Yangon and The Way to Love

December in Yangon is deliciously warm and pleasant with a charming character - a reminder that there is more than one way to live and first world problems are for the most part trivial.

Exquisite culinary delights at Seeds, a Michelin star restaurant owned and run by a Swiss couple overlooking Lake Inya, rejuvenating (and ridiculously inexpensive) Thai massages, long unhurried outdoor workout and yoga share space with smog smoked gritty city buildings, gaudy temples and ubiquitous street dogs. (all photos)


Such a setting was an idea place to contemplate the last meditations of Anthony de Mello, a Jesuit priest who lived in India 40 years ago. Titled, "The Way to Love" the booklet encompasses 31 enlightening lessons about life and relationships in daily devotionals. I was delighted to discover something that integrates key tenets of Buddhism, Stoicism, Christianity, The Road Less Travelled ", "The Power of Now ", and polyamory philosophies in a clear practical way. TWTL incorporates much of what my own long list of readings (see my blog booklist page) and experiences has led me to. Specifically, Buddism introduced me to compassion and downfalls of self-cherishing and attachment, Stoicism taught me about rational acceptance of events outside my control and the value set of wisdom, courage, moderation, & social justice, Christianity service to others,  "The Road Less Travelled" to problem solving and equating love to spiritual growth, "The Power of Now" overcoming one's ego and contentment in the present. 
"Immortality" was the lynch pin in my transcendence to positivism/humanism. In one devotion, "The Way to Love" defines 4 qualities of love and a path to living encompassing all the above philosophies into a clear, succinct guide to joy and true love.  The key is to forgo all attachments to people and things. With that comes the freedom to love and to enjoy every minute and everything in life. Worth a look 
Location: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sunrise Sunset - Marriage in Lynchburg, Virginia

Image
  Lynchburg, Virginia.  The place of marriage for my oldest son.  The first time all four of my children have gathered together in years. I was expecting Lynchburg to be a backwater, but was pleasantly surprised with what I experienced. The little turn-of-the-century downtown with classic front porches set in the hills above the James River exuded historic Americana.   But Lynchburg also has two of the most authentic Indian restaurants I've experienced outside India itself and a great jazzy pub.  Not bad for a dry county. You can ride the railroad to Lynchburg from Washington D.C. and I recommend you do especially in the fall.  For me a week of preparation with my son including yoga on the river and getting acquainted with the new family made this a very special time. As the ceremony progressed the scene from "Fiddler on the Roof" where they sang " Sunrise Sunset " came to mind. Take a listen.  
Read more

Glaciers and Yoga- Bettmeralp Round 2

Image
A three day weekend afforded me the opportunity to return to Bettmeralp Switzerland, and this time experience trekking over the Alps and down to the Aletsch glacier. It a word WOW! But this Italian phrase says it better. “Non ci sono parole per descrivere questa esperienza.” But I will try.  My challenging treks were punctuated with wonderful yoga and meditation sessions. The glacier is 14 miles long and over a 1/2 mile wide. The crevices are huge and are only traversed with ropes and crampons. Blow up the pictures  down by the glacier and find the people. It will give a little perspective. The glacier's grandeur can only be fully appreciated in person.   Beyond the glacier, the silence and solitude are so cathartic. Winston Churchill thought so as well. My picture  link has a foto of his cabin overlooking the glacier. Still my experience wasn’t all bliss.  I must admit the 2nd day was not only arduous, but challenged me to overcome a primal fear. I had chosen to take the
Read more

Mendocino Coast, Accordians & Ecclesiastes

Image
Hopped a flight to San Francisco to visit family near the Mendocino coast, close an open book, and attend the world famous Cotati Accordian Festival. The redwoods are so big, strong and SILENT. You feel their presence. Something to learn from this. I stayed in my Aunt Lil's old cabin. I drove up on a moonlit, foggy nite to the remote cabin. Such wonderful solitude to reflect or shoot a haunted movie. 👀🌙I shared a meravigliosa Italian meal with family. Great grandchildren to Aunt Lil. Dinner was a plethora of home grown vegetables and homemade gnocchi. Aunt Lil worries that the farm is running down. You can see it and is a vivid reminder that nothing on the earth stays the same. Visiting my 92 year old Aunt and her 89 year old "baby bro", I pondered the question again, what to do and where to live when one's working career is over? Their lives center around extended family, living in nature, and growing. Can that be enough? On this trip I closed one chapter in life.
Read more