Mei Lan – a super tea fan from Taiwan

Mei Lan Post in Tea，
11 May 2012
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Can not think of one day without learning, because

the best mirror is when I can face myself honestly.

Can not think of one day without a cup of tea.

50 years experience and learning tea.  Mei Lan is still a happy child wonders in the Tea Garden of Eden

Often people asked me which tea school I went, I smiled and replied “The journey of learning started too early ^_^.”.

>5000 years Chinese history, ancient books, tea masters before my time …..all gave me a solid base to step on the road of learning; most importantly every cup is an opporotunity to relearn for what I have alrleady learnned and knew. With tea, I learn to be patient and humble. With tea, I enjoy forever young.  Me, a super tea fan.

Once a young man asked me “how long does it take to become a tea master?”.  I smiled and replied “life time”

There are many stories to tell about tea.  What is my story?  Please check it out from today’s Blog: http://chineseteaarts.blogspot.com/

Wuyi Da Hong Pao

Mei Lan Post in Tea，
10 May 2012
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What is Wuyi Da Hong Pao?

Da Hong Pao is a rock tea from Wuyi in Fujian. The original mother trees were found on the clift

Right now there are only six mother trees remain which are under the local government protection.  How many tea can be picked are subject to the rain and volume per year.  So the real Wuyi Da Hong Pao is extremely expensive because of retrained quantity per year.  Most of the Da Hong Pao sold in the market are from the extension of Wuyi Da Hong Pao tea tree that were planted by using the cutting method brench.

Is it Oolong or black tea?

Traditionally Wuyi Rock Tea (also known as Wuyi Da Hong Pao) is a high fermented
heavy roasted Oolong tea. But in recent years there are different varieties available for Wuyi Da Hong Pao, i.e.

What is the best choice, i.e. Light fermented? Medium fermented? or High fermented?

Since tea is a very individualize choice, which one you would like to choose subjects to whether you would prefer to follow your nose for fine green note or you prefer to follow the taste on your tonge. therefore, it’s hard to say which one is better than the other one as long as the quality is good.

Of course if you already have a lot of Yin in your body system, then I would suggest to choose the high fermented / heavy roasted instead of light fermented/roasted.

Rock tea such as Wuyi Da Hong Pao is tea that can be stored for long time.  It is better to store it in a dried, cool and air flow area.  You will notice the change of transformation

The Wuyi Da Hong Pao that we have in our centre now is older than 10 years.

Mei Lan Hsiao

Belgium Chinese Tea Arts Centre             Email: info@chinese-tea-arts.com

The truth about life

Mei Lan Post in Living Philosophy，
08 April 2012
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The life is like a theater piece, there are many audients watching the show.

Some like the show and clap their hands, some dislike and hush.

To be appraised or to be hushed subject to how much efforts one puts into his/her performance.

Even for the best actor/actrice will one day feel tire; even for the best theater act has to face the show down one day.

The question is how many people willing to tapping the melody for you when you down; how many are still there to encourage you when you lost your voice, when you cannot further dance and willing to tell you the truth.

It is Ok for having a lot of audients and it is Ok to have less; at end you have to face the end yourself and pack it yourself.

Do not be too proud when you stand up high; do not give up when you feel tire; do not despair when you lost your shine; do not disappointed when the end comes. Face yourself honestly; accept everything with ease in heart.

There are no answers for those so-called “why” questions. We have to make decision from time to time.  Continue your journey with honesty and joy then can see the sun light behind clouds and hope at end of tunnel.

Mei Lan Hsiao – 8/4/2012,- Antwerp, Belgium

人生有如一齣戲, 台上演出精彩時, 台下自然有許多觀眾. 有人鼓掌有人噓聲.是被讚賞還是被噓, 要看自己努力的表現.

再好的演員終究有疲勞的一天, 再好的戲終究有曲終人散的時候, 問題有多少人願意在潦倒時願意幫你打板.

當唱不動, 舞不靈時依然在旁鼓勵打氣, 講真話. 人多也好, 人少也行, 最後還是要面對自己, 自己幫助自己打點.

