When sincere seekers ask “What is Tantra?” we might answer “like Zen, the Tao and Buddhism, Tantra is a path to enlightenment”. But many modern students are stubborn and insist on a mental answer, even if it is a partial answer, which leads to the common assumption that Tantra is some kind of sexual yoga. (Isn’t it?)

Our favorite textbook definition of Tantra points to its Sanskrit roots. The prefix “tan” implies expansion and “tra” means liberation. Thus, Tantra can be interpreted to mean liberation through expansion. Sure, it is poetic, but it is altogether too intellectual. Tantra does not occur between the ears. Nor does it occur between the legs.

Types of Tantra Tantra is like a wise old tree with a vast and deep root system. Some of its more developed branches include Tibetan, Hindu, Kashmiri, Shiviasm, Taoist, Kundalini, Left-Handed, Ipsalu, Quodoshka, Shamanic, Sex Magic and more. Tantra, like yoga, is not a religion. It does not exclude any portion of the human experience – it includes the full spectrum of humanity. Tantra meets people wherever they are and offers tools for them to expand. The different types of Tantra appeal to different types of people who have different needs.

Colors of Tantra Tantra is further subdivided in terms of color: White, Pink and Red.

White Tantra orients around subtle practices and philosophies rather than physical touch and sexual practices. They may be meditations, visualizations, higher chakra concentrations, eye gazing, breath and sound work to build sensual energy without sexual contact.

Pink Tantra (or in some cases, Violet) embraces both the spiritual and sexual aspects of practice. This is the path where the heart is open and lovemaking is practiced with honor and reverence and healing.

Red Tantra consists of many passionate sexual practices. Traditionally the color red connotes femininity, potency, passion and sex. This path can be liberating for the sexually repressed and may hold interest for the sexually obsessed.

Sex Magic Sexual energy is to be preserved for spiritual advancement not material gain. In the system ‘Shamanic Method of Sex Magic’* the practices cultivate sexual life force for healing, pleasure and God realization. This approach is non-dualistic, releasing judgment of both material and sensual pleasures, yet is safe and heart-centered.

Neo-Tantra Tantra may have deep roots in India and Tibet but new seeds have been planted in the West during the sexual revolution in the 1960’s and 70’s. The message that sexual liberation can lead to spiritual liberation is often referred to as Neo-Tantra. The most common practices of Western Tantra include balancing chakras, raising Kundalini, Goddess worship and expanded orgasmic energy.

What is Shamanism? The word Shaman means ‘to know’ and is the earliest known spirituality sourcing back 40,000 years ago. Shamanic practices have existed in every culture in history. Shamans have been known to:

• heal human suffering
• interpret dreams
• reverse disease
• exorcise spirits from other bodies
• channel animal guides and spiritual entities

Some of the basic tools in Tantra and Shamanism include breath, sound, movement, prayer, chanting, lovemaking and ritual. The correlation between Tantra and Shamanism is the use of ecstatic techniques to contemplate wholeness independent of religious philosophy.

Non-Duality in a Nutshell Have you ever had the mystical sense that we are all one? Do you remember the last time you felt totally connected? That is the essence of Advaita, or non-dual Tantric philosophy. Advaita is a Sanskrit word meaning “not two.” It maintains that all matter, regardless of its distinctly different properties, may appear to be separate but is still connected to the whole of existence.

In Tantra we explore polarities of male/female, giving/receiving, active/passive, self/other, mind/body, naughty/nice, duality/non-duality to lead us to greater levels of truth. In Tantra, instead of seeing the body as opposite of spirit, the body is accepted as a spiritual vessel. Sexual excitement carries with it the divine impulse for two to become one.

Mindfulness Paying attention to every subtlety of every moment is mindfulness. Tantra is experiential so ask yourself, what are you thinking right now? What part of your body are you aware of right now? What is happening to you right now?…and how about now? Each of these separate awareness’s bring greater connection to abundance of creativity and love.

Conclusion If you were to ask Baba Dez what Tantra is, he might outstretch his arms as if he was offering a big embrace and reply, “Tantra encompasses every aspect of living. Tantra is about how we live, how we breathe, eat, sleep, work, play and love. It is about everything. And the practice of Tantra is a practice of living life in a way that creates power and magic and divinity. It is any practice that supports us in our divinity.”

