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lake shrine, temple of serenity, compassion & kindness 

5/24/2014

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Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP
Heading to my friend's book signing in Venice Beach I decided to pull myself away from the computer a few hours earlier and take a break at the nearby Meditation Center of Lake Shrine,  "nearby" of course in Los Angeles standards that is.
The serene Lake Shrine Meditation Garden and Temple is located in the beautiful Pacific Palisades off Sunset Boulevard featuring a spring-fed lake, nestled in the center of the Garden.
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Entering through the upper parking lot one is immediately captivated by the soothing sound of water coming from the court yard fountain, and the bright white Temple with the golden lotus flowers in sharp contrast to the deep blue sky, which visitors have a good chance for here in Southern California at most days of the year.
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Knowing the quite interesting history of this place makes a big difference in the whole experience. Being on a schedule  however I decided to focus on the Garden during this visit and walked straight through the double doors to the stairs, leading down to the lake.
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The sheer existence of what used to be Lake Santa Ynez can be seen as a co-production between men and Mother Nature. Extensive earth moving activities in the Santa Ynez Canyon, which used to be a silent movie production site of the then-famous Inceville motion-picture studio in the early 1920ies, were followed by water coming from nearby springs, quickly filling the basin, and bringing a halt to plans for future land development.
During the following 10 years the area remained untouched and more than a decade later the land, which meanwhile had turned into a forgotten swamp was purchased by H. Everett McElroy, assistant superin­tendent of construction for 20th Cen­tury Fox studios, and developed according to his vision of a unique private paradise, including the construction of a new residence situated across the McElroy's double-deck Mississippi-style houseboat which had been relocated from Lake Mead, followed by a boat deck with landing and a Dutch Windmill with a fifteen foot water wheel connected to an irrigation system.

And now the story becomes really fascinating.
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In the late 1940ies Mr. McElroy sold the property to an oil-company president who's strange re-occurring dreams of his new home becoming a "Church of All Reli­gions", inspired him to write a letter to the Self-Realiza­tion Fellowship Church of All Reli­gions in Hollywood, in which he offered his property for sale.
Deeply moved by his dreams he decided to quickly call instead of waiting for his letter to arrive, and when he did, the founder, Paramahansa Yogananda himself answered his call. Before the man had a chance to introduce himself, he was asked about the property he had for sale, even though his letter had not arrived yet.
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After change of ownership made possible through generous benefactors, once again construction began at Lake Santa Ynez. Paramahansa Yoga­nanda himself directed and oversaw the ongoing work and the creation of his spiritual legacy from his new and temporary headquarters, the houseboat.
1,500 people attended the formal opening to the public on August 20, 1950 of what was now Lake Shrine.
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All of Mr. McElroy's buildings still exist and are part of today's site and landscaping.

New constructions added under the vegetarian Guru's supervision were the Court of Religions honoring the five principal religions of the world, the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, home to a portion of Gandhi's ashes, and a Museum which exhibits Paramahansa Yogananda's work.
The white hill-top Temple and Retreat, looking at the lake and the Pacific Ocean was built in 1996, 44 years after Paramahansa Yogananda's passing, fulfilling his last wish for a construction of such a building.
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Yogananda also designed the Golden Lotus Archway, or "wall-less temple, topped by golden lotus flowers, the Indian symbol of divine unfoldment and the awakening of the soul to its infinite potential.
The orange-red flowering plant next to the Archway looks like a shrub on fire, and I wonder if this species was purposely chosen to be planted there as a symbol of the eternal flame of life.
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Swans, ducks, turtles, fish and many other animals call Lake Shrine home and the park itself with its lush landscaping, rocks, waterfalls, trees, tropical plants, flowers and shrubs is a sanctuary for people looking for a place to unwind, to meditate or simply to enjoy this spiritual place and the stunning scenic beauty.
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With the Windmill Chapel currently under construction, to be re-opened again in Fall, and part of the Garden including the Visitor Center and the large statue by the waterfall not accessible at this time, there was only one more place to go to:
The Lake Shrine Gift Shop and Museum offering a variety of inspirational gifts from India, from books to statues, candles, incense, singing bowls, jewelry, clothing and hand made Indian arts and crafts.
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The moment I entered the store a colorful scarf begged me to be allowed to come home with me - how could I not practice kindness and compassion at a place like this. I couldn't.


