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DURBAR SQUARE AND FREAKY STREET!
Oh no Annie and Buddha you've both been there and done that....
AUM
And there is Annies- her AUM on the Ankle. AUM
is a word that represents to our ears that sound of the energy of the universe of which all things are manifestations. You start in the back of the mouth, "ahh," then "oo," you fill the mouth and "mm" closes the mouth. The AUM of being in the world. They tell me to be in touch with that and to get the sense of that is the peak experience of all. Better than ice cream? AUM is called the four-element syllable A-U-M- and what is the fourth element? The silence out of which the AUM arises......Bocahita thinking is there another type I could try?
ROYAL PALACE AND MORE TEMPLES
They Royal Palace was largely constructed during the second half of the 17th century but substantially rebuilt after the both the Gorkhali invasion of 1769 and the 1934 earthquake. A very lovely palace indeed.
And what a Palace with a whole bunch of temples and such..this one is known as Maru Sattal- believed to be built by a single tree. At each of the 4 corners is an image of Ganesh- Annie's favorite!
We lost Pleep for awhile but Annie spotted him over in the Tree Temple.
"Were there nothing else in Nepal save the Durbar Square of Bhatgoan, it would still be aptly worth making a journey half way round the globe to see."
E.A. Powell
The Last home of Mystery , 1929, London
The Durbar Square area is actually made up of two sub-areas. The outer complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples while the inner complex comprises the old palace area. The most notable temple being the Taleju Temple dedicated to female royal deity. Now that's what I'm talking about. The courtyard originally held 35 courtyards but due to the earthquake of 1934 they are down to 10. All this temple roaming makes a guy hungry- isn't it time for lunch honey?
More sacred cows roaming with those pesky pigeons. Bocahita doesn't get the significance of all these darn pigeons? Hindu Pigeons? Buddhist Pigeons? Your mother from another life? Being from Chicago, Boca thinks they look like flying rats...hey I wonder if they eat them and use the tourists to fatten them up before the "sacrifice"? Ewwwwww.
I see what I missed in the 70's on Freaky Street...can you image smoking whatever and roaming around these temples....talk about a psychedelic experience.
Ok through the magic doorway to the shop of
SINGING BOWLS- MUSIC TO BUDDHA BUBBA'S EARS?
"Love Pink" also known as Annie is a devotee of the bowls and convinced Buddah Bubba to give them a try for all of us maladies. Praise you Annie! While you're at it can you convince him to get some hearing aids too?
Singing bowls (also known as Tibetan Singing Bowls, rin gongs, Himalayan bowls or suzu gongs) are a type of bell, specifically classified as a standing bell. Rather than hanging inverted or attached to a handle, singing bowls sit with the bottom surface resting. The sides and rim of singing bowls vibrate to produce sound characterized by a fundamental frequency (first harmonic) and usually two audible harmonic overtones (second and third harmonic). According to singing bowl researcher Joseph Feinstein, singing bowls were traditionally used in Asia and the tradition of making sound with bronze bowls could go back 3,000 or more years to the bronze age.
Annie has been using the bowls for a few years. Mr. Bowl man gives her a "treatment" to clear her Chakras. Her what? Per Wiki:
BUBS tries to convince Sudeep to take his brand new Medicare Card. Ah, no soap Mr. Collins- we've heard about what your President has in mind with those cards. Well said my man. I'll take two!!
Buddha Bubba Bubba Bubba you are definitely on the road to enlightenment. Who'da thunk it?
HAVE YOU TRIED THE BOWLS? ARE YOUR CHAKRAS CLEARED?
lamsal_sudeep@hotmail.com
ASTROLOGY
We had heard about this most fabulous Astrologer. Next stop his office. Annie get your Chakra's together and we'll stop in for a reading or whatever they do. To Newars, the astrologer is a counsellor, confessor, general practitioner and guide through the maze of life. He acts as mediator between the self and the universe (which are one), and his prognostications are considered as important as a priest's blessings and as vital as a doctors diagnosis. He knows most of his clients from birth. So our darling Annie had this on her list as a must do. So away we go...hey Mr. Astrologer what is this stuff all about?
Although we have heard it's misleading to speak in terms of planetary "influences", the karma revealed by an astrologer's horoscope strongly implies the future course of one's life. The astrologer's role to suggest the best way to play the had one was dealt. Hindu astrology recognizes the usual twelve signs of the zodiac although they use Sanskrit names. He then assigns similar attributes to the planets and houses. We also heard the family Astrologist helps set the "right" wedding date. And here I thought only The Ritz or Four Seasons did that.