On May 19, 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that an outbreak of H5N1 in Hunan Province has occurred, prompting the slaughter of more than 11,000 heads of poultry. The provincial government immediately implemented an emergency plan, culling an additional 52,800 birds to prevent the spread of the disease. This was the country’s first reported outbreak in three months. Across this expansive country, millions of farmers are living in close proximity to billions of chickens. With the environmental conditions throughout China, it should come as no surprise that birds—and humans—continue to become ill.

Throughout history, China’s people have depended on the waters supplied by her seven major rivers for life itself. But over the last 20 years, water quality has deteriorated to a grave state. The Yellow River, long regarded by the Chinese as the birthplace of their civilization, has been so heavily overused for consumption, irrigation, and factory production that the amount of water flowing through this once powerful river has occasionally been reduced to a trickle. According to the World Bank report published in 2001, “China: Air, Land, and Water—Environmental Priorities for a New Millennium,” 40 percent of the water in large stretches of the Yellow River has been classified as “unsuitable for human contact, irrigation, and agriculture.”(1)

The list of river pollutants, lengthy and disgusting, includes industrial chemicals, heavy metals, dead animals, and untreated human excrement. Couple this with nuclear waste that comes from the river’s headwater in Tibet and the millions of dead chickens contaminating the groundwater, it is only a matter of time before more human outbreaks occur in China.

The Chinese State Environment Protection Administration reports that industrial animal farms have become a major source of pollution. In 1995, more than 1.7 billion metric tons of unprocessed manure was dumped into rivers that serve as water supplies.(2) In China’s second largest river, the Yangtze, conditions are much the same. More than 23.4 billion tons of sewage and industrial waste are dumped into the Yangtze each year. More than 15 percent of water samples taken in 2001 from the Yangtze were classified as “unsuitable for human contact.” That percentage has certainly increased since 2001, and will continue to climb with the westernization of the Chinese culture.

The influx of rural peasants into cities has stretched the sewage infrastructure beyond capacity. The operators of most new buildings report that the structures are connected to sewers, but none of the waste is being treated; up to 80 percent of raw sewage is still released directly into the water supply.(3)

In Northeast China, the Liao He River is the principal waterway flowing to the Yellow Sea from Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province. In 1999, this river was classified as “only suitable for industrial purposes that do not involve direct human contact with the water.”(4) Surely, it is far more contaminated in 2007. It should be no surprise that Liaoning Province has been the location of many reported human cases of avian flu and many large outbreaks among poultry over the last three years.

Beyond the severe problems of contaminated water, China is home to nine of ten cities indentified as having the worst air pollution in the world. Respiratory diseases linked to air pollution are the leading cause of death among both children and adults throughout China, according to a November 1999 report by the World Resources Institute, Urban Air Pollution Risks to Children: A Global Environmental Health Indicator. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia are the leading contributors of death in adults and children, respectively.(5)

Air pollution has been blamed for health ailments among millions of Chinese residents, including lung cancer and decreased immune function. The air is so bad throughout southern China that women in Yunnan Province were found to have the highest rates of lung cancer ever recorded: 125.6 cases per 100,000 women. Compare this to the national averages for lung cancer among U.S. women tops out at 6.3 persons per 100,000.(6)

The symptoms and diagnoses of the patients hospitalized and then confirmed to have bird flu have been catalogued by the WHO. All patients developed symptoms of fever, cough, respiratory distress, and pneumonia. Conditions for developing pneumonia can include inhaling fumes and other toxic airborne particles. To expel the congestion, an overabundance of mucous must be produced, creating the perfect environment for the rapid replication of the invading organisms. If the mucous contains a mixture of dioxin and other chemicals, the likelihood of death from influenza could be exponential.

Considering that chronic lung disease and pneumonia are among the most common causes of death in China, the identification of H5N1 may have had little to do with their demise. Perhaps the cause of their pneumonia was environmental toxicities complicated by the presence of H5N1.

Poultry and ducks have been killed by the hundreds of millions over the last four years and yet, outbreaks continue across China and Southeast Asia. Until the underlying causes are addressed and a massive environmental clean up is undertaken, poultry and human outbreaks will no doubt continue to occur.

_____________________________________

REFERENCES

(1) Outbreak of bird flu in central China village. http://www.chinaview.cn

(2) Dooley, Erin E. “Reviving China’s Ruined Rivers,” Environmental HealthPerspectives 110 (2002)

(3) Nierenberg, Danielle. “Industrial Animal Agriculture—the next global health crisis?” World Society for the Protection of Animals, November 2004.