風光時莫高傲, 疲勞時莫放棄, 失意莫神傷, 曲終時莫失望

以真面對自己, 平常心接納一切. 人生沒有什麼為什麼, 不時必須做抉擇, 誠實面對開心以對就好

蕭美蘭 2012-4-8 於安特衛普

Reflection of Enlightenment 悟

Mei Lan Post in Living Philosophy，
07 April 2012
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Some people thought money means rich, but don’t have time to enjoy;

Some people thought they are successful because of a job title, but don’t realize the cost behind;

Some people have big mansion but have no family;

Some people are workaholic but don’t know how to live;

Some people have plenty but still they haven’t enough;

Can money buy time?

Can money buy youth?

Can money buy health?

Can money buy love?

Can job mean success?

All glory will end up in vein.

Youth and beauty will all fade away.

All dust will eventually lay down in ground.

All will turn into ashes and disappear in wind.

So,

Over proud for what?

Jealousy for what?

Hold on to what?

Aggression again each others for what?

Bully or even killing each others for what?

Some people thought they still have the complete 1 when they break 1 into 2.

Often more means less and less mean plenty.

Life is not about winning or losing.

One can be free when s/he can lay down the demanding impulsiveness.

Let go  is not about emptying but receiving and sharing.

Starting from self.

Mei Lan (Agnes) Hsiao, 6 April 2012 in Antwerp/Belgium

有人認為有錢代表富有但是沒有時間去享受;

有人認為工作頭銜代表成功而不視所付出的代價;

有人有華宅但是沒有家庭;

有人是工作狂而不知如何生活;

有人擁有許多但是始終覺得缺憾與不足;

錢能買時間嗎?

錢能買青春嗎?

錢能買健康嗎?

錢能購買愛嗎?

工作能代表成功嗎?

一切榮耀都將轉眼成空.

青春美貌都有老去的一日.

塵都將歸於土.

一切都將化成灰燼隨風而逝.

所以

驕什麼?

妒什麼?

堅持不放為哪般?

暴力相向為哪般?

霸凌甚至相互殺戮為哪般?

有人認為他們把一拆成二時他們依然擁有全部的一.

很多時候多代表不足而少代表富足.

人生不光是贏或是輸. 自由存於能放下執著的一時衝動的那一刻.

放下不是放空而是在接納.

由己開始.

蕭美蘭  2012/4/6 於比利時. 安特衛普

 

Living with an in-differentiation heart

Mei Lan Post in Living Philosophy，
17 August 2011
1

John:

Two people living in the same village and sharing the same thing everyday but have different experience and future, isn’t it prove the world is fake?

兩個同樣住在同一個村落的人,互相分享每日的點滴. 奇怪同樣的村子不一樣的兩個人竟然遭遇不一樣,這不是說明這世界是假的嗎?

Mei Lan:

Fake or true? Cloud or mist?  Water or air? One type of rice raise more than 100 types of people, and all of these are normal; what is so strange about it?  Learning from an old Chinese idiom – Master (teacher) brings you in and achieving is up to you.  Planting a new tea branch that harmonize with the local soil, water, air and people, that eventually  grow a new tea tree and create a new taste; roots from the same source but with different look, flavour and taste.  Why bother to compare and to bite on the argument when difference is normal?   Live the life with an open and common heart, enjoy this peaceful moment; then this moment is eternality!

假假真真, 是雲是霧, 是水是空氣, 一種米養百種人. 這一切都是正常, 有何奇之有? 古語教導, 師父領進門修身在個人; 一枝茶枝插枝再種, 與當地的土,  水, 天與人融合, 再創新味; 源同而出不同, 何須比較? 以一個開朗與平常心看待, 放下心享受這一平靜的片刻;  現在就是永衡!

The Art of Tea

Mei Lan Post in Tea，
21 April 2011
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The wisdom of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism deeply embedded in the process of tea ceremony in China since the West Han Dynasty period. The collective wisdom from Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism are more than for the respective religion practice, but a way of living to increase self-consciousness and self-cultivation for peace & harmony in body and mind.

Today through tea ceremony we try to practice and relearn the wisdom of calm, tranquility, harmony, emptiness and fundamental respect to humane. The beauty of it is every tea person can demonstrate his/her own learning in living philosophy through simple tea making and serving procedures. 

