The process of mindful living, as we practice and teach it, always begins with purpose. We always return to the question “what matters most to me?”. From acknowledging the answer to that question we are presented with the challenge of expressing those values through intention and action. This is the meaning of purpose.
Now that we have successfully initiated Red Maple Mindful Living in Pembroke and Renfrew County, we too, as the community of mindful living, have to ask ourselves how will we express our commitment to purposeful living in practice and learning for the coming year. Some of this will simply mean continuing practice sessions as we began last fall. However, as we learn of different needs in our community, we are called to provide different formats and material for different needs. As outlined in our monthly newsletter, SODAI, the first of these new initiatives will be the presentation of our CORE mindful living program. This multi-week program will introduce our unique Red Maple approach for the first time.
Further, the presentation of the CORE program represents more than another learning opportunity. In addition to the training we will provide, the experience of working with our approach will contribute in a significant way to the preparation of a new publication which will further present our approach to a wider audience.
As this year opens up for us, we are all invited to participate in the learning, teaching, practice and community of mindful living. Each of us has unique gifts and needs, and our participation in Red Maple activities provides many opportunities to give and receive, for the benefit of ourselves and our community of practice.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Monday 29 December 2014
Sunday 21 December 2014
ATTENTION AT CHRISTMAS
ATTENTION AT CHRISTMAS
Its everywhere this month - blinking lights, seasonal music, signs and advertising. Christmas is the Eldorado for the machine called consumer capitalism. We find ourselves bombarded and bathed in stimulation to get us “in the season”. Whatever your thoughts on the commercialism of the Christian and Jewish celebrations, there’s no denying this is a time of year for over stimulation and over-indulgence. Not much can be more of a challenge to mindful living than this end of year spasm.
For those of us engaged in the process of mindful living, we have some things we can do to preserve the equilibrium and calm we have tried to sustain for the other eleven months. Here are some suggestions:
• mix keep your social schedule with high and low demand events; quiet times with close friends and family are important;
• likewise, mix up meals, so most are normal and balanced, indulge as you like, but balance that with some sensible eating;
• set limits on alcohol consumption, don’t drink and drive;
• if your practice time is interrupted, as it is for most at Christmas, set some specific re-boot time in early January when you will get back to a schedule;
• take regular walks away from the commercial areas, stay connected with nature;
• find as many ways as possible to express your gratitude for all you are receiving
• spread your generosity around to the less fortunate
• set sensible limits on your spending
• emphasize relationships not more stuff
• whether you are or aren’t religious, remember the “reason for the season”.
Yours, on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Its everywhere this month - blinking lights, seasonal music, signs and advertising. Christmas is the Eldorado for the machine called consumer capitalism. We find ourselves bombarded and bathed in stimulation to get us “in the season”. Whatever your thoughts on the commercialism of the Christian and Jewish celebrations, there’s no denying this is a time of year for over stimulation and over-indulgence. Not much can be more of a challenge to mindful living than this end of year spasm.
For those of us engaged in the process of mindful living, we have some things we can do to preserve the equilibrium and calm we have tried to sustain for the other eleven months. Here are some suggestions:
• mix keep your social schedule with high and low demand events; quiet times with close friends and family are important;
• likewise, mix up meals, so most are normal and balanced, indulge as you like, but balance that with some sensible eating;
• set limits on alcohol consumption, don’t drink and drive;
• if your practice time is interrupted, as it is for most at Christmas, set some specific re-boot time in early January when you will get back to a schedule;
• take regular walks away from the commercial areas, stay connected with nature;
• find as many ways as possible to express your gratitude for all you are receiving
• spread your generosity around to the less fortunate
• set sensible limits on your spending
• emphasize relationships not more stuff
• whether you are or aren’t religious, remember the “reason for the season”.
