2024年4月29日 星期一

馬賽 - Marseille

 



盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen Photography

馬賽 

位於地中海沿岸,

歷史始於公元前六世紀。

中世紀時為宗教中心之一。

是法國最古老的城市之一。

現為法國南部的政治、經濟、

醫療、文化中心。

亦是法國最大的港口城市。


市區內有許多教堂、美術舘、

藝術、體育活動中心。

來到舊港Vieux Port

入口處 ,風格獨特的建築 -

歐洲和地中海文化美術博物館。

水上長廊漫步,

眺望寧靜浩瀚的海天⋯

想到一句唐詩:

 海水無風時,波濤安悠悠。」



Marseille -

Located along the Mediterranean coast.

History began in the sixth century BC.

It was one of the religious centre in the Middle Ages.

It is one of the oldest cities in France.

And the politics, economy,

medical and cultural centre of southern France.

Also it is the largest port city in France.


There are many churches, 

artworks and sports activity centre in the city. 

Come to an unique and creative architecture -

Musée des civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée  ( Mucem )

Located at the entrance in the old port of Vieux Port.

 

Walk along the promenade 

and look out the vast sea and sky.

Thinking of a Tang poem 

"When the sea is windless, 

the waves are peaceful."


  

2024年4月28日 星期日

拉西奧塔 - 卡蘭克斯國家公園 Les calanques de La Ciotat

 



盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen Photography

 

位於地中海邊緣的卡蘭克斯國家公園,

是位於馬賽、卡西斯

拉西奧塔之間的保護區。


La Ciotat與其海灣是世界上

最美麗的藍色海灣之一。

而此地有最珍貴的卡蘭克斯國家公園。

叢林小徑依山傍水。

奇花異草漫山遍野。


佇立高峭險峻的懸崖峭壁

彷彿置身世界頂端。


Les calanques 

on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

The park is located in Marseille, Cassis 

and the protected area between La Ciotat.


La Ciotat and its bays are  

one of the most beautiful blue bays 

in the world.

And there is the most precious 

Calanques National Park.


The jungle paths are surrounding forest.

The magnificent exotic flowers and plants are all over the mountains.


Standing high, 

steep precipice and cliff

as if to be at the top of the world.

拉西奥塔 - La Ciotat

 



盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen Photography


拉西奧塔,

位于馬賽以東的普羅旺斯 - 阿爾卑斯 - 

蔚藍海岸地區。


以前是造船中心。

1835年,Ciotaden Louis Benet 

Vence海事工程師合作,

La Ciotat 建造金屬船體。

1851年,國家選擇拉西奥塔(La Ciotat

造船廠建造艦隊。


這裡有數不清的船隻

陪伴孤獨的海。


遠離城市塵囂。

淡定的小鎮

有海風、陽光、奇石。

還有多情的浪花。


La Ciotat is located in the Côte d'Azur 

region of the Provence-Alpes, 

east of Marseille.


It used to be a shipbuilding centre.

In 1835, Ciotaden Louis Benet cooperated with Vence Maritime Engineers,

build a metal hull in La Ciotat.

In 1851, the Nation chose La Ciotat Shipyard

build a fleet.


There are countless ships here.

Accompany the lonely sea.


Stay away from the hustle of the city.

A calm town

there are sea breeze, 

sunshine 

and strange stones.

There are also affectionate waves.


 

2024年4月24日 星期三

淨空法師語錄談靜坐與坐禪 - Quotations of Master Jing Kong on Meditation


盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen photography 


淨空法師語錄 - 談靜坐與坐禪:

早晚有五到十分鐘靜坐

對身體健康有很大的好處

精神什麼時候能休息?入定。

所以入定是精神得到休息,

精神得到休息,身体也得到休息,

這入定的狀況之下 

不是入定得不到休息。

所以我們要想保健,想身体好,

最重要的精神得到休息。

自古以來,養生有道的人,

他們懂得,早晚時間不要長,

有五分鐘到十分鐘足够了,

靜坐,坐在那個地方。

起床了在床上打坐,

什麼都不要想,

讓身心都獲得休息,

這對身體健康有很大的好處。


不能盤腿没有關係,

就是普通坐法就行,

只是把什麼念頭都放下,

什麼要緊的事情都不要去想它,

這是養生之道裡非常好的一種

方法,跟佛經上講寂根意思相通。

不要看時間很短,很管用,

因為你從來没休息過,

能有這幾分鐘休息,

你會感到很殊勝。


佛經說: 「外不著相,內不動心」

稱打坐、坐禪。

所以,行住坐卧都是禪定,

不一定要盤腿面壁。

真正做到一切時,一切處,

六根(眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意六個識根)接觸外面境界,

眼見色、耳聞聲,

確實不起心、不動念、不分別,不執著,

這就是坐禪,這是真正在禪坐。


Quotations of Master Jing Kong - 

Meditation 


There are five to ten minutes of meditation 

in the morning and evening, 

which is very good for health.

