As Year 2011 Comes to an End ...be STILL and find the peace

As 2011 comes to an end, I just needed some time to be alone to reflect in quietness on the key things that happened over the last 12 months in my life. We are surrounded by information overload that sometimes it is just good to be still and let silence speaks.

In this connected world, we are all the time engaged in something and and in constant motion even though our bodies are not moving. Our minds are always in attention and we rush around, talking, emailing, tweeting, sending and reading messages, clicking from browser tab to the next, one link to the next.

We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking. There is no time for stillness — and sitting in front of a frenetic computer all day, and then in front of the hyperactive television, doesn’t count as stillness. Let's stop all the action, sit back and just be still ... Then you can ...


Feel your breadth.
Listen to the stillness.
Enjoy the air around you.
Be at peace with yourself.
Appreciate your good health.
Be thankful for your senses.
Rejoice in your loving relationships.
Think of your loved ones.
Linger in the presence of God.
Give thanks !


It is not wise to dash about.
Shortening the breath causes much stress.
Use too much energy, and
You will soon be exhausted.
That is not the Natural Way.
Whatever works against this Way
Will not last long.
         by Tao Te Ching


I just read this New York Times article "The Joy of Quiet" and I am very inspired by it. Here are a few quotes from the author Pico Iyer.

The urgency of slowing down — to find the time and space to think — is nothing new, of course, and wiser souls have always reminded us that the more attention we pay to the moment, the less time and energy we have to place it in some larger context. “Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries,” the French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote in the 17th century, “and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.” He also famously remarked that all of man’s problems come from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone.

 MAYBE that’s why more and more people I know, even if they have no religious commitment, seem to be turning to yoga, or meditation, or tai chi; these aren’t New Age fads so much as ways to connect with what could be called the wisdom of old age. Two journalist friends of mine observe an “Internet sabbath” every week, turning off their online connections from Friday night to Monday morning, so as to try to revive those ancient customs known as family meals and conversation. Finding myself at breakfast with a group of lawyers in Oxford four months ago, I noticed that all their talk was of sailing — or riding or bridge: anything that would allow them to get out of radio contact for a few hours.

Here's wishing all a very joyful and meaningful New Year !!

God bless ... 

10 Old and Beautiful Castles Around the World

Castles are enchanting not only in their history but also architecture and grand exterior. Some of the oldest castles have been preserved as historical monuments around the world. Here are the 10 old and beautiful castles around the world, all built in various times, all in their own architectural style and with their own incredible stories.

Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England

Windsor Castle that is located in Berkshire, England is one of the official residences The Queen. Built as early as 1070 Windsor is over 13 acres and is one of world’s largest residential castles. The Windsor castle is also open to public on certain days providing tours around the grand royal residence.

Boldt Castle, Alexandria Bay, New York, USA

Boldt Castle is a beautiful century-old castle built by George C. Boldt, Waldorf Astoria Hotel proprietor, as a token of love to his wife Louise. With the sudden death of his wife in 1904 George C. Boldt has stopped the construction being struck with grief. After seven decades of abandonment the castle was acquired by Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977 and has been rehabilitated ever since.

De Haar Castle, Netherlands

De Haar Castle was originally built in 1300′s by Van de Haar family and then destroyed in 15th century. Then the restoration of the castle began in 1892 and later it became the most visited castle of Netherlands.

Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, France

The royal Chateau de Chambord is one the most known castles in France. King François I has built it as his hunting lodge where he has spent only 8 months of his reign. The construction, which began in 1519 has required 1,800 workers to build the beautiful but not defensive structure.

Hunyad Castle, Hunedoara, Romania

Hunyad Castle has once belonged to Hunyadi dynasty has survived fire and neglect but was restored and renovated by modern architects in Gothic style. The castle is believed to be a prison of seven years for Vlad III of the Wallachian empire a.k.a Dracula.

