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About Central Okanagan, BC

Kelowna Buddhist Temple * Yitung * Zen Pure Land Buddhism

Deborah Pearce: Home Stager in Kelowna, BC

Kelowna Yitung Buddhist Temple

Located at 1370 Lawrence Avenue, Yitung Temple has been in operation since 1999.

Sunday services are held at 10:30

If you've never experienced a Buddhist service, you may have some questions.

  • You do not need to be Buddhist or hold the beliefs
  • There is no pressure whatever to be Buddhist or anything else
  • The statues are not objects of worship, but symbols of the divine life in each of us
  • Buddhism is a way of living, more than it is religion.

You are always welcome. When you arrive you may wish to ask for instruction to orient yourself. The following will help you to know some customs: yitung buddhist temple kelowna

  • The services are casual. Comfortable clothing (pants) is recommended for the meditation and bowing.
  • Shoes are removed at the entrance.
  • Bow when entering and leaving the sanctuary
  • Feel free to ask for help
  • Basically follow what everyone else is doing
  • It is very easy - not to worry!

The weekly services differ:

  • First Sunday of the month - officiated service, sometimes silent
  • Second Sunday is unofficiated personal meditation
  • Third Sunday - officated service with lunch following
  • Fourth Sunday - personal meditation
  • When there are 5 Sundays in a month, there is an extra personal meditation

Someone may bow to you and say "O-Mi-To-Fo" which means they acknowledge the light and divine life in you. You may bow in return and say "O-Mi-To-Fo" OR they may just say "Hello!"

Deborah Pearce of Living Spaces Design, Interior Designer Stager & Artist has an established business record with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years in Kelowna.

You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.

terrific thanks for the beautiful photos by Catherine Kennedy

Kelowna Buddhist Temple * Yitung * No Talking is Talking * The Lesson That Took A Year

Deborah Pearce: Home Stager in Kelowna, BC

"No Talking is Talking?" Master Ru had me at her opening statement.

All year she was not giving her teachings during the services at Yitung Temple. She is wonderful to listen to - her wisdom and beauty shines through her speaking dialect. I missed her simply wise teachings.

My aha! came clearly at the opening celebration of the Chinese New Year Jan 20.

Last year she spoke of silence. I didn't expect a year of it! But now I realize that was her intention!

"No Teaching is Teaching"

She wanted us to learn to empty ourselves. She explained how Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree for six years in silence. At the end he realized we are all enlightened - the divine nature is in us all. He was not, is not, god any more than the rest of us - or any less. The golden statues in the temple are reminders of the golden inner life, not idols of worship.

I find much value in the practices and teachings. Bowing is an expression of honoring the light and life of the divine in humanity, connectedly and collectively.

Even though the lesson went right over my head for the year, it did impact me. I have been learning to become more aware of the sacred inner nature where life truly lives, while emptying out the temporal daily trappings.

My discovery - Being full is being empty - and empty, full. Then after this disovery, as puzzling as it may sound, is this - there is no emptiness and likewise, no fullness! Life is.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Apparently in Chinese Buddhist tradition there are 3 New Year ceremonies, each 2 weeks apart.

Yitung Temple Kelowna

KELOWNA WOMEN MIDLIFE MEDITATION

Deborah Pearce of Living Spaces Design, Interior Designer Stager & Artist has an established business record with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years in Kelowna.

You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors. http://www.living-spaces-design.com/interiordesign.html

Photo courtesy of Catherine Kennedy

Visitors may comment or address any enquiries in the comment box below - thanks for visiting!

Kelowna Home Staging Living Spaces Interior Design ...MY PRO MEME

Deborah Pearce: Home Stager in Kelowna, BC

The 'Meme', for public understanding is 'Active Rain's' idea of 'tag', the purpose being, getting to know others in this 65,000+ network. This my 5th, thanks to Martin Abeshaus I decided to publish my career journey.

staged family / great room dining

Academic Studies - A 'visual' girl, I dreamed sugar plum fantasies of exquisite interiors. Academic studies in the sciences were fascinating - math is beautifully the only precise science - you can always count on it! However I couldn't see that I would want to work in academia.

Design Studies - For a brief fortunate period, Interior Design at Okanagan College was facilitated by a brilliant graduate of design and engineering, who crammed her 5 years of university into a two year program. It was hard work, before Auto-Cad - the old way of drafting and design. The yield was enormous. for which I have been ever grateful.

Art - Design principles and elements are universal. Studies in design led naturally into art. Raku Fired hand-built sculptural forms became my specialty. I produced, sold to galleries and taught from my studio.

Business Sales Marketing - From Design Studies and business courses, I worked in various aspects of interiors - window coverings, furniture, design assistant, art & accessories, gaining excellent knowledge of business procedures. A solid business foundation led to consultation, space planning, outfitting and arrangement in Interior Design and Property Presentation (staging) for locals and international property owners.

Volta Cafe Kelowna BC - Living Spaces Interior Design & Staging

Volta Cafe - the manifestation of a longtime dream. A critical milestone, drove me to no longer put off and maybe never do some things. I finally allowed myself to manifest the 'people place' I'd dreamed many years. Volta was a magnificent adventure in Kelowna's Cultural District.

The Old World flavours of exposed old brick and scarred fir floors were given new life by the best customers in the world. Actors, artists, writers, dancers among many local and international profiles, met over Mediterranean fare and delicious Fair Trade Organic Coffee. The shop supplied dance shoes to BC dancers and the walls merchandised art. Volta was the expressive vehicle for my creativity.

