Kingdom of Nepal turned into Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal!
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Thursday, 29 May 08 - 01:18 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
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Namaste to all,
As of March 28th of 2008 Nepal turned into Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal from Kingdom of Nepal. The rule of Shaha Dynasty, which lasted for 240 years just ended today. Can we as a normal human being believe the rule of 240 years, just vanished? I still think it is very unbelievable because of the fact that for 240 years we always had monarchy and as Nepal was Hindu Country until 2007. King is always considered as a reincarnation of Vishnu a powerful Hindu God. Now that is gone out of the window.
However there is much fear as well as Happiness going hand in hand because older folks, who always lived under the rule of Monarchy, never thought this could happen and as one may predict out of this whole thing there are some group begin to emerge to restore the power of the King as a Hindu God. World Hindu Federation considers the King as a powerful reincarnation and takes highly on King's welfare. There were reports, which stated that there are groups who wants to bring the Hindu state back. And there are other royal supporters, who also are trying to destabilize Nepal's peaceful progress.
Having said that, this last King Gyanendra, who became King in a very dramatic way, was not accepted by many Nepali people because of his direct rule in 2005 and his way of handling the democratic country Nepal like a dictatorship. Therefore, after that many demonstration took place and finally, even myself got tangled in Demonstration many times. Anyone who has lived in Nepal between 1990s till now are somehow affected by this political turmoil.
When I was growing up in the mountain, there were groups who distributed pamphlets in the night, write graffiti for democracy because then it was complete monarchy so I was little then and I would still hear the night parades in the villages shouting for the change. As I was went to my high school, all the students were seems like for the change. I too got involved. I vaguely remember what I had to do but this was before 1990s big demonstration which brought democracy in Nepal. I graduated my high school and went to the city of Kathmandu for my further studies around late 80s. I was right into demonstrations. Everyday there was something going on protests and curfews. As many young students, I became a protester. Sometime, my friends would tell we have to go somewhere and do something and things like that. It was not violent or anything, very peaceful protest but as the group got bigger, the protest turned into mob like behavior, destruction everywhere. I soon, said, I cannot do this anymore because for me there were other things, which were important like work and feed myself. Then around 90s, my family followed me to the city and they settled as well. So, I lived with my parents like all Nepali young adults have to.
One day few of my friends and I got caught in curfew. Mass demonstration was taking place in downtown area. Tear Gas, bricks, vandalism didn't matter to no one. That day in that demonstration, 4 people got killed according to the radio but I doubt it, could be a lot more. Me and my friends wanted to get back home but no way to get back. There were no phones, no routs were allowed. My family told me, they thought we were all dead because they heard on the news but couldn't tell because it was nameless. We had to spend a night in a place, where there was no bed, and mattress felt like coffee bean sack. We passed the night with fear because we knew it was curfew so no one can get out but we heard that one shop was forcefully opened by these night cops, who were walking with guns and drinking beers. But nothing happened.
Night passed but the situation was still tensed in the city.
WE got home. The happiness was boundless. Now that was a little story. After since Nepal had many demonstrations and finally in 1990 democracy got introduced to Nepal. It was constitutional monarchy. So, there was a King, who was head of the state and Prime minister and his ministers. All Nepali were happy just like today most likely. But within few years, Nepali politicians began to fight for the power and they lost the grip on the new democracy. So, in 1995 or 6, the so called Maoist rebel came out of nowhere making its presence in Nepali political struggle. Soon, this underground, became bigger and bigger. They targeted corrupted officials to politicians making house hold name for themselves. By 2000 AD they became bigger than anyone could have imagined. Now they were like the time I remembered when I was a little boy doing all kinds of activities but in night time. So, next day you would find a pamphlet on your door and stuffs. Many people died since they came on to the Nepali scene.
In 2001, there was a biggest news in Nepal's history that entire royal family were massacred except present king and his family. For some reason he was not there even though as I have heard that it was a monthly all royal family members' gathering. After that incident, then considered culprit Crown Prince Dependra (who according to the news fired and killed all of his family) became King in coma for three days. After that, Gyanendra, until now King took the authority to become a king of Nepal. Since then there were many ups and downs. Then he completely took over the country by taking absolute power in 2002. After 2002's bloodless coup then King Gyanendra changed his cabinet and got rid of all the politically elected people from power and house arrested many of them. After that, all the parties got together and formed a unity called Seven Party Alliance (SPA), began to demonstrate daily against King's move. They vowed to take revenge on King and getting rid of King all together. In this decision, Maoist came into the scene and then no turning back. In 2006 both SPA and Maoists together, they got rid of the King's rule and took over the country once again. After that, King's commander in chief position was taken away. His Majesty's Government of Nepal has been converted to Nepal Government. King's national anthem has been changed. King's pictures were all removed from Government buildings. The currency were all changed to Nepal Government and instead of his picture there were different national significance were printed.
And yesterday the May 28th will be remembered in Nepal forever. I am stunned with mix emotions. How things are so impermanence and nothing can be taken for granted. Hopefully, history will not repeat but it has been said, how history repeats itself. If Nepali politicians would stick to their morals then I think we are headed to 21st century democratic age but if not it will go back to feudalism and dictatorship again. The most suffering are only the people of Nepal.
Prem
These bottom links have more story on Nepal.
http://www.phalano.com/?p=709#more-709
http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=148495
http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=148496
Oil Price will continuesly rise.
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Monday, 26 May 08 - 03:58 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in General |
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Oil prices likely to touch $200 a barrel
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The Guardian
London |
The oil price soared to a new record for the third day in a row on Friday, reaching $135 a barrel, more than double the price a year ago.
Repeated calls from the US for oil-producing countries to raise output to calm the market have fallen on deaf ears as producers blame speculators and the weakness of the dollar for high prices, rather than supply constraints. Abdullah al-Badri, OPEC secretary general, said the cartel saw no problems with the fundamentals of oil supply and demand. “Even if we increase output tomorrow, the prices will not come down.” Libya’s leading oil official, Shokri Ghanem said, “It is out of our hands. $200 a barrel is not logical but even $135 is not logical, so yes oil could reach $200 a barrel. Why not?” Though the price slipped back from the new record in later trading as the dollar strengthened, analysts believe it will push higher.
The latest surge in prices has been driven by fears about supplies after the US Energy Information Administration said crude oil stockpiles had fallen last week, contrary to market expectations. In the UK, energy minister Malcolm Wicks, said the British government was talking to oil-producing nations to help curb rising prices.
“Talking to the energy producers is the key thing,” he said.
The article is excerpted from Himalayan Times. Prem
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