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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 14:43:37
There are so many religions on this planet. So many God's to choose from. I like the idea that God is evolving along with us. It somehow makes sense to me. I also like the idea that there are many gods: some of them doing good deeds some with other things to do... How about a kitchen god... I spend so much time cooking, I like to think that god would have a hand in my food. I also like the idea of Liberation Theology...the christed energy with political kindness. I also like the idea of god/goddess within us. Jai
Posted by femlite on November 25, 2003, at 1:07:29
In reply to Liberation Theology anyone?, posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 14:43:37
Such Gods would be of our makeing, eh?
Not much a God to have made by me?
We have a parton saint of our kitchen St. Euprhrosynous
He was a humble boy who was given the job of oven tender in the kitchen .A very dirty job, for you would be covered in soot at days end. The other monks thought he was foolish and simple and made a broom of him, and at the sight of St Euphroynous the other monks never failed to laugh. They new nothing of his humilty and life of secret prayer.Once a old monk, of prayer come to visit the monestarty because his life was close to death and wanted to pray. Knowing he was going to die soon the old monk prayed impatiently, Lord why cant I have a glimpse of paradise now before I die? Exhasuted by his prayers he fell asleep. Suddenly he awoke to find himself on the dewy shimery grass of a rolling hill There were fragrant flowers all around watered by four streams rippling and sparkling like bright lite. The trees all around were heavy ladden with fruit.
He stood wodering, afraid that speaking might make it vanisah. This must be Gods garden. Looking in the distace he saw a black robbed figure. Who could it be he thoght this is no
Place for monks. (forgetting that he himself was A monk. He walked a aways to the place the monk stood The monk looked formiliar. He was astonished to see it was that dullard foolish cook from the monastary.I will finish the story tomorrow. If you are interested to finnish reading it, come back then.
Good night
Posted by Jai on November 25, 2003, at 7:55:38
In reply to The patron of Kitchens-- St Euphrosynous » Jai, posted by femlite on November 25, 2003, at 1:07:29
this is a good story and well told. Thank you for your interest. I will be back to read on.
Jai
Posted by femlite on November 25, 2003, at 12:37:44
In reply to Love it! Yes I will be back, posted by Jai on November 25, 2003, at 7:55:38
The old preist was astonished a the sight of Euphrosynos in his sooty and tatterd robes. "What was this dullard cook doing in pardise"? He stared at the cook. It was Euphrosynos but something was different. The cook was standing straight and his face shone with a wonderful happiness. Euphrosynos seemed completely at home in this garden paradise.
At first the old man was speechless. Recovering himself, and without even greeting Euphrosynos he said abruptly, "What place is this? Whose garden is it? Tell me if you know." Even as he asked the the slow witted cook these questions he did not expect him to answer.
The old preist was suprised when the cook answered him immedietly
"This garden belongs to Gods friends. He promised it to them." The cook anwered with such authority the old man belived him. God had answered his prayer. This was paridise and yet he was not happy. He did not wish to share it with the monastery cook.
"And you" he demanded rudely "what are you doing here?"
Euphrosynos ignored his rudeness and answered the old preist quietly. "Through God's goodness I am here in this beautiful garden." He stood serenly as he looked in the old monks eyes.
The old preist was astounded, he could not believe that God's friends also included a kitchen drudge whom every laughed at. He could not hide his resentment as he said, "Tell me what is your business here?" Euphrosynos replied quietly, "I am the master of this garden, over all you see here."
Although the old prest could not believe an unletterd kitchen slave could be Lord over this paradise, when next he spoke his manner was changed.
Can you" he asked politely and hesitantly "give me something from this garden"?
Yes, by Gods grace I can, you have only to choose it."
The old priest looked around at the multitude of marvels surronding him. The golden yellow floweres and clusters of grapes and then he saw a tall tree with the most beuatiful red apples. "May I have some of those apples?"
Euphrosynos walked to the tree, picked some apples and handed them to the old man. As the priest was putting them in the pocket of his big black robe, Euphrosynos said "May you enjoy these apples, Reverend Father."
At that moment the priest was awakend by the wooden gong in the monastery courtyard. The monks were rousing themselves for prayer.
The old preist sat upon his thin straw mat and rubbed his eyes. Gone was the garden and the bright blue sky. Euphrosynos was no where to be seen, nor the tall apple tree. All was dark except the small candle that burned in his prayer corner. I have been dreaming, he muttered sadly.
