Lee Love on mon 7 jul 03
goody exchange -
Here are some practical things, (some I've taken from Weil's first book)
that can help keep us healthy. I find them especially useful in adjusting to
my new life as a full-time potter:
I start my day in the workshop, first by sprinkling the cement floor and
then carefully sweeps (so as not to kick up dust.) In Japan, you'll often
find that the public restrooms are left with a wet floor. I think this is
related to Shinto "purification" rites.
After I clean the floor, I do zazen (zen mediation.) Sometimes, I only
meditate for 5 minutes, but even this short amount of time seems to help set the
tone of my day.
Also, in many restrooms here in Japan, at least in the Kansai, you'll
find cut flowers. I noticed this on my first return to Japan, back in 1993.
Weil recommends having cut flowers in your home too. Somehow, the care an
presence of the flowers are settling.
In Weil's first book, he recommends "News rationing." This is
especially important during crisis when we all seem to be glue to he tube,
trying to find out what is going to happen next. It also seems better to get
news off of public radio than it is off the T.V. and even better to get it in
print. It is easy for the media and White House to manipulate us with images.
Walking is one of the best exercises you can do. In Weil's first book,
he gives a practical schedual for folks to follow, which is especially helpful
if you are sedintary and not used to walking. I believe that walking is very
important for folks that do a lot of throwing on the wheel. It helps keep your
back and joints healthy.
I've taken vitamine E for my joints since working at UPS during college.
I've also taken asprin for the same reason. Now, I take one asprin a day to
prevent heart disease, stroke and cancer. Don't take Asprin and vitamine C at
the same time, they cancel each other's effectivness. And Weil explains that E
and C should also be taken at different times (I take C in the morning and
Asprin and E at night.) The heart, stroke and blood pressure benefits of
Asprin work best at night, during your sleep.
One of the helpful things I found about Weil's first book is that it
isn't just a bunch of stitched together facts and sources of information. It
gives you a practical program that helps you gradually change your lifestyle.
--
Lee Love
Mashiko JAPAN Ikiru@hachiko.com
About FolkCraft:
mingei-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Share Photos Of the Akita Dog:
akita-g-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Zen Practice:
http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~ikiru/ezendo.html
or email to: E-zendo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
| |
|