Yours, on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Friday 12 December 2014
END OF PROGRAM YEAR
END OF PROGRAM YEAR
This is the final week of programming at the Red Maple Mindful Living Center for 2014. This has been a turbulent year, full of hellos and goodbyes, growth and changes. When I was looking at our expectations for 2014, the Year of the Horse, the main themes were those of movement, “herd” development and leadership. It is not difficult to see those themes playing out in our experience of RMML. It is never easy to relocate, but all the more difficult when we leave not one, but two familiar and supportive environments. We had thought to concentrate on our familiar presence at the Marguerite Center, only to realize that their own uncertainty made our co-location problematic.
Perhaps more significant than the theme of movement, is the theme of leadership. Never before, in our 12 year history, have we been in such a position of leadership. We are the pre-eminent training and practice site for mindful living in all of rural Eastern Ontario. We have set the bar very high for these practices and living. It is not difficult to find others who are piggy-backing on the prominence of mindfulness and making that an add-on to their services. Sadly, very few have the training and understanding to do so in an authentic manner. For us, we are not a me-too position, but rather the position of demonstrating the highest quality, most current, and most authoritative presentation of mindful living.
We’ll talk about next year over coming weeks, so this is the appropriate place to express gratitude. First, and foremost, we are grateful for the strength and commitment of all those who have kept Red Maple active over this year. Week after week this dedicated group shares the responsibility described above. We are grateful to former and present landlords who have ensured excellent spaces for our activities.
Note: Last Wednesday was the first, but likely not the last occasion, when it was necessary to cancel our practice session due to dangerous weather conditions. In general, I prefer to err on the side of caution. Myself, I prefer not to drive when there is some risk from weather, and I hope this is similar to other practitioners. My apologies for this inconvenience.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
This is the final week of programming at the Red Maple Mindful Living Center for 2014. This has been a turbulent year, full of hellos and goodbyes, growth and changes. When I was looking at our expectations for 2014, the Year of the Horse, the main themes were those of movement, “herd” development and leadership. It is not difficult to see those themes playing out in our experience of RMML. It is never easy to relocate, but all the more difficult when we leave not one, but two familiar and supportive environments. We had thought to concentrate on our familiar presence at the Marguerite Center, only to realize that their own uncertainty made our co-location problematic.
Perhaps more significant than the theme of movement, is the theme of leadership. Never before, in our 12 year history, have we been in such a position of leadership. We are the pre-eminent training and practice site for mindful living in all of rural Eastern Ontario. We have set the bar very high for these practices and living. It is not difficult to find others who are piggy-backing on the prominence of mindfulness and making that an add-on to their services. Sadly, very few have the training and understanding to do so in an authentic manner. For us, we are not a me-too position, but rather the position of demonstrating the highest quality, most current, and most authoritative presentation of mindful living.
We’ll talk about next year over coming weeks, so this is the appropriate place to express gratitude. First, and foremost, we are grateful for the strength and commitment of all those who have kept Red Maple active over this year. Week after week this dedicated group shares the responsibility described above. We are grateful to former and present landlords who have ensured excellent spaces for our activities.
Note: Last Wednesday was the first, but likely not the last occasion, when it was necessary to cancel our practice session due to dangerous weather conditions. In general, I prefer to err on the side of caution. Myself, I prefer not to drive when there is some risk from weather, and I hope this is similar to other practitioners. My apologies for this inconvenience.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Sunday 7 December 2014
Friday 5 December 2014
THE LITTLE STORE
THE LITTLE STORE
Our practice space has expanded its services to all our loyal practitioners with the introduction of The Little Store. We’ve always had books and things people could borrow and that hasn’t changed. Now, with this little addition, we have made available a small selection of popular items for mindful living folks.
The first items are:
• malas - these are what are commonly called meditation beads. We purchased a bunch from 3Trees in Ottawa, all in a reasonable price range
• prayer flags - these are an unusual but common Tibetan item which features a set of multi-coloured (chakra colours, in fact) flags printed with prayers and chants.
• Walk Like A Mountain - Ray’s groundbreaking (or ground-walking at least) work on contemplative walking
People have asked for bells and other items which we will add in the New Year.
In addition, we will add to our lending library of books by bringing in some Buddhist pictures and sculpture which, like the books, can be borrowed for a month. Some of these items will actually be marked for sale as well.
