My sister-in-law is going through a very ugly divorce that has been dragging on for more than 5 years. The man, once so madly in love with her for almost two decades, is now burning his heart with intense, fiery hatred and refusing any endorsement even for their two children. She and her two daughters are in deep agony. He used to park himself day and night at the outside of door for her and children. Now he became stone deaf for any logic and reason, hiding deep inside the skirt of his equally insane mistress. It took few years just to meet him once in the family court. She wonders how in the world she met such a man to marry and could have lived as a family for so many years. I am an outsider. Thus I have no way of knowing who is right or wrong. Each in its own, we all have layers, layers of inside stories that others can’t fathom. So I choose to remain as neutral as I can while being sympathetic and supportive at the same time. But still, the elbow bends inside; I can’t help to side them than the man…
The other day, I came across a picture in their courting days, so loving and sweet with each other. I felt profound sadness in my heart to ponder over what made them change so much that, now they are worse enemies than total strangers. They say love is blind but when the same heart turns its face, it also becomes blind with hatred, capable of even killing someone without weapons. I worry whether the father has not killed any sound image of man whatsoever in their young girls’ hearts for their future. Hope, they grow up to know that there are many, many layers in the heart, not just one, so that they could chose wisely when it’s time to make their own.
According to a well-known contemporary Zen master, we have two hearts; one is the physical heart curved towards the left and the other is the spiritual heart curved towards the right side of body. The physical heart is in charge of all the biological functions that are necessarily for maintaining life. The spiritual heart is in charge of all the rest energy circuits that are necessary for living life and there are four layers of it.
The first one is the senses and their pleasures, the grossest circuit that runs around in the bodily layer. The second one is that of the mind circuit that has its own pleasures which are a little finer. They are a little deeper, a little close r to the innermost being. Ideas, concepts, logic, science, philosophy…they belong here. The third one is still finer, deeper: it’s the layer of the heart—love, music, poetry, dance. The enjoyment and appreciation of harmony, color, poetry, and celebration of life…belong to here. The fourth is, the world of our being, the inner most core, which can enter through heightened awareness only. It is very deep, very subtle, the most mystic layers of our being that goes beyond the senses, the mind and the heart: it the world of the SPIRIT. It exists in the world of utter silence, of absolute emptiness, in the Tao. God resides in here, our spiritual home.
The closer we circuit around the center, the more rarified and dignified the qualities of our life will be, because that is where we can meet with the essences of our souls to bring lights into all the relationships around us. When the two souls meet and commune closer from the center, then, only then, the relationship can be one of those made in heaven. Otherwise blindness plus blindness, conflicts and miseries are what to follow.
The grosser we skip around from the surface, the more miserable, ugly and chaotic the life is. The man who lives in sensuality, lust, obsessed with food and body…is more like an animal. He is born as a human but utterly blind to the potential, unconscious of the whole range of his being. Not much different than animal kinds of life, unworthy of the precious spirit inside him. It is in this first layer where most of the miserable human dramas are concentrated and repeated.
The next, the layer of the mind, obsessed with collecting knowledge and data, is yet another kind of gross life; those who live mostly in this level, their head is full of information, discrimination and opinions. They suffer from inferior or superior complex, arrogant, prejudiced and judgmental. Their life can’t grow beyond the narrow, neurotic and psychotic mind. They don’t have a room to hold another person in their intellect. Relationship with another person is impossible as they worship the intellect more than anything else. You can’t argue with them because they are always right! In the end, many become insane, the candidates either mental asylum, fanatic religious or cults followers. If you love someone living in this plane, then, you better prepare yourself for it, too.