After asking her date of birth, time of birth and place of birth and after reviewing some books of who knows what , our man the Astrologer, made a chart for Annie. He then proceeded to "interpret" the chart which seems to be very intuitive. Absolutely no finesse on this one- just bam straight away- the good, the bad and the ugly. A psychologist he is not. This fellow was supposed to be one of the best in Nepal. Is he a Holy Man? Sort of. Where did he get this skill? Is he peddling facts? Is he offering insight, hope and reassuance and a dash of theater? Have you had your chart done? Do you "believe" in Astrology?
AND TOUR THROUGH BHAKTAPUR
Bhaktapur is a living heritage displaying the vibrant depth of the the Newari culture. Here the Hindus and Buddhists have coexisted in harmony and drawn on inspiration from each other through the ages and evident here. This village is known for it's tight knit nature and inward looking which has saved it from the fee-for-all expansions that overwhelms Kathmandu. And thanks to a long term German funded restoration and sanitation much of the city is pedestrianize. Temples and public shelters have been restored to follow traditional architectural styles.
This is one Nepali city that has got its act together and it wears its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site proudly. The city of "devotees" was probably founded in the ninth century and by 1299 it was ruling Nepal. This conch shaped village is home to 80,000 people today. The sky scrapping five storied Siddhi Laxmi temple, an excellent example of Newari engineering. The Shikharan-style temple is guarded by man-lion creatures, camels, rhinoceros and horses-all of which are rare in the valley.
The Golden Gate dates to 1754 AD was built by King Ranajit malta. And still today a local man totes his produce the way they probably did it back then....
Of course there is always a Royal Palace in the mix. At one time this palace had 99 courtyards. Can you image keeping up with all of that0 must have had enlightened landscapers.
Can you imagine living in this village? Every where you turn is a religious reminder of life. And Annie keeps looking for a Starbucks...
Taumadhi Toi- but of course. A place for the locals to gather and chew the fat. Here a pagoda there a pagoda everywhere a pagoda goda....here a temple there a temple, everywhere a temple Temple...
Ok enough of a good time...where's the local saloon Diwalker? Eating all this dust makes a guy quite thirsty. Yes a very lovely and clean village....wonder why they don't keep the other shrine area's clean like this? We will save that repeat question for over a cold beer. As Bocahita noted "you don't know what you don't know"...how's that for some enlightened remarking.
FINALLY WE CAN LEAVE- BUBBA FINAL BOUGHT A SWORD OR SOME SUCH FOOLISHNESS. OK BUDDHA BUBBA IT GOES WITH YOUR WARRIOR BOWL HAT....JUST DON'T TRY TO TAKE IT ACROSS THE CANADIAN BORDER FOR GOSH SAKES!
LIVELY NEPALESE DANCING
An evening dinner with the local Nepalese dancing troop. It was quite a site getting Boca on the floor to "sit" on the ground "authentically"....it should be more interesting hoisting her up....Aliooop Mrs. Bocahita.
Yes, Bocahita gets her first RED DOT. Hey what does that mean? Per Diwaker:
DURBAR SQUARE AND FREAKY STREET!
A separate municipality Patan was once the capital of the local Kingdom. The preserved historic district is loaded with monastery compounds and proud artistry....and Freaky street. A very favorite place of the Hippies of the 70's.
Oh no Annie and Buddha you've both been there and done that....
AUM
is a word that represents to our ears that sound of the energy of the universe of which all things are manifestations. You start in the back of the mouth, "ahh," then "oo," you fill the mouth and "mm" closes the mouth. The AUM of being in the world. They tell me to be in touch with that and to get the sense of that is the peak experience of all. Better than ice cream? AUM is called the four-element syllable A-U-M- and what is the fourth element? The silence out of which the AUM arises......Bocahita thinking is there another type I could try?
ROYAL PALACE AND MORE TEMPLES
They Royal Palace was largely constructed during the second half of the 17th century but substantially rebuilt after the both the Gorkhali invasion of 1769 and the 1934 earthquake. A very lovely palace indeed.
And what a Palace with a whole bunch of temples and such..this one is known as Maru Sattal- believed to be built by a single tree. At each of the 4 corners is an image of Ganesh- Annie's favorite!
We lost Pleep for awhile but Annie spotted him over in the Tree Temple.
"Were there nothing else in Nepal save the Durbar Square of Bhatgoan, it would still be aptly worth making a journey half way round the globe to see."
E.A. Powell
The Last home of Mystery , 1929, London
The Durbar Square area is actually made up of two sub-areas. The outer complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples while the inner complex comprises the old palace area. The most notable temple being the Taleju Temple dedicated to female royal deity. Now that's what I'm talking about. The courtyard originally held 35 courtyards but due to the earthquake of 1934 they are down to 10. All this temple roaming makes a guy hungry- isn't it time for lunch honey?
