4/20 (Sat.) Changing one's destiny (Host: Christine H)

[Christine]

Hi Guys,

There is a topic in each session for the discussion this time. Checking the materials in advance before joining the gathering is highly recommended and appreciated. Looking forward to chatting with you by the time!

Session One: Changing one's distiny - Liao Fan's 4 lessions
Session Two: The "Happy Life" Scientist: How To FINALLY Beat Stress, Worry & Uncertainty! Dacher Keltner | E219

Reference materials for Session One:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liao-Fan%27s_Four_Lessons
https://mingwalk.wordpress.com/2011/11/ ... r-lessons/

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Liao-Fan's Four Lessons (Chinese: 了凡四訓) is a book written by Yuan Liaofan (Chinese: 袁了凡; 1533–1606), was a Chinese official during the Ming Dynasty, born in present-day Wujiang County, Jiangsu Province. Yuan wrote the book to teach his son, Yuan Tian-Chi. The principal idea behind these lessons is that destiny can be changed through proper cultivation of kindness and humility. Thus, one should not be bound by fate, but by one's own actions.
Yuan Liaofan was told by a Taoist monk surnamed Kong that he would only live to the age of 53 and have no son. At first, he disregarded this monk's words as farcical nonsense, but as Kong's other predictions began to occur with great accuracy, he then proactively made an effort to rewrite his fate. In relating his own life experience in changing destiny, Yuan, at the age of 69, wrote and taught these four lessons to his son.
The first lesson shows how to create destiny. The second lesson explains the ways to reform. The third reveals the ways to cultivate kindness and the fourth discloses the benefits of the virtue of humility.
The book, still in circulation after more than 400 years, is said to be a useful foundation in learning both Confucianism and Buddhism.

3 conditions for reform:
1. One must have a sense of shame - conscience.
2. One must be cautious and conscientious of one's own intention and conduct at all time, as well as having a solemn respect of the Divine and the Universal rules/Golden rules.
3. One must have determination and courage to rectify one's mistakes.
3 methods to reform:
1. Changing through action
2. Changing through reasoning
3. Changing from the heart
10 ways to cultivate kindness:
1. Supporting the practice of kindness
2. Harboring love and respect
3. Helping others succeed
4. Persuading others to practice kindness
5. Helping those in desperate need
6. Developing public projects for the greater benefit of the people
7. Giving through donation
8. Protecting the proper teaching
9. Respecting our elders
10. Loving and cherishing all living beings

The materials for Session Two is quite a lengthy video, and include various of topics can be discussed. However, don't be afraid, I'll only focus on few of them. The links about the YouTube clip for discussion are indicated as below. Subitile is available for this video if it's required.

Dacher Keltner is an American professor at the University of California, Berkeley and founder of the Greater Good Science Center. His research focuses on the science of emotions, such as compassion, love, power, and awe.
(also the author of the several books, incl. Power paradox)

Reference materials for Session Two: 0:00 Intro
02:47 Your professional background
05:10 Findings about keeping younger
06:59 The feeling of awe [/color][/b]
22:10 Why did you write this book?
29:35 The link between gratitude
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38:51 Monogamy
48:02 Do we become worse people as we get richer? 01:02:45 Why has life expectancy declined?
01:15:28 Compassion 01:19:51 The power of touch
01:33:04 The last guest’s question
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Questions for discussion -Session One
1. Do you believe that one’s destiny can be changed or transformed? Have you heard or read of Liao-Fan's Four Lessons (Chinese: 了凡四訓) before this gathering? What is your intake on the idea of transforming life by the ways this book shared?
2. Have you ever thought of changing your destiny before? Would the story be helpful for you? or do you think this is utilitarianism功利主義? (Some said they feel they are doing good deed for some kind of purpose in the beginning. However, the situation changed after making the practice become a habit. )
3. At the Lesson One, Learning to Create Destiny, “Creating Destiny” is about forming one’s fate rather than be bound by it. Can you see any positive energy in it?
4. Liao-Fan Yuan taught his son the 10 useful ways to cultivate kindness. Have you applied any of them in your life? Can you share your experiences to your group members?

Questions for discussion -Session Two
5. What is the feeling of awe? Share your experiences of feeling it. Can we benefit from practicing awe?
6. Dacher Keltner mentioned at the interview that Gratitude is the emotion that holds societies together.
What are the benefits of practicing gratitude? How often do you practice gratitude? The host mentioned
he has created a system for frequent gratitude things which is a gratitude chat channel in his companies.
Do you think it is possible to apply this to our life?
7. Is it true that people become worse as they get richer? Why?
8. Is it important that human being to be devoted to anything?
9. What is Compassion? Dalai Lama said if you want others to be happy, or you want to be happy, practice Compassion is the key, why? Can you talk about Compassion contagious?

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Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:15pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:15 ~ 5:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements

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Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘

Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.

[Christine]

Bring to the top.