(4) Schmidt, Charles W. “Economy and Environment: China Seeks a Balance,” Environmental Health Perspectives 110 (2002).

(5) Table: Changhua, Wu, et al. “Water Pollution and Human Health in China,” Environmental Health Perspectives 107 (1999).

(6) O’Neill, Marie S, et al. “Health, Wealth, and Air Pollution: Advancing Theory and Methods,” Environmental Health Perspectives 111 (2003).

(7) Schmidt, Charles W. “Economy and Environment: China Seeks a Balance,” Environmental Health Perspectives 110 (2002)

Did you know that Jesus Christ and the Buddha taught the timeless truth in the Vedas? The Vedas are the ancient scriptures that are the foundation of Hinduism. In each Veda there are Upanishads-sections that sum up its teachings-and the teachings of Vedanta interpret the Upanishads and other major Hindu texts. The Vedas were received as sacred hymns or mantras by sages in India thousands of years ago, their truths became the basis of Hindu belief, and in the last century these truths were disseminated around the world by Yogananda, Sivananda, and other great gurus.

Jesus lived in India and the Far East from the age of 13 to 30, 17 years that are unaccounted for in the Bible but documented in ancient manuscripts in Tibet. During that time in his life, Jesus visited sages and holy people, studied the teachings of the Vedas, and taught truth to those who were looked down on by the upper classes and denied access to the scriptures. He did not accept the caste system, and with the wisdom of an illumined mind he taught that God is within and guides us from within. He said one should purify the heart, look to the Christ within, and meditate in the silence of the soul. When he went back to his homeland, he continued to teach Vedic truth, often using parables and metaphor. The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, Chapter 135, tells us that in the temple in Jerusalem he said to the people, “I am the lamp; Christ is the oil of life; the Holy Breath the fire. Behold the light!”

The light of Christ is part of the Holy Breath; the Holy Breath is the Holy Spirit.

Buddha also taught the wisdom of the Vedas. Like Jesus, he was a reformer. He did not personify God and taught only the important, essential, and universal aspects of the Hindu religion. Most of his followers do not accept the truth that the Self is pure, immortal consciousness, but in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, Buddha’s final teaching before he left his body, he makes it clear that his earlier teachings about non-self and emptiness (which were mistakenly interpreted as nihilistic) were preliminary teachings designed to free people from the false idea that the mortal self (ego) is real, and he tells his listeners, “The Self (Atman) is Reality (tattva), the Self is permanent (nitya), the Self is virtue (guna), the Self is eternal (sasvata), the Self is stable (dhruva), the Self is peace (siva).” Nirvana is God’s nature as the Self in the cosmos and in every soul, and as Brahman beyond creation.

In Advaita Vedanta, the Atman (God as the Universal Self, the Holy Spirit) and Brahman (God as the Supreme Being: ever-existing bliss-consciousness) are said to be the same. Even though only Atman is active, Atman came out of Brahman, and both are eternal and have the same qualities. And in creation, just as different objects made of clay are made of the same substance, yet each is unique, every individual soul is made of the Atman and is unique. All things are made of the light of the Atman, and each is a unique expression of Its love, intelligence and power.

Pain teaches us to avoid harmful thoughts and actions, which directly or through the law of karma cause it, but when individual selves were created out of God’s infinite love and light, some did not like their role as independent beings and judged pain as bad. However, all things including pain are one in God’s all-encompassing light and love, so by condemning pain they became less aware of God and the oneness of all things, and as their awareness of oneness decreased, they perceived separations and dualities. Moreover, their awareness of their own divine nature and the happiness it gave them were diminished, and they began to identify with their mortal mind and body and seek happiness in physical pleasure.Thus, they became caught up in harmful desires and habits, their awareness of God continued to decrease, and they became more and more engrossed in matter.

As we grow spiritually and gradually become free from harmful tendencies and habits, we reverse this process and begin to discover the Universal Self. And when our false sense of identity, the ego, is gone, and we remember our true identity as God, we experience the infinite majesty and glory of the Self.

In Messages from Jesus by Mary Ann Johnston, Jesus speaks of the oneness of everything. He says, “God as love and life force is infinite oneness of all things, seen and unseen” (p. 229). He also says, “There is no fixed reality except for the light of God. Everything is all one, including time. This oneness dwells as the light of God, the only reality” (p. 190).