I see what I missed in the 70's on Freaky Street...can you image smoking whatever and roaming around these temples....talk about a psychedelic experience. 
Ok through the magic doorway to the shop of
SINGING BOWLS- MUSIC TO BUDDHA BUBBA'S EARS?
Singing bowls (also known as Tibetan Singing Bowls, rin gongs, Himalayan bowls or suzu gongs) are a type of bell, specifically classified as a standing bell. Rather than hanging inverted or attached to a handle, singing bowls sit with the bottom surface resting. The sides and rim of singing bowls vibrate to produce sound characterized by a fundamental frequency (first harmonic) and usually two audible harmonic overtones (second and third harmonic). According to singing bowl researcher Joseph Feinstein, singing bowls were traditionally used in Asia and the tradition of making sound with bronze bowls could go back 3,000 or more years to the bronze age.
We call on Sudeep Lamsal, the best Bowler in Nepal. He spent a lot of time with the 3 Amigos treating and teaching the method. Per his card "I am the master of sound through sound I can kill what lives and Bring to life what is dead" Ancient Lama Saying. Well give it rip Buddha Bubba. Singing bowls are used worldwide for meditation, music, relaxation, personal well-being. They are used by a wide range of professionals, including health professionals, school teachers, musicians and spiritual teachers. Singing bowls are used in health care by psychotherapists, massage therapists, cancer specialists, stress and meditation specialists. They are used to help treat cancer patients and also for post traumatic stress disorder. They are popular in classrooms to help facilitate group activities and focus students' attention. Sudeep, would I have the opportunity to gong Bubba on the noggin to "help treat him"? Excellent!
Singing bowls were historically made throughout Asia, especially Nepal, China and Japan. They are closely related to decorative bells made along the silk road from the Near East to Western Asia. Today they are made in Nepal, India, Japan, China and Korea. The best known types are from the Himalayan region and are often referred to as Tibetan singing bowls although any history in Tibet is disputable as there are none found there today. Sudeep then treets Buddha Bubba's Titanium Knees...bringing new meaning to HEAVY METAL.
The concept of chakra originates in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" (cakraṃ चक्रं [ˈtʃəkrə̃], pronounced [ˈtʃəkrə]in Hindi; Pali: cakka चक्क, Thai: จักระ, Telugu: చక్రo, Tamil: சக்கரம், Kannada: ಚಕ್ರ, Chinese: 轮, Tibetan: འཁོར་ལོ་; khorlo).[1]
Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vorticessubtle body of living beings.[2] The chakras are said to be "force centers" or whorls of energy permeating, from a point on the physical body, the layers of the subtle bodies in an ever-increasing fan-shaped formation. Rotating vortices of subtle matter, they are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies.[3] Different systems posit a varying number of chakras; the most well-known system in the West is that of seven chakras.
It is typical for chakras to be depicted as either flower-like or wheel-like. In the former, "petals" are shown around the perimeter of a circle. In the latter, spokes divide the circle into segments that make the chakra resemble a wheel (or "chakra"). Each chakra possesses a specific number of segments or petals. Really helps with her thumb arthritis. Ha, glad to hear that size zero has something! And what about that healing stuff through sound???
What is sound healing SUDEEP?
When an organ or body part is healthy, it creates a natural resonant frequency in harmony with the rest of the body. When the vibration of a part of the body is out of harmony, we have dis-ease. With dis-ease, a different sound pattern is established in the affected part of the body. When sound is projected into the dis-eased area, correct harmonic patterns are restored.
There are many methods of healing with sound. Mantras and chants have been used for thousands of years. Many acoustic instruments are used in a variety of ways to effect change. The human voice is perhaps the most powerful musical instrument. SUDEEP "tries" to give the Bocahita a chakra treatment. Hey Sudeep, if there ain't no chips in that bowl I'll take a pass.
Fabien Maman, in his book, The Role of Music in the Twenty-First Century gives dramatic accounts of the effects of sound on cancer cells, using various acoustic instruments and notes, as well as the human voice. He has incorporated the use of sound, color and movement in his work, addressing the subtle bodies, where dis-ease is created. Good, maybe I can chase the Bubs around the hose with a tuning for to clear out those ear chakras so I don't have to peat and repeat all day long! Yes Bubs order a crate of them.
BUBS tries to convince Sudeep to take his brand new Medicare Card. Ah, no soap Mr. Collins- we've heard about what your President has in mind with those cards. Well said my man. I'll take two!!Buddha Bubba Bubba Bubba you are definitely on the road to enlightenment. Who'da thunk it?