Dunrobin Castle, Scotland

The Dunrobin Castle has existed since 13th century and served as a residence for Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. In 16th century some extensions have been constructed. Some rooms are now open to public including dining, breakfast, music, and drawing rooms as well as the library with over 10,000 books.

Castle of Coca, Spain

Castillo de Coca is located in province of Segovia, Spain. Built in 15th century by Don Alonso de Fonseca the Castle of Coca was planned as a residence but also had impressive defense constructions. It now belongs to the government and attracts tourists because of its historical value.

Cochem Castle, Germany

The Cochem Castle is thought to stand overlooking River Mosel since 11th century. In the period between 1307 and 1354 the castle was extended and fortified. In 1689 however the castle was occupied and destroyed during King Louis XIV invasion of Rhine and the Moselle. The castle has been renovated and rebuilt by German nobility during the 19th century. Now it is a property of the town of Cochem.

Hohen Werfen Castle, Austria

The Hohen Werfen castle is about 900 years old. It stands high about the Salzach valley. The castle is open for visitors and offers a wide range of entertainment.

Malahide Castle, Ireland

Malahide Castle is one of the oldest castles in Ireland. It has served as a residence for Talbot family since 1185 and til 1975. In period of 1649-1660 the castle was run by Miles Corbet after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. After Cromwell’s death the castle was returned to Talbot family.

Top 5 US Cities for Creative Professionals

Creative jobs are diminishing right now. So even if you’re the most educated, talented, motivated creative professional in the world, you still need to do everything to you can to improve your chances of finding gainful employment. This includes strategic geographic positioning – go where the jobs are.

Here’s a quick guide to the best cities in the United States for having a shot at making a good living as a designer.

Read more ...

The Mystery of Qin Shi Huangdi’s Mausoleum

Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, was the only ruler who single-handedly unified the seven warring clans of the China of 221 BCE and commanded massive construction of several public infrastructures as well as the legendary Great Wall of China.

His tomb which is seen as the epitome of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s boundless power and prestige is located 30 km to the outside of X’ian in the Shensi province of China.

                       Some of the 7000 Warriors, discovered in 1974. They are guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi near Xi’an, Central China. Known as the “Terra-cotta Army”, the Warriors are now considered the 8th Wonder of the World

The emperor left a written record of his military and diplomatic feats in a series of tablets. He successfully abolished feudalism, promoted religion and divided China into 36 states for an efficient administration. Among the other significant achievements of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi was the standardization of various systems of writing, weights and measures, currencies and the simplification of the record-keeping methods. Despite these progressive works, Qin Shi Huangdi was despotic and tyrannical in his rule.

Interestingly, this great builder ordered the erection of his burial chamber right after his ascension to the throne in 246 BCE when he was just a boy of thirteen! Going by the records about his personal traits, it was rather a contradictory step for Qin Shi Huangdi to take because of his search for an immortality formula to help him eternalize his ‘divine rule’. However, the work completed 36 years after it was started and Qin Shi Huangdi died soon after in 210 BCE to be buried in it.

The discovery of this archeological treasure happened in 1974, when a team of Chinese peasants abruptly came across the tomb while trying to drill a well. What was most striking about this mausoleum was its huge size and the remarkable artworks stored in it. This includes the 8000 life-size army consisting of terracotta statues of men and horses. Because each statue was individually built with 3-inch thick terra-cotta clay, you can distinguish each soldier and horse from another in their unique looks, weaponry and dressing.

The warriors are positioned according to the ranks they held in the contemporary time. The different sections of the 8000 troops are distributed in three separate chambers. The first and the largest chamber contains the troop of active duty officers, the second chamber is where the reserves are placed while the third small chamber houses 68 elite commanders and officers. All the soldiers face east to protect the afterlife of Qin Shi Huangdi from possible enemy attacks coming from that direction.

The mystery of this tomb lies in the fact that the three-chamber terracotta soldier complex forms only 1% of the total mausoleum area. The central section of the 90-feet tall mausoleum building beneath an earthen pyramid is still unexcavated. According to the accounts of Chinese historians and popular legends, this part is mapped as a city, with walls, palaces and cemetery and meant for the use of Qin Shi Huangdi in his luxurious afterlife. The rivers and water bodies are sketched with flowing mercury while the sky is represented by constellations of pearls.

