2012.02.23 19:00 – Ton Glen For Bruce

The Guardian for this meeting was Paradise Tennant.  Participants included stevenaia, Raffila, Aphrodite, Storm.
[The original ton glen text was added later, as an image near the end of the session, by Storm.]

stevenaia Michinaga: waves
Raffila Millgrove: Heya Steve
Raffila Millgrove: wow is that new.. the halo?
Raffila Millgrove: I didn't notice before.
stevenaia Michinaga: I just put it on, want one?
Raffila Millgrove: yes! that's way cool
Raffila Millgrove: thank you.
Raffila Millgrove: wow!
stevenaia Michinaga: it's the groups logo turned into a halo
Raffila Millgrove: I feel sanctified.
stevenaia Michinaga: well just remember not to get to close to someone and turn your head
Raffila Millgrove: hehe
Raffila Millgrove: don't give me any ideas. lol
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
stevenaia Michinaga: what would you like to explore tonight?
stevenaia Michinaga: hello Aphrodite
Raffila Millgrove: oh. nothing particular. would you like a landmark to one of most amazing sims I have seen in ages?
stevenaia Michinaga: sure, can you tell me about it?
Raffila Millgrove: it's called Spirit. It's ... hard to describe. just astonishing. and so beautiful.
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi. Yes I would
stevenaia Michinaga: I tend to lose LM's in my inventory... forever
Aphrodite Macbain: Spirit
Aphrodite Macbain: what is it about?
Raffila Millgrove: I saw photo and blurb about it on a blog with it .. is not possible to describe.
Aphrodite Macbain: hmm
stevenaia Michinaga: there used to be a group of artists NPRL (Not Possible in Real Life)
Raffila Millgrove: fantasy. small sim.. you should fly up.. btw.. don't stand on ground.
stevenaia Michinaga: they produced amazing creations and art exhibits
Raffila Millgrove: they also give you a free avatar.. of mesh.. that you could wear to blend into the sim.
stevenaia Michinaga: Hi Storm, welcome
Storm Nordwind: Thank you Steve. Hello everyone
Raffila Millgrove: that's a LM to a new installation.. a new sim.. a must see. stunning build.
Aphrodite Macbain: Sounds wonderful . Hi Storm
Storm Nordwind: Wonderful. I shall try and find some time to do so
Raffila Millgrove: you guys don't know me. but I .. wouldn't gush like this unless it were really Something.
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Storm Nordwind: Aph seems enraptured
stevenaia Michinaga: what is a "SL physician"
stevenaia Michinaga: Hi Paradise
Raffila Millgrove: means I am not a real life one.
Aphrodite Macbain: Trying to go there to check it out but I couldn't
stevenaia Michinaga: aww
Raffila Millgrove: Paradise that's an amazing sim.
Paradise Tennant: smiles thank you I will go take a look ..  my apologies for being late.. was out for a run and was a tad slow on the way back :))
Aphrodite Macbain: so amazing I can’t get into it
stevenaia Michinaga: hmmm
Paradise Tennant: what kind of sim is it
Raffila Millgrove: haha Aphro. maybe sl is down. maybe the creator claudia22 Jewell has a pick on her profile that's better.
Raffila Millgrove: it's fantasy. very spiritual. dark. but then again.. not really. hopeful too
Raffila Millgrove: very beautiful.
Aphrodite Macbain: It says "Close" - wonder what that means
Storm Nordwind: That sim currently has 9 people in it
Aphrodite Macbain: Inspired by Bosch
Raffila Millgrove: yes
stevenaia Michinaga: close is usually the next sim, but you usually can’t fly from one island to another
Raffila Millgrove: that's why I have trouble describing it.
Raffila Millgrove turns in her "art critic" card in shame.
Storm Nordwind chuckles
stevenaia Michinaga: I've been thinking about Happiness lately, does this place make you happy?
Raffila Millgrove: fly tho. don’t stand on ground.
Raffila Millgrove: this morning.. we had snow flurries here. very soothing and calm.