The third one, the layer of the heart, is the world of sensitivity, intuition, creativity and sympathetic joy. Those who can love without borders and conditions, and experience love that are boundless and spontaneous all around: they are the true lovers, poets, artists, musicians, dancers of life. Life blossoms in abundance and sheer joy with those we circuit around this plane. Love becomes nectar to enrich life and each soul can unfold its greatness and expand it beyond measurement. Relationship becomes the sources of true inspiration to give and share what is overflowing from their hearts. Every honeymoon couple rejoices in this plane, but, too often, it becomes shortlived…
The forth one, the layer of the spirit exists in the core center of our being. It is the source of our life: the beginning and the end. It is where we came from and where we will return. It is never born and never dies: eternal and infinite. When one is aware of its soul being part of the God nature, then, one can be alone and yet, together. The life becomes extra ordinary adventure filled with lights, love, dance and laughter. And it is in this plane that, true relationship can take place because one can relate to another in soul level. Wouldn’t you want to stay connected in this level?
Life is a process, where a soul takes a body and its circumstances to learn and experience the potentials, the whole layers of body, mind and spirit through a timely journey. Ultimately, we are alone. In the journey of life, we all have to walk alone. No one else can do it for us, even God. In essence, we are never separated from God. We only have to discover the God nature within. Awareness of the spirit, What is, What has never left from us, can come only through meditation. Alone, not by others, because it is deeply hidden inside our heart, at the center of our being. When two souls are in love, enters into relationships, it is best to meet and nurture in this level. Because then, they don’t need each other for anything other than love; they only reflect each other’s love like mirror, the God nature of each person. Their relationship is not of dependence, but of interdependence, to dance alone and together in the rhythm of eternally overflowing love, joy and happiness that comes from the center of being.
Do you have right love in your life? Have you found enough love to give and receive, unconditionally, without reservations? If yes, I salute to the extraordinary journey you must have taken to your heart, that which is never easy. If no, maybe, before blame others, you just turn around to look into your heart. Yes, love is blind, definitely, but the heart has many layers. Love not others but our own soul foremost, blindly and unconditionally. Only then, you can shine forward the infinite love from within and share with others without. The spirit stands alone, and thus, there will be no expectation, no disappointments, no manipulations but only truth, sincerity and acceptance to give another. That is our original nature. We’ve just forgotten by and by, by circuiting around too much from the gross levels. It is time to learn how to dive in, time to take plunge to your soul. When you come out, then, you can see the God’s face smiling from your partner. Wouldn’t that be wonderful to live with God every day? But you have to become That first, then, the other also will become That. Close your eyes more often, regularly; put your hands on the chest and, breathing in, breathing out…then, by and by, you will be able to remember your own God nature more often. Then, all the divorce lawyers, family courts, will have to switch their job for, maybe, matchmaking…
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Surrendering into the Time
From some morning onwards, I started to notice few snails scattered along the jogging path. At first it was just one or two, and then, it slowly increased to more than half dozen. I had to be careful not to step on them because the shape and color of their shells were very similar with the fallen leaves’ on the grass. Whenever I reach to that particular corner during my morning walk, naturally my curiosity arises as to see how far they have advanced from the previous day. Not so significant, but surely they ARE moving, steadily and consistently, though it might not be obvious in our naked eyes. It seems that they are just the most amazingly patient creatures in the world which reminds me of the following story;
The animals met in assembly and began to complain that humans were always taking things away from them.
“They take my milk,” said the cow.
“They take my eggs,” said the hen.
“They take my flesh for bacon,” said the hog.
“They hunt me for my oil,” said the whale.
Finally the snail spoke, “I have something they would certainly take away from me if they could. Something they want more than anything else. I have TIME.”
Yes, the snails live as though they have all the time in the world, whereas we human rush through lives as if there is no tomorrow. Whenever I spot some motorists who are so impatient to overtake other cars or zooming through red traffic lights, I wonder how fast could they be able to reach their destination by driving so madly like that. Even if they arrive 5-10 minutes early, what does it make difference within the 24 long hours we have every day? We all have 24 hours a day, 7days a week, 52 weeks a year and years and decades... when we count like that, certainly we have plenty of time. Ironically when there is nothing to do, time moves so slow that occupying 24 hours per day seems death sentence like. That is why many spend hours daily on TV, Video games or internet. They REALLY have a lot of time.
