Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Skyview Girls Soccer Varsity Team 2024

Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA, Girl's Varsity Soccer Team
Record: 12-1-3;  58 Goals Scored; 8 Goals Lost;  9 Shutouts!
Conference: 5-0-1  Information

Puyallup High School, Payallup, WA, Girl's Varsity Soccer Team
Record of  11-5-2

Washington State Girl's High School Soccer Championship Games 2024

November 13, 2024, 6 pm, Kiggins Bowl Stadium, Vancouver, WA

Skyview High School vs Puyallup High School Girl's Soccer Game



Makenna Flinn
Center Defender
#16





Key Skyview Defenders
Playing All the Game and Every Game
Brinlee Williams, Goalie #00
Makenna Flinn, Center Defender #16
Quinn Lundy, Wing Defender #19






Monday, November 11, 2024

He Who Feels It, Knows It More

"The human body is not an instrument to be used, but a realm of one's being to be experienced, explored, enriched and, thereby, educated."
-  Thomas Hanna

"There is deep wisdom within our very flesh,  if we can only come to our senses and feel it."
 -  Elizabeth A. Behnke

"He who feels it, knows it more."
-  Bob Marley  

"No matter how closely we look, it is difficult to find a mental act that can take place without the support of some physical function."
-  Moshe Feldenkrais  

"I would have touched it like a child
But knew my finger could but have touched
Cold stone and water.   I grew wild,
Even accusing heaven because
It had set down among its laws:
Nothing that we love over-much
Is ponderable to our touch."
-  W. B. Yeats  




Saturday, November 09, 2024

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8

Dao De Jing, Laozi
Chapter 8


"The seer flows like water
Lying low along the way
Nourishing whatever comes
To be held on display
The seer keeps to simple ways
And therefore is content
When joy or sorrow manifests
To give complete assent


If you can clearly be yourself
And never rise to interfere
Everyone will cherish you
And always hold you dear"
-  Translated by Jim Clatfelder, 2000, Chapter 8




"A person with superior goodness (shan) is like water,
Water is good in benefiting (li) all beings,
Without contending (cheng) with any.
Situated in places shunned (o) by many others,
Thereby it is near (chi) Tao.
(Such a person's) dwelling is the good earth,
(His/her) mind (hsin) is the good deep water (yuan),
(His/her) associates are good kind people (jen),
(His/her) speech shows good trust (hsin),
(His/her) governing is the good order,
(His/her) projects (shih) are carried out by good talents (neng),
(His/her) activities (tung) are good in timing.
Because he does not contend (pu cheng) with any,
He commits no wrong."
-  Translated by Ellen Marie Chen, 1989, Chapter 8



"The highest good is like water.
Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.
No fight: No blame."
-  Translated by Gai-fu Feng and Jane English, 1989, Chapter 8 


"The highest goodness that we know has water for its type,
It benefits all things, yet ever flows
To the spot which men disdain, the gutter and the plain,
And so is near the Tao, its archetype.
A residence is excellent according to its place,
A heart for eddies passion never knows,
Generosity for kindness, words for faithfulness,
A government for order, business for its gain,
And movements for their timeliness and grace.
As the man of excellence does not quarrel for his place,
There are none to find fault with him for the places which remain."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 8



"Perfect excellence is like gentle water.
Gentle water benefits all things and yet it does not struggle.
Do away with what all people hate.
Thus this is approaching Dao.
Give to what is of perfect personnel.
Stay in a perfect place,
think in a perfect way,
cooperate with perfect people,
speak perfect truth,
govern in perfect order,
work for perfect potentiality,
move when the time is perfect.
Because of non-struggle, therefore, there is no blame."
-  Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 8



上善若水.
水善利萬物而不爭.
處衆人之所惡.
故幾於道.
居善地心善淵.
與善仁.
言善信.
正善治.
事善能.
動善時.
夫唯不爭, 故無尤.
-  Chinese characters, Chapter 8, Tao Te Ching 



 shang shan ruo shui.
 shui shan li wan wu er bu zheng.
 chu zhong ren zhi suo wu.
 gu ji yu dao.
 ju shan di xin shan yuan.
 yu shan ren.
 yan shan xin.
 zheng shan zhi.
 shi shan neng.
 dong shan shi.
 fu wei bu zheng, gu wu you.
 -  Pinyin Romanization, Chapter 8, Daodejing
  


