Chile Forum

This seems to require a tangent to my post... to explain and elaborate on Rune's wise ruminations.
Rather than post a pm to His Ungulateness, I will share with all.

He posits... how did I arrive here... by bridge, or tunnel - and at what cost?
Rune says No One... could take the tunnel, or bridge?

The first issue, a tunnel - I cannot confirm, other than to relate a personal anecdote.
Some years ago when living in Ya'an, Sichuan - I undertook a circumnavigation, by foot, around GonggaShan in Kham, in eastern Tibet... After 4 days, traversing remote valleys and a 4,900m pass, I chanced to stop, with my companions, at GonggaShi - a small, isolated temple underneath the west face of the impressive ice mountain... (7556m - but once described, in 1930, as the highest mountain in the world)

After copious consumption of baijiu, we were introduced to the abbot of this alpine shrine... while touring his monastery, seeing amazing religious relics, centuries old... seeing Buddha's hand print in a rock, and the impressions of his buttocks, where he sat and rested - we passed by a curtained room through which our passage was denied. When queried, the abbot suggested a dark and mysterious passage, a cave, a tunnel, below Gongga, where unspeakable spirits dwelled and no one in living memory had explored - and returned. I thought no more of it and returned to my cups.
In retrospect, perhaps the Cochiguaz legend of a tunnel, thru the center of the earth, from Tibet to the Cochiguaz Valley may be true - not having passed that way, I cannot say.

In fact, GonggaShan (using GoogleEarth) is approx. 20,000km away from the Cochiguaz Valley... the furthest lineal distance on the globe = almost exactly opposite = if you went thru the center of the earth, these two points would join...
Hmmm... pretty coincidental & amazing.

BUT... the bridge...
Previously, while living in the Zhoushan Islands, off the east coast of China - Judy & I were privileged to be the first laoweis ever, to visit the the furthest east island of DongJiDao - a small rocky island called DongFuShan. This, in legend and fact, is called the "EAST POLE" - the furthest eastern point of the Middle Kingdom.

Widow's Peak - East end of DongFuShan
This intrigued me... and having access to GoogleEarth... I conducted some investigations. It so happens that the longest continuous ocean passage on the face of the earth starts from DongFuShan (30^ 7.8' N and 122^ 47.0' E) and ends, after 18,640 km, at the coast of Chile... around La Serena (30^ 8.3' S and 71^ 23.4' W).
Now the Cochiguaz Valley is (relatively) close - and given the inability of the Chinese scholars at the time to access GoogleEarth... their calculations are within reason for their EAST POLE - a pole generally accepted as an area of inaccessibility.
Hence the "bridge" may exist- not in physical form, but as a sailing link... (and you can go back to what Admiral Zheng He might have done on his last voyages - the records of which were destroyed)
Then as the EAST POLE exists, why can't the WEST POLE - the Cochiguaz Valley - why not a bridge between.

Rune's ruminations may hold a grain of truth - all respect to him.
The tunnel route is out... too hot down there, even for a cow... and no grass.
If cows could swim (circa 19,000km) the route is there...
Or, if cows could sail... but again, no grass... only nasty seaweed.

Number one thing we tell everyone, take your time and look around. Chile is just to diverse to put in to one box.

Absolutely, Charles... every country I have ever lived and traveled (and there have been many) has shown immense diversity.
The more we research, the bigger the box seems... but even then, we can visualize, at least, the contents and boundaries.
Tangents aside, that is our intention... explore the diversity.
And the direct, indirect and serendipitous links and ideas from people on this forum are proving indispensable in our planning... many thanks to all.
But putting boots on the ground (or wheels to the road) is undeniable the most important thing we will do.
Words and ideas are one thing, but actions truly speak louder than words - and will bring more results, as to our potential destinations and eventual commitments.
As stated in the original post... any/all ideas and inspirations are welcome.

greg~judy wrote:exploring where we want to establish a "home"

Ja-ja-ja!.. One silly cow, after some wandering the whirld (China, Thailand, SE Asia, Middle East, India ) once arrived in Chile (in June 2008, actually) with a foolish idea to find a place, where it would be possible to establish a "home", and do it within a month, or two. And you know what? Now, after about 20 months here in Chile -- still no place, no "home"..

