Zarina Bhimji at Whitechapel Art Gallery

I discovered an interesting artist recently at the Whitechapel Art Gallery - Zarina Bhimji.

In the current exhibition, rarely seen earlier works are presented alongside more ambitious film narratives.

Zarina Bhimji was born in Mbarara, Uganda in 1963 to Indian parents, and moved to Britain in 1974, two years after the expulsion of Uganda’s Asian community in the Idi Amin era. All Asians had to flee from the country. Because of this, Bhimji feels that she has three identities - Uganda, Asian and British. This comes across strongly in her work. In particular her film work revolves around the themes of identity, liberty and human values.

I was deeply touched by her amazing grasp on all aspects of film making - sound, shooting, colour... And not least her ideas on how to explore and present certain themes. I warmly recommend the exhibition!

www.whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/zarina-bhimji

Books by Robin Sharma

I have recently had a chance to read some of Robin Sharma's books. He most well known for his book 'The Monk who Sold His ferrari'. All of his books are novels with a spiritual message hidden in them. They make one reflect on one's values and beliefs through a clearly written narrative that flows from one page to another effortlessly.

For more details on the books, please Sharma's website:

www.robinsharma.com

Spas in London for ultimate relaxation

I had a real treat this weekend when a friend of mine took me to her health club & spa in central London. I have an afternoon of swimming, soaking in the jacuzzi, the steam room and a dry sauna that left me feeling utterly relaxed and refreshed.

The chain of health clubs has a very nice atmosphere. Staff is friendly, there is a coffee shop area where you can have tea and coffee for free, watch TV and read the papers after your exercise and spa experience. The changing rooms are spacious and there are plants everywhere. All the clients are friendly and chatty. It is easy to become friends with people there. Perhaps the friendly atmsphere of the place itself attracts certain kind of people, or perhaps people are influenced by the atmosphere and are willing to socialise once at the club....

Definitely worth exploring if you are in London and looking for some relaxation. The prices are cheap-ish too for what you get. Find out more on their website:

www.bannatyne.co.uk

Buddhist Puja Ritual

I recently participated in a Buddhist puja ritual. I have been intrigued by the religion, or rather their philosophy to life, for many years and studied it extensively. I have been practicing meditation and attending talks and events about Buddhism, but never before participated in their ritual.

I found the experience cleansing and invigorating. One does not need to do anything than simply sit and watch as the ritual unfold, equally one can join in the chanting, prayers, giving offerings and reciting of mantras. What I found most empowering about this ritual is that it essentially acknowledges that we all have the Buddha nature in us and can aspire to be the best we can during this lifetime.

In essence, the ritual encourages everyone to aspire to be the kindest, humblest and loving people that we can. It reminds all of us of our true nature and how we can return to our natural state of being.

Here are the mantras that were recited during the ritual:

‘We reverence the Buddha, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the Shower of the Way.

We reverence the Dharma, the Teaching of the Buddha, which leads from darkness to Light.

We reverence the Sangha, the fellowship of the Buddha’s disciplines, that inspires and guides us.’

We reverence the Buddha, and aspire to follow Him.

The Buddha was born, as we are born.

What the Buddha overcame, we too can overcome;

What the Buddha attained, we too can attain.

We reverence the Dhrama, and aspire to follow it,

With body, speech and mind, until the end.

The Truth in all its aspects, the Path in all its stages,

We aspire to study, practice, realise.

We reverence the Sangha, and aspire to follow it;

The fellowship of those who treat the Way.

As, one by one, we make our commitment,

An ever-widening circle, the Sangha grows.’

‘Reverencing the Buddha, we offer flowers-

Flowers that today are fresh and sweetly blooming,

Flowers that tomorrow are faded and fallen.

Our bodies too, like flowers, will pass away.

Reverencing the Buddha, we offer candles.

To Him, who is the Light, we offer light.

From His greater lamp a lesser lamp we light within us:

The lamp of Bodhi shining within our hearts.

Revernecing the Buddha, we offer incense,

Incense whose fragrance pervades the air.

The fragrance of the perfect life, sweeter than incense,

Spreads in all directions throughout the world.’

By VEN.SANGHARAKSHITA

Museum of Childhood: Revisit the Magic World of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green (East London) is a museum for what its name implies...childhood. It is a special museum that forms a part of the V&A museum located in South Kensington. It holds a permanent collection of toys, books, games and other objects from the past four centuries. It is an interesting place for seeing the evolution of children’s stuff form the 16 century to modern day. One can get lost in reminiscing one’s childhood and in seeing the characters and stories from one’s early life. It is an intriguing and nostalgic place for adults to visit, and an exciting place for children to explore.

The museum also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions that are changed every couple of months. At the moment, there are several interesting exhibitions worth visiting:

• The front room of the museum has been taken over by ‘Dreams and Nightmares’. The exhibition has been put together by artists who worked with local primary school children. There are drawings and collage made on stories and nightmares. It makes one reflect on the importance of dreams, and nightmares, - and how essentially life is very similar to dreams and nightmares....

• The front room also hosts a small photograph exhibition by a well-known artist Julia Margaret Cameron. She has photographed children over many years and managed to capture the innocence of childhood very effectively. The photos are captivating with their angelic aura. They truly bring out the beauty of this fragile phase in our lives.

• As you venture into the main area of the museum, in the central area, there is a small exhibition by Cathie Pilkington that consist of small status of storybook characters. The statues have been constructed with mixed media (meal, wood, thread....) and painted with bright colours. Each one of them looks very real and it feels as if the characters from a story book have come alive.

• On the first floor is the main temporary exhibition ‘Magic Worlds’. The exhibition is precisely about what it’s blurb introduction states: ‘to step into a magical world is to leave reality behind and accept the fantastical’. The exhibition hosts snippets from a range of well-known stories. You can revisit Cinderella, Hans and Gretel, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings...

• ‘Magic Worlds’ is followed by a special exhibition on ‘Magic’. It contains equipment that magicians have used over decades and information, as well as films, on famous magicians and their key tricks. The films and video footage nicely compliment the text and objects presented in the exhibition.

• ‘Fairyland’ is found on the first floor after the ‘Magic’ exhibition. The ‘Fairyland’ covers the history of fairies and most well-known fairy stories. There is also a small section dedicated to other imaginary creatures, such as witches and dragons.

* Finally, in the corridor leading from the temporary exhibition to the permanent collections, ‘The Imagination of Children‘ presents pencil drawings of children when they are lost in their imagination with their eyes closed. The pictures depict the active imagination of children effectively and highlight the importance of it in childhood.... as well as the fact how adults often lose their ability to imagine as they grow older.

The exhibitions make the visitor reflect on how our lives are like stories that we are the lead characters in and can control. It hist the essence of life in the words from Shakespear’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ - ‘It’s all but a dream’. So dream on and dream a dream that you want to dream. Go and remind of yourself of your dreams in this exhibition!

www.vam.ac.uk/moc

Nick Thorpe... his books are pearls!

I recently read a book by Nick Thorpe. I had heard the name before, but hadn't read any of his books. I was pleasantly surprised and would warmly welcome his books. Thorpe's books are lightened with humour while they contain more serious substance that provoke food for though. Easy to read, it is hard to put the book down....

Here you can find more information on the books that he has written - 'Urban Worrier' is the one that I read and recommend it with my whole heart:

www.nickthorpe.co.uk

Cassia Lodge - the pearl in Kampala

During my recent trip to Uganda, I had a chance to spend a couple of days at a beautiful lodge located on the hills of Kampala. The lodge is in tranquil surroundings with a splendid swimming pool and gardens around it. The rooms are spacious and there are not too many of them, which helps the lodge to maintain its intimate character. It is also well resourced, ranging from a business centre where clients can use internet to a restaurant & bar that serves local delicacies but also more western style foods.

Anyone in Kampala should definitely check the lodge out - even if you don’t need a place to stay, you are welcome to go and use the pool or eat at the restaurant and admire the beautiful view over Lake Victoria.

http://www.cassialodge.com/home.html