And yet many people seem as though they are getting bankrupt with time, constantly rushing and chasing after time while ever falling short of time to attend what really matters in life, to do the very things needed to improve ourselves that will move us forward in life. Exercise tops the list and meditation is another, despite their proven physical, mental and spiritual effects and benefits that come by regular practices. No time to do exercise, no time to meditate, no time to cook or read one decent book for years since finish school… Maybe it is one of the commonest conspiracies of ours to pretend how busy we are, keep giving excuses for our shortcomings…so that we could avoid taking responsibilities for our own health, wellness and happiness. Many rather complain of the problems they have rather than work on solving the problems. Being busy is the most wildly used one.
It is easier to pay money to the slimming centers to lose weights than doing exercise and watching diets. It is easier to get prescriptions from doctor for anxiety and hypertension than moderating lifestyle and release stress through regular meditation. It is even easier to tapau for dinner than troubling to do marketing, cooking and dish washing while the shiny kitchen with tip-top facilities remains ever collecting dust.
Why is that? Because, when things go wrong, we have someone else to blame but ourselves. Everybody wants shortcut, things that could pamper our insatiable sensual cravings, but not discipline or moderation or patience like snails…That takes too long to highway.
One of my favorite quotes from the epic Mahabharata is “Time is God.” I did not understand well of its meaning when I first heard it. But somehow it stayed deep inside my awareness ever since. I haven’t managed to become an economist after majoring in Economics for my undergraduate. However when it comes to managing time, I used to be a master piece. Like many typical Koreans, I was very fast and efficient when it comes to action. I didn’t like wasting time. I talked fast, moved fast, think fast and always on the go with one project after another. Many of my friends still live in the same house, stay in the same job, doing the same things every day for years I’ve know them. On the other hand, I moved countries, houses and relocated my Yoga center few times already even in my 13 years of Malaysia. At first, I didn’t necessarily planned on it changing so frequently but certain circumstances always arose to push me out when I was just about to get comfortable. Every time when I move, I had to rewire my entire brain circuits. But it was alright thus far though not easy every time. One of the biggest challenges was moving into the new township, Putra Heights.
I saw a vision when I first sighted the landscapes of Putra Heights. I instantly fall in love with the place to book for house and center immediately. Yes, the vision was correct because it is developing in the way I saw in the beginning; not as fast as I would have wished but slowly, bit by bit, of course, not as slow as snail either but it is getting there. Most of all now I am at ease and peace; not because everything is going well in the way I wanted it, but because having surrendered everything into Time. It no longer really matters now what it comes out from what I am trying to do here, for myself or people or even with my lifelong love of meditation and Yoga. I continue teach them passionately but how others embrace it into their lives are beyond my reach, I realized. Whether I have adopted more of tidak apa like Malaysian or my not-so-little age and hot tropical sun slowed down my warrior Korean spirit…I am not quite sure. But there is the desire in me now, wanting to be rooted, be able to withstand winds and rains by enduring in one place long enough, rather than constantly moving, so that I can become more strong and firm. So that I could continue learn to understand and embrace different people and lives in all shapes and colors. Thus much realization, many blessings I have had ever since I moved here. One of those blessings I can count is, experiencing a semblance heart attack some time ago.
One day, as I lay down in the bed to sleep, I felt fast palpation and sharp pain in my heart. I didn’t get panic but placed my hands on it after turning flat on my back. Then I thought to myself, I see this is how people get heart attack… Strangely, I wasn’t afraid but became curious instead, in trying to figure out the reason why I was feeling the pressures in the way I did at that time… it was the sense of urgency, the sense of wasting time, the sense of trying to do more but the circumstances and Time was not aligning in the way I thought it should be. So I was deeply frustrated. When I saw that, I just let go, I decided just to surrender… Then it went away. But I have not forgotten the experience. In couple of days, I was up early morning to start walking around the jogging path in our housing area, not jogging or fast walking, but Yoga walking, taking one step at a time slowly and steadily. I could smell the morning breeze; feel the moist in the grass, befriend with the shining morning stars and the moon, sleepy stray cats and dog and frogs… I see…I realized that I have been missing so much in life, just because I was in a hurry to accomplish what I ought to be accomplishing… silly me, how could I have forgotten the truth, “Time is God.” I ain’t almighty and yet, in my hindsight, I thought I could influence Time…
Yes, we have all the time in the world, if we would give it to ourselves. What’s stopping us? It’s our own foolishness thinking we could control time and life if we rush and work hard, while neglecting to do our due responsibility to live well and happy today, and another day, and another day... The snails are beautiful teachers of life. This morning, they were already in another corner extending their territory to the one quarter of my usual walking path. ..