Raffila Millgrove: here at PAB
--BELL--
Storm Nordwind: Ah yes - I was mirroring RL
stevenaia Michinaga: there is Storm bringing storms
Paradise Tennant: smiles at Storm :) a dream within a dream :)
Storm Nordwind: haha!
Raffila Millgrove: only gentle flurries.. very soothing.
Storm Nordwind: But to answer your question Steve (I assume it was thrown open generally), no this place doesn't make me happy!
Raffila Millgrove: no?
Storm Nordwind: No. If my happiness was dependent on this place, it would be an ephemeral kind of happiness
Raffila Millgrove: guess I am ephemeral happiness person.. cause I love trees and water and this place has some of my favorite Sl trees and a perfect sater stream.. so it makes me happy.
stevenaia Michinaga: hmmm, Was actually asking Raffila about "Spirit Sim, but listens
Storm Nordwind: I find them pleasant indeed. Otherwise I would not have planted them, or build this place. But I prefer a greater happiness that doesn't go away
Storm Nordwind: I'm sorry Steve. Couldn't tell.
Aphrodite Macbain: It is a fascinating sim, very surreal
Aphrodite Macbain: Just visited it
Paradise Tennant: smiles and listens
Storm Nordwind: Do tell Aph!
Aphrodite Macbain: :-) very beautiful, like a dream
Aphrodite Macbain: limited colour
stevenaia Michinaga: usually happiness I have found in myself is less dependent on the place or things and more so on my state at the moment
Raffila Millgrove: if you fly to each installation--tells a different story.
Aphrodite Macbain: strange beings there part human part beast
Storm Nordwind: oh!
Aphrodite Macbain: nods. I didn't spend much time there, but it looks promising.
Storm Nordwind: IS it by one builder, or a close group? Or more random?
Aphrodite Macbain: I still find the Da Vinci Gardens an amazing sim
Aphrodite Macbain: It looks like it is by one builder Storm, same style
Raffila Millgrove: i didn't edit. I was taking photos. it's a photographer's dream. they were shooting machima (sp) a film there.
Storm Nordwind: Da Vinci Gardens is fun. I think it was there I got the basis for my observatory
Aphrodite Macbain: really? I didn’t know it had been there for so long
Aphrodite Macbain: I wonder how Bruce’s surgery went today
Storm Nordwind: If it's the same place, at least three years
Raffila Millgrove: he had surgery today?
Aphrodite Macbain: yes- on his back
Raffila Millgrove: oh we should think recovery thoughts for him maybe on the next bell time.
Storm Nordwind: Good idea :)
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Paradise Tennant: yes !
Aphrodite Macbain: cervical spine. Fused 3 discs. Cut though his throat
Raffila Millgrove: omg.
Paradise Tennant: ouch yikes
Raffila Millgrove: that’s heavy duty stuff.
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes. I do worry for him
stevenaia Michinaga: eeek, sounds painful
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes. He will be in hospital for only 3 days.
Storm Nordwind: My wife is telling me the gruesome details as we speak :-O
stevenaia Michinaga: that is a good thing
Aphrodite Macbain: Has someone looking after him for a week
Aphrodite Macbain: she is?
Raffila Millgrove: less time you’re in the hospital.. all for best. so they don't accidentally kill you.
stevenaia Michinaga: nods
Storm Nordwind: She's a medical illustrator
Aphrodite Macbain: How does she know? Has she had a similar operation?
Aphrodite Macbain: ah
Aphrodite Macbain: I'm worried b/c he lives alone
Aphrodite Macbain: I gather it is painful
Raffila Millgrove: when they are successful, these type of spinal fusion will reduce pain.
Aphrodite Macbain: good.
Aphrodite Macbain: It was affecting his hip! It hurt all the time
Raffila Millgrove: they don't usually rush into it.. till they tried many other solutions.
Aphrodite Macbain: No they were reluctant to perform it
Raffila Millgrove nods.