Well, it would be possible (so I think) that if you describe what you're seeking and give more details (a large rural property? or a small house in a small town? or what else? the Sun? the Rain? the Ocean? the Internet? the strong Wind? the Silence? the fast River? the snowy Volcano in the moonlight? the Trees? the Forest? the Bird's songs? the Dogs poo? the clear Sky? the Stars? the Sand and the Stones? the Heat? or the Cold?) -- then forum members could give you some advice.

Hey?.. Forum members?.. Is that right?..

One silly cow, after some wandering the whirld once arrived in Chile (in June 2008, actually) with a foolish idea to find a place, where it would be possible to establish a "home", and do it within a month, or two. And you know what? Now, after about 20 months here in Chile -- still no place, no "home"..

So sad... that your wandering-searching for your greener grass must still continue - all things begin and end - I wish you good fortune.
Perhaps expectations are too high?
Perhaps compromises cannot be reached?
Perhaps the yin~yang have not been balanced?

Yes... I once had a "home" - but released it, for higher purposes (ask if you will)
Buddha said to let attachments go - the path to end suffering
I have been wandering not for 20 months (like one roaming ruminant) - but for a gross of months (12x12)
Still I seek... still I suffer... will it ever end
Yes, indeed it is foolish to think one might establish something in a month, or two - the questing is life.

Well, it would be possible (so I think) that if you describe what you're seeking and give more details (a large rural property? or a small house in a small town? or what else? the Sun? the Rain? the Ocean? the Internet? the strong Wind? the Silence? the fast River? the snowy Volcano in the moonlight? the Trees? the Forest? the Bird's songs? the Dogs poo? the clear Sky? the Stars? the Sand and the Stones? the Heat? or the Cold?)

Large - no need - small is beautiful, less is more
Small... of course - how much grass might one need
Sun... grass must have this, to grow tall (to feed cows)
Rain... this too, sun, rain, soil, manure... all for growth - and to drink
Ocean... not to drink, but to play – swim, dive, surf
Internet... ah, yes... the weakness... the necessity
Wind... not to fight, but for its caress & to play (with kites)
Silence... indeed, clamor can be left behind - silence is serene
River... for fisssh, my preciousss – I like fisssh
Volcano... beautiful - but not too close - sometimes they might be nasty
Moonlight... for the rites and rituals - and moonshadows
Trees... for hugging - and fruit - so fine
Forests... much O2 - breathe deep
Bird's song... to compliment the silence
Dog's poo... thank you, but no - especially not on my shoe
Clear sky... a joy, but sometimes with clouds - the balance, of course
Stars... to see shadows = on a moonless night
Sand & Stones... particles, inanimate, necessary, I accept them
Heat & Cold... the duality, the dialectic... both must exist

-- then forum members could give you some advice.

I await... where have you all found peace... where might I find the same... even though your needs and wants may differ, all things can be considered - what's good for the goose, might be good for the gander - what's good for the cow, might be good for the sheep... Baaaa~ram~ewe!
Where have you grazed, my unappreciated ungulate... where have you found green grass, in your search for greener - can you, will you, share - perhaps to name a heavenly hillside where wonderful weeds grow wild and lush in the sun and silly mushrooms arise from cowpies, following the gentle rains.

Jaaa-ja-ja!.. May I comment on such a crazy post?..

With regard to the name of this topic:

If what is really meant by 'Homeless & Seeking...' is a pointing to a state of mind (so to speak), then any attempt to answer such questions would certainly be not in agreement with the primary purpose of this forum. Further, unless it is answered by someone who has "arrived" (so to say) -- any words would be just wrong here. And, should it be answered by someone "arrived" (anyone?? ) -- the answer will go far far outside the scope or understanding of the majority of people in this World.

If what is meant by 'Homeless & Seeking...' is a just a question about finding a good place to live in Chile, then again, what is "good"? The various aspects of such "place" are innumerable (IMHO), and the "balance" (as you say) here is practically unreachable. The more is your sensitivity to what you call "balance" -- the less are your chances to find such a place.

Now, we have scared all the forum members out of this topic, right?..

I can only say a couple of words with regard to the nature. For some reason, any place in Chile seems to have some sort of "strong" factors. Strong and powerful. I mean, the strong wind, the strong sun, the strong ocean, the strong rain, and even the mountains and hills here seem to be strong, and young. To have an idea of how any given "place" is, it would be advisable (IMHO) to spend all four seasons there, and try to see the effect that the changes in the nature during all the four seasons have on you personally. As you can see -- this method may take years and years (if you wish to compare just several regions).

Greg&Judy and Rune, just stop it right now!