The animals met in assembly and began to complain that humans were always taking things away from them.
“They take my milk,” said the cow.
“They take my eggs,” said the hen.
“They take my flesh for bacon,” said the hog.
“They hunt me for my oil,” said the whale.
Finally the snail spoke, “I have something they would certainly take away from me if they could. Something they want more than anything else. I have TIME.”
Yes, the snails live as though they have all the time in the world, whereas we human rush through lives as if there is no tomorrow. Whenever I spot some motorists who are so impatient to overtake other cars or zooming through red traffic lights, I wonder how fast could they be able to reach their destination by driving so madly like that. Even if they arrive 5-10 minutes early, what does it make difference within the 24 long hours we have every day? We all have 24 hours a day, 7days a week, 52 weeks a year and years and decades... when we count like that, certainly we have plenty of time. Ironically when there is nothing to do, time moves so slow that occupying 24 hours per day seems death sentence like. That is why many spend hours daily on TV, Video games or internet. They REALLY have a lot of time.
And yet many people seem as though they are getting bankrupt with time, constantly rushing and chasing after time while ever falling short of time to attend what really matters in life, to do the very things needed to improve ourselves that will move us forward in life. Exercise tops the list and meditation is another, despite their proven physical, mental and spiritual effects and benefits that come by regular practices. No time to do exercise, no time to meditate, no time to cook or read one decent book for years since finish school… Maybe it is one of the commonest conspiracies of ours to pretend how busy we are, keep giving excuses for our shortcomings…so that we could avoid taking responsibilities for our own health, wellness and happiness. Many rather complain of the problems they have rather than work on solving the problems. Being busy is the most wildly used one.
It is easier to pay money to the slimming centers to lose weights than doing exercise and watching diets. It is easier to get prescriptions from doctor for anxiety and hypertension than moderating lifestyle and release stress through regular meditation. It is even easier to tapau for dinner than troubling to do marketing, cooking and dish washing while the shiny kitchen with tip-top facilities remains ever collecting dust.
Why is that? Because, when things go wrong, we have someone else to blame but ourselves. Everybody wants shortcut, things that could pamper our insatiable sensual cravings, but not discipline or moderation or patience like snails…That takes too long to highway.
One of my favorite quotes from the epic Mahabharata is “Time is God.” I did not understand well of its meaning when I first heard it. But somehow it stayed deep inside my awareness ever since. I haven’t managed to become an economist after majoring in Economics for my undergraduate. However when it comes to managing time, I used to be a master piece. Like many typical Koreans, I was very fast and efficient when it comes to action. I didn’t like wasting time. I talked fast, moved fast, think fast and always on the go with one project after another. Many of my friends still live in the same house, stay in the same job, doing the same things every day for years I’ve know them. On the other hand, I moved countries, houses and relocated my Yoga center few times already even in my 13 years of Malaysia. At first, I didn’t necessarily planned on it changing so frequently but certain circumstances always arose to push me out when I was just about to get comfortable. Every time when I move, I had to rewire my entire brain circuits. But it was alright thus far though not easy every time. One of the biggest challenges was moving into the new township, Putra Heights.