"The best way to life is to be like water
For water benefits all things and goes against none of them
It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go
In this way it is just like Tao
Live in accordance with the nature of things
Build your house on solid ground
Keep your mind still
When giving, be kind
When speaking, be truthful
When ruling, be just
When working, be one-pointed
When acting, remember, timing is everything
One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things
He moves in harmony with the present moment always knowing the truth of just what to do"
-  Translated by Johathan Star, 2001, Chapter 8 




"The highest form of goodness is like water.
Water knows how to benefit all things without striving with them.
It stays in places loathed by all men.
Therefore, it comes near the Tao.
In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to  the ground.
In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in  the hidden deeps.
In dealing with others, know how to be gentle and kind.
In speaking, know how to keep your words.
In governing, know how to maintain order.
In transacting business, know how to be efficient.
In making a move, know how to choose the right  moment.
If you do not strive with others,
You will be free from blame."
-  Translated by John C. H. Wu, 1961, Chapter 8 


"El hombre de bondad superior es como el agua.
 El agua en su quietud favorece a todas las cosas,
 ocupa el lugar despreciado por los hombres,
 y así está cerca del dao.
 Su lugar es favorable;
 su corazón, sereno;
 su don, del agrado del cielo;
 su palabra, leal;
 su gobierno, en orden;
 en sus empresas, capaz;
 sus movimientos, oportunos.
 Sólo la falta de quietud
 impide la superación."
 -  Translated by Juan Ignacio Preciado, 1978, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 8  


"Heavenly Love is like water.
Water blesses all things,
It does not hurt them.
It loves the lowly place that men dislike,
Therefore it comes very near to Tao.
The Master loves to dwell upon the earth.
In his heart he loves Infinity,
In his benevolence he loves giving,
In his words he loves sincerity,
In his government he loves peace,
In his business affairs he loves ability,
In his movements he loves punctuality.
The Master, indeed, does not fight,
Therefore his Inner Life increases."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 8 




"Highest good is like water.
Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures
    without contending with them and settles where none would like to be,
    it comes close to the way.
In a home it is the site that matters;
In quality of mind it is depth that matters;
In an ally it is benevolence that matters;
In speech it is good faith that matters;
In government it is order that matters;
In affairs it is ability that matters;
In action it is timeliness that matters.
It is because it does not contend that it is never at fault."

-  Translated by D. C. Lau, 1963, Chapter 8  


"The highest excellence is like that of water.
 The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying,
 Without striving to the contrary, the low place which all men dislike.
 Hence its way is near to that of the Tao.
 The excellence of a residence is in the suitability of the place;
 That of the mind is in abysmal stillness;
 That of associations is in their being with the virtuous;
 That of government is in its securing good order;
 That of the conduct of affairs is in its ability; and,
 That of the initiation of any movement is in its timeliness.
 And when one with the highest excellence does not wrangle about his low position,
 No one finds fault with him."

 -  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 8


"The foremost goodness is like water.
Water is good at benefiting all living things,
even though there are arguments about how it could reside
in places that most people hate.
In that way it is very close to being like Dao.
It is good at residing in the earth; the mind sees that goodness as bottomless.
It is good at giving through nature; words express that goodness with sincerity.
It is good at showing the right course of governing.
It is good at enabling all work to be completed;
through motion goodness adjusts to the time.
Well then, there is really no reason for arguments.
Because there is nothing that is at fault."

-  Translated by Nina Correa, 2005, Chapter 8  


  

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter.  These are hypertext documents, and available online under Creative Commons 4.

  

Chapter 8, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.  Complied by Mike Garofalo.  

Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu


English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index


Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index


Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices


Taoism: A Selected Reading List









The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life,” 2017, by Michael Puett and Christine Gross-Loh.

Tao: The Watercourse Way,” 1977, by Alan Watts and Al Chung-liang Huang.  Illustrated by Lee Chih-chang.  









Friday, November 08, 2024

Personal Transformation: Practices, Exercises, Disciplines

Personal Transformation:
Practices, Techniques, Methods, Paths, Activities, Expressions
Ways, Tactics, Strategies, Plans, Engagement, Learning,
Spiritual Exercises of Stoics, Positive Psychology Methods,
Daily Efforts, Actions, Aims


Most people experiment and then discover methods that work best for them, their circumstances, age, culture, personality, education, habits, etc.

When you find a path that works best for you - stick to that way. It is likely that an open-minded and flexible person will use a variety of spiritual practices.  Some aspects of each practice overlap with some aspects of other practices.  