HAVE YOU TRIED THE BOWLS? ARE YOUR CHAKRAS CLEARED?
lamsal_sudeep@hotmail.com
ASTROLOGY
We had heard about this most fabulous Astrologer. Next stop his office. Annie get your Chakra's together and we'll stop in for a reading or whatever they do. To Newars, the astrologer is a counsellor, confessor, general practitioner and guide through the maze of life. He acts as mediator between the self and the universe (which are one), and his prognostications are considered as important as a priest's blessings and as vital as a doctors diagnosis. He knows most of his clients from birth. So our darling Annie had this on her list as a must do. So away we go...hey Mr. Astrologer what is this stuff all about?Although we have heard it's misleading to speak in terms of planetary "influences", the karma revealed by an astrologer's horoscope strongly implies the future course of one's life. The astrologer's role to suggest the best way to play the had one was dealt. Hindu astrology recognizes the usual twelve signs of the zodiac although they use Sanskrit names. He then assigns similar attributes to the planets and houses. We also heard the family Astrologist helps set the "right" wedding date. And here I thought only The Ritz or Four Seasons did that.
They say Kathmandu's field of gravity weakens out here....rising in a tight mass of warm brick out of the fertile fields of he valley. In and among Khaktapurs's herringbone-paved streets and narrow alleys, the atmosphere is no less medieval. Woman wash a public taps, men in traditional dress lounge in the many sattal or covered loggia, peasants squat by the road selling veggies and worshippers assiduous attend neighborhood shrines. I must say this is the cleanest place we have seen in Nepal. I wonder why???
Bhaktapur is a living heritage displaying the vibrant depth of the the Newari culture. Here the Hindus and Buddhists have coexisted in harmony and drawn on inspiration from each other through the ages and evident here. This village is known for it's tight knit nature and inward looking which has saved it from the fee-for-all expansions that overwhelms Kathmandu. And thanks to a long term German funded restoration and sanitation much of the city is pedestrianize. Temples and public shelters have been restored to follow traditional architectural styles.
This is one Nepali city that has got its act together and it wears its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site proudly. The city of "devotees" was probably founded in the ninth century and by 1299 it was ruling Nepal. This conch shaped village is home to 80,000 people today. The sky scrapping five storied Siddhi Laxmi temple, an excellent example of Newari engineering. The Shikharan-style temple is guarded by man-lion creatures, camels, rhinoceros and horses-all of which are rare in the valley.
Can you imagine living in this village? Every where you turn is a religious reminder of life. And Annie keeps looking for a Starbucks...
Taumadhi Toi- but of course. A place for the locals to gather and chew the fat. Here a pagoda there a pagoda everywhere a pagoda goda....here a temple there a temple, everywhere a temple Temple...
Ok enough of a good time...where's the local saloon Diwalker? Eating all this dust makes a guy quite thirsty. Yes a very lovely and clean village....wonder why they don't keep the other shrine area's clean like this? We will save that repeat question for over a cold beer. As Bocahita noted "you don't know what you don't know"...how's that for some enlightened remarking.
FINALLY WE CAN LEAVE- BUBBA FINAL BOUGHT A SWORD OR SOME SUCH FOOLISHNESS. OK BUDDHA BUBBA IT GOES WITH YOUR WARRIOR BOWL HAT....JUST DON'T TRY TO TAKE IT ACROSS THE CANADIAN BORDER FOR GOSH SAKES!
LIVELY NEPALESE DANCING
An evening dinner with the local Nepalese dancing troop. It was quite a site getting Boca on the floor to "sit" on the ground "authentically"....it should be more interesting hoisting her up....Aliooop Mrs. Bocahita.