Links:

http://www.lakeshrine.org/

http://www.yogananda-srf.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda

Photography: Susan Placek/CocoonWorx  http://www.cocoonworx.com


Kindness & Compassion Gifts 
http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/store.html
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deliciously guilt free fast food at 24 locations

5/16/2014

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Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP
Driving back home from the airport the other day I came across one of the VeggieGrill locations here in town. I had left LAX hungry as currently all restaurants at the International Terminal are closed due to construction. The VeggieGrill had been on my "vegan restaurants to go to list" anyway, so it seemed like perfect timing to pop in for a bite and a sip.
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The fast-food style restaurant offers a nice variety of dishes, from Starters to Bowls - the Bombay Bowl with herb-roasted veggies, super grains, steamed kale, cannellini beans, cilantro/green curry sauce with coconut milk, almonds, hemp seeds was very tempting - Homestyle Plates, Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups of the day, Taco Plates and plenty of Sides to choose from. Patrons may pick pairs from each menu category.
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After some consideration I decided to order 2 Sides, Steamin’ Kale for $ 3.50 with ginger-miso dressing,  sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and Cauli-Mashed Potatoes + Gravy for $ 3.25, made from fresh cauliflower blended with mashed potatoes, topped with porcini mushroom gravy with fresh rosemary, a combination that's right up my alley.
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The Strawberry Lemonade from the drinks bar was most refreshing, I mixed it with organic unsweetened green tea and while waiting for my food to be brought to my table I noticed that the VeggieGrill even offers locally produced craft beer and wine choices.

Even though the interior has "fast food" written all over, the silverware sets wrapped in napkins already waiting on each table give the place a bit of a more upscale feel.


The steamed kale was just right, tender but not overcooked, and so was the perfectly seasoned ginger-miso dressing
. Mashed potatoes is one of my comfort foods, the blended in cauliflower and the savory mushroom sauce turns this simple dish into a creamy and fluffy delicacy.

There was no room left for one of the reasonably price desserts, Carrot Cake for $ 3.75, with fresh carrots, walnuts, topped with cream cheese frosting. Maybe next time.
I must have liked the food, when I was done the bowls were (almost) licked clean.
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Links:


The VeggieGrill has currently 24 restaurants in Southern and Northern California, Oregon and Washington.
http://www.veggiegrill.com/index.html



Photography: http://www.cocoonworx.com
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The fascinating stuff from the ocean - kelp

2/24/2014

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Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP
Ocean Kelp is one of my favorite motifs when I am out hunting with my camera. I am fascinated by looking at it at the right time of the day  - sunset - when it reminds me of golden flames dancing on the water surface.
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Ocean Kelp is also widely consumed as food and appreciated for its health benefits, as a great source of Iodine and Iron, for its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant activity. However there is a number of people who should avoid Ocean Kelp, those prone to nausea and diarrhea might experience worsening of their conditions. Kelp is also not recommended for pregnant women.

Kelp grows in almost every ocean on Earth and can be found an most beaches. It is known for its rapid speed of growth, with certain species having the ability to grow half a meter per day until their optimum length (often as long as eighty! meters) is reached. Some tourist destinations, such as Catalina Island in Southern California, offer rides into their Kelp forests along the shore. Gliding through this magical world in a submarine boat is a wonderful experience and worth the money for the ticket.
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Because of its rubber/leather like look and feel that it has, I often wonder if it could be processed into belts, maybe shoes and other goods that are usually made of leather.

 After all, tons of Ocean Kelp is washed ashore daily and delivered at no charge by our planet's Oceans.