The underground palace is arguably the most elaborate structure in its grandeur and amenities. It could be an abode of long-buried treasures like precious gems, metals and other wealth. This intricate bronze-lined, waterproof construction extending over four square miles took the labor of 700,000 prisoners of war and slaves for its completion after which they were killed to stop them from divulging the tomb’s secret. To make Qin Shi Huangdi’s second life as pompous as his life on earth, his mistresses were buried alive in this tomb as well.

Even today the excitement over the mysterious secrets of this sophisticated necropolis has not stopped drawing groups of tourists and intellectuals from the world over. As a tourist, you can freely take a tour to the spot although all the details of its excavations are strictly under Chinese authorities. They are still to dig out treasures and valuables from the womb of Qin Shi Huangdi’s mausoleum. Only when the tomb is opened up completely, the myriad marvelous accounts it has commanded will meet the light of truth.

Good Design

“Good design is innovative

Good design makes a product useful

Good design is aesthetic

Good design helps us to understand a product

Good design is unobtrusive

Good design is honest

Good design is long-lasting

Good design is consequent to the last detail

Good design is concerned with the environment

Good design is as little design as possible”

—	Dieter Rams’ ten principles to “good design”

Plastic Tree Raises Environmental Awareness

Miha Artnak, the artist behind the brilliant Layers series, has recently finished his newest piece of street art entitiled The Rise of The Fall. Found in Slovenia, in this piece Artnak covered the branches of a tree with a number of plastic bags that nearly obscure it when observed from a distance. Much like his other work featuring the medium of plastic bags, The Plastic Bag Monster, Artnak is hoping to make a statement and raise awareness about humankind's waste and rampant consumerism. By covering the tree, this can be interpreted to mean that if something isn't done to help reverse this trend, our garbage may soon overtake nature.

North Korean Mourners Line Streets for Kim Jong-il’s Funeral

The extensive funeral of the Dear Leader,  closely watched for signs of shifts in power as the country goes through a transition of its leadership. Mr. Kim’s two elder brothers, Kim Jong-nam and Kim Jong-chol, were nowhere to be seen.

A portrait of Kim Jong-il was displayed during the procession through the streets of Pyongyang on Wednesday.

Kim Jong-un and other officials walked next to Kim Jong-il's hearse

See slide show here (New York Times) and here (BBC).

North Korea holds state funeral for 'dear leader' Kim Jong-il - video.

North Korea's military staged a huge funeral procession in the snowy streets of the capital, Pyongyang, for Kim Jong-il, readying a transition to his son, Kim Jong-un. What appeared to be live footage from North Korean state TV showed the procession moving slowly through the streets against a backdrop of audible mass outpouring of grief from an estimated 200,000 mourners, mostly in military uniform.

Atlantis - Space Shuttle

Ever wondered what the inside of a working space shuttle looks like? 


Here’s a fisheye photo tour of space shuttle Atlantis, powered on for one last time before it’s moved to a museum.


The Atlantis is going on display at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, from the end of 2012. Sadly, visitors won’t be allowed to climb into the cockpit.

See more pictures here or at Daily Mail.

Paying it Forward - Give and it will be given you

Found this inspirational video and it reminded me of the movie " Paying It Forward". 


It also reminded me of an Indian proverb .. "All that is not given is lost". Most of the time, it is part of our selfish nature to possess things and hold tight to what we have .. our time, our money, our material goods and our selves. 


Actually it only takes a small effort to given or share what we have with others. The joy that you can bring from giving is usually much more than we can imagine.


As we start a New Year, it would be a good time to start a spirit of sharing and giving in our life. The Bible teaches that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Try it and you'll be surprised that it is indeed so ....

