Darwin said 'It is not the strongest of the species that survive nor the most intelligent, but the ones most resilient and responsive to change'. Hong Kong people historically have an incredible capacity for pragmatism, optimism and 'can do'. Let us keep our heads down, masks on, hands clean and work together to come through this latest challenge. This too shall pass. Remember tough times don't last, tough people do. anon
Sound of Silence
Sounds of Silence
Everyday the political unrest sweeping the streets of Hong Kong is in the press. My belief is that the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens are peace loving, law abiding contributors to society and simply wish their voices heard. This song came to mind this morning as I read the paper. Peaceful non-violent protests historically succeed but they take courage, patience and determination. Their voices will be heard if only they follow the advice of history's inspirational leaders to 'be the change'.
Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence
Connecting - above, below and to each other
Connect - to join, link; unite or bind: to establish communication between (Oxford)
This week I am in Bangkok teaching Gong Level 1 and 3 to an enthusiastic group of students from Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, the USA and Switzerland. What brings us together is a common desire to serve. It is in giving that I connect with others, with the world and with the Divine - Isabel Allende
Yogi Bhajan said that 'The gong is the sound of Creativity itself. One who plays the gongs plays the Universe.' As a player we are conduits from source to our audience. First we tune in to our Self and tune out monkey mind distractions. For The calm mind allows one to connect with the inner Self, one's Soul, the very source of our being. That's where the music lives. That's where my (the) music comes from. - Carlos Santana
Congratulations to the most recent members of the gong community in Hong Kong and in Bangkok. They are truly the next wave of transformers for the Age of Aquarius.
Anyone who is passionate about what they do will have a better chance of connecting with future generations than those who simply follow transient trends.... their work will have a distinctive character and this is what people respond to.... Giorgio Armani
If you want to touch the past, touch a rock
If you want to touch the present, touch a flower
If you want to touch the future, touch a life. - Anon