Links:

http://www.CocoonWorx.com (Images)

http://www.TheCreativeIdeaShop.com


http://www.catalinaadventuretours.com/

http://www.puritan.com/food-supplements-004/sea-kelp-000623

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sowing seeds of peace

2/21/2014

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Ulrike Maria, Owner of MODERN THOUGHTS THEORIES
When talking about peace I am not just speaking about world peace, I am speaking about the peace within. In order to contribute to the grand vision of world peace we have to find our individual inner harmony first.

We have to know the following primary facts: Life in itself is intelligent, and we, as part of this intelligence, are composed of this primal substance. We are complete within ourselves. However, we have allowed ‘reacting’ to outer circumstances rather than acting rightly about them, and therefore have lost this natural peaceful demeanor. The fight is not outside of us, it is within.

Most people confuse self-knowledge with knowledge. Humankind, and their egos, assume that being knowledgeable means to know yourself. But they only act from their ego-consciousness and do not know themselves at all.
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The ego is a peace-disturber, a troublemaker. It wants more and more, it doesn’t stop or find satisfaction. The inherent and characteristic goal of unfoldment and growth, striving to expand, is fully misunderstood by the ego-mind, as it sees this task as an accumulation of material riches and status, worldly powers you might say. However, the spiritual mind knows that the unfoldment of self consists of the humble awakening of Truth within. We have to expand our minds beyond our five senses; to truly ‘sense’ is to go beyond your accustomed limited perception. Mind always seeks to know and to expand its awareness.

“In the last analysis, life is found to be nothing but sense”, is stated by one of the great metaphysicians William W. Walter in the early 1900’s. Life, boiled down, hidden behind the veil of all perception, leaves a purely mental essence. Truth is mental.

Your work is to observe this inner sensing that is going on at all times. Do you see yourself as the dynamic, powerful, yet peaceful Soul you are? Or do you see yourself as struggling, confused, and always in a hectic state? Where is your inner peace?

Once we have mastered this inner harmony we can start sowing the seeds to include our surroundings and in the end, once we have found this stillness and calm within, it will naturally and effortlessly contribute to a grander picture. It will spread easily, and flow with the natural current of the Universe. It will certainly contribute to a better life and manifest into world peace, as we are part of Collective Consciousness, which is connected to the All-mighty Universal Source.

Links:


Links:

http://www.ModernThoughtTheories.com

http://www.examiner.com/mind-and-body-2-in-los-angeles/ulrike-maria-wilson

http://www.CocoonWorx.com (Images)

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Veganism - the door to gratitude

2/20/2014

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Susan Placek, Owner of The Creative Idea Shop

Veganism is not a diet, it is not about loosing those stubborn 10 lbs that you wanted to get rid of for the longest time.
It is not a recipe for bringing your cholesterol level down so you can finally get the life insurance policy you are looking for, and it isn't the latest big thing either. And yet, it might be all of the above.

Veganism is the decision to take a step back, to think, to re-connect with Life and Nature, to express compassion with other living beings and with your own body.
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It is about courage, about standing up for your beliefs, granting the right to live and raising your voice against animal exploitation and abuse and waste of valuable resources, when ignorant silence would be way more convenient.
It is about being a voice for those millions and billions of animals who's cries go unheard every day and every year.
It is the only logical consequence after opening your eyes to the sad and brutal reality of today's food industry, the mass production of foods, that are killers for both, humans and animals alike and that serve one purpose only: Filling the bank accounts of greedy corporations.

Veganism means restricting yourself by choice to a plant based diet and respecting animals for what they are: Living sentient beings. It is about letting go of human arrogance and bad food choices, about healing your body and your soul. Veganism is a positive revolution of gratitude, of people changing individually, thriving and reaching out to unite in the desire to change our planet, discovering what Earth and Life has to offer to all of its inhabitants.

Links:

http://www.CocoonWorx.com (Images)

http://www.TheCreativeIdeaShop.com
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