Independently Healthy

A FRIEND & FAMILY CHRISTMAS IN THE LAND OF SMILES

Thailand - often called the land of smiles due to the traditional smiling greetings, respectful manners and hands-together bow of the Thais. Here at Tao Garden it is a pleasure to give and receive the courteous nod, the sawadee ka and when convenient the waii with hands together, similar to the Indian namaste gesture.  When I go into Chiang Mai and move among the urban hip population and the international expats and tourist I miss the gestures and smiles - a respectfl greeting that makes relationship more valued in the busyness of today's world.

It is nearly Christmas, the 23rd here, we are ahead one day in many parts of the world. Today Kavita arrived from Jaipur, Rajasthan, to discuss a health oasis and school project in India. Soon my son, Galon, arrives for a few days. He is on holiday from Mahidol University near Bangkok and is bringing his bicycle and we plan to cycle the countryside. I am sure he will take some longer rides than my ambition would consider. I like my time with the herbal steam and swims and sun every day and the afternoon quiet time in my room.

Dear friends, Matthew and Mary Kelly are also here over the holidays - a break from their busy projects with Amicus Foundation which funds tsunami, orphans, and education projects in Thailand.  It is a blessing to have something good to do with your life. I give thanks daily for my work, teaching and service and the privilege of contributing to this world.

Tomorrow evening Tao Garden presents a special dinner and entertainment and on Christmas Day 6 of us journey to an Ayurveda center for lunch and an explore. Happy holidays everyone! 

THE MYSTICAL WHITE TEMPLE NEAR CHIANG RAI, THAILAND

The first time I saw the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, it appeared out of white rain clouds early one morning before we reached Chiang Rai, on the way to Burma for a visa run. Thrills ran through me. I had never seem anything so mystical and beautiful in physical reality.  It was an inner vision manifest in the world of bricks and mortar. I was enchanted. As I came closer I realized the unique glow of the white temple was partly due to silver mirroring placed into the white plaster.

Just this week on my second visa run we stopped again, this time on a sunny day, blue sky, and I had my camera this time. They were working on creating dragons on the front steps so I had to dance with my arms and plead and laugh before the workers opened the gate so I could photograph the searching seeking hungry arms. They were delighted with my pantomine of the arms and I shared bright eyes and beautiful smiles and much laughter with the loving beautiful artists as I photographed the hands. I share some photographs of mystical eyes and buddhas of the inner landscapes.

EMPTY FORCE - CONTEMPLATING TAOIST PHILOSOPHY

Since my arrival at Tao Garden I have been contemplating this metal statue near the exercise pavillions - hmmmm - a figure without a middle? What could that mean? A person with an empty space between the head and legs?

As I move forward into my second month at Tao Garden near Chiang Mai in Thailand, I find this notion more possible and more valuable as the exercises combined with chi nei tsang, my own practice and just being in this harmonious international community weave their magic in my being and life.

The clearing of the negative energy from the navel, abdomen and organs produces a calm that allows entry into the flow of what is. When energy or resistance appears I am more easily aware of how uncomfortable that is and work immediately to release and return to emptiness. Mantak Chias's Taoist exercises give practical skills for a calm center and a balanced perspective.

I look forward to sharing some of the exercises in my classes in School of Natural Medicine on my return to Boulder, Colorado in Feburary and March and Health Master SNMI in Iceland in May/June.

The weather is beautiful as we move toward Christmas. Sunny days and cool evenings. My friends doing Amicus charitable work in Thailand have come to Tao Garden for the holiday time and I visit one of their childrens refugee camps near the Burmese border this week. My son Galon who teaches at Mahidol University will bring his bicycle and enjoy the countryside - recently he biked from Bangkok to Burma and in July from Chiang Mai to Burma!  Kavita, a friend from India, is also visiting for a week over the holidays to explore ideas for a health oasis. Life is full even on retreat.

Happy holidays everyone. Interesting thought. Keep that empty space even though the holidays are full of temptations for tasty treats!!! love to all  Farida

THAILAND'S TRUE KING - 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Thailand, a land of celebrations, all beautiful, golden lanterns, candles, temple offerings, flowers, the population paying respect to Buddhism and their living Buddha King, the noble king who celebrated 50 years as a king recently, and now his 80th birthday.

It is an inspiration to see pictures of the King visiting the old and young in every corner of the kingdom, spending time on agricultural projects and schools with students and workers and the aged. He is an inspiration and I am always touched by the pictures of him everywhere and the beautiful film that begins any movie or event.

Enjoy pictures of the celebration. I stand beside a niche in the old city wall (there were many) where candles were place among the golden swaying lanterns and all around. The sky was filled with golden air balloons rising high into the sky, some with a trail of firecrackers going off.

Later we dined at the Tamarind Village to soft music, under the stars as we listened to firecrackers and watched the air ballons float in the sky. Magic!

YOUNG LIVING OILS FEBRUARY ECUADOR TRAINING

Good news everyone! I am delighted to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to visit Gary Young’s new Young Living field of endeavors in Ecuador – clinic in hospital with spectacular chronic treatments achieving results, new oils being made, organic plant farms, and attend classes with Gary.

Lilja, my lovely partner and SNM Iridology & Natural Medicine graduate in Iceland is coming along as is SNM Natural Physician and Naturopath graduate Louise Harvey, from Montana, who worked with Gary in the Utah clinic for two years as an Iridologist and Naturopath. Louise co-created our first certificate Essential Oils Therapist trainings in Boulder last year and is an enterprising business builder and oils educator and practitioner. Malaika our wonderful upline business builder support, an SNM student and Living Foods graduate, is also along on the trip.

This is especially timely as Lilja returns to Iceland to teach her first SNMI days with our current group of Health Master students, and I return to Boulder to teach a six days Level I Essential Oils Therapist Training March 7, 8, 9, 10,11.

On Wednesday 5th March, I will host a study group sharing pics and info about the trip All local grads, students, friends, prospective students and oil lovers are welcome to attend.

To register for the Boulder SNM Oils Therapist Training in March, talk to Heather at the school 303 588 6887; email snmcolorado@purehealth.com and send deposits of $150 to the school made out to Farida Sharan. Only 12 students accepted.

To Register for the Ecuador Trip Contact the YLO Events Team at 800-371-3686
An Ecuadorian Science and Training Seminar
February 23 - March 1, 2008  Quito and Banos, Ecuador