Lessons About Longevity From a 256-Year-Old

According to legend, Mr. Li Qing Yun (1677–1933) was a Chinese medicine physician, herbal expert, qigong master, and tactical consultant. He was said to have lived through nine emperors in the Qing Dynasty to be 256 years old. He had 24 wives, and lived through nine emperors in the Qing Dynasty.

His May 1933 obituary in Time Magazine, titled “Tortoise-Pigeon-Dog,” revealed Li’s secrets of longevity: “Keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a pigeon and sleep like a dog.”

Mr. Li is said to have had quite unusual habits in his daily living. He did not drink hard liquor or smoke and ate his meals at regular times. He was a vegetarian and frequently drank wolfberry (also known as goji berry) tea.

He slept early and got up early. When he had time, he sat up straight with his eyes closed and hands in his lap, at times not moving at all for a few hours.

In his spare time, Li played cards, managing to lose enough money every time for his opponent’s meals for that day. Because of his generosity and level headed demeanor, everyone liked to be with him.

Mr. Li spent his whole life studying Chinese herbs and discovering the secrets of longevity, traveling through provinces of China and as far as Thailand to gather herbs and treat illnesses.

While it is unclear whether Li actually lived as long as is believed, what little we know of his habits fit with modern science’s findings about longevity.

Research

Dan Buettner, author of “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest,” researches the science of longevity. In his book and in a 2009 TED talk, he examined the lifestyle habits of four geographically distinct populations around the world.

All of these groups—Californian Adventists, Okinawans, Sardinians, and Costa Ricans—live to be over 100 years of age at a far greater rate than most people, or they live a dozen years longer than average. He calls the places where these groups live “blue zones.”

According to Buettner’s research, all blue-zone groups eat a vegetable-based diet. The group of Adventists in Loma Linda, California, eat plenty of legumes and greens as mentioned in the Bible. Herders living the in the highlands of Sardinia eat an unleavened whole grain bread, cheese from grass-fed animals, and a special wine.

Buettner found that low-calorie diets help in extending life, as demonstrated by a group of healthy elderly Okinawans who practice a Confucian rule of stopping eating when one is 80 percent full.

Perhaps Li’s wolfberry tea played a crucial part in his health. After hearing Li’s story, medical researchers from Britain and France conducted an in-depth study of wolfberry and found that it contains an unknown vitamin called “Vitamin X,” also known as the “beauty vitamin.” Their experiments confirmed that wolfberry inhibits the accumulation of fat and promotes new liver cells, lowers blood glucose and cholesterol, and so on.

Wolfberry performs a role of rejuvenation: It activates the brain cells and endocrine glands; enhances the secretion of hormones; and removes toxins accumulated in the blood, which can help maintain a normal function of body tissues and organs.

Meditation

Researchers have found numerous benefits to regular meditation. Neuroscientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School asked two groups of stressed-out high-tech employees to either meditate over eight weeks or live as they normally do.

They found that the meditators “showed a pronounced shift in activity to the left frontal lobe,” reads a 2003 Psychology Today article. “This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression, and anxiety. There is also less activity in the amygdala, where the brain processes fear.”

Meditation also reduces brain shrinkage due to aging and enhances mood.

Aside from meditation, Buettner found that regularly scheduled downtime undoes inflammation, which is a reaction to stress. The Adventists in California strictly adhere to their 24-hour Sabbath and spend the time reflecting, praying, and enjoying their social circles.

Community

Buettner also found that community is a huge factor in the longevity of blue-zone groups. Typical Okinawans have many close friends, with whom they share everything. Sardinian highlanders have a reverence for the elderly not found in modern Western societies. The Adventists put family first.

A sense of belonging and having healthy friends and family encourage the individual to live healthily as well.

In “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell examined a group of Italians called the Rosetans, who migrated to an area west of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Across the board, they had lower incidents of heart disease and generally lived long, healthy lives. After experiments, it was determined that their secret was not genetics or even diet (41 percent of their diet came from fat).

