Chasing Silence

My little brother sent me an email a few days ago, he asked a number of interesting questions, which I thought I would share with you all.

What Is Meditation?
Meditation is the art of silencing the mind. The art of living in the here and now.

Can I Benefit From Learning Meditation?
I think everyone can benefit from learning to meditate. It can enhance your life by;

• improving your concentration,
• reducing stress,
• alleviating anxiety,
• and helping you to gain a deeper understanding of your inner self.

Personally I love meditating, my inner turmoil floats away. The troubles of the world don't seem to drag me down as much.

Where do I start?
Learning to mediate takes practice, yet benefits can be seen early in the process.
I don't think learning to meditate has an ending, it's a journey, not a destination. Like most things in life you get out what your willing to put in. With meditation I find this to be doubly so.

Before you can mediate you first must learn to concentrate. Our minds are busy places, you need to learn to quiet the chatter. The first step is learning to focus on one thing.

Learning to Concentrate
Concentration Tip 1: Try placing a small dot on the wall, sit comfortably and focus on the dot. Don't get annoyed with yourself if you get distracted. Notice what distracted you, then place your focus back on the dot.

The same thing can be achieved with the flame of a candle or any other object. Practice this until you can easily concentrate on one thing.

Concentration Tip 2: Another method is repeating a word or phrase to yourself. Traditionally these words or phrases are known as mantras. Use of a mantra encourages the mind to focus on just one thought.
When you find your mind wandering, gently try to refocus your attention back to your mantra.
Practice this until you can easily concentrate on just your word or phrase.

Note: I know people who try to focus on their breathing. Personally I don't like this method, because I can control my breathing. Therefore instead of learning to concentrate, I learn to change my breathing patterns.

Conclusion
It may take a couple of weeks to be able to consistently think about one thing, but when you do you'll be amazed with the results.

Once you have learned to concentrate on one thing, you will find a natural progression into silencing your mind. This will take time, so first concentrate on learning concentration!

The following YouTube video has a good explanation on how to meditate.

I hope this helps you begin your journey into meditation. Have fun...

Thank You for the Song of the Day

My song of the day's words really make me think, I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do:

Thank You
By: Alanis Morissette

How bout getting off of these antibiotics
How bout stopping eating when I'm full up
How bout them transparent dangling carrots
How bout that ever elusive kudo

Thank you India
Thank you terror
Thank you disillusionment
Thank you frailty
Thank you consequence
Thank you thank you silence

How bout me not blaming you for everything
How bout me enjoying the moment for once
How bout how good it feels to finally forgive you
How bout grieving it all one at a time

Thank you India
Thank you terror
Thank you disillusionment
Thank you frailty
Thank you consequence
Thank you thank you silence

The moment I let go of it was
The moment I got more than I could handle
The moment I jumped off of it was
The moment I touched down

How bout no longer being masochistic
How bout remembering your divinity
How bout unabashedly bawling your eyes out
How bout not equating death with stopping

Thank you India
Thank you providence
Thank you disillusionment
Thank you nothingness
Thank you clarity
Thank you thank you silence

yeah yeah
ahh ohhh
ahhh ho oh
ahhh ho ohhhhhh
yeaahhhh yeahh

Changing The Song Of The Day

Google has announced that it's preparing fingerprinting on Youtube videos in September. Therefore I'm no longer going to represent my "Song of the Day" with a youtube video.
If I don't stop embedding them now I will have broken links everywhere by September.

It's ridiculous, when I think about it. The music publisher's and other company's are getting free advertising...

From now on the "Song of the Day" will just contain the lyrics, and perhaps a link.
I really apologise for not being able to represent the artists music the way it's meant to be heard.

Don't Forget The Sunscreen

Today's song of the day is one of my all time favourite pieces of music: Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen).

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
By: Baz Luhrmann

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

Dance and Sing

In our home the phrase "Dance and Sing" gets used on a regular basis. Without delving into a deep philosophical discussion, it can be hard to explain exactly what this means.

Today however, I stumbled across a short animation called "Music & Life". Animated by the people who bring you 'South Park'.
It highlights some of the philosophical thinking of a man named Alan Watts.