As the Supreme Reality (Brahman), God transcends creation, but as the Universal Self (the Atman), God manifests and sustains every body, mind and soul, and also the entire cosmos. Through the vibratory power of OM and the intelligence that guides this power, the Atman projects the dream of the cosmos in our mind. “The Word” and “Holy Spirit” are other names for the Atman, who is love, light, bliss, intelligence, and power. God is infinite, beyond description, and fully understood only when experienced as the One Spirit both beyond and in creation, but words do give us an idea of the nature of this experience and inspire us to seek it.

May the Holy Breath guide and sustain you!

To read The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ visit: ocoy.org

Go to “Original Christianity,” next scroll down to and click on “The Aquarian Gospel for Awakening,” and then scroll down past “Commentary and Text” to “The text of the Aquarian Gospel.”

On ocoy.org, you will find various texts that shed light on Jesus’ life and teachings, not only in Israel but also in India and the Far East.

For the Mahaparinirvana Sutra and an excellent commentary, visit: nirvanasutra.net

When President Xi visited India, he signed an agreement to produce 3 joint films. This is the first of these films. The film stars Jackie Chan with an ensemble of Indian stars led by a Sonu Sood and Disha Patni. The film is, however, a Jackie Chan vehicle and despite his 63 years carries himself and the film with aplomb.

The film is a box office bonanza in China grossing over $900 million. It was not much of a hit in India where Jackie is not the superhero. The film features two Indian stars in Disha Patni and Sonu Sood. This is a big break and Sonu who plays the villain is pretty good. Disha will do Indians proud with a lovely midriff and for a voyeur. She can also be seen in a bikini.

The story is simple. A Chinese archaeologist on the search for an ancient relic. The villain Sonu also wants it. The search takes the duo to Tibet, India, and Dubai. In Dubai, the star is a lion a pet of a grand sheik. There is plenty of action and some lovely shots of Dubai. The Jumeirah beach resort is the setting and this is where Disha dons the bikini.

There are plenty of action scenes with a hair-raising scene with Jackals. Jackie is a great Kungfu star and he obviously shows his wares. But there is very little romance in the movie and that is the reason the film didn’t click in India. In addition stereotype scenes of elephants and snake charmer are not the best way forward.

The film does have slick editing and direction. The shots in Dubai are well executed. It’s a terrific advertisement for Dubai and shows camel races and car chases, with a lion in the back seat.

The ending is pretty bizarre as the villain Sonu Sood and Disha as well as Jackie get into a classical dance. Hats off to Jackie for doing the dance so well. The relic remains in a temple and the story is over. The finance is from China and thus the film will appeal more there. The success of the film is due to Jackie and that means he is the biggest star of the east.

Two more films will be made and we hear one of the girls Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone will star. In this film, the role was offered to Amir Khan but one supposes he won’t play second fiddle to Jackie. Overall a passable film, which could have entertained more.

The travel bucket to beautiful snow-clad mountains has always remained to be of highest priority for tourists to rejuvenate their busy urban cacophonic life to a refreshing mood. Sikkim, one of the smallest states of India wedged between Tibet, Bhutan and West Bengal encompasses an astounding range of pristine natural beauty of mighty Himalayas. A traveller is always entrenched by the exploration of Sikkim through its various tourists’ destinations laid in lap of beautiful Himalayan town to get a heavenly feeling. Perhaps, Sikkim is entailed to be the richest cultured states of our nation as it inherits wide range of heritage and simplicity till now to all the tourists who come here to witness the beauty of Himalayas as well as the Buddhist philosophy through its various heritage monasteries.

A traveller’s itinerary through Sikkim passes through numerous spots and the most famous one stands to be Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim situated at a height of 5500 ft. The clear sky at the city makes a glade view of the soaring peaks of Kanchenjunga. Gangtok is connected through Siliguri by a four drive by car or bus or through the nearest airport at Bagdogra. The freshness of the city connects many tourists all over the world to refresh their mind and also make this place a popular base camp for their trekking adventure to various places in Sikkim by youngsters. Apart from that Pelling lies to be another destination mark in west Sikkim at an altitude of 2100 m and 120 km from Gangtok. Though the place certainly looks to be a cluster of hotels due to immense tourist arriving there is recent years, but the unparalleled views of snowy peaks of Himalayas, certainly makes a charming one. Pelling is famous for its destinations like Pemangyatse monastery an old one and also ruinous city of former capital of Sikkim like Rabdentse. The testament of the fact that Sikkim lies for a place to meditate as it consists of some old and famous monasteries in its divine hilltops. Rumtek Monastery is the most famous monastery in Sikkim which is 24 km away from Gangtok.

