Change is imparmance.
|
 |
Friday, 23 October 09 - 12:19 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
| ||
Namaste all,
After a long time I am once again at your service. Today, it is raining outside so my shop, which I run in Door County is virtually standing still so am I. During this calm and joyous moment, I began to scribble on this blog. Thank you for visiting.
Yesterday, I was presenting a Class on Basic Buddhism for Door County Learning in Retirement at North East Wisconsin Technical Collage. I felt it was beautiful. I am humbled by the interest in Buddhism. Not because it is Buddhism and I grew up with it rather it is because it is a philosophy that everyone can relate to in this time & hour of the world. It was fantastic. Truly enjoyed the presentation. Next week we have a presentation on basics of Yoga (Theory). Why Yoga? Why Not?
As how Siddhartha Gautama had realized the all things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. Therefore, we must recognize change is inevitable and it is impermanence. We rise therefore, we fall. We breath in so must breath out.
I am looking outside behind my back door of the shop. A while ago, the tree was green and now it is displaying its best colors. I am so fortunate enough to appreciate this. I am not only enjoying the color but also the nature of change itself. This is how I think we should look at when we appreciate anything. Appreciate the change in time. I have heard many times that some only like the sun shine but not the rain. I only like fall colors but don’t care for that trees, which will lose all of its leave within weeks. Oh! This is a good one. Roses are the best among all flowers. How could that be? All flora & fauna are equally important in our lives. For me all flowers are equally beautiful in their own ways. So, if we want to fully live on this planet like a mindful being, we must be able to see how everything is related to everything, just like Siddhartha acknowledged.
We are all going through tough times but we must understand this, it is all relative and temporary because change is bound to occur. We should able to move with the course of time in any condition with appreciation and joyfulness. The reason I say this is because I also am beginning to realize what Siddhartha was talking about. We are a guest on this planet. We must treat this earth like our own mother. Why? Because a Mother and Earth seems to have similar traits. Earth gives us shelter, food, water and give us a reason to live and on top unconditional love. So as our mother, who will feed us before she feeds herself. Protected us from all the dangers as we are growing up. Most of all unconditional love. So when we treat this earth, we must treat it to like our own mother. It is our only mother. Appreciate nature like quality in our mothers. So, when one of us look at the beautiful colorful tree, lets try to appreciate the whole being of that tree, just like ourselves.
Many say, “Prem you are too deep, I am not ready to be that deep”. I chuckle because it is not the matter of depth that fears people but the change behind the idea of depth. For instance, one is happy in gaining but unhappy in losing. Happy in rising in fame & wealth, unhappy in defame and poverty. If we truly understand the course of nature, which is change, we will appreciate everything comes our way and we embrace it and it is beautiful every way and when we don’t understand then it becomes hard for all. Therefore, understanding depth can only help to understand the surface. Like without understanding death, which is for certain, we are not even close to understanding fragment of our own life.
Be Mindful , live mindfully.
& embrace the change.
Lama
Tour & Trekking
|
|
|
Tuesday, 22 September 09 - 03:33 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
| ||
Hello, I just wanted to update that several forms have been mailed to those who have provided me the address otherwise, there are links that I can send & can be downloaded to those who still wish to travel to Nepal with me in 2010.
Time is near now so if you fall in a cultural tour group, your deadline is approaching. And for Trekkers as well, if you feel you are ready, you can do the same. Please fill out the forms and send it back to me. Also, if you have any questions regarding those forms. Please let me know.
Thank you and I assure you this journey to the Himalayas will be awesome.
Prem
Sneak Peek of the Logo for Footsteps Nepal
|
|
|
Friday, 11 September 09 - 12:37 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
| ||
Namaste all of you. How are you all doing? Summer is almost over but the weather is beautiful these days so enjoy while it lasts. Yes, I am almost done organizing Nepal trip and finalizing everything & at the very end. Above logo we have designed for the Nepal Venture. Trust Bank Account has been established for "Footsteps Nepal LLC". So, that one will have options on what payment method to use. (For example: Credit Card via Google Check out or traditional Checks). Easiest one is to simply write a check (Payable to Footsteps Nepal LLC). The most convenient one is to use Google Check out for Credit Cards, which also will be mailed via email invoice (Works like phone order or mail order or buying on the internet). So, these are the options. I will be sending these information to those only who has provided me mailing addresses because I physically have to send it to the house address. So, if you are still willing to be in the trip. Please send me the mailing address and will mail out the info ASAP.