When can the spirit rest? 

In samadhi (  attaining a state of deep meditation ).

Therefore, get a rest in spirit,

when spirit is rested, the body is also rested. 

Under this situation, 

If we don't attain samadhi,

we won't get rest.

So we want to keep in good health, 

the most important thing is to get rest.

Since ancient times, 

people who know how to maintain health,

they know that the time should not be long in the morning and evening.

Five to ten minutes is enough. 

Sit quietly.

Get up and sit on the bed to meditate.

Don't think about anything, 

let your body and mind get rest.

Rest is of great benefit to your health.


It doesn't matter if you can't cross your legs.

It's just an ordinary sitting method.

Just put down all the ideas.

Don't think about anything important.

This is a very good way to maintain health, which is compatible with the meaning of the silent root in the Buddhist scriptures. 

Although the time is short short

it works very well.

Because you have never rested,

have a rest for a few minutes,

you will feel very exceptional.


The Buddhist scriptures say :

 " No appearance on the outside, 

Unmotised by the heart " 

is called meditation.

Therefore, it is meditation to walk, live, sit and lie, it all meditation.

You don't have to sit cross-legged 

and facing the wall.

When you really do all the time, everywhere,

six touches eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, meaning 

contact with the outside world,

and the eyes see the colour,

ears hearing the sound, 

truly don't care, don't think, 

don’t discriminate and don’t persistent.

This is meditation, and this is the real meditation.

2024年4月21日 星期日

你是人間的四月天 - You are the April day in the world

 


盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen photography 



盈珍練習油畫 - 蓮
Ying Chen practice oil painting - Lotus


這是林徽因(1904 -1955 
中國著名的建築學家、作家 

19344月發表的詩篇。

為其新生的孩子而作。

她文釆飛揚,

引領我們進入靜謐、柔美、豐盈的意境。

也感受到她的喜悅、溫暖、希望與愛 


« 我說你是人間的四月天;
笑響點亮了四面風;
輕靈在春的光艶中交舞著變。

你是四月早天裡的雲煙,
黄昏吹着風的軟,
星子在無意中閃,

細雨點洒在花前。

那輕,那娉婷,你是,
鲜妍百花的冠冕你戴着,
你是天真,莊嚴,

你是夜夜的月圓。

雪化后那片鵝黄,你像;
新鲜初放芽的綠,你是;
柔嫩喜悦,

水光浮動着你夢期待中白蓮。

你是一樹一樹的花開,
是燕在梁間呢喃,——你是愛,

是暖,是希望,

你是人間的四月天! »



This poem is Lin Huiyin (1904-1955)

Famous Chinese architect and writer.

Poems published in April 1934,

Wrote for her newborn child. 

Her literary grace is leading us into the tranquillity, soft and gorgeous artistic conception.

Also feel her joy, warmth, hope

and love :


« I said you are the April day in the world ;

Laughter lit up the wind in all directions.

The light spirit dances and changes in the light of spring.

You are the clouds and smoke in the morning of April. 

The wind is soft at dusk. 

The star flashed inadvertently. 

The drizzle sprinkled in front of the flowers.

That light, that graceful, you are,

you wear the crown of fresh and beautiful flowers,

you are naive and solemn.

You are the full moon at night.

You look like the goose yellow 

after the snow is falted, 

you are fresh and newly sprouted green; 

soft and joyful, 

the water light floats the white lotus 

you dream of.

You are a tree and a tree blooming,

and the swallow whispering between 

the beams, ——you are love, 

warmth, hope,

you are the April day in the world ! »


2024年4月16日 星期二

靜坐 - Meditation

 


盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen photography 

我們生活在忙碌與壓力中

日復一日,而沒能適當的排解,

有害於身心。

保養身體、保持運動雖然有益,

但更需要的是安靜下來

關心自己的內在。

我們早已知道靜坐

對於提升身心健康有益:

  • 專注於當下的感覺和呼吸時,會減少對過去和未來的擔憂,有助於減輕壓力和焦慮。
  • 科學家發現,静坐時大腦出现的大量alpha波,當大腦頻率處於alpha波時,人的意識清醒,但身體卻是放鬆的,它提供意識與潛意識的橋樑 在這種狀態下,身心能量耗費最少,相對的腦部獲得的能量較高,運作就會更加順暢、敏鋭。 此外可促進一種荷爾蒙激素的增長,使血管擴張、血液通暢。使人體進行新陳代謝的物質 - 三磷酸腺苷增高。
  • 只要静坐510分鐘,人的大腦耗氧量就会降低17%,相當於深睡7個小時後的效果。同時發現受試者血液中「疲勞素」的乳酸濃度有下降。
  • 美國瑪赫里希大学,自然医學和预防中心主任羅伯特施奈德經多年研究後說 : 靜坐似乎會增加人體的免疫够恢復身體的自我修復機制和自我平衡的機制。對神經激素和部分神經系统都起作用,有助於緩和心臟疾病症狀。预防和治療心血管疾病的有效方法,可做傳統心臟病的輔助手段。
  • 幫助降低血壓、心率和呼吸速率,促進身體的放鬆和平靜。
  • 改善睡眠質量。
  • 減輕憂鬱症狀。


如何靜坐?