Aphrodite Macbain: But it seemed essential once they took an MRI scan
Aphrodite Macbain: He's been so brave
Aphrodite Macbain: Maybe we should make him a big card
Aphrodite Macbain: make
Paradise Tennant: adds Bruce to her Ton Glen list :)
Aphrodite Macbain: nods good idea
Storm Nordwind: Bravo Paradise
Aphrodite Macbain: he does it daily for others
Storm Nordwind: It's a great practice
Raffila Millgrove: what is Ton Glen?
Paradise Tennant: yes it is .. find it centering
Aphrodite Macbain: yes. especially for the person who does it
Aphrodite Macbain: ton glen
Aphrodite Macbain: a form of meditation that focuses on the well being of others
Paradise Tennant: a Buddhist visualization practise where basically you visualize the pain hurt illness in someone leaving them
Paradise Tennant: usually you direct it into yourself and more specifically at your own ego
Raffila Millgrove: oh it's breathing. googled.
Storm Nordwind: And you transfer the merit back to the person to replace it
Paradise Tennant: yes
Raffila Millgrove: I call it "my prayer list"... cause most people can .. relate to that phrase.
Raffila Millgrove: same thing.
Aphrodite Macbain: thinking about others rather than on ourselves
Storm Nordwind: Breathing is a way to do it. You can do it without, but there are instructions by one master that does it that way - and it makes it easier
--BELL--
Raffila Millgrove: most people if you say.. oh.. I will put you on my prayer list.. they.. are ok with that.
Paradise Tennant: http://kaykeys.net/spirit/buddhism/tonglen.html
Aphrodite Macbain: Think of Bruce
Paradise Tennant: yes just visualizing him well, pain free and fully recovered is powerful too :)
Aphrodite Macbain: yes, nice way to focus
Paradise Tennant: if you are worried aph would it help to do a five minute meditation on Bruce's recovery now :)
Aphrodite Macbain: out walking with his dog, Bear.
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes, that would be good. I am worried. Thank you
Raffila Millgrove: well 5 people all visualized him being well and strong.. recovering. each in own way.. probably helped.
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Paradise Tennant: ok let me just grab a candle find that really helps me .. one sec
Paradise Tennant: storm would you like to gong
Storm Nordwind: If you wish :)
Aphrodite Macbain: here are 2 candles
Storm Nordwind: Thank you Aph.
Aphrodite Macbain: Turn down to midnight
Storm Nordwind: Please begin
stevenaia Michinaga: adding incense
Aphrodite Macbain: Be well Bruce
Raffila Millgrove: /sends her thought thru the air with a kite.
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: Blows on the kite
Storm Nordwind: Thank you
Aphrodite Macbain: Thank you
Aphrodite Macbain: Namaste
Aphrodite Macbain: That will make him happy to read this in the log
Storm Nordwind: You may wish to turn the prayer wheels on my plot too
Aphrodite Macbain: whenever he can bend over a laptop again
stevenaia Michinaga: fubu joined me for Bruce
Aphrodite Macbain: awww
Paradise Tennant: smiles
Aphrodite Macbain: Thank you Paradise
Paradise Tennant: smiles thank Aph
Paradise Tennant: Thanks Aph
Storm Nordwind: There are 10,000 mantras of the Buddha of compassion in each prayer wheel. So for each rotation of each prayer wheel, you say the mantra 10,000 times, and you can confer the merit to our good friend
Paradise Tennant: wow
Aphrodite Macbain: Poweerful. I will make sure to turn them
Aphrodite Macbain: Thanks Storm
Storm Nordwind: To turn them, keep clicking on them without stopping - it is meant to take effort after all!
Aphrodite Macbain: I must be off now. Dinner is calling
Storm Nordwind: And you will hear the mantra if your sound is on
Aphrodite Macbain: oh. I didn't know that.
Paradise Tennant: enjoy aph
Raffila Millgrove: me too.. dinner waiting...
--BELL--
Storm Nordwind: Bon appétit Aph!
Aphrodite Macbain: Funny, the first time I read that I thought you said "if your soul is on"
Storm Nordwind: hehe!