Yours, on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Our practice space has expanded its services to all our loyal practitioners with the introduction of The Little Store. We’ve always had books and things people could borrow and that hasn’t changed. Now, with this little addition, we have made available a small selection of popular items for mindful living folks.
The first items are:
• malas - these are what are commonly called meditation beads. We purchased a bunch from 3Trees in Ottawa, all in a reasonable price range
• prayer flags - these are an unusual but common Tibetan item which features a set of multi-coloured (chakra colours, in fact) flags printed with prayers and chants.
• Walk Like A Mountain - Ray’s groundbreaking (or ground-walking at least) work on contemplative walking
People have asked for bells and other items which we will add in the New Year.
In addition, we will add to our lending library of books by bringing in some Buddhist pictures and sculpture which, like the books, can be borrowed for a month. Some of these items will actually be marked for sale as well.
Yours, on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Monday 1 December 2014
LOOKING BACK
Each year for most of the last 10, when we come together on the 3rd Saturday in December, we have used that as an opportunity to look back on the past year. (This year it will be the 2nd Saturday, December 13). On the one hand, we reflect on our announced intentions from January to consider how on track we were. (These are posted in the tab on the Red Maple Leaflet blog). On the other, it is necessary for us to remind ourselves who has contributed to our activities so we can express our gratitude to them. These two activities act together to mark a conclusion to our year, leaving us ready to meet again in the month of January, to set our intentions for the coming year. For this reason, December’s theme is always “looking back”.
Over this past year I have realized there is another aspect to this activity, one which we are wise to highlight. This is momentum. By this I mean to bring us back to the idea we express in our saying “action follows intention - what’s got your attention?” We are never in the position of starting fresh, there is no point in our lives when we are unmotivated by our prior actions, and actions around us. Our lives are, by definition, interdependent with whatever is happening around us. All our choices and decisions occur within a context of countless other decisions and choices, all of which impact on us in some way. The Ayn Rand-ish image of the man of determined power who charts his own course based on his will alone is patently a fantasy, one ignorant of this reality of interdependence.
This looking back needs to measure the form and sources of momentum on which our lives ride. It is like our image of paddling our boat across a wide and rapidly flowing river. We can aim for the other shore, we can have that intention. However, we are wisest to align ourselves with the motion of the current and observe other forces in that stream, including all those other boats among which we are striving. If we try to force our will on the river, we court disaster. Momentum means we act in concert with the river, accepting its will and strength. We will reach the other shore, of this there is no doubt. We will do so most expediently when we work with, not against or ignorant of, the momentum of the river.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Thursday 20 November 2014
GET REEL-SORTOF
GET REEL-SORTOF
Must’ve been some Hallowe’en leftovers about ! We held our first movie night this week and the goblins were out in full force. First of all I was sure I had my copy of the planned movie, Departures, handy on my bookshelf. In the days before I checked the shelves at home, at my office and at RMML and no DVD in sight. Hmmmph. Next I remembered to bring our audio kit but forgot to bring my laptop to actually play the movie. Hmmmph again. On the night of the movie, I got hold of a TV and DVD player from a friend (Thanks , Julie). We substituted another film, The Unmistaken Child, and, as they say, they show must go on.
As it turned out, I had never seen the DVD and just had it in our library with plans to watch it “some night”. It was incredible. It was a documentary of the search for a tulku, a reincarnated teacher from one Tibetan sect. It took 3 years to cover the story and the film did not lose its edge in spite of the protracted time-frame. The most touching moment came when the family of the child had to decide to give him over to the monastery. Clearly the family loved the boy but made a decision which only people with a profound spiritual life could make.
We have our first half-day meditation retreat this Saturday. We’ve done workshops before but haven’t done an actual retreat for several years. Looking forward to the intensity and companionship.