Rest is going well. My little sister Dawa is here in the states to go to University of Wisconsin Green Bay. That is the best news I have so far other than Footsteps Nepal LLC. Let me know what you guys think.
Prem Lama
Keep smiling folks because time for all of us to be other side of the planet is getting nearer and nearer.
New Name for Nepal Travel
|
|
|
Thursday, 27 August 09 - 03:19 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
| ||
Namaste all,
I apologize for not being able to update with you guys regarding our trip. The wheel is still in motion, that means we are moving forward. Due to legal reasons I had to register the company as LLC therefore, after long thinking and thinking, we came up with the name "Footsteps Nepal, LLC", which would suit very well in the line of what I thought would be best for our type of (mindfulness) travel and other charity related work that we currently do to help out in education sector in remote ares of Nepal.
Footsteps Nepal, LLC will currently function as limited itinerary organized travels, tours & trekking in Nepal but in the future, we are sure to bring more options into our travel, such as customized travel, beyond Nepal boarders travel & tours or Hindu, Buddhist pilgrimage tour with meditation, yoga and more, which I am thinking will unfold as we mature in the future.
For now, we do not have separate website dedicated for this purpose but in the future, we will have separate website with greater functionality to use the web.
Please be reminded we are almost getting done with our work, as soon as we finalize, I will send out the information and forms to be filled up so that we can begin to book flights, hotels, transportation and other related works.
Thank you for being patience. You have been great.
Namaste
Prem
Footsteps Nepal LLC
New Travel Business Title
|
|
|
Friday, 21 August 09 - 03:33 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
| ||
Namaste all,
How are you? Keeping yourself safe, responsible and mindful I hope. I am doing wonderful, summer is gone and new season is starting to come up softly. We must embrace it, accept it and enjoy the season as it unfolds. Once we learn to accept it, it is simply like breathing in and out. Truly enjoyable.
Anyway, I have an announcement here. The reason I couldn't contact you guys is because I am going through new entity because it is travel related rather than retail setup business. Therefore, it is taking somewhat longer than I anticipated. Nevertheless, wheel is in motion. It can only move forward.
Please have patience, I will be sending for those who have provided me the address, will receive some forms and information to be filled up and payment instructions for both Nepal Cultural Trip and Trekking.
Oh, we are going, For Sure. Patience is a Virtue, I believe.
Advice on Friends by Erick Sherab Zangpo.
|
|
|
Saturday, 25 July 09 - 10:45 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
| ||
Advice on Friends
by Dza Patrul Rinpoche
A Good Friend Induces Good Habits
If you rely on a friend with knowledge, your intellect will increase.
If you rely on a friend with compassion, you will give birth to bodhichitta (Compassionate heart).
If you rely on a friend with contentment, your desires will decrease.
If you rely on a friend with generosity, you will give rise to a giving mind.
If you rely on a friend with a peaceful and restrained temperament, your mind-stream will become good.
From a friend with disillusionment with the world, you will become weary of samsara (cycle of birth & rebirth).
From a friend with renunciation, you will give rise to the wish for liberation.
From relying on a friend who cares more about the next life, you will remember to practice the Dharma (Teachings of Buddha).
Relying on a friend with few desires, you will give rise to contentment.
From a friend with diligence, your fortitude will become great.
If you associate with a sacred friend, your good qualities will be drawn out.
Relying on a friend with the wish for liberation, you will work for permanent happiness.
From a friend with a virtuous mind, you will give rise to a wholesome attitude.
From a friend with pure perception, you will generate faith.
If you associate with a friend endowed with wisdom, you will accomplish your ultimate aspirations.
These are the habits that come from good company.
The meaning, therefore, is to rely on virtuous friends!
A Bad Friend Induces Bad Habits
If you rely on friend with mental darkness, your wisdom will decrease.