Transformation is not a goal or aim of a practice; the practice itself is the embodiment of transformation.  The process is itself transformation.  Your transformed here and now by doing the practice with some confidence or belief in the efficacy of the practice. As soon as you make the effort to engage in psychologica/spiritual practices you immediately taste bites of nourishing enlightenment and transformation.  


Aging and Spirituality, Graceful Aging, Coping with Aging

Art, Beauty, Creative Projects 

Asceticism, Self-Denial, Restraint, Fasting, Self-Discipline

Avoid the Mob, the Herd, the Commonplace Social Pressures

Bhakti Yoga, Loving-Kindness, Worship of Other and the Divine

Beauty of Ordinary Objects, Wabi/Swabi, Aesthetics

Being Present Today, Using the Present Day for Change

Belief, Confidence, Adherence, Trusting

Biofeedback, Electronic Aids, Lights, Air Filters 

Body-Mind Practices, Somatic Therapy

BreathingPranayama, Breath Work, Dao Yin

Chanting, Mantras, Sound Healing, Singing

Charity, Benevolence, Sharing, Volunteering

Classes, Lectures, Training Sessions, Learning, Seminars

Control or Not Control Events in Your Life, Distinguish

Cooking, Mindful Eating, Vegetarianism, Good Nutrition

Comparative Religions and Worldviews Studies

Cosmic, Big Picture, World Events and Circumstances

Counseling, Psychotherapy, Advisors, Guides, CBT

Create a Meaningful Life and Values for Yourself

Cycles, Repeating Patterns, Seasons, Repetitions, Reflect

Do Good, Avoid Evil

Eastern Options: YogaBuddhismTaoismStoicismZen

Environmental Awareness and Responsibilities

Excess, Gluttony, Hedonism, Wallowing: Avoid, Don't Do

Exercises: Walking, Yoga, Taijiquan, StretchingWeight Lifting, etc.

Experiment, Research, Investigate, Question, Try Out

Family Life and Social Responsibilities Met, Householder Duties

Fate, Beyond Your Control, External Events

Five Senses Awareness and Explorations

Focus on Your Actions and Thoughts Today

Future Events are Somewhat Uncertain, Focus on Today

Gardening: Soil Work, Planting, Nurturing, Harvesting, Watering, Ecology

Goddess Devotion and Love, Tara, Kwan Yin, Mary, Lakshmi, Shakti

Gratitude, Thankfulness, Appreciation, Satisfaction

Guided Meditations, Hypnotherapy, Wise Stories 

Hatha Yoga, Tantra, Vajira Body, Longevity, Immortality

Healing, Caring, Helping, Informing 

Holidays, Celebrations, Customs, Observances, Eight Sabbats 

Incense, Smells, Fireplace, Flowers 

Interacting with Others, Group Activities, Church or Temple Services

Jana Yoga, Wisdom Path, Insight, Understanding

Language, Truth, and Logic, Semantics, Rhetoric

Left Hand Tantra: Libertinism, Antinomianism, Sensuality, Sexuality

Live and Let Live, Mind Your Own Business

Magic, Incantations, Prayers, Spells, Esoterica, Tantra

Massage, Acupressure, Self-Massage 

Mass Media Negative Influences on Your Life, Avoid, Reduce

Maxims, Reminders, Axioms, Great Verses, Memorize, Repeat

Meditation, Non-judgmental Awareness, Non-Dual Awareness

Mindfulness, Attention, Focus in the Present Day

Moderation in All Things, Don't Overdo or Underdo, Golden Mean

Music, Songs, Ambient Sounds, Bells/Gongs, Audio lectures

Must Do's, Should Do's ... Be Careful of these Opinions

Nature Outdoors: Ocean, Mountains, Desert, Forest, Rivers, Neighborhood, Garden, Parks

Massage, Acupressure, Healing Hands, Reiki, Acupuncture, Chiropractic

Medicines, Herbal Remedies, Alternative Therapies, TCM 

Medicine for the Body-Mind, Spirit, Soul

Movies, Documentaries, UTube Videos

Mysticism, Oneness, Epiphanies, Engaging, Revealing

One Chance, One Life, Today: Reflect

Open-mindedness, Flexibility, Keeping Options Open, Fair

Opinions and Judgements: Be Careful, Revise as Needed

Passages Repeated, Spiritual Notebooks, Inspiring Passages, Prayer Books, Hymnals