I saw a vision when I first sighted the landscapes of Putra Heights. I instantly fall in love with the place to book for house and center immediately. Yes, the vision was correct because it is developing in the way I saw in the beginning; not as fast as I would have wished but slowly, bit by bit, of course, not as slow as snail either but it is getting there. Most of all now I am at ease and peace; not because everything is going well in the way I wanted it, but because having surrendered everything into Time. It no longer really matters now what it comes out from what I am trying to do here, for myself or people or even with my lifelong love of meditation and Yoga. I continue teach them passionately but how others embrace it into their lives are beyond my reach, I realized. Whether I have adopted more of tidak apa like Malaysian or my not-so-little age and hot tropical sun slowed down my warrior Korean spirit…I am not quite sure. But there is the desire in me now, wanting to be rooted, be able to withstand winds and rains by enduring in one place long enough, rather than constantly moving, so that I can become more strong and firm. So that I could continue learn to understand and embrace different people and lives in all shapes and colors. Thus much realization, many blessings I have had ever since I moved here. One of those blessings I can count is, experiencing a semblance heart attack some time ago.
One day, as I lay down in the bed to sleep, I felt fast palpation and sharp pain in my heart. I didn’t get panic but placed my hands on it after turning flat on my back. Then I thought to myself, I see this is how people get heart attack… Strangely, I wasn’t afraid but became curious instead, in trying to figure out the reason why I was feeling the pressures in the way I did at that time… it was the sense of urgency, the sense of wasting time, the sense of trying to do more but the circumstances and Time was not aligning in the way I thought it should be. So I was deeply frustrated. When I saw that, I just let go, I decided just to surrender… Then it went away. But I have not forgotten the experience. In couple of days, I was up early morning to start walking around the jogging path in our housing area, not jogging or fast walking, but Yoga walking, taking one step at a time slowly and steadily. I could smell the morning breeze; feel the moist in the grass, befriend with the shining morning stars and the moon, sleepy stray cats and dog and frogs… I see…I realized that I have been missing so much in life, just because I was in a hurry to accomplish what I ought to be accomplishing… silly me, how could I have forgotten the truth, “Time is God.” I ain’t almighty and yet, in my hindsight, I thought I could influence Time…
Yes, we have all the time in the world, if we would give it to ourselves. What’s stopping us? It’s our own foolishness thinking we could control time and life if we rush and work hard, while neglecting to do our due responsibility to live well and happy today, and another day, and another day... The snails are beautiful teachers of life. This morning, they were already in another corner extending their territory to the one quarter of my usual walking path. ..
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Monkey Powers
There used to be a monkey corner under the Bukit Cermin hill just prior to entering the residential areas of Putra Heights. A couple years back, the hill was just a normal hill where people threw rubbish as the Indah Water service wasn’t regular then. Monkeys started to congregate in search of food and the passer-bys would stop to see or feed them. I noticed that the number of onlookers and monkeys were growing steadily, especially during weekends. It soon became a simple and popular family outing for nearby residents. Since the early 2010, they blocked the road for construction and flattened the hill and the poor monkeys have to disperse somewhere else. Now no more monkey hill but only loads of construction trucks and botak lands would welcome people into the areas. With less and less green to freely roam and scarcer foods available in natural settings, is there any wonder why some monkeys create mad menaces by vandalizing housing areas or attacking people? As monkeys are smarter than any other animals, they also dare to intimidate human, perhaps knowing well of our natural fondness for them. Somehow they seem to know our anthropological affinity with each other.
Throughout history and different cultures, monkeys maintained an intrinsic relationship with human and they continued to enjoy extra attention particularly in Indian and Chinese traditions. The monkey-god Hanuman in India is one of the most popular images in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an incarnation of Shiva, Hanuman is worshiped for the bestowal of physical strength, dedicated perseverance and unfolding of devotion. The Sun-Wu-Kung in China is the all powerful, magical and immortal monkey hero from the folk mythology Journey to the West, considered a great Chinese classical literature.
In this story, Sun-Wu-Kung is the monkey who was born mysteriously out of a rock in a mountain. With his inborn mischief and cleverness to outwit any challengers, he initially created much chaos and havoc in Heaven with the magical powers he acquired under a Taoist master’s tutelage. His rowdy behavior was punished by the Buddha whereby he was pinned under a mountain for 500 years. Later he was freed by the monk Xuan-zang with the condition to help him in his mission to gather Buddhist sutras from India to China, together with the three other traveling companions, namely Zhu Ba-jie (pig), Sha Wu-jing (Sandy) and a dragon prince who acted as the monk’s mount, a white horse - all partaking the journey as an atonement for their past sins. The journey was full of obstacles, loads of monsters and evils in which Sun Wu Kong’s numerous talents, incredible skills were put to great use throughout the journey. By the time he completed his journey, his life challenges and cultivation has made him into a bodhisattva. Until today, the monkey Sun-Wu-Kong is one of most beloved deities in the Chinese folk religion.