 The essence of Chinese tea ceremony goes beyond tea itself, the selection of tea ware or the process of preparing and serving tea; it is a sort of meditation exercise to facilitate the healthy life style.  Most of all, it is about attitude towards us that interactive with others and the exchange of energy.

It is an art and it is a way of living.

“Love” – New Inspiration

Mei Lan Post in Chinese Wisdom，
13 August 2011
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When driving to Antwerp Centrum yesterday, all in sudden I have another level of inspiration about the word of “Love” based on Chinese calligraphy.

If we divide the character of “Love” from top downwards, then we can see the heart is being covered by flesh and then supported by friendship.

Based on this simple exciting inspiration, the meaning of “Big Love (大愛)”  became more clearer to me.  “Big Love (大愛)”   that embraced by all religions meant to put oneself to protect and comfort those fragile hearts, and support the process with natural respect and friendships. 

Once again, by taking a little time with an opened mind, I was able to enjoy the joy of having new inspiration and learning of wisdom from a simple Chinese character, ‘Love’.

Mei Lan (Agnes) Hsiao, 12/8/2011 Antwerp

昨日開車往安特衛普市中心去辦事的路上突然對 “愛”這個字有了另一層學習.

若把”愛” 這一個字由上往下拆, 那就能看到愛這個字是把肉把心包起來, 又能以友情墊底.

那大愛更不是就是代表應該能以己身放在眾人之心的前面顧好眾心的脆弱​與需要, 而又能以心中自然產生的友情相待嗎?

昨日體會再一次應證中國字的可愛與智慧.

蕭美蘭 8/12/2011 於安特衛普市

How many infusion per portion of Oolong?

Mei Lan Post in Tea, Tips，
08 May 2012
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Dear friend,

 

Thank you very much for your participation in the Tea World 2012 on 6/5.  Unfortunately we have very limited of time that I was not able to share all my journey learning with you and to complete the tea ceremony.

The strength of Oolong can be varied because of the following factors:

1. Type of Tea – First of all, check the quality you buy, knowing where the tea was grown, i.e. latitude; how tea was made and the fermentation level. Every detail can make a great difference. Even the aroma and taste from organic can be slightly milder than non-organic.

2. Which Season the tea was picked and made – Oolong is a four season tea, the aroma and taste can be varied from season to season for the same type of Oolong that picked and made by the same plantation and maker.

3. Type of Tea ware, i.e. the taste and strength are slightly different by using the Yixing tea pot vs porcelain Gaiwan.

4. Mostly important is Water – Of course the low dry residue in water at  the cooking temperature of 180 degree is good, but we should also pay attention to the pH balance in the water. One thing is clear that the bottled mineral water is not same as fresh mineral water.  Let’s face it, living in Flander, my choice is either the filtered tap water or buying the bottled water. Frankly speaking the balance of how much dry residue vs. pH is still a subject that I try to find out more.  However, one thing is clear from Chinese ancient medicinal writings or later scentific researches about tea that tea can dismish bacteria. So while I am still busy with water research, I find the neutral water with pH level, i.e. in the range of 6.8 – 7.8 with not so high dry residue is more suitable to make a cup of tea.

The tea we drank during the tea ceremony lecture is organic light fermented Winter Oolong from the latitude range 1300 meter in Nantou, Taiwan. The fermentation level is about 10-12%, normally it can be easilysatisfy you with 4-6 infusions.  The water we used in the event has very low dry residue but the pH level is also very low, i.e. 5.85, that affects the taste and the strength of tea.

Because tea is an important beverage every day, therefore whether the tea plantation is adapting the organic growing method and level of making techniques are important for me to choose tea, either from China or Taiwan.

The 16-type of tea I brought to the Tea World 2012 in Brussels last week end are all organic tea.  I have more selection of tea from Taiwan and China, unfortunately I couldn’t bring more with me, but you are welcomed to visit Antwerpen to taste more in our centre.

Hope the above information are useful for you to select and enjoy a cup of fine Oolong.  Have a nice day !

