Jeprocksdworld

Inhale… Exhale…

Imagine an Eden in your home. It’s easier than you could imagine. Jeprocksdworld is here to help you create that meditation garden you’ve been wanting and here are some few steps to get you going.

The Perfect Plan. Nothing beats being organized when preparing a garden. At this point, you have to carefully choose what type of garden you plan to create. A zen garden would exhibit asymmetry in its arrangement, while a tropical garden will display foliage in different hues and texture. Why not a biblical garden perhaps? Cultivate plants that are mentioned in the bible like cantaloupe, aloe, coriander, sage, juniper or even cypress.

Maintenance is also a factor in the planning. A simple zen stone garden wouldn’t require so much watering while a tropical garden wouldn’t stay lush if you don’t give it the proper humidity and sunlight. In today’s urban living, the trend is usually to go container gardening. So even if you are living in a condo, you don’t have feel deprived of having a garden.

Get Dirty! Check you soil condition. As there are six types of soil, the elements contained in it is either too much or too little. Grab some gardening book available in the market to assess your soil. Adding some minerals or compost will definitely improve your soil condition.

Go Local. Choose plants that are indigenous in your area. Don’t try to incorporate highland flora in your garden if you are in Manila, trust me, give it a weeks time, and you will be declared a black thumb! Going local with your plants is also more economical and in terms of maintenance, it’s more stress free.

I need your attention. The Focal Point. The crowning glory of your garden depends on this. This is what makes your garden a meditation garden. Choose pieces that gives you a sense of comfort and serenity. It could either be a simple cross or an ornate grotto with an image of our lady of Lourdes and a kneeling St. Bernadette. This is a matter of personal preference. Choose whatever works.

Order in Chaos. Depending on the garden style you choose, arranging the plants is easy. Tropical garden usually creates pattern towards the gardens focal point. With Zen garden on the other hand, plants and accessories (ie rocks, temple lanterns) are arranged in asymmetrical triangles to give it, ironically, a sense of balance. This kind of symmetry will also help you contemplate on the relationship between heaven, man and earth.

Accessorize. Add some pizzazz to your garden by adding elements to excite the senses. It could be a desktop fountain, a wind chime or a simple floating candle. Garden lights will also provide that glow if you intend to use it during night time. It is also important to have a bench or a stone slab where you could sit facing your focal point.

Be Still. Finally, your garden is all worked up. After all the enjoyable hard work, it’s time for you to be still and relax. This is your perfect sacred space where you could pray in contemplation . Your garden is the perfect solace be it in agony or in ecstasy.

PS. Don’t forget to water the plants!

Image courtesy of http://www.pbase.com/mtu_fulani
http://www.aquamarinediving.com
http://www.lizlyle.lofgrens.org

An article for C153, check out www.stpeteronline.com

Icons : Created in the image of God

Iconography has long been a tradition in the Catholic church and predominantly by our Orthodox Christian brethrens. It can be said that in context, Icons are not in anyway, isolated in liturgy, theology, architecture and music but rather supplements and enhances our worship. While Liturgical music is done with words set in music, icons preach theology in pictures.

Our Faith is always confronted with the disposition that we worship graven images and sometimes, we even question ourselves believing that we are. Our early church fathers have a clear understanding of proskynesis (veneration such as bowing down) and latreia (Absolute worship). For catholics, Worship belongs to God alone and Icons, we venerate. The argument can be traced back from the old testament that prohibits worshipping any image of God. No one has ever seen God. But with the advent of the Incarnation, that’s where the confusion stops. Christ becomes the icon of an Invisible God. In the New Testament, the apostles were privileged to see the face of God. The Lord even called them blessed saying “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Historically, the say that Veronica (the one who imprinted the face of Jesus in her veil) did not exist but what she represents is Vera Icona (the True Image).

Icons are said to be written and read. They are not simply holy pictures, in fact it does not portray physical reality. What it represents is the TRUTH. We are reminded that the order of nature is overthrown like a burning bush that is not consumed or a virgin giving birth but remained a Virgin. The image represented is often time disfigured (Eyes too large or the nose too long) so that the reader will be reminded to go beyond what is being looked at. It represents a transfigured image of the one portrayed. Another technique used in writing icons is inverse perspective. Normal perspective, would usually draw him inside the painting as he stares at a vanishing point. But with Icons, in effect, the image is looking at us with the vanishing point in the plane of the onlooker. Pigments are applied from dark to light, as if to reflect the pilgrimage of the writer of his spiritual journey. Icons do not have shadows thus giving off only light. Symbology also plays a part in the composition. Colors, poses and inscriptions have full meaning and the faithful are encouraged to study them to understand the Theology behind it.

These Divine images are our bridge between heaven and earth. We are also reminded that there is a continuing dispensation of salvation, by the entry of the Holy Spirit into created matter. We can also be called Icons for we are created in the Image and likeness of God.

Resource:
Catholicism for Dummies
www.newadvent.org
www.antiochian.org

friend: what are the possible solutions to the growing rice crisis in the philippines?
Jeprocks: cannibalism
Jeprocks: Laugh
friend: seriously.
Jeprocks: alternative crops

Inay - Hangad Acapella

Tatlo ang aking itinuturing na ina sa mundo ibabaw na ito…

Ang pang-una, Ang mahal na Inang Maria, na lagi kong sinusumpungan kung ako ay may kinakailangan na ni minsan ay hindi ako binigo.

Ang larawang ito ay aking ipininta ilang taon na ang nakalilipas, Ang inang Maria hawak ang kanyang pinakaiingatang supling.

Ang pangalawang Ina ko ay ang aking lola Nanay, SLN ang kanyang kaluluwa. Naaalala ko pa na nung maliliit kaming magkakapatid, mahilig kaming kumain ng balat ng manok, siya ang nag hihimay ng mga balat para ipakain sa amin. Ito ay isa sa mga larawang nagalugad ko tangan tangan ang inyong lingkod… opkors nung baby pa. Ngayun ko lang napansin, kamukha pala nya si Rio Locsin, medyo chubby nga lang.

Pansining ang larawang ito ay may liham sa bandang likuran, isa kami sa tinuturing na “katas ng Saudi”, si Beth ay ang lolo Kuya ko na nag trabaho sa Saudi noong siya’y bata bata pa. At siyempre, laging bida sa tahanan ng mga pamilyang me OFW nung panahong yun ang carpet na ginagawang wall painting sa pader.

Si Joey ang tatay ko.

At siyempre pa, Ang isa sa mga bida ng buhay ko, Ang aking Mame. Isa pa rin sa mga nahalukay kong mga larawan. Ibang klaseng nanay to! Isa siyang Rockenroll mother to the highest level! at di ko ipagpapalit maski kanino man.

Sabihin man nilang overrated ang mga nanay… Eats your hart out! (ala Melanie Marquez combined with Janina San Miguel) mothers still knows best! (walang ng masabi at walang sense).

Yun Lang!

PS. Ano ang aranya?

Ang ibang larawan ay makikita sa www.litratongpinoy.com

Amidst all the events that happened to me the past few weeks… our prayers have been heard. The storm is calm now, the True healer has shown his might and power.

This is an early birthday gift.

Thank you for your prayers.

let the song linger… and I will be Still and know my God.

Still - Hillsong
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust