Q: Where did Egyptians come from? A: Punt

Wisdom Quarterly, NOVA, History Channel, Coast to Coast with guest Frank Joseph Hoff

Atlantis has definitively been discovered...in Asia (Frank Joseph Hoff/Coasttocoastam.com)

  
The Land of Egypt's Ancestors
Peter Tyson (NOVA)

The female Pharaoh Hatshepsut told us more about Punt ("Poont") than anyone else in ancient times. But even she was silent on its exact location. The ancient Egyptians left mountains of evidence for Punt, none more so than Pharoah Hatshepsut, whose 3,500-year-old temple at Deir el-Bahri near Thebes contains a book in stone describing Punt. She and other pharaohs sent huge expeditions to Punt -- flotillas of robust, seagoing ships with thousands of men. But neither she nor anyone else from ancient times left a map, directions, or distances. More 

• Expedition to Punt

Where were they going? According to researcher Frank Joseph Hoff, they were going to the remnants of Atlantis.

  

Atlantis in Indonesia with huge war elephants and odd "bells," Borobudur (Tropen Museum)

Locating Atlantis

Coast to Coast, July 5, 2012

Researcher of ancient mysteries Frank Joseph Hoff discussed the unusual work of Brazilian professor and nuclear physicist Arysio Santos on the true location of Atlantis. He also gave an update on his plans for an excavation in Indonesia. Dr. Robin Harger, Ray Pillai , and Saunthara Subramaniam joined the conversation. 

   

Referring to such sources as ancient Hindu texts and the writings of Plato and his contemporaries, Prof. Santos was able to "reverse engineer" the location of Atlantis -- a submerged subcontinent in Southeast Asia, where the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean all come together, Hoff asserts, adding that Indonesia is part of this land mass still visible today (as pictured on the cover of Santos' book).

• Indonesia's "time traveling Buddha bells": Die Glockes in Borobudur
• How far is Egypt from Indonesia?

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Monastery Haiku.

monk robes wet with dew

bell rings and birds fly away
budding lotus bows

by James R. Ure


~Peace to all beings~

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My Meditation "Rituals"

I thought I'd write a bit about how I start and end my meditation sessions. I will also speak of a new adaptation to the taking refuge vows at the end of the sitting.

(Most of my "rituals" come from Thich Nhat Hanh's recommendations) First, I breath in and out deeply three times in front of my altar taking in the moment and preparing myself to enter meditation. Then I say the following gatha before sounding the bell three times:

Body speech and mind in perfect oneness, I send my heart along with the sound of this bell. May the hearers awaken from their forgetfulness- and transcend the path of anxiety and sorrow.

Then I breath deeply as I ring the bell threes times and bowing after each sounding. During the bowing and ringing of the bell I saying the follow while breathing deeply yet naturally:

I listen, I listen. This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home.

At this point I light a tea light candle as say:

Respectful of countless Buddhas I light this candle--brightening the face of the Earth.
I then bow.

Next, I light the incense saying:

In gratitude I offer this incense to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time. May it be fragrant as Earth herself. Reflecting our careful efforts, our whole-hearted mindfulness and the fruit of understanding--slowly ripening. May all beings be companions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. May we awaken from forgetfulness and realize our true home.

I then sound the bell and bow to the Buddha within us all.

Finally I bow to my cushion and settle in for meditation.

Upon finishing my session I ring the bell three times, again reciting the gatha (I listen, I listen. This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home). Then I get up slowly and take refuge in the three jewels. I use to just simply say: I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha but I have since added a few words to make it sink it more.

Now I say:

Aware of the Buddha within I take refuge in the Buddha. Aware of the 4 Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path I take refuge in the Dharma and aware of interconnectivity of all things I take refuge in the Sangha. And of course I bow between each refuge.

And that's my usual session.

Today I am headed over to my parent's house to teach some basics of meditation to my father. I'm excited but I'm also nervous--I've never taught anyone before. I do have a natural teaching talent, however, in other areas so I'm sure it will go just fine. We will be going slowly anyway so it should be fun. It's a lovely way to bond with my friend and father. :)

Enjoy your breathing!!

PHOTO: Image representing the Three Jewels of Buddhism--found HERE.

~Peace to all beings~

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