Mei Lan Hsiao

Belgium Chinese Tea Arts Centre

Paul van Ostayenlaan 12

B-2050 Antwerp, Belgium

Tel: (32) 0494-50 68 99

分享禪道儒佛哲學的學習

Mei Lan Post in Living Philosophy，
07 April 2012
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當佛教傳入中國本土的時候, 它接觸到了我們中華傳統中的禪道思想, 進而也融入佛教中, 所以傳到中國的大乘派佛教與印度與東南亞的小乘派不是一樣一樣的. 可以說是在同中有異, 而在異中有同. 當時吸引我開始學習的就是傳統的禪家思想, 在學禪的時候看的都是與佛教發展有關的故事, 每個故事的含意與它的教化的方式, 我則認同道家的自然與儒家的人文自省學習方式. 中國文化之所以精深與潤華就在不論是佛禪道儒都強調一個自省與體會.

禪是什麼? 它的答案是另一個提問, 生活是什麼? 一日生活不也就是吃喝行睡的簡單例行嗎? 但是生活簡單嗎? 而生命在生活環節的品質上中又扮演什麼角色,我們是否又可以反過來問生活環節中的支支細節對對我們的生命有何影響呢? 同樣, 茶不過是茶與水而已, 然而每當我們品茶的時候, 我們是只圖喝茶解渴呢? 還是在每葉茶葉後面能體會到人性文化的光與美呢? 在準備茶水, 奉與飲的過程中是否能體會, 學習與延續那用言語無法說盡五千年的歷史文化中的自然人文的傳統呢? 茶與茶文化的發展在我們五千多年的文化發展中從未扮演過主角, 但是它是我們文化與歷史發展中不可少的配角. 茶在十三世紀起成為中國人的國飲, 因為它是如此生活化, 所以它對我們文化與人性發展就變成了非常隱性. 這不就是跟禪學如何與儒家思想與佛教教義產生的互動影響一樣嗎?

做為一自小自認是天主教徒的我,  在1985年開始接觸到禪宗與佛家思想的時候, 我把它跟道家與儒家思想一樣的定在生活哲學方面, 而不是宗教. 因為放眼天下由古自今宗教的原始教化的意義與傳達會因人而異. 如遇一智者能以身做則的教導後人, 那是後生與學生的幸運與福氣. 但是我們不能忘了它們再怎麼說也是人, 而人都有弱點. 人性中就有貪滇圖利的黑暗面, 孔夫子在世的時候不也是說食色性也嗎? 我想這就是為什麼菩薩與聖人都是少數, 而眾生是無數的原因吧. 對人期望少一點, 失望就少一點, 心就少傷一些. 人生不過幾十年, 如果活在氣憤不平中不是就是自己給自己頭上套上金梏圈嗎? 每次我們氣忿時不是就在縮緊頭上的圈梏嗎? 我想這就是為什麼禪學中歷史中的智者一再以身做則的強調我們應該學習放下, 隨緣, 而老子教我們無為無我的智慧. 我由經驗中學習到, 提升佛禪道儒的學習不在拼命緊張的追與求片面的知識, 而在當下放開心來悟與體會, 而在盡量讓這些智慧存活與實現於簡單生活中

天主教的教宗, 佛教的僧/法師, 藏教的喇嘛, 他們是否因為能有機會學比我們能學的更多就比較有智慧呢? 那必須是因人而定了. 他們跟我們一樣, 等一天到另一世界的時候, 也要面對生死簿中的細節一一被檢視與接受處罰, 那將是神的工作, 我們是沒法子洞悉的. 我尊重有智慧的人, 但是我依然把他們當人看. 不會迷亂的把他們當神信. 先父在世時一再的教導, 如果傳統道德不學不知, 那什麼神與佛都教不了我們. 他的教導對我在禪道儒佛方面的學習有很深的影響.

我們在追求學習中也必須學怎麼樣選擇才是.  一個生活的智慧不能只是知之而知之,  而必須要能學而能習之. 因為我認為如果我們不能在生活中盡力履行, 那口說又有何用?

放開心, 保持理性不要盲從. 與其希望改變別人, 不如由改變自己開始. 凡事憑著本心與良心來做與活, 那我想那我們就離道不遠.

今日雖然天陰颳冷風, 然而依能感受在雲層後的陽光所帶來的光與熱, 偶而聞聽鳥兒啼, 開心喫茶去.