You've gotten yourselves into a self reinforcing zen resonance feedback loop and your yingyangs are going to explode if you keep at it.

Both perceptive and accurate Rune... well done!
The Q+A as such, in this situation, will never be resolved.
You are right - the question(s) is(are) indeed rhetorical.

It was merely the way of an introduction... and continuing discourse... over a potentially wide range of topics.
Indeed, there may be no need even to register with allchile - as I (or others) may passively observe and glean what information might suit their needs.
What is "good" remains subjective, in the mind of the observer... what is "balance" can be seen as subjective - but there is objectivity also (hence, the balance)
From my recent queries, research, due diligence... I have already found a "place" that might offer the "balance" I need - albeit with readily acceptable compromises (all things in life involve compromise)
But if truth be told... it is the serendipitous that has been and remains the most productive... the links of links... the tangents... the unlookedfor connections and ideas... that are generally the most productive and rewarding.
g~j have already received (indirectly) many excellent ideas from forum participant.

Hence, we thank you, and all forum members (tourists, citizens, heroes, admins), not just for what might have been directly responded - but for the unasked and unspoken information that has existed "between the lines" in other posts.

Now, we have scared all the forum members out of this topic, right?..

We certainly hope not...
As Dubya famously spoke... Bring 'em on!

I can only say a couple of words with regard to the nature. For some reason, any place in Chile seems to have some sort of "strong" factors. Strong and powerful. I mean, the strong wind, the strong sun, the strong ocean, the strong rain, and even the mountains and hills here seem to be strong, and young. To have an idea of how any given "place" is, it would be advisable (IMHO) to spend all four seasons there, and try to see the effect that the changes in the nature during all the four seasons have on you personally. As you can see -- this method may take years and years (if you wish to compare just several regions).

Absolutely, we concur... g~ has lived with "strong and powerful" - indeed, life is constantly shaped by these forces.
From mountains, to deserts, to coastal rain-forests, to oceans, from tropical, to arctic, to equatorial, to islands, to plains... such diversity - such influences!
Accept them all - this is where growth lies.
Without a doubt, the (multiples of) seasons in any chosen place must be addressed and recognized.
Time and seasons - yes!
Seasons come and go - but time... aaah, this is the only thing we spend, that can never be replaced... once gone, gone forever.

Greg&Judy and Rune, just stop it right now!
You've gotten yourselves into a self reinforcing zen resonance feedback loop and your yingyangs are going to explode if you keep at it.

No worries Helitool...
This too will pass... like I said, the questions have been answered already... the yin~yang continuum has been established between Rune & I - we can continue this in pm's.
I think I have too much idle time on my hands right now - perhaps an idle mind is a Zen workshop... Maybe it's time to head out in the Patagonian summer for a nice bike ride - and experience the "strong and powerful".
Hasta luego,

Now, if (Rune) were given a choice (where to live in Chile) at this point, (Rune) would probably prefer a relatively large rural property in the 7th region (Región del Maule), around 50 km or so towards the Andes (from Ruta 5), that would have its own small river, and some native forest, and [relatively] silent neighbors.

Ahhh, Rune... muchas gracias.
You know an answer freely given is not valued as much as an answer sought and obtained through effort...
You have taught g~j to search for answers - as surely they will be found.
Our respect.

Note to any/all allchile tourists... lessons learned!
Search First, ask later!

greg~judy wrote:Buddha said to let attachments go - the path to end suffering

Our attachment to words included, for the concept of the "right word" (and the "wrong word") is based on our ability to determine the "rightness" of the words that are spoken by us, and also to determine the "rightness" of our intentions preceding our act of speech.

Unless we have arrived at the complete, full and final realization with respect to the real nature of "that" which causes us to speak -- the said ability of our deluded mind is obviously corrupt. May I repeat the words "complete", "full" and "final", for there is no "half-realization" in this regard. Therefore, "not speaking even a single word -- is called the precept of no lying", as per "The One Mind Precepts of Bodhidharma".

Any and all attempts to determine the "rightness" of our words, no matter how honest these attempts may seem to ourselves -- will unavoidably fail, unless we have arrived at the complete, full and final realization. Hence, "when you as much as open your mouth -- you are already off the point", as per "The Zen Teaching of Rinzai".

That is why this silly cow has repeatedly asked to disregard it's each and every post, and each and every word, whether said or written, whether "serious" or expressing "humor".

Now -- please disregard all this.

Peace.

Welcome to the Forum!