“The Rosetans had created a powerful, protective social structure capable of insulating them from the pressures of the modern world,” Gladwell wrote. “The Rosetans were healthy because of where they were from, because of the world they had created for themselves in their tiny little town in the hills.”

Purposeful Living

In his travels, Buettner came across a common theme among blue-zone groups: None of them had the concept of retirement. As it turns out, to keep going makes it easier to keep going.

Purposeful living into the sunset years is a mantra to the Okinawans and Sardinians. In those groups, Buettner met centenarian men and women who continued to climb hills, build fences, fish, and care for great-great-great-great grandchildren.

Interestingly, none of these centenarians exercise purposely as we Westerners who go to the gym do. “They simply live active lives that warrant physical activity,” Buettner said. They all walk, cook, and do chores manually, and many of them garden.

Based on an article about Li Qing Yun from Kan Zhong Guo (Secret China). 

Merry Christmas - But what is Christmas all about?

Merry Christmas Everyone !! 


May the joy and peace of Christ rest in your hearts this Christmas & Always


But what is Christmas all about, as this was exactly what Charlie Brown asked his friend Linus.


I think sometimes many of us wonder the same things that Charlie Brown did during this time of year.  "What is the meaning of Christmas?"  Well, I'll leave you will Linus' wonderful answer to Charlie and the Peanuts gang straight from Luke 2:8-14 (King James Version):

^"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Health Benefits of Avocados

Lately, I have been eating half an avocado everyday. I have been told to be careful as this fruit is very high in cholesterol which is bad for my heart and arteries.


Hence, I decided to do more research for myself on this fruit. Surprisingly, I found that the benefits are enormous. They are:


Lower Cholesterol
Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one study, 45 volunteers experienced an average drop in cholesterol of 17% after eating avocados for only one week.


Better Nutrient Absorption
Research has found that certain nutrients are absorbed better when eaten with avocado. In one study, when participants ate a salad containing avocados, they absorbed five times the amount of carotenoids (a group of nutrients that includes lycopene and beta carotene) than those who didn't include avocados.


Oral Cancer Defense
Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells. Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.


Eye Health
Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.


Heart Health
One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.


Breast Cancer Protection
Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.


Stroke Prevention
The high levels of folate in avocado are also protective against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke than those who don't.


Anti-oxidant Supply
Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, an important antioxidant that researchers say is important in preventing aging, cancer, and heart disease.


Vitamin E Powerhouse
Avocados are the best fruit source of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that protects against many diseases and helps maintains overall health.


Well, hope you are now convinced just as I am. To learn more about the fruit, refer to this wiki site.

Another question I have is when are avocados ripe to eat and if they aren't ripe, how to ripen them at home. Watch this video to learn more.





To avoid all ripening at the same time, keep some in the refrigerator while you ripen what you will first use out on the counter, in your paper bag. Then as those ripen, put them into the fridge to hold until you use them, and bring out the others that you will now ripen in the paper bag. Rotating that way, you will have a constant supply of ripe avos without the need to use them all at once.


Now how about an avo salad which is both easy to prepare and nutritious. See video below.





Well, hope this all helps towards a more healthy life-style. Cheers to good health !!

Q Confucius in Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai - by Zhang Huan

The Rockbund Art Museum (RAM) re-opens in Shanghai on October 15, 2011, after completing Phase II of the historical building’s renovations. The first exhibition will be Q Confucius, a solo exhibition by world renowned artist Zhang Huan.

This is the largest solo exhibition in China by world-renowned artist Zhang Huan. With Confucius as his inspiration, the now Shanghai-based artist explores the impact on art, society, and religion of China’s rapid economic, cultural, and environmental changes. All new work has been commissioned specifically for RAM’s exhibition featuring animated large-scale sculptures, paintings, ash paintings and installations. Zhang Huan: Q Confucius, guest curated by Fumio Nanjo, Director of Mori Art Museum, Tokyo will be on view from October 15, 2011 – January 29, 2012, accompanied by a catalog and a series of talks and panel discussions.