Sikkim is a state which continuously connects to nature’s ultimatum and picturesque destination as you climb higher in altitudes. Among many other visiting spots, Ravangla defines to be one of the most pictorial towns of West Sikkim which is located at a ridge between Maenam hills and Tendong. The serene views of Mt. Narsing and dazzling landscapes of snow-clad mountain peaks of eastern Himalayas make the spot an ideal destination for tourists. As one can find an extremely interesting trip to be laid front from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake, Baba mandir and Nathula Pass. The Tsomgo lake or popularly known as the Changu lake nearly 40 km from Gangtok is situated at an altitude of 3780 m. The lake is a mainly a glacial lake in east part of Sikkim with lots of exotic birds to be witnessed here along with famous Brahminy ducks. The Yak rides are considered to be one of the most attractive rides by side of the lake in Changu Lake. Nathula Pass positioned at a height of 14, 140 ft is the only pass which remains to be connecting India and China and Tibet as this route was considered to be a part of Silk Route. There is a requisite for permission to travel in this Pass which is available from Gangtok. Tourists are allowed to travel in this pass from March onwards till October. Travellers in such a high altitude comes across breathing problems and you can certainly feel tranquillity and at the same time fierceness of nature while travel across Nathula pass. While you travelling to Nathula Pass, you can come across a famous temple at Sikkim which is famously known as Baba Mandir situated between Jelepla and Nathula Pass at an height of 13, 123 ft. While travelling to Changu Lake and Nathula pass, you have to cross by Baba mandir. The Silk Routes of Sikkim certainly considered to be the highest place for attraction for visitors all through the year. The beautiful curve of the roads makes the traveller think about meandering streams and witness some best picturesque scenes evoking eternity. Namchi in southern part of Sikkim is a must place to visit where one can find some mingling of both Hindu and Buddhist culture through various temples like Siddheswara dham and monasteries like Namchi, Ralang and Tendong Hill. Zuluk stands to be one of the most important destination places for travelling while meandering through Silk Routes and situated at an height of 10,000 ft in east Sikkim. From Zuluk, the Thambi View point about 14 km away is an excellent place for nature lovers to witness earth’s best ever-sunrise.

Lachung and Lachen comprise to be two prominent destinations for travelling in northern Sikkim. Lachung is a hamlet studded around the bank of Lachung Chu River at a height of 2600m and also regarded to be the gateway to Yumthang and also one can feel himself in the last place of earth like Zero Point or Yumesamdong which is about 4600m. One can feel the beautiful waterfalls littered road of Chungthang – Lachung Roads while travelling to Lachung. The famous picturesque monastery Gompa built in 1880 is a renowned place of sight -seeing in Lachung. Lachen is a traditional village which is famous for its alpine looks. The place is of attraction to the tourists for its authentic Tibetan foods and drinking dens for local drinks like Tongba. Moreover most of the tourist stays at Lachen to travel further at Gurudongmar Lake. While you travel further in altitude, one must witness the beautiful picturesque beauty of Yumthang valley because of its wide range of hot sulphur springs while passing through the roads connecting from Lachung to Yumthang. Moreover the various species of flowers blooming with its varied colour ranges makes Yumthang a perfect solitary accommodation for the tourist to travel upon. As you go further beyond in altitude from Lachen, you can find Sikkim’s largest lake – Gurudongmar Lake by driving for four hours; which is also considered to be a holy water resource for both Hindu and Buddhists. The steep slopes of the roads and the variation of landscapes while travelling from Lachen to Gurudongmar certainly fascinates a traveller’s extreme quench for adventure and also his quest for lying amidst the snowy mountains.

It’s holiday time! Is north-east India still unexplored? Extract a week from your hectic schedule and fly to the divine land of north east India. If you start from Delhi, the capital of India, the flight will first take you to Bagdogra airport, which is 110 km from Darjeeling.

