Being in Nature Archives - Page 7 of 19 - Madhu Bazaz Wangu
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Being in Nature

Chengdu: Home of Panda Bears

Xiaoli Wan (Kitty), our guide in Chengdu, checked us in to St. Regis Hotel. From the expansive window in our room we had a view of the recently constructed skyscrapers. She waited for us in the lobby to freshen up and drove us for a hot-pot dinner. At the restaurant, a waiter brought a container with two gravy sections, one pepper hot the other milky. She lit the lights underneath the rectangular cooker/server. When the liquids started to boil Xiaoli dropped vegetables and meats in batches. It took just a few minutes for slices of lotus root, mushrooms, and pieces of beef, chicken, and shrimps to cook. The Sichuan gravy was flaming hot but the milder gravy complemented it. Our next stop was Chengdu Opera. The time was dusk. From the...

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Xi’an: Two Hours Flight From Beijing

Two hours flight from Beijing brought us to Xi'an, Shaanxi province in northwest China. I had studied about Banpo Neolithic settlement and Terracotta Army but seeing these in person was an awesome experience. There I was, on my birthday, looking at the remains of 6,500-year-old Banpo village and the life size army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, buried underground!   A day before, our guide Mr. Cheng drove us directly from the airport to the fourteenth century fortification of the ancient city of Xi’an. The enclosed city, 14 square miles, has seen the rise and fall of...

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Three Nights in Beijing

Two scholars who introduced me to the deeply stirring Chinese philosophy and its inspiring landscape painting were professor Wing-Tsit Chan (Chatham College now Chatham University) and professor Katheryn M. Linduff (University of Pittsburgh), respectively. What they taught me resurfaced from the depths as I travelled in China. Treading the yellow earth I wanted to feel the essence of Lao Tzu’s teachings: “Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” I wanted to witness Confucian teachings about order, harmony and wisdom. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: by reflection which is noblest; by imitation which is easiest; and by experience which is bitterest.” And Chuang Tzu, “Happiness is the absence of...

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Travels Through China and Tibet

Dear Readers, Manoj and I traveled through China/Tibet this year. We simply loved their culture, cuisine and customs! Before going to China, out of all the countries we have visited, Spain was our favorite. But now it is China and Tibet! Soon I'll be blogging about the four metropolis, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Beijing and, Dalai Lama's birthplace, Lhasa. For now, here are a few photos. ...

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An Interview with Jen Riday

I was interviewed by Jen Riday, the host of Vibrant Happy Women. Conversing with her was simply delightful. Here are the links to the podcast. Cut and paste anyone of the bolded links in your  browser: Direct listen links: Notes page: http://jenriday.com/24 iTunes Link: http://jenriday.com/itunes/ Stitcher Link: http://www.jenriday.com/stitcher/...

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Shaler Library Book Signing

It was so gratifying to see seriously involved audience at last Tuesday's Talk and Book Signing at the Shaler North Hills Library. A heartfelt thanks to the people who came to attend the event and Beth Lowry who had organized it. #Mindfulnessmeditation #Writingmeditation #Meditationwithmadhu Here are a few snapshots from the evening. ...

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Today’s Talk & Book Signing

Hope you’re enjoying your summer! If you are in Pittsburgh and have not planned something on Tuesday evening, I’d love to see you at the Shaler North Hills Library, August 9 (today) from 6:30-8:30. We’ll talk about the dilemma of balancing daily life with spiritual/creative life. The discussion will include fictional dreams, meaningful coincidences, art symbols and creative possibilities. In addition, I’ll guide two meditation sessions: Body Meditation AND Awakening the Senses. Would love to see familiar as well as new faces in the audience. Refreshments will be served! Here are the details:  ...

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Book Signing

Dear Friends, Please join me at the Shaler North Hills Library for book-signing and a talk, "Imagination, Dreams and Meaningful Coincidences." I'll be delighted if you can come! Here are the details: ...

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The Immigrant Wife & Chance Meetings 50% Discounted

Dear Readers, Have you read The Immigrant Wife: Her Spiritual Journey? Did you purchase Chance Meetings: Stories About Cross-Cultural Karmic Collisions and Compassion? If not, now is the time to do so! From June 27 to July 5 both books will be discounted 50%.  Remember to download them on a reading apparatus for your summer read: The Immigrant Wife: Her Spiritual Journey (Now $2.99, Was $5.99) Chance Meetings: Stories About Cross-Cultural Karmic Collisions and Compassion (Now $1.99, Was $3.99) Delight in your readings and have an unforgettable summer! Madhu ...

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Why I Love Pittsburgh, Reason # 3

Pittsburgh Cultural District The reason #3 why I love Pittsburgh is its Cultural District. Opera, play, ballet, and symphony stir my soul, the purpose of all art. The stories told in verse and prose puncture the repose of routine, and they are essential for frequent reawakening. Recently, Pittsburgh Opera’s “The Rake’s Progress” at the Benedum and Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s “Disgraced” at the O’Reilly succeeded in stirring my spirit in spades. One of my favorite artists, David Hockney, designed the sets in cross-hatching technique, eccentric costumes and childlike wigs. His props and designs reinterpret Stravinsky’s opera for the stage. Stravinsky was himself influenced by engravings of William Hogarth, an 18th century artist. Hockney felt that Hogarth’s precise cross-hatching technique perfectly...

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