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: nitey night
Paradise Tennant: a pleasure to meet you raffila
Paradise Tennant: nite nite storm
stevenaia Michinaga: bye Raffila
stevenaia Michinaga: bye storm
Storm Nordwind: I will go turn the wheels now. :) It's a short walk if anyone wants to join me
Storm Nordwind waves
stevenaia Michinaga: smiles
Paradise Tennant: smiles at stev :) still reading anam cara
Paradise Tennant: really enjoying full of wonderful sentences that make you think
stevenaia Michinaga: anam cara?
Paradise Tennant: a book of Celtic wisdom b John o'donohue
stevenaia Michinaga: aww
stevenaia Michinaga: the poet
stevenaia Michinaga: from the other night
Paradise Tennant: yes really like well worth reading
stevenaia Michinaga: looking through it on Amazon
stevenaia Michinaga: wb storm
Storm Nordwind: Thank you. I hope I'm not interrupting.
Paradise Tennant: we were just talking about anam cara again
Storm Nordwind nods
stevenaia Michinaga: Reading the prologue
stevenaia Michinaga: nice

Storm Nordwind meanwhile was putting the original ton glen text onto a prim! :)
Paradise Tennant: lovely can we see it ?
Storm Nordwind: I guess so. Please hold on
stevenaia Michinaga: thanks
Paradise Tennant: could you paste that into chat storm is really worth adding to the log
Storm Nordwind: The practice itself is summarised in verse 7
Storm Nordwind: Oh sure!
Storm Nordwind: The breathing technique was added later by Geshe Chekhawa
--BELL--
stevenaia Michinaga: may I have a copy, Storm?
Storm Nordwind: Sure
Storm Nordwind: As an object or just the texture?
stevenaia Michinaga: something I will enjoy re-reading
stevenaia Michinaga: object
Storm Nordwind: One moment
Paradise Tennant: puts up her hand me too pls
stevenaia Michinaga: thx
Storm Nordwind: I think (hope) you can change the size etc on that. I'm not used to trading objects! :)
Paradise Tennant: I think this summarizes a very true path to happiness
Storm Nordwind: Indeed. It is a focus of my teacher's teachings

stevenaia Michinaga: would love to hear it in its original language spoken
Storm Nordwind: བློ་སྦྱོང་ཚིགས་བརྒྱད་མ།
Storm Nordwind apologizes - his Tibetan is too meagre to recite it
Paradise Tennant: it is from "the words of my perfect teacher " storm ?
Storm Nordwind: I don't know. I'm not really the person to ask that question
Storm Nordwind: of
Paradise Tennant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPpzKQPhV2E
Paradise Tennant: Robert Thurman ok?
Storm Nordwind: That's a different translation, but it's always nice to hear it - in English too!
Paradise Tennant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWzl4_LY_MQ
Paradise Tennant: here it is in Tibetan
Storm Nordwind: Well I will listen to it some time when I have 3hours to spare!
Paradise Tennant: I think ?
Paradise Tennant: lol
Paradise Tennant: smiles
stevenaia Michinaga: nods
Storm Nordwind: That's an opening invocation - so far. Only 2 hours 40 minutes to go ;-))
Paradise Tennant: smiles
Paradise Tennant: so nice that somewhere .. someone is saying this
Storm Nordwind smiles and nods
Storm Nordwind: I can manage the 100 syllable mantra, and that's about as far as I can go! ;)
Paradise Tennant: hmm use to say several prayers in Tibetan at my rl Buddhist group but we usually recited to the sound of tape with someone leading it who knew who to pronounce the words correctly
Storm Nordwind nods
Storm Nordwind: Many of the rituals at the Colorado Nyingma group are in Tibetan. Very rhythmical
--BELL--
Paradise Tennant: smiles sorry getting sleepy .. have not done my dishes and the dog is giving me a fixed stare ... so think I will say thank you and good night Namaste my friends ...
stevenaia Michinaga: night, Paradise,
Paradise Tennant: really love how they also do this for all sentient beings so many dogs in need of ton glen :))
stevenaia Michinaga: I'm still listening
Paradise Tennant: okies big wave
stevenaia Michinaga: bedtime for me
stevenaia Michinaga: thanks Storm