Starting your exploration from Darjeeling – the Queen of India’s hill stations – you will come across several Victorian attractions that were first ‘discovered’ by the British. Surrounded by aromatic tea gardens, Darjeeling is one such destination where you can spend at least two days. Tiger Hill(offering magnificent views of Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest & other eastern Himalayan peaks), Ghoom (a Tibetan village), Toy Train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), Tibet Handicraft Centre, aromatic Tea gardens and Observatory Hill are some of the highly frequented places in Darjeeling.

Next, you can head towards Gangtok, situated in the lower Himalayas. This pilgrimage centre is a renowned place for Tibetan Buddhist culture. You can spend hours in exploring ancient monasteries & religious educational centres here. Nature lovers can also plan short visits to Tsongo Lake, which is considered extremely sacred by the local people. Moreover, Do Drul Chorten (two exquisite Stupas), Rumtek Monastery, Himalayan Zoological Park and Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI) are some other places to visit in Gangtok.

Located about 80 km from Gangtok is Kalimpong – that is again a sacred Buddhist place blessed with stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks. Thongsa Gompa (Bhutanese Monastery), Durpin Hill (famous for Tibetan wall paintings) and Tharpa Choeling Monastery are some of the highly frequented places here.

These above mentioned destinations are the perfect locations where one can find enough of Buddhist monasteries. One can also have a closer look to the lifestyle of local villagers here. People are very friendly and treat their guests as gods.

Pendants are unique and well designed ornaments that hang on necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They are simply known as ‘hanging jewelry or ornaments’. Pendants come in variety of brands and designs. Among the very best causing ripples in the fashion industry are the pendants which are quality jewelry products loaded with meanings.

The Origin

Om pendants have a very peculiar origin in the great Tibetan culture. The term “Om” is usually the very first sound in the highly revered mantra which denotes the Tibetan culture. The “Om” is part of a common Tibetan phrase normally used in the mantra. The phrase goes as follows: “Om main padme hum” meaning “hail to the jewel in the lotus”. Each one of these words has a special meaning that connotes the idea of purification in the life of an individual. Meanwhile, the term “Om” later became part and parcel of jewelry manufacturing in the Hindu culture. The Buddhist jewelry also imbibed it.

Making of the “Om Pendant”

Om are usually made of ceramics and other metals. They normally have special images attached to them. The Buddhist brands of Om pendants usually have the image of Buddha while the Hindu brands do come with images of Hindu statues. The Shiva statue is usually a very common image used in designing Hindu pendants.

In any case, the Om of most brands usually comprise of endless knots. These knots have various interpretations. They could be interpreted as the interaction between the opposing forces of the world which leads to harmony in the universe. They also refer to the infinite wisdom of Buddha as seen in the Buddhist religion.

The Significance of the Om Pendant”

The term “Om” also means meditation. When one is fully engaged in it, he or she is sure to attain another level of existence in the religious life. The term was said to be the very first sound in Tibetan mantras. It was also claimed to be used by the Creator during the forming of the universe. Hence, when you make use of the “Om pendant”, you’re likely to be attracting great powers that can improve your life beyond your wildest imagination. However, you need to have strong belief in the efficacy of the Om pendants before you begin to see any benefits that come with them.

Om Pendants as Amulets

The Om of most brands are normally worn around the neck as amulets. Their makers claim that they do protect the heart of the wearer from external attacks. In fact, the pendants serve as charms you can always use to protect yourself. This has been the belief in the Tibetan and Hindu cultures and other regions where the Buddhist religion is being practiced.

The Popularity of the Om Pendants

The Om pendants are mainly used as attachments to necklaces and bracelets especially those of them that have the Buddhist and Hindu origin. Today, the pendants are used all over the world. Many people who wear them do believe in the hidden powers attached to the “om” symbol. A good number of fashion lovers believe in the hidden powers of the Om pendants irrespective of the stand of their own religions. Today, the Om pendants are very popular in most Asian cultures especially, Japanese, Chinese, Tibetan and so on. In Africa, they are popular in Egypt. They are also causing waves in the Western world.

Pak Hok Pai

This system was first created in Tibet during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is thought that a Tibetan Lama (spiritual leader) named A Da Tuo, while in a meditative state, witnessed a white crane and a black ape fighting. He was so impressed by the quick and easy movement of the ape and the gracefulness of the crane, that he was inspired to create a new system, which he called “lion’s roar.”

It was originally named after the Buddhist principle that is best translated as “sounds that shake the Earth are like the lion’s roar”-the lion’s roar is seen as being the creation or the starting point of a significant event.