In 2007 I decided to return to Staging and Interior Design. The real estate field has evolved considerably, since previously presenting properties. Awareness of the value has increased demand of services.

Deborah Pearce of Living Spaces Design, Interior Designer Stager & Artist has an established business record with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, Business and Sales for over 20 years in Kelowna. Returning to Interiors & staging recently, she is pleased to again offer the specialized services of Property Presentation - Staging.

You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find here many articles on staging and interiors.

I am tagging 3 ladies in real estate whom I've come to appreciate here on Active Rain. To each, please:

  1. refer to the Meme's group to find the many ways to do this http://activerain.com/groups/memes
  2. write 5 things about yourself
  3. Tag 3 people and notify them - try to tag people for whom it is a first
  4. Come back here and notify me when you post so I can visit your meme!

Nancy Pav A professional with heart and awareness - always has a great book to refer!

Kathleen Vetrano A cheerful professional with neighborhood values who relates to my excitement of dance!

Marlene Scheffer A dedicated northwest professional and Mom - not far from where I live!

Let It Be A Dance

Deborah Pearce: Home Stager in Kelowna, BC

Tango at Church???

...and what does Tai Chi have to do with Tango?? ..in church ...anyway?

It's right across the street from where I live, but I don't generally attend the Unitarian Fellowship of Kelowna, except for special functions. Like today.

I previously blogged on how both Qi-gong and Argentine Tango, long time dreams of mine had come right to my front door - the church across the street. http://activerain.com/blogsview/132063/Argentine-Tango-in-Kelowna

Entirely fitting for me, dancer and lover of dance, was this first celebration of the new year at the fellowship which they called in relating to the new year, 'Let It Be A Dance'. Aligned entirely with my own beliefs was the interpretation of dance as life itself.

Hajime, Harold Naka,a Tai Chi Master and self proclaimed Zen drop-out, spoke of his journey with dance and how it led him to Tai Chi. This man, with whom I've taken Qi-gong, I call a Dao-ist Maverick! He shares how he found his life and healing on this path through many disciplines and defined them for himself in the humblest of words.

Harold's purity of spirit brought joy with tears spilling from my eyes as he spoke and shared his life in the expression of Tai Chi Dragon Dancing. With a broad smile I muse at the guitar accompaniment, the song, 'People As Crazy As Me' ;)) ...just luuvvved it!

Sharon Sebo my Argentine Tango Instructor who teaches 26 partner dances, performed with a young 'Tanguero' & dance afficionado 'Mica'. I wish to dance this dance finally, as it dances me. Many of Sharon's students are amazing young people who have discovered the marvelous partner dance world here. They are pure inspiration!

Sharon may be accessed from her website for group and private lessons. http://www.tangokelowna.com

A fluidly beautiful inner expression emoted from a solo by Gail Hodgson. So obviously tuned with her inner life, her moving dance filled me with the appreciation for the ecstacy of feeling, each our own life within us.

Today was an important personal milestone in my life, which could not have been marked and celebrated in a better way. It was perfection.

Happy New Year. I Hope You Dance

Deborah Pearce of Living Spaces Design, Interior Designer Stager & Artist has an established business record with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, Business and Sales for over 20 years in Kelowna. Returning to Interiors & staging recently, she is pleased to again offer the specialized services of Property Presentation - Staging.

You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find here many articles on staging and interiors.

http://activerain.com/groups/raindancers

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii303/eccarr88/tango.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/brok3ndr34ms101/Dragon.jpg

Kelowna BC - Snow In June!!

Deborah Pearce: Home Stager in Kelowna, BC

Snow in June!! It started out a very chilly June 25 /07. I’d left my windows open overnight & awoke to a brisk temperature in my home. On my way out this morning, I was surprised to see white atop the mountains that line the valley. At higher levels up to 13cm (about 6in) were reported.

Conversely several weeks ago we suffered temperatures hitting 40’C! The weather is unusual all over it seems. However having lived here in Kelowna for 40 years (that will date me!), I’ve seen unusual weather many times before.

There has always been a non-stop flow of people moving into the Okanagan. It is desirable especially to Retirees, Vacation Home Owners, families wanting to get out of the big cities & generally people attracted to the various amenities, four season activities, the scenic vistas, & ..............

.............the weather!!!

Working with the public, I have often had opportunity over the years to meet folk disappointed with their actual experience with the weather after they'd moved here. I usually chuckle & say, "they told you that summers are always hot, it hardly rains, winter is mild & it never snows - well if it does snow it melts right away .......right?"

I know the scenario. They've been misled for the 'sale' & not done their homework.

Generally summers are hot; winters mild. However I've yet to see a winter without snow. I've three times seen the 80 mile long Okanagan Lake freeze over to temperatures of 30' below F. Not far away is the internationally popular Big White Ski Resort; it's biggest attraction - knee deep powder!

We have been fortunate generally with our weather here & haven't experienced any devastating extremes. It's highly pleasant living here amid spectacular valley vistas.

Well the sun is shining now & is forecast to follow through the week. A little excitement & change makes life interesting!

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

Deborah Pearce owner and webmaster of LIVING SPACES is a Kelowna Business Woman, established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. The contact link at Living Spaces website may be used for service enquiries. Also find over 100 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.

Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, art and human interests.