Watch for our December SODAI-The Mindful Living Newsletter coming out this Tuesday. There’ll be some minor shuffling in the December schedule because we’ll close for a couple of weeks, from December 20-January 2. As we slide into December, don’t forget to renew your monthly memberships or purchase a new one if you aren’t already a member.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Must’ve been some Hallowe’en leftovers about ! We held our first movie night this week and the goblins were out in full force. First of all I was sure I had my copy of the planned movie, Departures, handy on my bookshelf. In the days before I checked the shelves at home, at my office and at RMML and no DVD in sight. Hmmmph. Next I remembered to bring our audio kit but forgot to bring my laptop to actually play the movie. Hmmmph again. On the night of the movie, I got hold of a TV and DVD player from a friend (Thanks , Julie). We substituted another film, The Unmistaken Child, and, as they say, they show must go on.
As it turned out, I had never seen the DVD and just had it in our library with plans to watch it “some night”. It was incredible. It was a documentary of the search for a tulku, a reincarnated teacher from one Tibetan sect. It took 3 years to cover the story and the film did not lose its edge in spite of the protracted time-frame. The most touching moment came when the family of the child had to decide to give him over to the monastery. Clearly the family loved the boy but made a decision which only people with a profound spiritual life could make.
We have our first half-day meditation retreat this Saturday. We’ve done workshops before but haven’t done an actual retreat for several years. Looking forward to the intensity and companionship.
Watch for our December SODAI-The Mindful Living Newsletter coming out this Tuesday. There’ll be some minor shuffling in the December schedule because we’ll close for a couple of weeks, from December 20-January 2. As we slide into December, don’t forget to renew your monthly memberships or purchase a new one if you aren’t already a member.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Monday 17 November 2014
THE FIRST RMML RETREAT
FIRST RETREAT
This weekend we will be holding our first ever meditation retreat. Unlike the workshops we offer, this is the first actual meditation retreat. We will use the time to bring our best efforts and energies to refine those practices we have relied on to cultivate our lives. For the most part we will alternate between sitting and walking. I will include at least one talk at some point.
This kind of retreat, reminiscent of what we experienced in the Zen environment as a sesshin, allows us to make intimate contact with our shin or heart-mind, through the undistracted engagement with ourselves. The emphasis in this kind of retreat is this direct and simple time where we sit or walk alone with our own body-minds, free of distraction or structure. The traditional images of mirrors and candles are quite apt for this time.
This retreat will run from 1.00 - 4.00pm on Saturday November 22. There is still room if you have the time to spend with us. Participants may attend for the 1.00-2.30 block or the whole event. Cost is $10.00. Contact Ray to register.
This week also marks our first film in the Get Reel series. We begin with Departures, a heart-felt Japanese film. The lights go down at 6.00
Also to remember is the November KAPPS walk on Sunday 23rd. Visit the KAPPS site for details. http://www.padakun.com/this-months-kapps-walk/
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
This weekend we will be holding our first ever meditation retreat. Unlike the workshops we offer, this is the first actual meditation retreat. We will use the time to bring our best efforts and energies to refine those practices we have relied on to cultivate our lives. For the most part we will alternate between sitting and walking. I will include at least one talk at some point.
This kind of retreat, reminiscent of what we experienced in the Zen environment as a sesshin, allows us to make intimate contact with our shin or heart-mind, through the undistracted engagement with ourselves. The emphasis in this kind of retreat is this direct and simple time where we sit or walk alone with our own body-minds, free of distraction or structure. The traditional images of mirrors and candles are quite apt for this time.
This retreat will run from 1.00 - 4.00pm on Saturday November 22. There is still room if you have the time to spend with us. Participants may attend for the 1.00-2.30 block or the whole event. Cost is $10.00. Contact Ray to register.
This week also marks our first film in the Get Reel series. We begin with Departures, a heart-felt Japanese film. The lights go down at 6.00
Also to remember is the November KAPPS walk on Sunday 23rd. Visit the KAPPS site for details. http://www.padakun.com/this-months-kapps-walk/
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Friday 7 November 2014
Personal and Group Practice
Personal and Group Practice
With the opening of the new Centre, we each have to find a balance between our own practice and the shared practice we find at RMML. I don’t think there is any point in debating which is “better”, whatever that might mean, and I don’t think it is an either/or choice. Both forms of practices are necessary for us to mature in mindful living.