Relying on a friend with anger, your mind-stream will become bad.
Following a friend with lust, you will be nostalgiac for youth.
If you follow a friend with avarice, stinginess will be born.
If you follow a friend with pride, you will remember your haughty position.
Following a friend without renunciation, you will be attached to this life.
Following a friend who seeks after the appearances of this life, you will forget about the next life.
From following a base friend, you will be attentive to commerce.
Following a friend concerned with profit, you will have a business-mind.
Following a friend with craving for wealth, you will be focused on collecting and hoarding.
Following a friend with laziness, you will become indolent.
Following a friend with distractedness, you will be carried away with this life.
Associating with a friend suffused with negativity, you will generate destructive thoughts.
Associating with a friend with no faith, you will be fixated on non-virtue.
These are the habits that come from bad company.
The meaning, therefore, is to abandon evil friends!
And so, at the request of Lama Rigdzin Gyamtso, this was done by Patrul. Virtue!
Translated by Erick Sherab Zangpo.
(Erick Sherab Zangpo is a student & practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism based in Dharamshala, India.)
Visa & Money for Nepal Trippers.
|
|
|
Friday, 24 July 09 - 10:39 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
| ||
Foreign Currency and Credit Cards
Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM is widely in use in Kathmandu.
Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan International Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency.
Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.
- Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
-
Tourist Visa
Multi Entry Visa, Duration: 30 Days, Fee: US$ 40.00
(Note) Tourist visa can be obtained @ Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu however one must fill out the application at the airport and has to have the Visa Fee (in dollar) ready and a passport size photo ready and your visa will be granted instantly. Or one can fill up the following document and send it to Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC. Please follow the below links.
http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/index.php
http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/admin/resources/visa_application_form.pdf
-
For Visa Extension
Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of 2 US $ per day. However, a minimum amount of 30 US$ has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less.
Photo :
For obtaining visa & other things have at least 4 passport size photo taken no older than 6 months.
Transit Visa:
Transit visa is provided for 1 day for 5 US$ or Equivalent convertible currency. Return ticket is necessary.
- For Further inquiry & Information you may contact but not necessity.
Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmandu,
Tel: 00977-1-4221996/ 4223590/ 4222453,
Web: www.immi.gov.np
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
|
|
|
Monday, 06 July 09 - 12:41 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
| ||
Dedicated to His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama on his 74th Birthday.
Oh Rimpochhe (reincarnated one), Tashi Delek (Greetings in Tibetan), we wish you well & wish you all the best on your effort to restore Tibet back into place.
Oh Guru of Gurus, you have led millions of Tibetan well and you have been good at keeping peace in others.
Oh the Ocean of Wisdom, your path is liberating to all and you have created this path to walk through for many.
Oh King of Tibet, We love you and admire you for who you are and what you have been doing for the cause of humanity.
Oh His Holiness, your idea of practicing compassion have not only opened your own people's eyes but million others.
Oh soft & gentle one, we wish your dream come true and may Buddha give you courage to be patience & even more kindhearted.
Oh great philosopher, your philosophy may spread in the world even in the remotest part of the world and in everyone‘s heart.
Oh spiritual leader, your spirituality may shine forever on this earth like a butter lamp in the dark night.
Oh enlightened one , I agree on your statement that “love and compassion are basic necessities, not luxuries without them humanity will not survive”.
Oh the great compassion one, your ever lasting smile have inspired many and yet to come in the future.
Oh a simple monk, on this very auspicious occasion of your 74th birthday we wish you a very happy birthday.
Oh Tenzing Gyatso La (original name), please accept our prayer Om Mani Padme Hum as a gift on your birthday.
Prem & Kim Lama
Himalayan Xpressions LLC®
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Original date of poem written on July 6th of 2006 by Prem Lama © Picture taken at Himalayan Xpressions. Egg Harbor, WI Edited on July 6th 07, 08, 09.
