Edward Viljoen: From Larry

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

From Larry

By: Edward Viljoen on Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Share it Please

Hi all,

We had a great day, toured from 9:30 to 2:30 . This was the short day. ~ ?

We saw the Ginkakuji Temple (Silver temple and garden on the hill side), it wasn't silver but it was beautiful. The founder died before he got that far, and it's being restored (Enclosed in scaffolding). The garden, on the flat and on the hill side is incredible. The group, in its travels, has seen a lot, but this is something else.

We did the Philosophers walk, 1.4 miles on the first estimate and 2.6 or 3 miles the second, and probable longer. This is after a long time eat and shop up and down the hill.

We went to the Daitokuji Temple, or Otoko Ninji temple (???), the guided personal favorite, along the way.

The Nanzenji Temple, or the Big Gate, was at the end of the trail. It was an awesome experience; the temple gardens were small but very beautiful. The gate was huge, $5.00 to walk up two or three stories, without your shoes. I got my money back. Who would have thought holy steps all the way up?

We planned to go to the theatre tonight, Japan's culture performances, but we're out of gas. We'll save it for Thursday, our free day, and maybe we'll go to the Nijo Castle too ~ or go to the grand flee market.

We're off to Nara tomorrow, established about 700 AD, and not bombed in world war two. It's a very special place and I'm looking forward to walking back in time to the first century (just think, 2,000 years ago and they say it's as beautiful now as it was then!)

Well, anyway I wish you all could all be here with us. I've been to "Japan" before and I didn't much care for it, but this isn't it. I don't know how to explain it, is it me or them. It's beautiful, the temples, the gardens and the people.

I Love you all and the people of Japan too.

Larry
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

No comments:

Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not merely a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language, the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

Reviews

“While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life’s daily challenges, it’s easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living from the goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are.”
—Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

“Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. You’ll be glad you did!”
—Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

“If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtue—kindness—and reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess.”
—Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

Edward Viljoen was a recent guest to my radio show, "In The Spirit." I had read his book, "Ordinary Goodness" and was happy to talk with him about it. I like the way he inserts stories from his own life to illustrate various points. In this cynical age, this book is a tonic a guide to live a good life by being good to others. We cannot be truly happy until we do. Thank you, Edward for bringing a much needed topic to our attention.

—Gary Goldberg, host of In The Spirit

The Power of Meditation

“Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.” —Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works