The Gratitude Thread

[namaste]

Anniversary

Today I have gratitude for and to my wonderful wife - we have been married for three years today! Such a blessing.

[hardya]

filial piety

This is a subject I´m thinking about in the last weeks. I don' t always find it easy to be respectfull with elderly people (at least in my thoughts...). Sifu explained that it is out of gratitude for everything the generations before us have built up that we should show respect - even if elderly people become childish, trying or filled with bitterness.
But still - its difficult, e.g. when at work a retired professor starts rewriting texts after the deadline for a pamphlet is past, changes text lengths, makes them difficult to understand for non-scientists...

But something heart warming happened, when I saw my mother a few weeks ago. I always find it difficult to express love and gratitude in words. But I had just learned a bit of shiatsu massage and I asked her, if you would like a massage. This was an experience we both enjoyed. And I could let a lot of love flow directly from my hands.

shaolin greetings
Anne

[ElisaT]

Thank you

I am so grateful for waking up and seeing through the illusion of conditioning, and experiencing the amazing journey back to self. Such an amazing journey to return home, finding my own way. No wrong or right, just an individual path, leading to one.

So grateful for being reunited physically with my twin flame. So beautiful this love is, and is all I have ever wanted. Perfectly imperfect and a complete reflection of self.

So grateful for being surrounded by such love, even if I can't always see it, can't always feel it, I know it is there and always will be.

Thank you to my guides - thank you for my numbers, thank you for your guidance, thank you, you beautiful lovely beings.

Thank you for all the love.

[Anton S.]

This sounds great, Anne!
Reading these lines, opens up my heart

But I had just learned a bit of shiatsu massage and I asked her, if you would like a massage. This was an experience we both enjoyed. And I could let a lot of love flow directly from my hands.

shaolin greetings
Anne

[Joan]

Magnificent Statues

My Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon readers,

In 2008 we received the most beautiful hand carved statues of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Laughing Buddha, which were made in Indonesia.

Unfortunately, at the time I did not have any place for them to stand safely, so I kept them in storage.

A few weeks ago as Padraig and I were in a beautiful shop here in Kenmare, which sells hand carved items, I was admiring a wodden Buddha. Padraig gently reminded me that I already had one and so the adventure began............

Dominic organised the most perfect guy to transport our beautiful statues to my home here in Kilgarvan.

With the help of Padraig, Peter, Dominic and Brendan and lots of prayers, the statues are now out of the crates and standing.

My deepest appreciation to all of you, who worked so hard yesterday to achieve our goal.

Interestingly I took photos half an hour ago of the standing statues for everybody to see, BUT not one of them came out, everything else came out except the statues. Sorry!

But I know that Peter, Brendan and Padraig have some since yesterday.

Both Ksitigarbha Boddhisattva and Guan Yin Boddhisattva are 8 feet tall and literally weigh one ton each! Laughing Buddha is about 4 feet and half ton (he was easy to manage!).

My deepest appreciation to Sifu for his guidance and advice and to Siheng Chun Nga for finding and shipping them to Ireland.

I hope you can all come to visit us here some day to experience their beauty and presence.

Many blessings to those who carved them, it is a tremendous skill.

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[AColarusso]

Dear Joan Sijei,

I know that the great Kuan Shi Yin Pusat will share her blessings and her compassion to anyone that come in contact with her and shares her same chemistry.

The statues that Tai Si Pak shares with us are just incredible.

Congratulations and happy blessings !!!

[Kevin_B]

In 2008 we received the most beautiful hand carved statues of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Laughing Buddha, which were made in Indonesia.
.
.
.
With the help of Padraig, Peter, Dominic and Brendan and lots of prayers, the statues are now out of the crates and standing.

Dear Shaolin family,

Attached are some photos of very beautiful handcarved statues of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Laughing Buddha in Sifu Joan's kwoon.

Best wishes,

Kevin

[Kevin_B]

Some more!

[Mark CH]

Dear Joan Sije

The statues really are beautiful. Look forward to seeing them very soon.

Best wishes
Mark

[AlexKreitner]

Thank you.

[Joan]

Dear Kevin,

WOW Those photos came out absolutely gorgeous. The candle light ones were a wonderful idea. Well done!

Thank you!

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Peter Clayton]

Dear Sifu and Kevin Sihing,

These are beautiful photos! I love the lighting also.

Thank you,

[Peter Clayton]

An Irish Blessing to all

Dear Sigung, Sifu, Wahnam family and forum readers,

In thanks for having the opportunity to live in such a beautiful, mystical and enchanting part of the world - I have prepared a video, with the help of Kevin Sihing, which carries a traditional Irish blessing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IDEaWz2k7Q

Special thanks (and in no order) to Sihing Kevin for his wonderful photography, Sifu for being the reason I moved here and to Sigung for helping me see this land around me with fresh eyes each February

Peter.

[Joan]

Dear Peter,

Thank you, that is very very beautiful and the fiddle playing really touches the heart, so very special.

I think this is just the beginning of a Scholar project for you and Kevin

Kevin, perhaps you could give a list of where the photos were taken, they are really nice.

Next.............some Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan from Peter and Dominic with Kevin behind the camera.

Well, maybe when the snow goes away

Thank you again,

Smile from the Heart,
Joan sifu

[martialartsmarj]

Gratitude for the many blessings of 2010

How fortunate that I come to write my gratitude note for all my blessings here on the gratitude thread and immediately above me are the ones I have come to thank. ha ha.

I have received so much this year and over the years from my connection with Shaolin Wahnam.

Thank you Bodhisattvas Guan Yin and Ksitigarbha.

Thank you to Sigung for the opportunity to receive the gift of the small universe course this year in Malaysia.

Thank you to my Sifu Joan for bringing this teaching to Ireland, and dedicating her life to teach. She has reached many many students in her career.

Thank you to Sifu for inviting Sigung to Kerry to teach those of us who would not have had chance to go to Malaysia for an intensive.

Thanks to all my brothers and sisters in my local Irish family, and my extended family of Shaolin Wahnam.

I am very blessed and I know it.

Glad tidings to All

Maria