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注意生理警讯
从身体的很多方面，我们都可以观察出自己健康的状况。只是很多时候我们都忽略了，现在让我们一起来看看，有哪些是你从来不知道的。 　

以长痘痘来说，有的人偶尔长一两颗，有的人长期为痘痘所苦。但你可知道，青春痘长的位置透露了健康的讯息？

以额头来说，可能血液循环有问题，由于过于劳心伤神，所以脾气容易不好。应该睡眠充足、多喝水。
应养成早睡早起的习惯，睡眠充足，并多喝水。

如果长在鼻梁，代表脊椎骨可能出现问题；

如果是长在鼻头处，可能是胃火大、消化系统异常；

若在鼻头两侧，就可能跟卵巢机能或生殖系统有关。

若在下巴表示肾功能受损或内分泌系统失调。

女生容易 在 下巴周 围长痘痘的可能是月事不顺所引起的。

左边脸颊可能是肝功能不顺畅，如肝脏的分泌、解毒或造血等功能出了状况。

右边脸颊可能是肺部功能失常。

指甲则是人体另一个反应健康的地方。从指甲其实可以观察出许多疾病的征兆，应该利用修剪指甲时，慎重地检视一番。
健康的指甲应该是淡粉红色的，且指甲板光滑、没有沟痕，韧度也要够，这些特点不妨自我检视看看。
如果
指甲凹凸不平，且有沟纹，可能要注意你的肝功能了。
指甲容易破裂 - 缺乏铁质，可由深绿色叶菜类、鱼类、豆类、五　类等补充。
指甲过黄 - 缺乏维他命 E ，也可能是淋巴系 统、呼吸系统有问题。维他命E 可由深绿色蔬菜、水果中摄取。
指甲过白 - 慢性贫血或肝、肾有问题。 白斑 - 缺乏锌，可由海产类、菠菜、菇类、五　类、葵瓜子等摄取补充。
指甲周围皮肤若是过于干燥、粗糙，就要利用按摩与保养，改善情况。

而排泄物则是另一个显示健康状况的指标，不要嫌脏，每天观察一下，看看自己够不够健康。健康的排泄物是没有臭味的，如果吃多肉类、便秘时，都会产生强烈臭味。 　
　
除了从这些地方观察自己的健康，更要注意生理时钟，不要违背天然，才能让身体循环正常。 例如凌晨一点到两点是肝脏排毒期，应该要让身体进入睡眠状态，才能顺利排毒。 　　

总之，要有健康的身体，自己要做自己第一个医生，第一号的观察照顾者，这样才能健康又快乐。 　 　

I Wonder Why, 心灵曙光

This is one of the earlier books that brought me back to Buddhism, its easy to understand Q&A format explaining the many doubts that I had about religion, about Buddhism. It is written by Ven. Chodron. Many a times, re-reading it is still as refreshing & enjoyable, reminding me of the right views. It is certainly a good introduction book for beginners. For those who prefers to read in Chinese, there is an excellent translation of it ( by bro 涂炳忠) and a beautiful name given to the book, 心灵曙光. Reading the two is rejoicing. :-) They are published by KMSPKS and freely distributed at various locations.

related link: Working with Anger

大悲愿, 大悲咒

Was somehow feeling kind of restless, abit of "brain dead" on my way home the other day. I switched on my mp3 & somehow tuned to the songs that I had not listened for quite a while. Listening to the wonderful Buddhist songs and mantra from my favourite CDs from 嘹亮(Leow Liang: http://www.leowliang.com). Suddenly, I no longer felt restless but recharged with the blessings of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Guanyin Pusa.

Among my favourites are the CDs on 大悲愿 and 大悲咒.

The wonderful verses of 大悲愿 reminds one of Bodhicitta and aspiration towards final goal of Nirvana.

大悲愿南无大悲观世音,
愿我速知一切法,
愿我早得智慧眼,
愿我速度一切众,
愿我早得善方便,
愿我速乘般若船,
愿我早得越苦海,
愿我速得戒定道,
愿我早登涅盘山,
愿我速会无为舍,
愿我早同法性身

Listening to the songs, one also feels motivated to strive on.
May all be able to practise with diligence and perfect as per above aspirations.
Amituofo.

True Meaning of Taking Refuge in Triple Gem

Sometimes, we may not have fully understood the meaning of taking refuge in the Triple Gems, and thru the recent class attended, the teacher is very kind to reinforce the right understanding in us.


Taking Refuge in the

Buddha is not pure worshipping the Buddha but represents ensuring towards True Realisation, Clarity, Not in a state of loss;

Dharma is not just about the Teachings but represents Right and Virtue, away from untruth or incorrectness;

Sangha is not just about Buddhist community but represents Purity of mind vs contamination of greed, hatred, anger, etc...

佛= 自性觉而不迷
法= 正而不邪
僧= 净而不染

May we all move steadily on the right path to Nirvana...
Amituofo...

Some more health tips received via email:

KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HAVING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Apples: Protects your heart, Prevents constipation, Blocks diarrhea, Improves lung capacity, Cushions joints

Apricots: Combats cancer, Controls blood pressure, Saves your eyesight, Shields against Alzheimer's, Slows aging process

Artichokes: Aids digestion, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Guards against liver disease

Avocados: Battles diabetes, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, Controls blood pressure, Smoothes skin

Bananas: Protects your heart, Quiets a cough, Strengthens bones, Controls blood pressure, Blocks diarrhea,

Beans: Prevents constipation, Helps hemorrhoids, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Stabilizes blood sugar

Beets: Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones, Protects your heart, Aids weight loss

Blueberries: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Boosts memory, Prevents constipation

Broccoli: Strengthens bones, Saves eyesight, Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure

Cabbage: Combats cancer, Prevents constipation, Promotes weight loss, Protects your heart, Helps hemorrhoids

Cantaloupe: Saves eyesight, Controls blood pressure, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Supports immune system

Carrots: Saves eyesight, Protects your heart, Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Promotes weight loss

HEALTHY JUICES

Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.

Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and improve stomach upset and headache.

Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and bad breath.

Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.
Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.

Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.

Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.

Pear & Banana - regulates sugar content.

Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization.

Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.

Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.

Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation

Wonders of Fruits and Vegetables...:-)

Buddhist Songs

In this wonderful song composed and sung by Rev Heng Sure , the lyrics summarises the basics of Buddhism.

http://www.dharmasite.net/It%27sCalledtheCityofTenThousandBuddhas.htm

His blog:
http://paramita.typepad.com/dharma_forest/

Happy Reading & Listening:-)

The Butterfly

Email series:

The Butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day, a small opening appeared.
He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress.
It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were one way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we were to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

Human rebirth is indeed precious as through it, we experience both happiness and sadness that would cause us to reflect what is the meaning of life about and want to break from this cycle of birth & death. May we follow the Buddha's guidance to attain ultimate freedom.

Read this Refuge and Bodhicitta Prayer recently & find it beautiful:

In my heart I turn to the Three Jewels of refuge.
May I free suffering beings and place them in bliss.
May the compassionate spirit of love grow within me that I may complete the enlightening path. (recite 3 times)


May All Be Well & Happy.
Amituofo. :-)

Identifying a stroke: remember S.T.R.O.

Another email article on healthcare:

INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW........................Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally.
Hes aid the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.RECOGNIZING A STROKE.
Remember the steps, STRO . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(i.e. It is sunny out today.)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

O *Ask him or her to Stick Out the Tongue.
If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side orthe other, that is also an indication of a stroke.


Hope the above info is useful.

MAY ALL BE WELL & HAPPY!!!