Past Events are Fixed and Unchangeable

Peaceful Calm Joyful Mind/Body Sense of Being in the World

Perceptions: Aim for Clarity, Truthfulness, Accuracy, Usefulness

Persistence, Grit, Willpower, Determination, Perseverance, Dedication

Photography, Drawing, Painting, Viewing Sacred Images

Philosophy, Thoughtfulness, Reasoning, Understanding, Science

Philosophy As a Way of Life

Pilgrimages, Visiting Sacred Places, Learning about Holy Sites

Plan Your Day in the Morning, Set Objectives, To Do Lists

Play, Games, Sports, Homo Ludens

Pleasures: Natural and Necessary, Bodily Functions, Understand

Pleasures: Natural but Unnecessary, Understand and Control

Pleasures: Unnatural and Unnecessary, Avoid, Shun

Praying, Invocations, Spells, Recitations, Mantras, Chants 

Present Focus, Here and Now, Today, Realm of Your Control

Reading, Research, Self-Study, Scriptures, Classics 

Reflections, Ruminations, Considerations, Reminders

Reflect on Impermanence and Death, Anticipate

Reminders, Maxims, Axioms, Great Verses, Memorize, Repeat

Research, Investigate, Question, Experiment

Retreats, Vision Quests, Isolation, Solitude, Solo Practice

Review Your Day at the End of Each Day

Riddles, Puzzles, Poems, Dilemmas, Koans

Right Livelihood, Decent Employment, Honorable Work

Rituals, Sacraments, Sacred Rites, Rites of Passage

Sacred Objects: Altars, Statues, Bowls, Art, Books

Sacred Places, Sacred Circles, Sacred Groves, Buildings

Service to Others, Helping, Volunteering, Charity

Shamanism, Visions, Astral Travel, Meeting Spirits, Drugs 

Simplicity, Frugality, Conservation, Respect for Things

Sitting in Quiet Awareness, Sitting in Oblivion, Zuowang

Smiling, Joyfulness, Positive Vibrations, Laughter, Jokes

Social Responsibilities, Family, Employment, Community

Spiritual Exercises of Stoics, Buddhists, Epicureans, Cynics

Stories, Inspiring Fiction, Poetry 

Strength Training, Weightlifting, Endurance Events

Spiritual Guides, Gurus, Enlightened Persons, Elders, Scriptures

Supernatural Beings: God, Allah, Shiva, Avatars/Incarnations (Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Vishnu), Nature Spirits, Angels, Saints, Demons, Bodhisattvas, Dao, Wee Folk, Immortals (Xian), etc.  Use or Don't Use!

Tai Chi ChuanQigongDao Yin, Martial Arts

Tarot, I Ching, Random Visuals/Archetypes/Reminders

Thankful for the Gifts of Others, Parents, Teachers, Community

Theology, Thinking about the Divine, Scripture Study

Time Management, Action Today, Aims and Objectives

Today is the Day for Change, Be Present, Here and Now

Traditions, Ancestors, History, Religions, Philosophies

Unquestioning Obedience or Religious Zealotry Avoided

Usefulness: What is and What is Not Good for You and Society

Walking, Hiking, Sauntering, Kinhin Walking Meditation 

Worry, Fretting, Fear: Find Methods to Reduce or Avoid

Yoga

Virtue Ethics, Morals, Proper Behaviors, Karma, Niyamas, Values

Virtue: Flourishing, Skills, Knowledge, Awareness

Visualizing, Imagining, Pretending, Fantasies, Dreams

Vows, Precepts Taking, Initiation, Confirmation

Wait, Delay, Reflect: Before You Act

Work Responsibilities, Career, Management, Effort, Right Livelihood

Worship, Submission, Dedication, Bhakti Yoga

Writing, Journaling, Blogging, Web Publishing 

Zazen, Seated Zen Meditation, Zuowang  


Springtime in Vancouver, WA
Mike Garofalo reading Moshe Feldenkrais



"I am a seeker of truth on a spiritual journey. 
I believe life has sacred meaning and purpose.
May my behavior today express my deepest beliefs. 
May I approach each and every task today with quiet impeccability. 
May I be a simple, humble, and kind presence on the earth today. 
May I see the Divine Nature in all beings today. 
May I be grateful today to those who came before me,
and may I make the roads smoother
     for those who will travel them after me. 
May I leave each place at least a little better than I found it today. 
May I truly cherish this day, knowing that it may be my last. 
May I remember, remember, remember, not to forget, forget, forget."

