2018年11月2日 星期五

Meditation Class International Friends in Taipei

Dear Friends, 
Heart Chan meditation has been offline for a long time. We have not hosted English Meditation classes for a while. 
We are finally back! 

Below is a brochure of  the upcoming class. 


2015年12月22日 星期二

Solar Term: winter solstice (冬至)


Today is the winter solstice! This means the coming of winter. The Sun shines directly on the south hemsepher. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year. 
After the winter solstice, the days will become longer and the night shorter. In ancient times, the people use this day to foretell the weather for the upcoming  Chinese New Year. If the day is try it mean the weather will be good, if the day is wet, there will be a rainy Chinese New Year.   
 Historically this day has great importance. 「冬至大如年」 This people call it the winter festival. Since the time of the yellow emperor, this day has been a time to remember the heavens and our ancestors. 
In different places of China people eat different foods to celebrate the winter solstice, some eat dumplings while others eat sticky rice balls. 

Like all other solar terms, it is a good time to meditate and synchronise yourself with the universe's energies. 

2015年11月22日 星期日

Solar Terms: minor snow(小雪)


Minor snow is the second winter solar term of the year. The solar terms were defined based on the weathers around the yellow river area, this weather does not apply to Taiwan. In the yellow river area, after the minor snow, temperature gradually becomes even colder till it begins to rain. Beginning to snow, the quantity isn't much, thus it's name minor snow. 
In Taiwan the more obvious change is the winds. Winds become stronger due to the north eastern winds. There will no longer be thunder and pouring rains. If there is still thunder, this means there are abnormalities in the weather. 
「月內若陳雷,豬牛飼不肥」If the month starts and there is winter thunder, the animals will not grow well. 

The Chan Master mentioned the solar terms is a good time to meditate! Try and see for yourself if there is any difference! 

2015年11月8日 星期日

Solar term: Start of winter (立冬)


This solar term, like is wording, states the start of winter. Farmers work has come to an end, as tools are put away in preparation for the winter. The start of winter is also called 「補冬」because in ancient time, people see the cold weather as something to require extra nutrition. Thus it is popular to eat 「羊肉爐」、「薑母鴨」. Families will also cook 麻油雞、四物雞 as a reward for the hard work this year. 
The saying the October is has a small sun refers to the tenth month on the lunar calendar. 
For friends who like to admire the birds, it is a good time to prepare you binoculars, this is the season when the birds flock north for the winter. Normally the birds spends half a year in taiwan before leaving.  

Before filling your tummy, remember to fill your heart! Find a time to meditate today and feel the strong energy during the solar term. 

2015年10月24日 星期六

Solar terms: frost descent (霜降)


In the 24 solar terms, this is the last autumn term, frost descent. The name originates from summer gradually ending, the nights become longer, and vapour gathers as cold weather ascends. Although this is not as common in Taiwan plateaus, you may be able to discover it once!  
  In aerology, this is not such term as the descent of frost, yet in chinese characters there is a lot of characters with 「雨」such as 「雪」、「雹」 having the meaning of coming down from the sky「由天上降下來」的意思,Therefore people believe frost「霜」comes down from the sky. Dew and frost are both formulated based on the gathering of vapour. Although it may not be obvious in Taiwan, the leaves begin to tern red  and weld. A good time to enjoy the autumn scenery. 


Remember to seize the day for a longer meditation sit! The solar terms are a good time to practice meditation! 

2015年10月8日 星期四

Solar Terms: cold dew (寒露)

Cold dew is in the depths of autumn. During this season, the winds come from the north-east. Cool ear from the north east let us gradually leave the hot summers behind. Before entering Cold dew, weathers are very comfortable. 
Cold dew is the first of the twenty-four solar terms to have the word "cold." As the saying go 「露水先白而後寒」The dew becomes white then turns cold. It means that after the white dew, the weather gradually turns cold. Remember to prepare an extra blanket to not to get cold at night! 
In this solar term, the birds you normally see in the water are no longer there. flocks of birds can be seen in the air. North eastern winds are gaining strength, thus people being to fly kites in the parks. 

Before  you rush out, remember to practice some meditation. Solar terms are a natural change of energy between the heavens and earth. Grasp this opportunity to synchronise yourself with mother nature. 

2015年9月24日 星期四

Solar Terms: autumnal equinox (秋分)


Autumn equinox is the fourth solar term of autumn. As the saying goes 「秋分瞑日對分」meaning, the days are the same length as the nights. From this day on, the days become shorter and the nights become longer. weather also becomes cooler. 
The three main markers of the autumn equinox are 「雷聲始收、蟄蟲坯戶、水始涸」
You will no longer hear the summer thinkers, the insects from the spring will return to the soil. The weather becomes drier. 
As the ancient people say 「二八亂穿衣」"in the months of febuary and august wear whatever clothes"- people do not know what to wear, because you wear both winter and summer clothes.  Always bring an extra jacket just-in-case! 

Solar terms are a good time to practice meditation! Find a time today to give yourself some space and joy!