 

關於我

Mei Lan Post in Tea，
29 February 2012
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由於謹守儒家教養的父母嗜茶, 所以自小蕭美蘭就開始對茶很好奇。 在十歲左右每逢周末她開心的為父母一早備茶。 由對養生飲食很投入但是體質單薄的母親那裡她學到的第一堂課就是:  茶很健康但是依然必須依每個人的體質做選擇。由母親那裡也深刻的學習到輕食淡飲的養生基本重要性。由於母親認為年幼的孩子還不適飲茶所以在十二歲前她只停留在 “聞香”  與 “偷品” 的茶童階段。

青少年學生時期跟同學周末喜歡登山踏青, 而台北近郊的茶區就是那群不知天高地厚孩子們最愛去的烤肉, 抓蝦與喝老人茶的地方。 而她也在那時由” 聞香隊” 踏入了”品茗隊”了。 但是對茶的知識依然是一知半解, 只愛茶區的自然寧靜, 愛老人茶的茶香而對茶在文化與人生哲學層面是一無所知。

民國64 (1975) 年畢業進入職場,  因工作或是與友同樂, 往往最後都走入茶館, 無事不聊, 享受品茶交誼之樂。

民國74年(1985) 左右當台灣開始享受經濟起飛成果的時候, 當時她的工作發展看似很順利與成功的時候, 由於長時間緊繃掙扎向上衝讓她意識到生活空洞的問題。 同時幾年過度運動所造成的腰傷, 給那個好動的女孩一個不斷思考人生生存意義及人生與職場平衡問題的機會。在那同一段時間不同的機緣幫美蘭打開了一扇學習茶之窗在下意識中開啟。

跟著藍旭如師父與李清漢師父開始了導引氣功的習練, 同時悟覺到中華禪學與生活簡單卻的深奧智慧。 三個看似各自分離的學習項目卻跟自小承襲的儒家思想串成了一個有互動學習的功能鏈。

民國74 年建設局興建並設立台北市鐵觀音、包種茶展示中心,開始在台北近郊推廣茶文化。自小對茶好奇又愛的美蘭就在那時在木柵貓空開始踏入學茶之路.
木柵貓空半山腰的茶藝店變成她周末心靈沉澱的教室。好動的她開始在品茶中學會靜的美, 更學會享受與茶對話的快樂。木柵貓空變成了她周末必去的清心 靜念的自然禪室。

在茶區學茶, 讓美蘭對採茶人在春夏秋冬的採茶辛勞, 在那陰暗工作房靠經驗手工製茶師父的用心與投入對製茶的過程與辛苦有了更深刻的觀察。當手捧一盞茶, 用心聞得滿室茶香時, 對葉葉皆辛苦一詞有了揪心的感受與感恩, 更能體會古人以“一口茶一口黃金”對茶的形容。

民國80年 (1991) 因姻緣遠嫁比利時. 離行前雖沒帶家鄉的泥土但是在行囊中她沒有忘了台灣的烏龍與鐵觀音, 更沒忘了在台灣保留的茶文化的種子。在台灣種下學習茶與傳統文化的種子繼續成長。在國外她對茶的依戀因思鄉愈變愈濃、愈深。每逢想家時就邀三兩中外友人到家中享受跟母親學的家常菜, 當然飯後就是以茶待客做為晚宴的句點。此時, 茶已非茶, 茶道也超脫傳統的待客之道了。而是她以維持與分享中華傳統做為自我文化肯定與自我持續成長的一個每日功課.

1995/6 期間一位比利時友人要開一太極中心請美蘭幫他設計茶角落, 同時請她在中心開茶課。美蘭深刻感覺要在這沒有茶文化的國度中推廣茶與教授我們台灣承襲中華傳統茶文化不是件容易的事。更意識自己必須以最嚴格的態度來加強對茶, 對我們前人在台灣保留的中華傳統、歷史、文化的持續習練。開始對茶經的基本、茶種類與品質選擇做更深入瞭解, 對茶與傳統茶文化的學習更是由台灣保存的文化傳統基礎上開始向外與向下拓展。愈是對茶瞭解多, 茶與茶文化之深奧更吸引她。她的求知慾就愈渴, 學的就愈深、愈投入。更是因為住在國外習茶不若在台灣容易, 但這更鼓舞她珍惜古老傳統,同時也讓她能在更客觀更深入的反復學習. 由歷史的演進, 茶對中華文化與其它文化的影響更是有如蜜糖般的吸引她、自此開始以更嚴謹的態度投入在比利時開始推廣茗茶與茶文化的努力.

