My hometown Bansong, An indepth information Part I

Bansong, one of the oldest villages in Thailand, is a territory of Weangsra town in Surat Thani province. There have been many historical artifacts found in Bansong such as prehistoric stone tools and Buddha Statues from many different eras which have confirmed that this village was originally home to many important ancient communities of the South and was thriving since the 7th century BC.

Weangsra Temple

The ancient Weangsra town used to be located at the historic site of Weangsra Temple, which still stands today. The people in this town were very skillful and they protected themselves from enemies by building walls and digging canals all around their village.

An ruins ancient tower

An old swimming pool

A red sandstone Buddha Statue

The ruins of Weangsra Temple include the ancient tower, the old swimming pool (for which the temple and the town were named), and the dilapidated remains of a red sandstone Buddha Statue.

Path to an ancient Weangsra temple

Weangsra is truly one of the hidden treasures of Thailand. There has been little or no advertising or promotion of this area since the people who live there believe ancient and sacred places should not be disturbed. This has allowed the Weangsra Temple to be preserved in it’s natural state for centuries. Although the ruins and the temple may not be as gigantic as others; this does not diminish the fact that when you are in the space, you can sense the collective energy from ancient times that has been gathered for generations, leaving many with a sense of awe.

Travelling to Bansong is very simple; you just hop on a bus or train from Bangkok, then hop off at Bansong’s station.

Map to Bansong

A sign to Bansong

If you decide to drive, from the mainland route # 41 on the highway between Surat Thani province – Nakhon Si Thammarat province, you will see a sign that directs you to Bansong (Sub-path 4009). Also, since lot of transportation is easily available, Bansong can easily be added to your travel plans if you’re already visiting any of the following:
Surat Thani, Phuket, Krab, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Hopefully, you will keep this in mind the next time you visit.

Center of Bansong

An old area near train station

Coffee parties

Upon hearing the name “Bansong”, many people will immediately question the origins of it’s name since they associate the word with something negative. Many years ago, communists had established their division in the area in hopes of expanding their dominion. Often times, the people who lived in the area would get caught in the middle of fighting between Thai soldiers and the communists, and many people got hurt and many died. They lived their lives in great fear at that time.

The word “song” means “division” (referring to the groups of communist invaders) and the word “ban” means “home”, so put these two together it means “the home of invaders.” Over time, the local people came to regularly use the name “Bansong” for this area because it was a part of their lives for a very long time and they never forget.

Mining

Busy Market

Agriculture

With the war now long over, Bansong has emerged as a charming small town with strong economic interests in several areas, such as mining, agriculture, trade and several other attractive things that I’ll be excited to share with you later in this post.

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Translated from http://bansong.blogspot.com/ (my younger brother)

Go With The Ride

Trying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own sense and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar.

There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you rather than fighting them. When you fight the ride, resisting what’s happening at every turn, your whole being becomes tense and anxiety is your close companion. When you go with the ride, accepting what you cannot control, freedom and joy will naturally arise.

Go With The Ride

Trying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own sense and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar.

There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you rather than fighting them. When you fight the ride, resisting what’s happening at every turn, your whole being becomes tense and anxiety is your close companion. When you go with the ride, accepting what you cannot control, freedom and joy will naturally arise.

My lesson with Arthur on Jan 23′09

In my lesson with Arthur on Jan 23’ 09, my mind/body/spirit awareness was completely connected and joy splashed into every single cell of my body. I was able to maintain the connection toward the end of our lesson and it was a wonderful blessing. Now I can understand better why Arthur always tells me “This is the place that I ultimately want you to live.” Its joy is beyond what I can imagine.

In the moment, even though I felt happiness within, I was in shock at the same time. The connection came by surprise and came very smoothly which later became a challenge. Right after I hung up, fear slowly crawled in and took over my joy. I felt nervousness and an insecure energy right at the base of the spine (first chakra). Its power remained intense for many hours. Then next 5-6 days after the incident, I battled with this negative energy while I did my regular vocal awareness practice.

Inside my head, I heard a voice say “How dare you think you can become enlightened about vocal awareness so easily!” God!!

The power behind this sentence pushed my daily practice out of wack. I couldn’t tune in to any rituals. My breath was short and I couldn’t infuse the quality of loving energy into it. My practice became rushed and ruff which left me each day with a feeling of unhappiness and confusion. I was very frustrated, but I forced myself stick to my practice and I tried not to take anything personally. Arthur has said that I have to be exceedingly forgiving to myself if I can’t give the same quality to my practice each day.