This animation brings home to me some of the meaning captured by the phrase "Dance and Sing". I hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

Watching Dragonball Online

Daz just found me the coolest link. I had to share it with any other Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT, fans out there:
DragonBall Stream

All of the Dragonball television series are awesome. I love animé in general. Yet there is something particularly special about Dragonball. It really draws me into the story, the characters are so real, and alive.

I don't ever have to suspend belief that Goku is really Goku the Super Saiyan. These characters are real. They are not actors that will go and play another role. I am never going to see Goku acting in another television show. He doesn't exist outside of the Dragonball shows. He IS Goku.

In animé this is the case with all of the characters. They only exist in the world of animation. I like real characters I find acting very hard to watch. I can read what the actors are really saying, it's just not real. Yet animé is real, and it always be.

Something A little bit Different

When I was a child my favourite show was HR Pufnstuf. I also really enjoy listening to Mama Cass Elliot. Therefore the song of the day is sung by: Cass Elliot - Different

Different
By Cass Elliot

(Spoken)
Boss Witch: Just don't stand there you dum dums, let's get this show on the road, C'mon!
Heimrich: Ja wohl, I vill start de music!
Boss Witch: Play Heimrich!
Heimrich: Ja, groovy!

(Sung by Witch Hazel)
When I was smaller, and people were taller,
I realized that I was different,
I had a power that set me apart.

I learned to take it, to use it, to make it,
it's not so bad to be different -
to do your own thing
and do it with heart.

Different is hard,
different is lonely,
different is trouble, for you only.
Different is heartache,
different is pain,
but I'd rather be different than be the same!

At first I'd wonder, what hex I was under.
What did I do to be so different?
Then I discovered some others like me.

Wonder no longer, together we're stronger.
It's not so bad to be different,
be true to yourself -
that's what you must be!

Different is hard,
different is lonely,
different is trouble, for you only.
Different is heartache,
different is pain,
but I'd rather be different than be the same!

It's All About Perspective, really...

I don't know about you, but I hate "To Do" lists. When I write them, I rarely if ever, seem to get anything on them done. Even when I finish each task, I don't feel as though I've really achieved that much.

However, there are a couple of tricks that I find useful. They're designed to trick my mind into achieving my goals.
Essentially all they do is change my perspective on the situation at hand.

I thought I would share these little tricks with you. Who knows, maybe they'll help you too.

I no longer have "To Do" lists. Instead I have a Goals book.
I make everything that I want to achieve a goal. Not something to do, as such, instead something to achieve. I therefore look at everything that I complete as an achievement of these goals.

I know it may seem silly to put something simple like "cleaning the house" as a goal, but it works. Then when the task is complete, it becomes something that I've achieved, instead of just house work. Then I feel as thought I've achieved something that I've set out to do.

Now that I keep my goals in a book, I don't ever throw them away. If it's written on a whiteboard or a piece paper however, I'll eventually have to wipe it off. Then it's lost. So I can't actually see what I've achieved over time, but because it's written in my book, I can look back and see a list of goals that I've set for myself and then reached.

NEVER, and I mean never, do I cross out my goals once I've achieved them. Subconsciously crossing them out feels negative to me. So instead I've gotten into the habit of putting a big tick next to them, once they're complete. It makes me feel as though I've done the right thing.
I've achieved something that I've set out to do.

Try it for yourself, I was amazed with the results.
Maybe you will be too...

Fresh Natural Home Made Yoghurt

Yesterday my partner brought me an Easiyo yoghurt maker. We just took the first batch out.
It's really yummy :D.

We brought the Natural Plain Unsweetened. I thought it would taste a little bitter, but it was so beautiful.

It was incredibly easy to make with the yoghurt maker.

• Half-fill the yoghurt jar with cold water (personally I use filtered water).
• Pour in the sachet.
  
• Put the lid on and shake the jar really well.
• Then fill the jar to the top with water, and re-shake.
• Pour boiling water into the yoghurt Maker to the top of the baffle.
• Place jar inside the yoghurt Maker.
• Leave sitting for between 8 and 24 hours (until set).
• Then store the yoghurt jar in the refrigerator.

