Deborah Pearce

It was my first discussion of any length with Xhing Ru. We had previously greeted one another with 'O mi to fo' and hello many times. A cheery and wise woman, trained in Pureland Zen.

At the end she related a marvelous parable. (speaking in her charming Taiwanese Mandarine dialect)

"I come here and go into a room. Ah, the room is nice, big, lots and lots of space! I like it! I stay here. Then everyday I go and bring one thing. In one month I have 30 things in the room.

Now the room is small! I want a new room.

I take a shower. Then I need a towel. So I get a towel. Then I want something to keep the towel in. In one year I have 365 things!

This is the creation of desire." she said. "We only need few things."

The more we have, the more desire grows for more, and more is required to maintain those things which came previously. In a minimalist phase of life, I have unloaded a lot of things that take time and energy to maintain. My focal priorities have shifted away from what I once thought I 'needed'. Now I value life experiences and people.

How much do we really need?

Xhing Ru's teachings are profoundly wise in their simplicity. Looking for complex teaching, one may miss the lesson altogether.

Master Xhing Ru is the spiritual leader of Yitung Temple in Kelowna BC at 1370 Lawrence Ave. For more information on Yitung Temple click here

No Talking Is Talking!

Kelowna Yitung Buddhist Temple

Deborah Pearce has been established in Interiors, Art, Sales and Business for over 20 years in Kelowna. Deborah's blog frequently features community, environmental, and human interests. Also find over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interior Design, as well as leads to supply throughout the site at http://living-spaces-design.com

Photo courtesy of Catherine Kennedy

Staging Property is on the fast track all the way from here!

These are the Happy facts. There is no stopping a good thing

• that works
• with proven profitability
• that puts property on the leading edge
• that prepares a home to be lived in immediately

If your property is on the market and has sat for a period of time you are likely to be thinking about staging.

The sorry facts are these:

• The most critical period is the first 2 weeks
• Chances of sale are reduced after that point
• Prospective Buyers are unlikely to take a second look unless the property appeals to them
• Price Reductions are inevitable

INVEST A LITTLE FOR A GREAT RETURN - FASTER SALE & MORE PROFIT

Stage Right - Stage From The Start - Sell For ALL It's Worth!!!

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:

• 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.

"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

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.

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 - 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!