Only solitary practice puts us in an environment of “no hiding place”. When I park myself on my seat, it is just me and the moment. I have no obligations to worry about others in the way that occurs in a group. Whatever arises, distracts or informs me is completely intimate, raw, inescapable. If I slip into distraction or excuse-making or self-praise/criticism, those states stand out like black letters on a white page.
Conversely, group practice presents an important contrast. We are obliged to make room for others in our space and awareness. We cannot tune people out, turn away or trivialize them. Their practice is inescapably tied up in what we are experiencing, and so we are inescapably required to make room for them. This keeps us focussed on the larger purpose we have for mindful living, that we do it in part for ourselves and in a similar part for the benefit of others. We cannot drift into our own little created space, with our familiar experiences. Practicing with others is a bit like practice outdoors in that we are not able to seal ourselves off, but have to come to terms with all that is happening around us, as well as in us.
Have a look at this week’s other posts:
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
With the opening of the new Centre, we each have to find a balance between our own practice and the shared practice we find at RMML. I don’t think there is any point in debating which is “better”, whatever that might mean, and I don’t think it is an either/or choice. Both forms of practices are necessary for us to mature in mindful living.
Only solitary practice puts us in an environment of “no hiding place”. When I park myself on my seat, it is just me and the moment. I have no obligations to worry about others in the way that occurs in a group. Whatever arises, distracts or informs me is completely intimate, raw, inescapable. If I slip into distraction or excuse-making or self-praise/criticism, those states stand out like black letters on a white page.
Conversely, group practice presents an important contrast. We are obliged to make room for others in our space and awareness. We cannot tune people out, turn away or trivialize them. Their practice is inescapably tied up in what we are experiencing, and so we are inescapably required to make room for them. This keeps us focussed on the larger purpose we have for mindful living, that we do it in part for ourselves and in a similar part for the benefit of others. We cannot drift into our own little created space, with our familiar experiences. Practicing with others is a bit like practice outdoors in that we are not able to seal ourselves off, but have to come to terms with all that is happening around us, as well as in us.
Have a look at this week’s other posts:
- Remembrance - The Buddhist concept of memory
- Pedestrianism - A Book Review of a new book on high stakes walking in the Victorian era
- PARA-What? - Exploring the idea of mindful living
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Friday 31 October 2014
NOVEMBER BEGINS
NOVEMBER BEGINS
Its incredibly exciting to be starting our brand new schedule of activities. We talked to as many of you as we could and tried to incorporate all the ideas you suggested. Over the coming months we’ll test out many new events to see how best to share and teach the facets of mindful living.
Wednesdays will now begin at 6.00 pm, usually finishing up by 7.30. On the 2nd Wednesday we’ll begin a format borrowed from my friend Monshin Naamon at his Dharma Centre in up-state New York. It begins with a brief talk on some aspect of mindful living - say, generosity, purpose or relationships, for example. This month it will focus on the big topic of what is mindful living, anyway? After a brief practice period, we’ll get down to some casual eating with a pot-luck. While we eat we can continue with discussions of the theme or wherever we want he conversation to go.
Another idea which was very much enjoyed when we held it in Renfrew is our Get Reel Movie series. Each month, on the 4th Wednesday we’ll screen a lesser-known but pertinent film that informs our mindful living practice and knowledge. These will be drawn from the best of recent films from all over the world, and will feature films that few in this region have seen. For this month our film is Departures, an extraordinary Oscar-winner from Japan.
We hope you will join us soon for any of our exciting programs. To stay informed, check out our monthly Calendar and make sure you are receiving our SODAI Magazine.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Its incredibly exciting to be starting our brand new schedule of activities. We talked to as many of you as we could and tried to incorporate all the ideas you suggested. Over the coming months we’ll test out many new events to see how best to share and teach the facets of mindful living.