To add to the taste a little, Daz made a bowl of pineapple yoghurt. To do this all he did was chop up a bit of pineapple (to taste) then added about a teaspoon of raw sugar. It was perfect.


Edit: After leaving the yoghurt in the fridge all night I had some more. It had set really nicely, and was even more tasty than before.

I want to learn now how to keep the cultures going so that I don't have to keep buying the sachet's.
I want to know exactly what I'm putting in my families food.

Singing 'till the "End Of The Line"

Today's song is by some incredibly talented musicians. Introducing George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Lynne as the Traveling Wilburys.

The song; "End Of The Line", reminds me of the importance of living life your way. After all life is all about what you make it.
I hope you enjoying listening to the Traveling Wilburys - End Of The Line.

End Of The Line
By Traveling Wilburys

Well it's all right
Riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right
If you live the life you please
Well it's all right
Doing the best you can
Well it's all right
As long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
(at the end of the line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
(at the end of the line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow'll bring
(at the end of the line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well it's all right
Even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right
Sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right
As long as you got someone to lay with
Well it's all right
Every day is judgment day

Maybe somewhere down the road a ways
(at the end of the line)
You'll think of me and wonder where i am these days
(at the end of the line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
(at the end of the line)
Purple Haze

Well it's all right
Even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right
If you got someone to love
Well it's all right
Everything will work out fine
Well it's all right
We're going to the end of the line

Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive
(at the end of the line)
I'm just glad to be here happy to be alive
(at the end of the line)
And it don't matter if you're by my side
(at the end of the line)
I'm satisfied

Well it's all right
Even if you're old and gray
Well it's all right
You still got something to say
Well it's all right
Remember live and let live
Well it's all right
The best you can do is forgive
Well it's all right
Riding around on the breeze
Well it's all right
If you live the life you please
Well it's all right
Even if the sun don't shine
Well it's all right
We're going to the end of the line

How to Save a Life

My song of the day is an alternative rock song by The Fray. I love the message behind this song.

If you would like more information on it's origin and influences I encourage you to read this wikipedia article: How to Save a Life (song).
Introducing The Fray - How to save a life.

How to Save a Life
By The Fray

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it’s just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
And you begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defence
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you’ve told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And I pray to God he heals you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you’ve followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he’ll say he’s just not the same
And you’ll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life
How to save a life

Where did I go wrong (where did I go wrong), I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up (I would of stayed up) with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life

Song of the Day: Father and Son

As a child Cat Stevens was one of my fathers favourite artists. I loved listening to his music, especially the words.
Therefore I thought this song was appropriate, introducing Cat Stevens - Father and Son.

Father & Son
by Cat Stevens

(Father)
Its not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not easy,
To be calm when youve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything youve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
Its always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

(Father)
Its not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

(son-- away away away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)

(Son)
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
Its hard, but its harder to ignore it.
If they were right, Id agree, but its them you know not me.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

(father-- stay stay stay, why must you go and
Make this decision alone? )

A "Good Excuse" to sing

As an Australian I thought it would be nice to bring you some Australian music. Presenting the John Butler Trio - Good Excuse.

Good Excuse
By: John Butler Trio

All around I see raining
Things don't seem to go my way
Got a dark cloud that's hanging
And it seems to follow me

Oh boy won't you just wake up
feel the humming
This good world is giving you
better start running
to catch up with your life, catch on up
Before the whole thing is through

Have you once? Have you twice?
Have you even conceived how
Really good boy you do got it
Go take another better look around

You are just another white boy
Thinking you're so hard
Go take step outside see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside see what's shaking in the real world

But you don't know
how my heart laments
I really got a good excuse
to complain
My parents got divorced
Can't heal the pain

And now there is only cheap regrets
I guess thats just the way it be
Is it the world or how I see me

Boy now you are really, really bugging
Yes you are bugging me,
can you just shut right up
Your cup is overflowing, overflowing
And you think it is empty

You don't even know what side
you are fighting for
Boy won't you turn your game boy off
Stop pretending
it's you against the world
I am sick and I am tried of hearing
you always say

I really got a good excuse to complain
My parents got divorced
Can't heal the pain