In the 1800s, the system was improved and renamed “white crane sect” by Lama Du Luo Ji Tan.

Guiding principles

Much of the original syllabus is still taught today. The four main underlying concepts upon which the system is based are: “chan,” literally translated as cruel, and meaning that fighters must adopt a dominant mentality and never retreat until the fight is ended; “sim,” the principle of skilled use of body movement to dodge any attacks; “jit,” meaning to stay one move ahead of the fight; and “cheung,” which is the concept of powerful strikes punching through opponents and targets. Typically, punches are aimed to land 3 in (7.5 cm) behind (i.e. through) the opponent’s body.

Emei Quan

This system is named after the Emei Mountains, located in the Szechwan province of western China, and it incorporates low, strong stances, hopping movements, and powerful flipping actions that are generated from the wrists. Training involves the use of forms and weapons. One of the system’s main characteristics is the way that practitioners use force both to divert attacks from, and deliver strikes to, opponents. Emei incorporates a number of technique from monkey-style kung fu and its forms are particularly spectacular and officious.

Although not as popular outside Asia as Shaolin kung fu, emei quan is one of the five major systems recognized inside China.

Fut Gar Kung Fu

Fut gar kung fu is a southern style of kung fu characterized by evasive footwork, low kicks, and palm strikes. Although no one person is credited with originating the style, it is believed to have grown from luohan kung fu.

As the name suggests, the art was originally a generic term for the kung fu style used by monks, although it is now taught as a distinct style in its own right. It is thought of as both an internal and external system, meaning that elements of physical strength and soft “qi gong” movements are incorporated into its comprehensive syllabus of attacking and defensive movements. Well-known offensive techniques (including the hook and the hammer fist), evasive footwork, and the use of some unusual weapons – such as the dragon-well sword – give the system a traditional tone and one that is full of character.

Oriental rugs can be purchased in a great variety of colors and patterns, and will add beauty and elegance to your home décor. When you decide to decorate a room, consider choosing one or more of these exciting and durable area rugs as a cornerstone for your color and design choices. If you are adding a rug to an existing decorating plan, you will have no trouble finding one that complements the choices already made. Although oriental rugs are found most often in living rooms and dining rooms, they are also a popular choice as runners for high traffic areas, for foyers, and even for bedrooms. Your home decorating scheme can include them throughout the interior of your house if you really love them.

What is an Oriental Rug?

When the term “oriental” is used in reference to rugs, it means those rugs produced anywhere on the continent of Asia, and includes:

o Persian rugs – made in Iran (formerly Persia), the country that produces more handmade rugs than all other rug-making countries combined, and are considered by many to be the finest

o Afghanistan rugs – still woven mainly by nomadic tribes

o Indian rugs – mostly imitation of Persian designs, but of coarser wool

o Pakistan rugs – from the country that is the fourth largest rug producer in the world

o Caucasian rugs – from the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and characterized by bright red, rust, or burgundy colors, bold geometric designs, and narrow borders

o Rugs from Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Tibet, and a host of other Asian countries

Each country produces its own distinct style and quality of rug, although many are imitations of Persian designs, as well as modern Tibetan and Indo-Persian designs. Making rugs by hand is an ancient art, and the designs reflect the religious and ethnic structures found in the history of the countries of origin. These designs are still produced today, sometimes by hand and sometimes within a modern rug-weaving industry. The common patterns are traditional floral or garden motifs, often with a central medallion, or a geometric or curvilinear design, or central scenes that look like paintings.

How to Choose Oriental Rugs for Your Home

To decorate with oriental rugs, it is important to take both color and design into consideration. The color should be harmonious with the other colors in the room in which the rug is to be placed and should repeat the dominant or accent colors, or include shades of one or more of them. If the colors are compatible with other colors in the room, even a modern home can be enhanced by the popular traditional designs in oriental rugs.

When choosing an appropriate design, consider how you are going to use the rug. If the center of the rug is going to be very visible, a medallion or central motif or scene is a happy choice. If, however, the center of the rug is going to be under a dining room table or under a bed, it would be better to chose one with a repetitive design or one where the most detail and interest is in the borders.

As well, very colorful rugs with very busy designs can bring a subdued room to life; simple designs and a limited color palette are better in a room that is already colorful and busy. Geometric designs work best in new or modern homes, and curvilinear designs are more appropriate for old and traditional homes. It is most important that the rug does not clash, in either color or pattern, with any other fabric in the room in which it is to be used.

