Embrace the Nature as the One ...

After staying a couple of days in Milan, then leaving for Piacenza. It took about an hour of driving from Milan to reach Piacenza, a town in the northern part of Italy.

Then from Piacenza, heading to Pian die Cilegi, the meditation center, where Bhante Sujiva is the spiritual guide since 1998. The center located at a small village nearby snowy mountains, which is about 30 minutes drive from town Piacenza. The whole journey, I witnessed the heavy falling of snow. Reaching the center, seeing the uphill road covered with thick snow, it was inaccessible by car, so we walked and climbed up a short distance to the center, while the heavy snowing kept falling. Snow kept falling on my head, kept falling on my head. The white snow, a sense of purification, a moment of union with the Nature! To me, it is a sign of welcome, haha, as I have never seen such a magnificent view in my life! Breathtakingly beautiful!

While staying in the center, I took the opportunity to explore this scenic place, indulged myself with this snow capped mountains, enjoyed the magnificent view of nature. How amazing it was! This is also the crucial moment in my life .... To summarize how I felt for this trip:

Flee the world to find the One

Embrace the Nature as the One

Sometimes, the inner urge wants to disengage myself from this busy world, to find something, but that 'something' is already deep inside my heart. Yes, the nature helps to realize that:

Actually the One is already here, it is nothing special; just live life with ordinariness, embrace the Nature, accept wholeheartedly what is happening at this moment. Isn't it very simple?

見山又是山, so the mountain remains the mountain. The union of 'wisdom and compassion', that can be manifested in the daily and ordinary life. From the ordinariness, we see the Greatness. That is life, just living .... 平凡就是幸福, 不是嗎?

Walked the path to the center, also the Path to the One?

Pian dei Cilegi, the meditation center where

Bhante Sujiva is the spiritual guide since 1998

Flee the world, find the One

Embrace the Nature as the One

Isola San Giulio, Italy

Image 01-by Keriositas, thanks

Isola San Giulio, is an island, has been transformed into a Benedictine Monastery for Christian Nuns to stay since 1976. The small island with area of 275m by 140m, full of picturesque buildings, the landscape is poetic and full of mysteries. Walked around, felt that the island itself is an antique.

Less than 10 minutes of boat ride from the little town of Orta to reach this island which is famous for stories of Saints, legends of dragons, arts and an air of peace over entire island.

San Giulio was born in the late 4th century AD, a legendary priest, built his 100th basilica (old fashioned church) at Island San Giulio. He reached the town of Orta at his old age, looked over to the Island of San Giulio, determined to build his last church and asked to bury him here. According to the legend, he was refused by the boatman to ferry him to the island. But this did not deter him, the saint spread his cloak (thick wool coat) on the water and walked toward the island. Dragons and snakes were infested in the island, with his magical power of words, the saint had not problem to tame them, and finally completed his 100th church in the island.

With its gorgeous view, fascinating legends, artworks and history, this island is one of the Top 10 Secret Sights in Italy!

From the little town of Orta, looking over to the Island

of San Giulio.

Taking a boat ride heading to the Island instead of using

cloak as St. Giulio did, as speed boat is more powerful

than his cloak, hahaha ....

Image 02-by Sujiva, thanks

Island of San Giulio, situated on Lake Orta, with length

275m by 140m wide. There is no dragon and snake but

only spiritual nuns practicing silent contemplation.

This is an unbelievable beautiful island and has

a lot interesting stories about St. Giulio.

Sujiva & Massimo

The Lake Orta, filled with air of silence and peace.

No wonder, the nuns practicing, Path of Silence.

Walked on street of the town Orta, seeing some

charming little shops, scatter around here & there.

A tiny shop specialized in selling local

cheese in the town of Orta.

Snow covering roofs, as the weather was cold,

with -12 degree C ...

One of the Chapels in the St. Giulio Island

Look grand with unique sculpture and artworks

A beautiful Christian artwork, is common

to see in the chapels.

