We get very excited about the future of transportation. Not only transportation in the spiritual world but the physical as well. This post is about another post by Mike and Maaike, a design firm that has redefined the car. In their future which might well be our future- cars will drive themselves. This will free us up to do many kinds of things while we move through space. You know what we’re thinking. Why not design a vehicle interior to be a meditation space. =) Have a look at their post and you will surely be on board. Mike and Maaike
The End of Driving
August 4th, 2009Meditation
July 30th, 2009Before I was born who was I?
After I am born who am I?
Respect yourself, everybody will respect you.
Understand yourself, everybody will understand you.
There are mirrors all around you, strive to see and understand yourself.
Strive to have the heart of a Buddha.
Stop doing bad things, only do good.
Do whatever you can to help others.
In these ways you help yourself.
Help yourself, and you help the world.
Amituofo!
-Sifu Shi Yan Ming
Frogs Jumping Flowers Floating
July 28th, 2009As I prepare for my trip to India 30 years later I’m trying to write down some of my childhood memories. Remembering is really an active and unfolding process. It is amazing how much of our lives are retained by our body and brain. It is as if every moment leaves a mark but it takes action to bring them back to life. This short short is about a visit to the Ganges River.
My mother was leading me, by my tiny hand in half-light, through crowded and narrow streets. We were groping towards the lapping edge of the Ganges River. As I was pulled forward, my head twisted from side to side as I strained to see everything unfolding around me. In spite of my age I sensed that those beside me were gripped with purpose.
Osho on Being in Love
July 25th, 2009I don’t know enough about Osho to know if he was ever in love or not. I have to agree with him that many people’s experience of love is like two beggars each begging the other. It sounds like he is saying selfless but he is indeed saying selfish.
Visa for India
July 23rd, 2009
The process for getting my visa for India was really simple. I filled out an electronic form, took two passport photos at the UPS Store, got a USPS money order, and fedex’d everything to Travisa Outsourcing. Two weeks later my passport came back in the mail with the visa inside. Now I better not loose it!
Asking a Monk About My Rims
July 1st, 2009
I rolled on over to Hacienda Heights to visit the Hsi Lai Temple. It’s a traditional Chinese Buddhist mountain monastery. My intent was to speak with a monk about Karmacar. I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t be upsetting Buddha in any way. Some people working at the temple directed me to the tea room where I sat waiting. The monk came after a few minutes and asked what my question was. I explained Karmacar and the monk understood it in a flash and smiled. The monk said the most important thing is- for us to share the teachings of Buddha. For Karmacar to work people have to be aware or mindful of the teachings. The monk explained that the wheel was on the road, the car on the wheel, and the person on the car – the teachings are what connects the wheel to the person. The monk explained that the wheel signified the Dharma rolling on in time. With this he got up excused himself for being very busy and left. Mission accomplished- I think we’re in the clear.
SalaamGarage
June 4th, 2009
A few months back I was very lucky to meet Amanda Koster, founder of SalaamGarage. Amanda has been a photojournalist working with NGOs all over the world. After many years of her friends nagging her to bring them along she started SalaamGarage to encourage citizen journalism. So today I took the plunge and signed up to go to the India trip in Sept. I’ve been practicing photography, as a hobby, for all of my adult life. I have always wanted to try my hand at photojournalism. Well now I have my chance in a country I lived in 30 years ago. We will be working with Vatsalya an NGO that helps homeless children and their mother’s in New Delhi.
Karmacar Packaging
June 1st, 2009
We finalized the new packaging design for Karmacar. You can click on the image to see a bigger version. We really wanted to convey that the product is about its positive benefits- spreading spiritual blessings and well being. Although the first product is focused on car wheels we are after all kinds of wheels. Karma wheels, soon rolling near you.
Mercado La Paloma
May 22nd, 2009
During a much needed break to my meditation intro- I talked to a Buddhist monk that is also a judge for the city of LA. I told her that I live in downtown LA and she told me about this micro-entrepreneurial collective right in my hood, known as Mercado La Paloma. The way she described it was nuns running businesses by day and praying at night. So today I decided to check it out and was really surprised by what I found. Mercado La Paloma was started by Sister Diane Donoghue. The services offered include everything from housing assistance, to computer courses, and micro-finance for small businesses. I met Beth Weinstein director of Business Development, and told her I would be happy to come in and talk about website design and online marketing. Afterward I decided to check out some of the businesses in the mercado. To my taste buds’ surprise I discovered the best little Peruvian restaurant ever. It’s called Mochica and the eats are deliciously detailed. I love the logo it is a red chili pepper as a kiss mark.
Change your Mind, Change your Brain
April 12th, 2009Buddhist monk and scientist Matthieu Ricard at Google talking about the positive effects of meditation on the brain. He discusses how true happiness is based on an inner condition of mind and not based on external conditions. His photographs of the Himalayas- where he has practiced meditation for 35 years- are stunning.