How to Find a Good Buy

A reputable dealer or outlet will give you the “good buy” oriental rug for which you are shopping. Before you go to the store, give some serious thought to the color, design and size of rug you need, and how much you are willing to pay. If you have clear ideas of what you want and have made some decisions beforehand, it will reduce the dizzying number of choices facing you when you have to make your selection.

An antique oriental rug is the most expensive rug, of course, and even if cost is not an issue, authenticity is. Documentation for an antique rug, including the appraised value, is sometimes available, but if not, you can ask for an independent appraisal or a guarantee if you don’t know the dealer.

Most people, however, are not buying an antique, and are simply interested in choosing a beautiful rug and getting good value for their money. It is possible to find a discount oriental rug, or a wholesale buy if you shop around. Whether the carpet is cheap or expensive from your point of view, it is important that you understand the factors that affect the cost.

These are:

o Natural or synthetic fibers

o Method of production – handmade or machine woven

o Intricacy and rarity of design

o Region of origin

Wool is the most expensive fabric, but it is warm, durable, dirt-resistant, fire-resistant, and easy to clean, and has become the standard by which all rugs are judged. Other natural materials used in oriental rugs are cotton and silk, and blends of wool and silk. These materials are more durable than synthetics and never release chemical gases into the air, which is significant to people with health concerns. If you are looking for a less expensive rug, synthetic fibers rather than natural are the answer.

The knots per square inch (kpsi) in an oriental rug is a good indication of its quality, and a high number of knots is usually an indication of durability as well as higher cost.

Expect slight inconsistencies and at least one imperfection in a hand-woven rug originating from a country in the Middle East. The philosophy, from an Islamic point of view, is that only God is perfect, and, therefore, nothing man makes should be perfect. A flaw will be carefully woven into each rug.

“Handmade” means that the rug has been constructed by hand, but it does not necessarily mean that it has been hand-knotted. “Hand-hooked” means the yarn has been inserted into a backing with a hand-held tool. Handmade, hand-knotted rugs are superior in quality to those made by machine made because a rug is more durable when each knot has been individually tightened. Expect to pay more for them.

You can beautify your home with oriental rugs if you give some careful thought to the colors and designs that will work best with your style preferences. By taking time to shop around and make sure that you are buying a quality rug from a reputable dealer, you will be able to enjoy your beautiful rugs for many happy years.

Little is known of crochet’s early history. It seems likely that the earliest crochet was made using fingers, rather than the hooks used today. There are theories that crochet could have existed as early as 1500 BC, as part of nun’s work, which included needlepoint lace and bobbin lace.

There are three main theories for the origin of crochet. Some believe that it originated in Arabia and spread eastward to Tibet and then westward to Spain, finally following the Arab trade routes to other Mediterranean countries. Alternatively, it’s thought to have originated in South America, where a primitive tribe used crochet adornments in puberty rites. Another alternative stems from the fact that in China, early examples were known of dolls worked in crochet.

However, there is no solid evidence as to how old crochet is or where it originated. The evidence of it appearing in the sixteenth century is slight, and hotly disputed. There are references to a type of “chained trimming” made around 1580. However this appears to have been a type of cord, sewn onto fabric like an ornamental braid.

During the Renaissance, women crocheted several strands of thread producing fabrics similar to lace.

The earliest evidence of crochet, as we know it, is first commonly seen in the second half of the eighteenth century. Crochet may have developed from Chinese needlework, an ancient form of embroidery known in Turkey, India, Persia and North Africa, which reached Europe in the eighteenth century, and was referred to as tambouring. The main theory behind the origin of crochet seems to be that it began when it was realized that chains worked in a pattern would hang together without background fabric. At the end of the eighteenth century, tambour evolved into what the French called crochet in the air, when the background fabric was discarded and the stitch worked on its own. Tambour hooks were as thin as sewing needles, and therefore the work must have been done with very fine thread.

Crochet began to emerge in Europe in the early nineteenth century, boosted by Mlle Riego de la Branchardiere, well known for her ability to take needle and bobbin lace designs and turn them into crochet patterns that could be duplicated. She published numerous patterns and also claimed to have invented lace-like crochet, today called Irish crochet.

A type of lace called cheyne lace was made with a hook from the late eighteenth century and a primitive form of crochet called pjonting can be found from about 1820.

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