其實沒想像中那麼難,

只要放鬆心情,坐姿端正

專注一呼一吸用鼻子呼吸 的感覺。

期間可能會有不同的情緒湧現,

不要執著也勿需壓抑,

讓它們雲淡風輕飄去。

再將注意力回到呼吸的感受。

漸漸清空所有的雜念。

輕鬆緩慢的一呼一吸⋯

靜坐可依個人的方便,

在一靜處端坐,

10分鐘或更長時間。

這是基本單純的呼吸。


有另一種「腹式呼吸」

有助於深化呼吸並放鬆身心。

輕鬆舒適的坐姿,

將手放在腹部上。

用鼻吸氣時,讓腹部擴張,

感受氣流進入身體。

用口呼氣時,腹部收縮,

感受氣流離開身體。

專注於腹部的上升和下降,

逐漸深化呼吸,並讓身體放鬆。


我們可以依據自己的需要選擇一種

或多種呼吸方式。


靜坐期間,可能會感覺到身體放鬆

或某些部位的輕微不適,

這是因為在放鬆的狀態下,

我們會有更加敏鋭的感覺。

如果有不適,可調整更舒適的坐姿。


靜坐的過程中,即使只能專注平靜片刻,

那也是得到了片刻的寧靜,

也是一趟清淨心靈之旅。


We live under busyness and pressure.

Day after day, without proper resolution,

it is harmful to the body and mind.

Although it is beneficial to maintain health and exercise,

but what you need more is to calm down, care about your inner self.

We already know about meditation 

it is beneficial for improving physical and mental health :

  • When focussing on the current feeling and breathing, it will reduce worries about the past and the future. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Scientists have found that a large number of alpha waves appear in the brain during meditation.  When the frequency of the brain is at alpha waves, people's consciousness is awake, but the body is relaxed. It provides a "bridge" between consciousness and subconsciousness.  In this state, the physical and mental energy consumption is the least, and the relative energy obtained by the brain is higher, and the operation will be smoother and more sensitive.                In addition, it can promote the growth of a hormone, which can expand blood vessels and make blood flow. The substance that metabolises the human body - adenosine triphosphate increases.
  • As long as you do meditation for 5 to 10 minutes, the amount of oxygen consumption in the human brain will be reduced by 17%, which is equivalent to the effect after 7 hours of deep sleep. At the same time, it was found that the concentration of lactic acid in the blood of the subjects decreased.
  • Robert Schneider, director of the Natural Medicine and Prevention Centre at Mahrich Disposal University in the United States, said after years of research : Meditation seems will increase the body's immunity to restore the body's self-repair mechanism and self-balancing mechanism.  It works on both nerve hormones and part of the nervous system, helping to relieve the symptoms of heart disease.  An effective way to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases can be used as an auxiliary means for traditional heart disease.
  • Help reduce blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate, and promote the relaxation and tranquillity of the body.
  • Improve the quality of sleep.
  • Reduce depression symptoms.

How to do meditation?

In fact, it's not as difficult as expected.

Just relax and sit upright.

The feeling of focussing on one breath and one breath (  Inhale and exhale air breath with our nose )

Different emotions may emerge during this period.

Don't be persistent and don't be depressed.

Let them drift away gently.

Then return your attention to the feeling of breathing. 

Gradually clear up all the other thoughts.

Relaxing and slow breathing... 

Sitting in a quiet place 

depends on your personal convenience.

10 minutes or more.

This is basically simple breathing.


There is another kind of "abdominal breathing" 

It helps to deepen breathing and relax.

Relaxed and comfortable sitting posture,

Put your hands on your abdomen.

When inhaling, nose breathing -  let the abdomen expand 

and feel the airflow into the body.

When exhaling, mouth exhale - the abdomen contracts and feels the airflow leaving the body.

Focus on the rise and fall of the abdomen, gradually deepen breathing, and relax the body.


We can choose one or more breathing methods according to our own needs.


During meditation, 

you may feel physical relaxation or slight discomfort in some parts.

This is because in a relaxed state, we will have a more sensitive feeling.

If you feel uncomfortable, 

you can adjust it more comfortably

sitting posture.


In the process of meditation, 

even if you can only focus on calm for a moment, you will get a moment of tranquillity.

It's also a journey to purify the mind.