As many people might not be aware, enduring and popular cultural mythologies often hide striking parallels in the development of human life. Universal life principles are embedded in stories. Somehow life lessons in retained more deeply in our awareness through stories. Both Hanuman and Sun Wu Kong depict of our everyday busy human mind. However, when you tamed and trained it, the mind becomes a very powerful ally. When Hanuman (mind) encountered Ram (God) and devoted his life to Ram, Hanuman became strong and mightier than a mountain, swift and fast like the wind. But when the mind’s power is not properly harnessed, like the small child Hanuman, or Sun-Wu-Kong prior to meeting Buddha, it can create such a living hell. Why? It’s because the unguided mind is always restless, overzealous and caught up in its own grandeur. Restlessness makes the mind jump and skip around; overzealousness always lead life in a hurry at the expense of peace and harmony; a mind caught up in its own grandeur cannot see things and events as it is and thus prone to self-deception.
In order to harness the mind’s power to journey through our life safe and sound, we need to enforce the mind with some kind of special mechanism like Sun Wu Kong’s case. His uncontrollable temper was constantly put under check with a spellbinding head-band. When he misbehaved, the headband tightens. He also needed to learn how to work together in a team with other members, who more often acted as hindrances than aids throughout their journey. Likewise our health, partner, work and family circumstances can often present unexpected drawbacks despite our perfect plan for a perfect life. These life events should be welcomed as part of a team in our journey. Our task is not to wish for a problem-free life, but more importantly, is to wish for wisdom to untangled life’s knots, and upon untangling them, to gain greater wisdom and become a better person. For both Hanuman and SunWu-Kong, at the end of the journey, they became someone beyond their limited self.
Do you want to know more about how to calm the mind and at the same time improve your physical, mental and spiritual health in a natural and easy way? Come to join us for a Free Introduction on the Benefits and Effects of Meditation.
Do you want to have a better perspective on your health and wellness; how to achieve harmony and balance in different areas of your life? Come to join us for a Free Introduction on Wellness Living and Holistic Health.
Announcement:
1. Free Introduction on the Benefits and Effects of Meditation: 22nd May, Saturday, 10am to 11.30 am
2. Free Introduction on Wellness Living and Holistic Health: 29th May, Saturday 10am to 11.30am
3. Free Yoga Walk for Better Health and Posture. Every Sunday 6.30am to 8am, the north Badminton court in Section 7.
Throughout history and different cultures, monkeys maintained an intrinsic relationship with human and they continued to enjoy extra attention particularly in Indian and Chinese traditions. The monkey-god Hanuman in India is one of the most popular images in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an incarnation of Shiva, Hanuman is worshiped for the bestowal of physical strength, dedicated perseverance and unfolding of devotion. The Sun-Wu-Kung in China is the all powerful, magical and immortal monkey hero from the folk mythology Journey to the West, considered a great Chinese classical literature.
In this story, Sun-Wu-Kung is the monkey who was born mysteriously out of a rock in a mountain. With his inborn mischief and cleverness to outwit any challengers, he initially created much chaos and havoc in Heaven with the magical powers he acquired under a Taoist master’s tutelage. His rowdy behavior was punished by the Buddha whereby he was pinned under a mountain for 500 years. Later he was freed by the monk Xuan-zang with the condition to help him in his mission to gather Buddhist sutras from India to China, together with the three other traveling companions, namely Zhu Ba-jie (pig), Sha Wu-jing (Sandy) and a dragon prince who acted as the monk’s mount, a white horse - all partaking the journey as an atonement for their past sins. The journey was full of obstacles, loads of monsters and evils in which Sun Wu Kong’s numerous talents, incredible skills were put to great use throughout the journey. By the time he completed his journey, his life challenges and cultivation has made him into a bodhisattva. Until today, the monkey Sun-Wu-Kong is one of most beloved deities in the Chinese folk religion.