The art works in the chapel, tracing back to a number

of centuries. Some Italian couples choosing this

fairy tale island to be the scene of their wedding.

A painting on this ancient wall? Looked special!

Gorgeous view of St. Giulio island, is a Joy Bringer ...

Oh ... Joy, Joy & Joy!

Walking out from the chapel, with arc facing the Orta lake

Bishops - Preserved bodies lying in the coffins

Image 03-by Sujiva, thanks

背影

Back to the memory of ancient days. Walking

on the back lanes paved with cobblestones, felt like

walking during the ancient times. All these back lanes

looked unique and felt joyous and peaceful.

Relaxed and walked with Joy ...

A fine Italian restaurant on the island. Over

the window surrounded by the beautiful lake.

Enjoyed the fine Italian cuisine with Joy.

Here, the Island of San Giulio, far view is the town of Orta.

A wonderful trip, interesting walks, witnessed the

amazing history, with surprises around every corner.

Plus great scenery and enjoyed fine, original Italian food.

Isola San Giulio has so much to offer! A Joy bringer!

Milano Monumentale, Another Side of Milan

Milan of Italy, to most people, famous for its fashions, branded bags ... If you have opportunity to visit this city, don't miss out another side of Milan, which is equally amazing and incredible. The Milano Monumentale, the underworld of Milan, designed by the architect Carlo Maciachini (1818-1899) and opened in 1866.

The design of monument is highly artistic with very imposing tombs. Walking around, like visiting a museum, you don't feel you are in a traditional cemetery. Being relaxed, joyous and impressed by the artistic sculptures and trying to understand the meanings behind them. If you are mindful and paying attention to it, each statue is trying to tell you its story.

So Milan has both; fashion and model, also, angel and grave! Both also looked impressive and beautiful.

The path to the underworld ... Let's start from here ....

Contemplate on Death

She lies still in her grave,

Father, husband or son.

All tears have gone dry.

Yes, contemplate on Death,

It will bring you peace and joy!

Yes, accept Life’s fickle twists,

Then you can let go of grief.

Poem by Sujiva

When Romeo Met Juliet

A love flowered,

which they said was fate,

A fatal attraction which rendered them both soon dead.

One comes alone, one departs the same,

Lovers who die together

Will be reborn as butterflies in the cemetery of monuments,

Happily ever after.

Poem by Sujiva

The Flight of The ‘Soul’

When the gross body is cast aside

Left to rot, or be cremated,

The consciousness, an airy thing

Changes form, takes flight.

Feel that freedom and lightness

Do not cling.

Fly to the light,

Away from darkness,

It is that light of mindfulness,

Its essence clarity,

To an unknown destination.

Poem by Sujiva

Up & Flying, 我要飛上青天 ...

Separation

They must go, her 2 dear children,

She must bide, may be not too much longer,

Their barrier is not just Death,

But also of Life.

In another time and place

They shall meet again,

As different individuals.

Time erases much,

The consciousness can keep much more.

Meanwhile, that sorrow, even that sorrow

Has passed away

But it will reappear.

The inevitable journey

I must go, so set me free

She tries to keep him

She shall keep only agony

When Death comes with wings

Let him fly and take whatever and go he wants,

Hang on to him and ride to a different world,

There is nothing that one can do now

But to leave and learn to accept

An ultimate reality.

Poem by Sujiva

Body is bound but mind is free ...

Forever Twins

Born together, died together,

These twins shall remain in our minds ever together,

They say the good die young,

And that children who die are heaven bound,

Will they grow up to be old hags strumming harps?

Meanwhile, for many they remain as they were

As little twins playing with their toys.

How horrible!

Poem by Sujiva

All in the memory ... erased memory

what is left?

The last memory:

The nude of Joy with art & wisdom ...

Joy of peace with contemplation, enclosed by

the fate of loneliness

The Last Supper, depicted the final meal, according to

the Christian belief... Jesus shared with his twelve disciples.