The situation became easier to deal with after I went back and listened to a record of my lesson. Hearing Arthur’s voice on the tape and applying everything I learned on this particular day has been very helpful in terms of decreasing the strength of this negative energy.

My practice has returned to normal and I have observed that every time I speak by connecting to the root chakra, my voice becomes richer, fuller and feels much lower. The lower tone in my voice makes sometime me feel like I am the only one that can hear it. It’s hard to project the energy outward compare with my usual way of speaking.

My vocal awareness practice on Jan 17, ’09

My vocal awareness practice on Jan 17, ’09 was unlike any other that I have ever experienced.

I practiced reading a new article and focused my attention on “seeing the nasal edge and the arch of sound” because I strive to project my inner energy outward. However while I was in the second aspect of the practice, I experienced a complete reversal of energy flow. Instead of projecting out, it soared back in.

My pitch became low, deep and heavy. Normally, I can easily make 5-6 words in one breath, but on this day I was only able to make 2-3 words at a time and I felt something push deeper and deeper into my torso. I was forced to slow down so I could continue with my practice.

Then at the conclusion of the practice the energy which has collected inside of me surged back out like a blast of small particles and absorbed into my cells. The feeling was wonderful, like a spray of cool water on a hot day. It felt fresh, sparkling, and bright.

Elephant-Dog Friendship

If they can do it, why can’t we!

New Year’s Message 2009 from my beloved teacher- Arthur Samuel Joseph

I received New Year’s message from my beloved teacher, Arthur Samuel Joseph yesterday. His message is so beautiful and so powerful that it already empowers me to keep walking forward toward my dream. I believe that it will assist some of you, and it is with great joy that I share it with you.

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The other day I was thinking about crafting a message for the New Year, and what I might say. First I had to consider its purpose. Was it merely to be part of a new tradition based on the warm response to last year’s message? No, of course not. If I were to do another the reason would have to be more compelling than that. So, I thought quite long and hard, and following this period of rich reflection, the answer emerged – the reason would be that I am a teacher. And as I begin my 45^th year of teaching, I recognize that one of the reasons I have always found teaching so rewarding is the opportunity to make a difference in another person’s life.

Fortunately, somewhere quite early in my journey, I realized that if there was even the slightest chance for such a presumptuous possibility manifesting- to truly have the honor of becoming the teacher I envisioned- one that created opportunity for transformative, depthful and authentic learning and the requisite changes commensurate with this level of learning to take place – I would first have to develop the skills – technical/philosophical/intellectual/spiritual, within myself to be even marginally qualified for such a noble undertaking. I recognized that for me to teach I would first have to be willing to learn. To learn how to: communicate/listen/see/ know/risk/ trust/act/ be patient/reveal/claim/accept – but not settle/discover the questions you want to ask and the unceasing passion to need the answers/let go/persevere/surrender/comfort/nurture/stand for something/how to work/how to play/be with my Self/how to be with others how to – just be!

I also realized I would have to learn how to dream and to turn the dream into a vision to be fulfilled. For that to happen, I had to learn to be a “pragmatic visionary” – a man who didn’t merely dream, but strived to make the dream come true – to show others how to fulfill their dreams – to make them “real.” To help others take their journey as empoweringly as possible – I first had to try and do this for my Self.

With the recognition of what was/is required – I began.

One of my favorite books- for myriad reasons – is Cervantes’ Don Quixote. One of my favorite musicals is the “Man of La Mancha”, loosely based both on Miguel de Cervantes extraordinary life/ journey, as well as on his profound novel. One of my favorite songs to sing is from “Man of La Mancha”- “The Impossible Dream,” by Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh.

Earlier this week, when I was in solitude- in conversation with my Deeper Self, I thought about this song. I have literally sung it hundreds of times, but until this week, I never quite recognized there really are no “Impossible Dreams.” For, if we can imagine it, dream it, envision it, we can make it come true.

So, my wish as we embark upon our journey this January 2009, is that we all “Dream the Possible Dream!” Dream and know that it is possible to: have world peace, economic stability, eradicate all disease, rid our planet of poverty, be happy, be wealthy – in all ways and always, be a best friend, have a best friend, be healthy, be happy, sing, dance, finger paint, cook really well, care for others and to be cared for as well, to give – boundlessly and to receive abundantly as well, serve God and your Deeper Self in synchronistic bliss each and every day!