Q Confucius originates from a series of questions Zhang Huan posed about the future:


Faced with rapid economic and societal changes and energy, climate, and environmental challenges, how can human beings achieve sustainable and harmonious development and restrain from rapacious plunder? 


What responsibilities come with China’s rise in international prominence and power; and how do we build a new international order in politics, economics and culture? 


Where is the sense of spiritual belonging for contemporary Chinese – should there be a return to tradition, a closer alignment to the west, or something new? 


Though these questions seem immense and unrelated, Zhang Huan finds them to be critically interconnected and hopes the exhibition will provide a structure to observe, reflect, and instigate discussion. 


Using Confucius as a symbol throughout the exhibition, the artist provides a context for the questioning of spirituality in contemporary China, contrasting the Chinese spiritual leader’s beliefs with the teachings of Jesus and other religious beliefs. 


Q Confucius as seen below shows the enormous bust of Confucius. It rises from the water and "breathes" mechanically and with accompanying audio, makes one reconsider today's "materialistic China". One can't help but wonder what the wise old sage would say were he to return, and what the role of Confucianism should be in today's China.


So when in Shanghai, do drop by to see this wonderful piece of art. Exhibition is on till 29 Jan 2012.

About Shang Huan ( His website )

From the beginning of Zhang Huan's career, as one of the first wave of Chinese performance artists active on the Beijing scene in the 1990s, he never failed to make an impact. Though he has not been a favourite of authorities, being reprimanded more than once for the perceived “inappropriateness” of his artistic performances, Zhang won the attention of art fans around the world with his visceral and masochistic performances.

Using his body as a medium, Zhang has chained his naked self from the ceiling of his apartment and slowly dripped his own blood into a metal bowl in a piece called '65 Kilograms'. He also, famously, slathered his body in honey and fish oil before sitting nude in a fly-infested, stench-filled public toilet in '12 Square Meters'. 

“No one can escape cruelty, neither myself, nor the audience,” Zhang Huan said early in his career. “Once the audience members step into the site of the performance, they become involved in the reality before their eyes. They have nowhere to escape, just as they have no way to escape reality.”

After moving to New York in 1998, Zhang Huan's performances increased in complexity, and were often composed of several parts. According to the artist, this progression was a necessary response to his increasingly complicated relationship with the world as a Chinese artist living, working and travelling in the West.

“In China, I was doing things for myself. Now people invite me to perform, to become a cultural event. I have a job to do,” Zhang said. “I try to understand each new situation. I combine impressions of China with local culture, what people call glocal. It's about going from one place to another, and bringing what you have to offer to each new place. Sometimes I understand the experience, sometimes not.”

In later years, Zhang has moved back to China and now bases himself in Shanghai, where he has reinvented himself as a painter, sculptor and installation artist. Spirituality, particularly in the Buddhist context, has become a prevalent theme in his work.

According to RAM's deputy director, Liu Yingjiu, the museum has been interested in featuring an exhibition of Zhang's new works since before the museum was inaugurated in 2010. The parties went back and forth with proposals, and the artist developed ideas for two years before they came up with the 'Q Confucius' incarnation, which will be Zhang's largest solo show in China to date and won't be featuring either foul smells or the artist's blood.

With Confucius as his inspiration, Zhang examines the impact of China's rapid development on the country's art, society and religion. Featuring all new works commissioned specifically for this exhibition, a variety of mediums – including animated large-scale sculptures, paintings, ash paintings and live animal installations – will be on show.

“The idiosyncratic elements of these materials will bring striking visual and intellectual tension to the audience, and in the meantime, its emotional power will be communicating with the spiritual subject of the exhibit, which will be alluring and thought-provoking,” Liu says.

One of the major themes Zhang uses Confucius to explore is whether there is (or should be) a sense of spiritual belonging in contemporary China. By contrasting the traditional Chinese spirituality with the teachings of deities from around the world, he asks whether China should return to its roots, look west for spiritual inspiration, or turn in a completely new direction.