January 05th, 2025

1/5/2025

Chinese Character 'shi' meaning Vision, comprised of : Samurai + Heart

The Voice in My Head

There is a persistent voice in my head … I’ve been hearing it for quite a while. So I am paying attention. The voice is saying : Go help people to learn and see the intelligence of the written Chinese Characters, or Kanji, as it is said in Japanese.

But I am frightened.

The task feels way beyond my ability.
I am not by any means fluent in reading Japanese. But there is a strong desire in me to become that.

I am afraid of not being up to the task, of being less than what the job requires. And the voice in my head persists. There is an encouraging quality to the voice. It says : 'Go on, you can give away what you have. You have so much to give already. You will grow with the job. You don't need to be perfect. There is no such thing anyway. All you need to be is honest, forthright and generous.'

So I am preparing to jump ... into this vast unknown ocean of the written Chinese Characters, or Kanji, to give away what I know, to share my joys and pleasures of discovery and meaning, while I was diving in this vast ocean of ideograms, logograms, pictograms. I am still afraid, but the voice in my head encourages me. It is telling me that I will grow the abilities I need to deliver the job. By sharing the wealth of recognising the meanings in the Chinese Characters, I will enrich others while my own needs will be met.

So I am jumping, trusting the wee little voice in my heart and head.

I'll hold the first online session for the project 'Coming to Love the Intelligence of the Chinese Kanji (CLICK)' in two days.

*Why CLICK?
This word appeared when I was looking for the right expression for the course. Read below.

The Book of the Heart
Embracing the Tao

by Loy Ching-Yuen
Translated by Trevor Carolan
and Bella Chen
Shambhala Publication

On Enlightenment
Koan # 16

Enlightenment is hard to find
the path isn't easy
When we get it, no one sees or hears us.
But when it comes, another soul has unveiled the truth:
Excellence, faith, single-mindedness -
Click!

1 Comment

Mandy

1/5/2025 09:17:13 pm

Hi Pupak I hadn't actually read your blog before, had forgotten I must've signed up to it until I saw a message from you. I'd love to learn the art of Chinese brush painting, had one lesson some years ago. I always loved the 'Oriental Museum' at the School of Oriental Studies at Durham University 40-odd years ago, and thought of going to a weekend workshop there, but didn't make it. A friend went and bought all the gear. I doubt if it's even still there! But I'm going to Spain end Jan. so not sure I can join at this point. Best of luck with it though. You're amazing!

Seeking Love