一蓑煙雨任平生 - With straw-cape and straw-hat, through mist and rain, I'll walk life's journeys again, and again

 

刻蘇軾名句：一蓑煙雨任平生

It's been a quiet night and I had my Covid vaccine today. My arm is numb but am in good spirits, I recently had the good fortune to meet a famous Taiwanese artist 馮欣信 who is specializes in carving tea scoops. This one especially caught my eye as the famous phrase that was carved on it resonates deeply with my blog - especially the very first post. For those who do not know the phrase it comes from the famous poem by the Song Poet Su Shi. It is carved from old rosewood - which is actually quite fragrant as opposed to much of the rosewood that is now sourced from Africa which has a slightly sour smell.

In the last year or so, I have had the opportunity to reflect further upon my life's purpose. I want to share my passions for the quiet life inspired by the old Chinese sages and literati. Perhaps as an adjunct to Mary Kondo, I was to inspire a life that sparks joy through the little things -to surround oneself by beauty whether it's the aesthetics of movement (baguazhang, taichi, yiquan) incense (agarwood and sandlewood) chinese calligraphy and art and the depth of tea ceremony and art. Underpinning it all are the more sacred spiritual practices of neigong and alchemy.

If I can surround myself with like minded people to continue life's journey that would be wonderful and offer workshops and seminars while doing it.

蘇軾 – 定風波
SU Shi – Lyrics to the Melody of a Pacified Storm

三月三日沙湖道中遇雨，雨具先去，同行皆狼狽，余獨不覺。已而遂晴，故作此。
On the seventh of March, along the Shahu Pass sudden rains befell us, those with rain gear hurried ahead; while my colleagues all felt discomfiture, I alone did not. The sky has since cleared up, so I have written as follows.

中文原文﹕

莫聽穿林打葉聲，
何妨吟嘯且徐行。
竹杖芒鞋輕勝馬，
誰怕？
一蓑煙雨任平生。

料峭春風吹酒醒，
微冷，
山頭斜照卻相迎。
回首向來蕭瑟處，
歸去，
也無風雨也無晴。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Heed not to the tree-rustling and leaf-lashing rain,
Why not stroll along, whistle and sing under its rein.
Lighter and better suited than horses are straw sandals and a bamboo staff,
Who's afraid?
A palm-leaf plaited cape provides enough to misty weather in life sustain.

A thorny spring breeze sobers up the spirit,
I feel a slight chill,
The setting sun over the mountain offers greetings still.
Looking back over the bleak passage survived,
The return in time
Shall not be affected by windswept rain or shine.