Swasthya Yoga @ Himalayan Xpressions !
|
|
|
Tuesday, 16 June 09 - 03:21 PM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Yoga & Dharma |
| ||
Namaste
Swasthya Yoga a Healthy Practice
'Swasthya' the word is derived from Sanskrit, a root language of Hinduism & Buddhism, meaning well-being. Swasthya Yoga is very low impact stretches with awareness movement & heavy focused on our internal breath incorporated with visualization and mindfulness. Swasthya Yoga is based on Patanjali's basic fundamental Yogic Rules, which comprise Devotion, Asanas (Postures) & Meditation. However over the period of time, I have combined Buddhist Meditation known as Vipashyana within the framework of Yoga . Therefore it is unique in a sense that it provides both Hindu/Buddhist feel in the Yoga itself along with small practice of REIKI at the end.
The language we use: Mindfulness, Love, Compassion, Greater Awareness of the Mind, Body & Speech (Triple Gem).
Pranayama, which basically means extending the life force. It entails more than the mere regulation of the body's oxygen intake. In Swasthya Yoga, we practice breath awareness. By regulating (harmonizing and slowing down) the breath and thus the life force manifesting in the body, the yogi simultaneously balances and decelerates the mind. It is the backbone of the practice.
Namaste: Respect & Honor to the Divinity within You.
Date: Every Wednesday beginning June 17th 09 – to TBA @ Above Himalayan Shop in Egg Harbor.
Time: 8:15 am to 9:15 am. Admission: Anyone, until the spots fill. Based on Donation.
Bring your own mats. Contact: lamaprem@gmail.com or call 920 819 4382
OM Shanti: Infinite Peace.
A beautiful Nepali video & Nepal visit updates.
|
|
|
Wednesday, 27 May 09 - 10:42 AM (GMT -06:00) By Prem Lama in Himalaya |
| ||
Hello, Thank you for your continuous interest & support to visit Nepal. I along with my friend in Nepal (Sangey Lama) Alliance Nepal Trek Pvt. Ltd and our Air Travel Partner based in Washington DC and in Nepal are all working very hard to make this Himalayan Xperience 2010 a successful visit. In addition to that I am also communicating with the team that has been promoting Nepal "Let's go to Nepal". Due to various things in our lives that not everything can be planned way ahead of time therefore, I had to wait this long for all of you to know about our Himalayan Xperience 2010. There are still few things to take care of before we finalize in our cost among other minor things. However the good news is, it is definitely going to take place and we are releasing the dates for 10 days Cultural Tour of Nepal & 14 days Trekking Group. Please view Carefully
Note: For Cultural Group (No Trekking) will take place in first week of February 2010. Please mark your calender for the month of Feb 2010. The arrival date to Kathmandu is Feb 6Th and departure date from Kathmandu is Feb 15Th. Now as I have mentioned before this trip is very relaxing and enjoyable as there vertually no long hikes going to take place. Once again, I am very close to compiling everything together and waiting for final touch and so forth. One thing for sure, great trips like this definately takes time. If you cannot make it this time, sure there will be more in the future.
Note: For Trekking Group; This adventure will take place in the month of March as I am planning for the Rhododendron bloom along the trekking route. Arrival Date March 6th-Departure Date March 19th. Trekking trip is 4-5 days of strenuous hiking. We can only slow down to hike but there is not alternative but to walk. Not to scare you or anything. If you think you can do it, I suggest you can do it. It is fascinating be get so close to the Majestic mountains. Total worth the time & effort to see the Himalayas with your own naked eyes is the best gift you can give yourself.
Initially, I coated $4000.00 per person, just to keep you in a safer side. I however have mentioned that trip will cost less. In fact, I am recounting the numbers and the more we have in our group the less it will cost. The price of entire trip may cost between $3000-$3500 per person, not more. This cost is only possible because of our good friends & partners along the way. So, hang in there, Keep saving, your saving will not go anywhere. If it costs less, you still will have that cushion to use it for any reason. Oh this includes your travel insurance as well, unless you do not think you need one. However, the actual cost will be mailed to you.
We will keep you posted on when to purchase the air ticket, where to fly from and how to get hold of other group members. Please keep tuning as I am going to release more important things & notes related to Nepal and our venture.
If you are in Door County, please stop by the Shop at 7821 Hwy 42. Egg Harbor.
Namaste
Prem
... More items are available in our News Archive