As I begin my 45^th year of teaching and learning and my 63^rd year this January 23^rd, I lovingly offer my New Year’s message to listen deeply, hear keenly and believe – unflinchingly, unequivocably in the possibility of our dream/s coming true, and to do all in your power to make this happen.

How you take the journey and who you are matters. Act accordingly.

Sincerely – in faith and gratitude,

ARTHUR SAMUEL JOSEPH

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Merry Christmas Everyone

I have remembered it again

Today was one of those days that a situation was bring back a good memory of something that I have known for a long time. But I forgot when times have passed since other things will come in and take away my attention. I wish I don’t forget any wisdom I have learned or anything I have once valued dearly. I hope they can just pop in my mind immediately without my effort.

The reality is as human beings we forget things. Time normally washes away anything from our memory no matter how intensely we once are engaged. However, we may be lucky that some situations may able to re-establish that same memories and allow us to feel great meaning of them again and that what happened to me today.

I didn’t have good sleep in the last 3-4 nights, so when I woke up I felt awfully tired. My body couldn’t function properly; my eyes were burning and felt very heavy. My brain felt very heavy and closed up. I had breakfast, and felt the need of having more, so I ate twice as much as I normally did. My throat felt dried and a little soar, and on top of that I felt dehydrated, so I drank a lot of water. Then, when nothing could lift up my energy, I decided to lie down. While I was resting, I focused on claming my mind and breathed even more lovingly and slowly. I had been doing it for 45 minutes before I got up. I felt a little better, but my energy still felt low and weak, so I rested and focused on my mind and my breath again. I didn’t remember how long I rested, but after the second round of relaxing I woke up completely rejuvenated.

After I was filled up with a full tank of freshness and liveliness, I went to my vocal awareness studio and did my practice right away. Wow!! My senses were so full of live. They are vivid and in motion. I felt the vibration of the sound, the connection of mind/ body/spirit, and I felt energy flew in (deep) and out so strongly. Also, my voice had more color and juice, and while I practiced I could get into the different pitch easier. I was thrill with the experience, and remembered all over again about the benefit of good night sleep. A simple thing, but is yet very powerful!!!

Evaluate My Work, Dec 2’08

Today I feel a strong sense of confusion and nervousness. Compulsive thoughts are exploding with negative messages. Great, the journey to the greatness is full of challenges. The story in my head is like, I don’t get the attention I need, and I shouldn’t be here, no one listen to me, I am no one. Damn!! What the heck are these all about?

Ok, when I am in fully awareness with my situation, I actually have nothing to complain about. I have made a commitment to be with the Work and I have all the time that is needed for me to do everything I have to do right now. Beside this most important journey, I also have places to go for dancing, yoga, and exercising when I need to. I have time to cook my own delicious and healthy food which I want it to. I am in the relationship that is so supportive for my practice since I can have all time and spaces. So knock, knock..stop complaining, won’t you?

I really like the preciseness of the voice in my practice today. It felt mature and honor. However, it can be a little bit more intimate. The consistent of my conscious Loving breath still needs a lot of work. I believe that I just have to remember it over and over and over again until it will automatically be a part of me. Plus the deeper listening will eventually come right along with my conscious loving breath. Even though I can’t see all the words I say yet, but I can feel some of the words very strongly since I focus hard to release the emotion into the words. I am happy with it, but I have to remind myself not to get carry on into the emotional of the words; I have to consciously connect to every step of the speech.

By listening to my practice today, I finally sensed first hand what it meant when Arthur shared with me one important insight. First I have to say that I agree with him that vocal awareness is about energy. And while we speak, the energy is carried through and that what people connect with. That is why we create the term “It isn’t what you say, it’s how you say it.” That is also why when people sing or listen to the music they move in a certain way. It is because of the energy behind it. Cool!! So, Arthur told me that if we are really conscious in the energy of the words we say, we can speak at the best potential that words will allow energy to channel out smoothly and powerful. Next to know that people will response intensively to it since the energy connects and moves energy. That is the coolest thing that I never hear from anyone before, and it feels fit right in. Oh oh oh!! I have work to do.