Even the beuatiful red apples were a deception he cried half weeping with fear. At the thought of the apples the old man thrust his hand in to his pocket. His trembling fingers touched something round. Carefully he removed it and there lay shining in his palm the red fruits. They glowed and a sweet fragerence filled his room. The old man sat motionless for a long time. Was it a trick of the evil one. He must find Euphrosynos. Only the cook could tell him the truth. In side the church the monks were singing. The old priest quickly found him and asked him to follow him outside into the courtyard.The cook waited respectfully for the old priest to speak first. The old man began to speak. "My son, tell me where you were tonight?" "Reverend Father, I was in my cell and then in the churh where yoiu found me." The preist looked at the cook and waited a minute before continuing. "Tonight God performed a miracle. You know about it but for some reason are unwilling to reveal it to me. I beg you to tell me the truth." Euphrosynos smiled and his face reflected the light of heaven. "Yes Reverend Father, God performed a miracle. This night I was in paradise, the place prepared by God for his friends. You saw me there, you were there too." In the silence the old monk could hear his heat beat. "Father Euphrosynos, what did you give me tonight from that beautiful garden?" This was the first time that anybody had adressed the lowly cook as "Father Euphrosynos." The cook said simply, "I gave you those beautiful apples that are in your cell" The priest fell on his knees and gave thanks to God. His prayers had been answered. He had seen paradise before his end. In the morning the old priest hurried to tell the abbot of the miracle. Soon all the monks were listening to him tell of the garden and the beautiful fruit and that Euphrosynos was the lord of that heavenly garden. Everyone turned to look at Euphrosynos. He was standing meekly in the back of the room looking down at the wooden floor. Euphrosynos, the scorned unlettered cook was revealed to be God's friend. And they, his brother monks, had laughed at him for years and had never known him. Blinded by the pride in their hearts they had failed to recognize the pure soul who had toiled in the smokey kitchen.The story spread and the pilgrims began to come from far and wide to the moanstery. When his simple life of cooking and worship was no longer possible, he left one day and was never seen again.
To the world Euprhosynos the Cook gave the unfading radiance of his goodness and humility, and the miraculous apples, his gift of love.Thank you for reading this story.
Posted by Jai on November 25, 2003, at 19:11:45
In reply to The Kitchen Patron » Jai, posted by femlite on November 25, 2003, at 12:37:44
Posted by femlite on November 26, 2003, at 1:37:40
In reply to Liberation Theology anyone?, posted by Jai on November 21, 2003, at 14:43:37
Jai is an interesting name. Is it not rastafarian?
My pilgrimage has taken me around the world and back. "Eden West " a Berkely commune and the teachings of the asiatic russian, Gurdief, and Ospensky flavored with the touch of whirling dervishes. Rastas ,in the UK, then buddhist in UK. Started out to be a Muslim for the Jihad, in Southern Europe, Made it as far as the Black Forrest. It has been a long and marvelous trip.
Many places Ive encounterd truth. There is someting true in everything. But the culmination, the drawing to crystal like clarity were strings being all wound togeather for me in mystical eastern orthodox church, the mystical part being, the important part to the majoririty of western converts who are my brothers and sisters.
The bits and pieces I have found scatterd and all the smatterings of truth (valuable smatterings, mind you) I have found in the fullness of in Ancient Orthodxy.
Not much has changed for 2000 yrs. For two thousand years the tales and life inspiration of the church continues and does not end on page 332 Of the King James Bible. The life of the spirit lives on in new holy ones each passing day who pass it on. It must be passed from a living person to living person. The holy ones serve as prayer guides and intessor for struggles they understand as they too have struggled with and overcome. They surround our lives with love and inspiration. When the worst has come they have fought for me (oh now, they will lock me away)
And went I felt the most unsavable they brought to my rememberence a phrase of Doestesky's "Truth is Beauty, and Beauty is Truth"
The God of heaven and earth was metioned many times By Lao Sui ( I love the statue of him riding off to the end of the world on his water buffulo)He was trying to restore his people to monotheism, the tao, the one way. God has revealed bits of himself all throught history.
I am rambling
If You get a chance try "Christ the Eternal Tao"
I think you might enjoy it Jai. Thanks for the chance to share my self with you.
Posted by Jai on November 26, 2003, at 6:27:14
In reply to The Tao » Jai, posted by femlite on November 26, 2003, at 1:37:40
I loved the story. You were kind to share it with me. Your faith sounds deep and satisfying for you. My name is from the Sikh tradition. It means Hail. I am currently not involved with anyone faith or belief. I am appreciating them all. Each one so unique and special. It appears that each one has seperate teachings but all the teachings come together to help us live better lives and be kind to one another. It does seem that right now we are caught up in religious wars. War has always seemed a contradiction to religious teachings. I am ever hopeful and cynical. It's an uneasy marriage. peace Jai
Posted by Jai on November 27, 2003, at 12:28:54
In reply to thank you , posted by Jai on November 26, 2003, at 6:27:14
Now my turn to tell a story.
a begger had been sitting by the side of the road for over 30 years. one day a stranger walked by, "Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. "I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then she asked: "What's that you are sitting on?" "Nothing," replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember." "Ever looked inside?" asked the stranger. "No," said the beggar. "What's the point? There's nothing in there." "Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box with filled with gold.
Jai Narayan
Posted by femlite on December 1, 2003, at 22:30:58
In reply to enlightenment-what is that?, posted by Jai on November 27, 2003, at 12:28:54
Hi Jai,
thank you for your story.
What does this story mean to you?
regards
> Now my turn to tell a story.
> a begger had been sitting by the side of the road for over 30 years. one day a stranger walked by, "Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. "I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then she asked: "What's that you are sitting on?" "Nothing," replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember." "Ever looked inside?" asked the stranger. "No," said the beggar. "What's the point? There's nothing in there." "Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box with filled with gold.
> Jai Narayan
>
Posted by Jai Narayan on December 2, 2003, at 16:41:03
In reply to enlightenment !! » Jai, posted by femlite on December 1, 2003, at 22:30:58
That I turn to others to give me their wealth.. ..while it appears that I am sitting on my deep radiant inner assets. I sometimes forget all that awaits from within me. I just look outside of myself and forget the inner me and all the inner wealth.
Jai Narayan
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