Yes, Bocahita gets her first RED DOT. Hey what does that mean? Per Diwaker:
The 'Red dot' on the forehead is not always only red and nor is it always a dot. The dot is called 'Kumkum' or 'Bindi', and when worn by men it is called 'Tilak' (mark). Usually Hindu women, priests, monks and worshippers wear it. Men wear it on auspicious occasions such as Puja (ritual worship), or marriage, or Arati (waving of lights) on festive occasions such as on Bhaai-duj, Karvaa Chaud or Paadwaa or Dasshera) or while embarking on, or upon return from a voyage or a campaign. It is also worn by Jains and Buddhists (even in China). Like all Hindu symbols,'red dot' has multiple meanings which are all valid at the same time. Let us explore them : 1. By one simple interpretation it is a cosmetic mark used to enhance beauty. 2. In meditation, this very spot between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya) is where one focusses his/her sight, so that it helps concentration. Most images of Buddha or Hindu divinites in meditative pose with their eyes nearly closed show the gaze focussed between eyebrows (other spot being the tip of the nose - naasikagra). 3. All Self realized saints from India (such as Saint Jnaneshwar, Saint Tukaram) as well as West describe their experience of seeing 'a bright flame (Jyoti)' of the size of a little finger tip at this spot. They 'see' this jyoti both with their eyelids closed and even with the eyes open, hence the term 'seer'. This is the mystical meaning behind Kumkum. 'Siddha Siddhant Paddhati' of Gorakshanath (circa 11 th century) describes a linga shaped jyoti at the spot. 4. Swami Muktanand writes 'auspicious Kumkum or sandal wood paste is applied (between the eyebrows) out of respect for inner Guru. It is the Guru's seat. There is a chakra (center of spiritual energy within human body) here called Ajna (Aadnyaa) chakra meaning 'Command center'. Here you receive the Guru's command to go higher in Sadhana (spiritual practice) to the 'Sahasraar' (seventh and final chakra) which leads to Self realization. The flame seen at the eyebrow is called 'Guru Jyoti'. (From Finite to Infinite, by Swami Muktananda, SYDA Foundation, S.Fallsburg, NY, 1989, pp. 88-89) 5. The encyclopedic dictionary of Yoga informs that this 'Ajna Chakra' is also called as the 'Third eye'. This center is connected with the sacred syllable 'Om' and presiding it is 'ParaaShiva'. After activation of this center, the aspirant overcomes 'Ahamkar' (ego or sense of individuality), the last hurdle on the path of spirituality. (Encyclopedic dictionary of Yoga, by Georg Fuerstein, Paragon House Publ, NY, 1990,p.15). Thus the monks apply the auspicious mark of Kumkum on the forehead as an act of worship to the inner Guru to overcome ego. It is also the same reason why married women wear the 'red dot'. After marriage Hindu women give up their name. They take the pains of pregnancy and delivery, yet the child carries father's name. This selfless sacrifice is done out of love, and for the sake of family and society. It is for this reason wearing the red dot is considered a sign of ' Soubhagya (good fortune)', because sacrificing you ego and performing selfless action out of love is considered a sacred act and a good fortune. 6. Magsasay Award winning Pandurang Shastry Athawale who is kindling 'back to Vedic basics' spirit, writes 'Tilak is not a mere cosmetic adornment, or sign of being religious, it is a symbol of worship of intellect. Worship of intellect is trusting your own intellect AND other's intellect, especially in the fields you do not have enough knowledge. Intellectual honesty and its worship have been corner stones of Hindu thought. At the end of Gita (18:63) Bhagwan Krishna asks Arjun 'Vimrushyaita dashesheNa yathechhasi tathaa Kuru' 'Fully THINK (ponder) on what I said and then do as YOU deem fit'. Indian scriptures ask 'Drushtipootam nyasetpaadam, vastra pootam pibet jalam' - Look (think) before you leap (embark on any activity) and 'filter the water with a cloth before you drink'. It is this intellectual honesty that made losers in debates such as Mandan Mishra sincere followers of the victors like Shankaracharya. Shankaracharya writes 'If Vedas tell that fire is cold, then I will not accept that. But at the same time I am confident that Vedas will never tell me such things'. Kathopanashad calls intellect as the charioteer. Body is a chariot, Indriyas (sense/conative organs) are horses, mind is the reins to be used to control them , Atman (Self) is the rider within, and Vishay (objects of senses) are the tracks on which horses run. (Sanskruti Poojan, by Pandurang Shastry Athawale, Sadvichar Darshan Trust, Mumbai, 1988, pp.225-8 in Hindi/Marathi/Gujarati) Shastryji also mentions tilak as the 'third eye' of Shiva and reminds that Shiva destroyed Madan (God of desire) by opening the third eye. Thus the Tilak asks us to not look at women as object of desires, but look with 'Bhaav'- respect, honor and worship for their sacrifice for the family and society. It is intellect worship the Kumkum symbolises. Hence a victor returning from a campaign is applied a Tilak. It asks us to overcome the ego, be selfless, yet asks to do all actions/ work/ worship with intellect.
Buddha Bubba thinks I should dot it up to get that ego thing in check.... point Bubs!
WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD IN NEPAL. ANNIE IS THE BEST TO ROLL ALONG WITH AND
BRINGS A SOOTHING AND CALMING EFFECT TO BUDDHA BUBBA....AMEN. CAN YOU DO THE
NEXT VENTURE WITH US GIRL! I THINK IT MUST BE THE LOVE PINK TROUSERS....