2001/2 到2005年期間當她面對極困難的人生受難與挫折。在失去一切, 孤苦無依的時候, 自小父母的儒家教養, 禪修與習茶讓她找回自我價值肯定。今日回想起來美蘭一再感恩自小承襲的中華佛道儒的生活哲學, 持續練習的導引氣功給那孤獨掙扎的心靈能有片刻療養的啟動。更是由茶道的不斷學習與練習讓她能由茶體會禪的智慧。2005 年當她終於覺得兩腳著地可以站起來的時候, 市場的茶店多了, 喝茶的人多了; 但是市場上卻充斥著許多低檔、假冒或是加味茶; 對茶錯誤瞭解的情況愈來愈嚴重。她警覺必須更用心為茶努力, 市場競爭更激勵她做更深投入的動力。對茶品質的選擇她更堅持“真”這個字訣, 堅持文化不賤賣的原則。雖然她必須用工作的收入來養推廣茶文化的志業, 也有許多朋友笑她傻, 而她怡然自得只求開心與心安。過去自認茶呆的她變成了快樂為茶做志工的茶癡。

曾有外國人問美蘭學茶與茶文化需要多久時間方能出師。美蘭笑答,  一條線由一個點開始, 一條路由第一步踏起. 說要很長時間嘛,  卻也很快也很容易.  安下心坐下來喫茶吧! 重要的是開始點下學習當下的那一刻, 同時在學習的路途中是否持續有謙悲的心。56年光陰轉眼過而學習只有開始而沒有足夠的時候。到今天依然有如赤子般的每日開心學茶。在國外持續學茶不若在台灣或是對岸有那麼多花樣, 每一日反復練習、思考再練習變成她開心的 “生命點心” 。每一季節,  每一茶人的努力都讓她驚喜,  這就是茶為什麼那麼迷人之故。

當年的一小茶童變茶呆,由茶呆轉變成了今日的為茶做志工的茶癡。幾經人生起浮深刻瞭解品茶中的由苦轉甘的美妙過程。一切由轉變心念開始, 更體會健康人生說似簡單卻不易,  說難卻可以當下由簡單茶與水圓滿結合開始習練。

茶非茶, 一盞可助長,

苦非苦, 清喉而後甘,

儉非嗇, 能捨即是福,

空非竭, 惜福感恩深.

蕭美蘭

2012-02-01 於安特衛普

 

Sharing, Accepting

Mei Lan Post in Living Philosophy，
29 February 2012
0

 

To shed does not mean to abandon or to give up, but it is about Sharing

捨 不 代 表 棄 而 在 分 享

To let go does not mean to ignore or to deny, but it is about Accepting

放 亦 非 漠 然 而 在 接 納

Let go

Mei Lan Post in Living Philosophy，
28 November 2011
0

Let go does not mean empty, but it is a beginning of a process for inner peace.

“Empty” does not mean to empty your energy but it is a continue process starting from recognizing, accepting, handling and then letting go.

It is not what “I” want to say or what I must try to impress others. It happens when I start to “listening”.

Loslaten betekent niet “leegmaken”, maar het is het begin van een proces voor een lichaam aanspanningen en innerlijke rust.

Leegmaken betekent niet ‘leeg’ uw energie te maken, maar het is het proces voor herkennen, verstanden, accepteren, behandeling en dan loslaten.

Het is niet wat wil ik zeg over wat moet ik doen of wat wil ik  om andere mensen te indrukken; dat geburt er wanneer ik begin te luisteren.

“放下”不代表 “空” 而只是一個讓身體放鬆與內心安寧的過程的一個開始.

“空”不代表把自己的能量放空, 而是一個由內省, 面對, 接受, 處理, 然後放下的一個過程.

它不在我怎麼跟自己說, 不在我必須做什麼或是我要如何表達; 過程起始於我能靜下嚀聽時的當下.

Mei Lan Agnes Hsiao 蕭美蘭, 27/11/2011

 

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