Wednesdays will now begin at 6.00 pm, usually finishing up by 7.30. On the 2nd Wednesday we’ll begin a format borrowed from my friend Monshin Naamon at his Dharma Centre in up-state New York. It begins with a brief talk on some aspect of mindful living - say, generosity, purpose or relationships, for example. This month it will focus on the big topic of what is mindful living, anyway? After a brief practice period, we’ll get down to some casual eating with a pot-luck. While we eat we can continue with discussions of the theme or wherever we want he conversation to go.
Another idea which was very much enjoyed when we held it in Renfrew is our Get Reel Movie series. Each month, on the 4th Wednesday we’ll screen a lesser-known but pertinent film that informs our mindful living practice and knowledge. These will be drawn from the best of recent films from all over the world, and will feature films that few in this region have seen. For this month our film is Departures, an extraordinary Oscar-winner from Japan.
We hope you will join us soon for any of our exciting programs. To stay informed, check out our monthly Calendar and make sure you are receiving our SODAI Magazine.Yours , on purpose,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County ....What’s got your attention?
Monday 27 October 2014
NEW SCHEDULE LAUNCHES
Greetings Mindful friends,
We are so excited to begin our new schedule this coming month. Every week there is something special and just one more reason (if you need another) to pay attention to your life’s adventure. Each event is hosted by a different partner and gives you a unique slant for your explorations of mindful living.
WEEK 1: BMINDFUL and Red Maple Sangha get together to host a session of mindful eating practice. Based on the traditional Japanese practice called oryoki (eating just enough) we will learn to combine mindfulness with a common human activity (1st Saturday at 10.00am)
WEEK 2: BMINDFUL’s AIM (Adventures in Mindfulness) group hosts a Mindful Living Discussion and Pot Luck where we share an evening meal and discuss a mindfulness topic introduced by Ray, such as generosity, relationships and mindfulness at work. (2nd Wednesdays, 6.00 pm)
WEEK 3: Our three partners take turns bringing you an extended mindfulness workshop (3rd Saturdays, 12.00-4.00pm)
WEEK 4: On the 4th Wednesday, BMINDFUL hosts our Get Reel film series where we explore how mindful living is portrayed in exceptional movies from all over the world. Films start at 6.00. Then on the Sunday of that 4th week, Padakun hosts its monthly Kick and Push Pedestrian Society (KAPPS) alk along the rail trails near Renfrew.
The schedule is posted here:
Hope to see you out at one of our events soon.
Yours ,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County
What’s got your attention?
We are so excited to begin our new schedule this coming month. Every week there is something special and just one more reason (if you need another) to pay attention to your life’s adventure. Each event is hosted by a different partner and gives you a unique slant for your explorations of mindful living.
WEEK 1: BMINDFUL and Red Maple Sangha get together to host a session of mindful eating practice. Based on the traditional Japanese practice called oryoki (eating just enough) we will learn to combine mindfulness with a common human activity (1st Saturday at 10.00am)
WEEK 2: BMINDFUL’s AIM (Adventures in Mindfulness) group hosts a Mindful Living Discussion and Pot Luck where we share an evening meal and discuss a mindfulness topic introduced by Ray, such as generosity, relationships and mindfulness at work. (2nd Wednesdays, 6.00 pm)
WEEK 3: Our three partners take turns bringing you an extended mindfulness workshop (3rd Saturdays, 12.00-4.00pm)
WEEK 4: On the 4th Wednesday, BMINDFUL hosts our Get Reel film series where we explore how mindful living is portrayed in exceptional movies from all over the world. Films start at 6.00. Then on the Sunday of that 4th week, Padakun hosts its monthly Kick and Push Pedestrian Society (KAPPS) alk along the rail trails near Renfrew.
The schedule is posted here:
Hope to see you out at one of our events soon.
Yours ,
Ray
Mindful Living in Renfrew County
What’s got your attention?
Monday 20 October 2014
WELCOME TO RED MAPLE MINDFUL LIVING
Well, here we are!
Finally, Red Maple Mindful Living has re-located to Pembroke.
Thee's lots more to come. Have a look at our schedule and join us for practice soon.
Ray
Finally, Red Maple Mindful Living has re-located to Pembroke.
Thee's lots more to come. Have a look at our schedule and join us for practice soon.
Ray
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