"Because you are nothing, you are everything" ManOfLaMantra's Profile

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Emptiness and Form - they be the same thing

Tibetan lama Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche was asked "What is truth?" He responded: “You live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is a reality, and you are that reality, but you don’t know it. If you should ever wake up to that reality you would realize that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all.”

Mind you, by "nothing" he didn't mean that you and I don't exist, but that we are "no thing" -- the mode of our existence has no permanence, but arises spontaneously. Unlimited by fixed characteristics, our essence can manifest as anything. Remember that emptiness is not a nihilistic void, but an expression of utter openness unlimited by any concepts.

Travel extricates us from the familiar, so that we tend to discover ourselves anew in another place, a place with new friends, tastes and smells.

The dissolution of one "self" followed by the manifestation of a new "me" is a result of the truth of impermanence, of the emptiness of fixed modes of existence. We are fundamentally free, even if we typically forget...

Awareness of ourselves while on the road reveals that notions of like and dislike, attraction and aversion, are not true expressions of "the real me", but ideas, concepts, that are conditioned by a thousand things.

A lasting gift of this awareness is that even when back home, we can nurture a more elastic sense of who we are, a humorous, open sense that it's all a magical illusion. Enjoy the illusion.

Expand your territory and be conquered

I used to be a pretty baby -- even had tons of hai

Herein are chronicled some of my travels in the recent few years. The recent journeys that have impacted my life most are a 6-month meditation and travel retreat in South India (1999-2000) and my love affair with the city formerly known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, now Istanbul. I have the glorious Chauncenetta to thank for introducing me to the Jewel astride the Bosphorus.

Istanbul, Center of the Universe

Istanbul is not Constantinople, and yet it is

There it sits. Perched between East and West, Europe and Africa, Christian & Muslim. It's a masala flavored with the Mediterranean, the steppes of Central Asia and more than a hint of the scent of Afghanistan, India, China, and the Silk Road. You can go there and be annoyed at the touts of Sultanahmet and the need to bargain, or you can get over pettiness and experience a menagerie of taste, touch, sound, sight and smell. I find it utterly addictive.

Nooo Yawk City -- Holy Place

The choice is yours: you can let it overhwhelm you and drive you insane, or you can drink it in and see its humor, pathos, and everyday graces. My home town offers so much that some its best things sit quietly unnoticed. You don't need me to tell you what the Lonely Planet can -- I will strive to point out the little gems that I enjoy most (no, not the hookers on 12th ave).

Coming to a City Near You

Be afraid -- actually... don't

Where in the world is he today?
- New York City: pretty much all the time I'm not traveling
- Istanbul: 21 Dec - 1 Jan. (I wonder if they have any kebab there...)
- Philadelphia, PA: 13 - 16 January

Tentative 2006 destinations: Philadelphia, Barcelona, Egypt, Istanbul (duh!)

Travel wish list (in no particular order; if you're going, invite me):
Americas:
- Montreal
- Buenos Aires
- Dominican Republic
- Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Colca Canyon, Peru

Central Asia
- Laryung Tsangpo River gorge, Tibet
- Nanga Parbat base camp, Pakistan
- Concordia, on the Baltoro Glacier, Pakistan
- Bamiyan, Afghanistan
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan

East Asia & Pacific
- Palau
- Sydney
- Hanoi

Europe
- St. Petersburg
- Berlin
- Lisbon

Intro Updated Jan 11, 2006
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Comments (33)

pieter_jan_v Yesterday Report Abuse

Dan, Happy birthday greetings from the Netherlands. PJ
Alikatt Mar 11, 2008 at 1:29 PM Report Abuse

Belated Happy Birthday dear Dan! Are you going back to Istanbul in the summer. I am! May I have Mike's contact number please. Thanks.
VincentJJ Mar 29, 2007 at 6:34 AM Report Abuse

He there,...are you still drunk???
chauncenetta Feb 20, 2007 at 2:57 PM Report Abuse

btw Happy Birthday
cjg1 Feb 18, 2006 at 6:53 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Man. Hope you had a great day. Off to HKG for mine next week.
loveadventure Feb 17, 2006 at 11:30 AM Report Abuse

Hi Dan Happy Birthday. Great home page!
Gypsystravels Feb 17, 2006 at 7:37 AM Report Abuse

Happy Happy Birthday Dan!! Hope you've started your day with a big BANG!!
ani_istanbul Feb 16, 2006 at 10:59 PM Report Abuse

Happy birthday dan!
mehbos37 Feb 16, 2006 at 12:01 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday wise man! Don't act like a typical NYer.
Aggeliki Jan 1, 2006 at 2:10 PM Report Abuse

New Year celebrations in the city! Unfortunately i wasnt able to come this year! But you have my best wishes!