Go take a step outside see what's shaking in the real world

The Green Tea challenge

How amazing would it be to find one product that would have ALL of the following effects:

• Reduced high blood pressure
• Lowered blood sugar levels
  
• Prevented cardiovascular disease
• Helped fight and prevent cancer
• Protected Brain Function (Alzheimer's, Memory)
• Assisted Memory
• Encouraged Weight Loss
• Defended the Immune System
• Helped Stabilize Diabetes
• Kept your skin acne-free
• Helped general skin care
• Slowed the ageing process
• Aided digestion
• Encouraged bowel regularity
• Helped bad breath
• Assisted detoxification
• Was 100 times more effective than vitamin C
• And 25 times more effective than Vitamin E, and more...
  

Well there is such an item:

Green Tea

I have been drinking Green Tea for a while now, and I love how I feel.
Not only have I lost weight;
I feel more alive and alert.
My skin is looking bright and healthy.
My general health has improved.
My memory is sharper.
I'm able to concentrate and think more clearly, and these are just the things I've noticed.

Need more evidence...?
Information about the benefits of Green Tea can be found here:

• Benefits of Green Tea
• Benefits of green tea on your health and your home
• Drinking Tea May Boost Immune System
• Green Tea: Ancient Wisdom, Scientific Fact
• Green Tea Benefits: Complete Information For Your Health
• Green tea could protect against Alzheimer's
• Green tea 'may keep HIV at bay
• Sencha Green Tea
• Tea and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Green tea
• Wikipedia Article: Green tea
• Wikipedia Article: Potential effects of tea on health
• Still not convinced... Google search: green tea health benefits

The Challenge
Everyone could benefit from Green Tea.
So why not try it for yourself?

I challenge you all to try 2+ cups of green tea a day for 2 weeks and see how you feel.
It can't hurt...

You don't need milk or sugar, the taste is quite sweet on it's own. Especially steaming hot.

There are many different types of Green Tea. Personally I drink a Japanese Green Tea called: Sencha. I love it.
I have tried a couple of different Chinese Green Teas. I find them quite bitter. Sencha is beautiful.

For more information on different Japanese Green Tea's please see: The Teas of Japan.

I would love to hear what you think!
So Take the Green Tea challenge, and improve your health today...

Mondays Song of the day

Everyday would like to give you the words, and listening experience of some of my favourite music.

Today's song was my favourite as a child. I still really enjoy listening to this one. I hope you enjoy it too: Peter, Paul & Mary - Puff the Magic Dragon

Puff the Magic Dragon
By Peter, Paul & Mary
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Little jackie paper loved that rascal puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on puffs gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow wheneer they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when puff roared out his name. oh!

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, jackie paper came no more
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,
So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.

Of Tea and Turtles!

Welcome to: Of Tea and Turtles
My new blog...

Here at TnT: I will write about;

• My personal development
• Opinions
• Thoughts
• Links
• Animé
• Music
• Health & Fitness
• and other aspects of my life.

If you would like to read my blog on computing please see: Geekybits³

This is a place for me to share a part of myself with you! I'm sure that at times you will hate what I have to say, and other times cry along with me.
Yet I hope that I can make you think, and perhaps even show you things you have never read before...

Come in sit down and make yourself at home...

A Special Announcement

Yesterday Daz and I told his parents that we are getting married. Now that our families know; I want to share it with you all. I am so excited! I couldn't be more happy!

We have a loving and wonderful relationship, and we are best friends. I feel like I can talk to my man about anything! We have never had an argument. We work out any difficulties long before they get to that stage. If we need time to ourselves then we take it. Yet mostly I feel so incredibly comfortable with my baby that we do most things together.

I feel like we complement each other. When we work with each of our individual assets; we become a team. I can conspire with Daz, we make things work, and that is a wonderful and powerful experience. People notice that we are a unit made up of two individuals, and not two individuals.

I know without a doubt in my mind I will be with this man forever!

Pictured at the top are our matching rings. I love them so much. They are made from stainless steel so they will last for many hundreds of years.

Thank you for sharing in our joy!
I LOVE YOU BABY!