-   Bo Lozoff, It's a Meaningful Life: It Just Takes Practice 


How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise and Respected Persons

Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo 



Thursday, November 07, 2024

Grayland State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

 Grayland Beach State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

We drove to Tokeland for gasoline.  Breakfast in Raymond.

I drove southeast from Grayland Beach to Tokeland and then to Raymond.  The road travels along the edge of the Willapa Bay.  The low tide revealed immense blocks of sand in this very shallow Bay.  Over half the water in the Bay comes in and goes out each day.  

The countryside from Raymond to Pe El or Doty is very beautiful rural country.  I took back roads from Pe El to Vader, and from Vader to Longview along the Cowlitz River.  The main Chelais river goes through Pe El and Chelais while making its way northwest to Aberdeen and Grays Harbor Bay; and, the south Chelais river flows further southeast from Pe El.  The level of "green" is astounding!  

Drove from Raymond to Pe El, then to Vader, then Interstate 5.
Unpack at home. Clean up. Shower. Rest.


It is 53 miles east from Raymond on the Willapa to Chelais via Washington State Road 6.  Always a pleasure.  



Raymond's many metal sculptures.












Chelais



Centralia and Chelais, Southwestern Washington

Centralia  Population 18,183  Images
On Interstate 5 between Portland and Olympia    WA6 Junction   Timber industry, farming, city, businesses, tourism. 
Centralia is 84 miles south of Seattle.  
Centralia Outlets Shopping     Business Directory

Centralia: Weyerhaeuser Timber Company   The company owns most of the Willapa Hills forests to the west of Centralia.  

Chehalis  Population  7,259   Images   Chehalis is 88 miles north of Portland, and 28 miles south of Olympia. 
On Interstate 5 between Portland and Olympia.  About 12 miles north of the I5/WA12 Junction near Mary's Corner. 
Timber industry, farming, city, businesses, tourism. 

Grand Mond   Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark

Lucky Eagle Rochester Indian Hotel and Casino 

Chehalis River    Images   Newaukum River

Chehalis Reservation Confederated Tribes

Native Indians of Southwestern Washington

Raymond

Raymond  Population 2,975  Pacific County  WB  Junction of US101, WA 6, and WA 105. 
The largest town on the east side of Willapa Bay and largest city in Pacific County. 
Raymond is 35 miles north of Naselle, 56 miles west of Centralia, and 25 miles south of Aberdeen. 

Raymond Images  WB  

Raymond:  Carriage Museum   Willapa Seaport Museum    Harbor/Docks    Sightseeing    Paddling    

Raymond:  Willapa River  Images   WB  There is a north and south fork of the Willapa River in Raymond.  

Raymond:  Steamboats of Willapa Bay   There is a huge Weyerhaeuser lumber mill in Raymond. 
Many fish canneries are in or near South Bend and Raymond.  There are numerous commercial and public docks in the area. 

Raymond Timberland Library

Raymond:  Willapa Paddle Adventures   Paddling canoes or kayaks on the many Willapa Bay rivers is very popular. 

Raymond:  Willapa Hills State Park Trail   56 miles east to Centralia.  River biking trail from Raymond to South Bend. 

Numerous rusted metal sculptures along the roadway in Raymond.  


Four Days in Grayland
By Michael P. Garofalo






               




Wednesday, November 06, 2024

Grayland State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

Grayland Beach State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington
Near Westport, Washington

We drove into the town of Westport and stopped at the marina to shop and tour.
Shopped at Brady's Oysters.
Mushroom hunting at Twin Harbors State Park.
Seashore driving.
Cranberry fields.
Campfire.
Kumimoto Oysters and clams for dinner.
Beachcombing.








Trails leading from grassland to shore pines forest.



We found many mushrooms in the forest.












Tuesday, November 05, 2024

Grayland State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington

Grayland Beach State Park, Coastal Southwest Washington
Near Westport, Washington


Drove to Raymond on Washington Route 106.
Visited the Carriage Museum in Raymond.
Shopped at Dennis Mercantile, visited South Bend, stopped at Tokeland Cannabis Store.
Nice clear day, little wind, cool temperatures.
We enjoyed a campfire.
Fine food dining: steak, wine, veggies.
Mick and April went clamming until 10 at night. 
I was not feeling well all day.
Karen and I were too tired to clam at night ... asleep by 7 pm.