As many people might not be aware, enduring and popular cultural mythologies often hide striking parallels in the development of human life. Universal life principles are embedded in stories. Somehow life lessons in retained more deeply in our awareness through stories. Both Hanuman and Sun Wu Kong depict of our everyday busy human mind. However, when you tamed and trained it, the mind becomes a very powerful ally. When Hanuman (mind) encountered Ram (God) and devoted his life to Ram, Hanuman became strong and mightier than a mountain, swift and fast like the wind. But when the mind’s power is not properly harnessed, like the small child Hanuman, or Sun-Wu-Kong prior to meeting Buddha, it can create such a living hell. Why? It’s because the unguided mind is always restless, overzealous and caught up in its own grandeur. Restlessness makes the mind jump and skip around; overzealousness always lead life in a hurry at the expense of peace and harmony; a mind caught up in its own grandeur cannot see things and events as it is and thus prone to self-deception.
In order to harness the mind’s power to journey through our life safe and sound, we need to enforce the mind with some kind of special mechanism like Sun Wu Kong’s case. His uncontrollable temper was constantly put under check with a spellbinding head-band. When he misbehaved, the headband tightens. He also needed to learn how to work together in a team with other members, who more often acted as hindrances than aids throughout their journey. Likewise our health, partner, work and family circumstances can often present unexpected drawbacks despite our perfect plan for a perfect life. These life events should be welcomed as part of a team in our journey. Our task is not to wish for a problem-free life, but more importantly, is to wish for wisdom to untangled life’s knots, and upon untangling them, to gain greater wisdom and become a better person. For both Hanuman and SunWu-Kong, at the end of the journey, they became someone beyond their limited self.
Do you want to know more about how to calm the mind and at the same time improve your physical, mental and spiritual health in a natural and easy way? Come to join us for a Free Introduction on the Benefits and Effects of Meditation.
Do you want to have a better perspective on your health and wellness; how to achieve harmony and balance in different areas of your life? Come to join us for a Free Introduction on Wellness Living and Holistic Health.
Announcement:
1. Free Introduction on the Benefits and Effects of Meditation: 22nd May, Saturday, 10am to 11.30 am
2. Free Introduction on Wellness Living and Holistic Health: 29th May, Saturday 10am to 11.30am
3. Free Yoga Walk for Better Health and Posture. Every Sunday 6.30am to 8am, the north Badminton court in Section 7.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Time slips through the fingers
There was a very sweet and jovial elderly man I’ve met during my January retreat. His name is Osman. As a habit, I tend to draw an invisible distance around me when I am out in the company of people I don’t know well. I am especially conscious of my talk because of the non-local accent in me that always bring hoards of personal queries like where are you from, what are you doing here, how long you’ve been here… Sometimes I don’t mind, sometimes… I mind, particularly when I am in the reflective mode like attending seminars or retreats. Osman was different. He noted my different accent but didn’t ask me straight away. Instead, with his very smooth tongue that had flare of interesting storytelling style, he unguarded me with giggle and laugh before preceded further to interview me. I felt comfortable with his vibrant sense of humor and friendliness to unravel myself bare with someone I first met. We became dining table buddies for the rest of retreat. I even taught him how to do Yoga Walk for his troubled knee. He was grateful with the immediate relief he felt by just walking in the yogic way.
Throughout the 3-days retreat, he was never short of his story bag, always pulling something interesting out of it to entertain his audiences. He was a sweet, unpretentious and likable senior who didn’t carry his age in the attitude. In his early 60’s, he was a retired banker who loved eating, travelling and exploring new ideas. After the retirement, he made his lifelong love of storytelling and psychology into his second career, thus becoming a Peak Performance Coach with more than half dozen of self-help certifications indicated at the back of his name card. He was active with trainings and seminars in various educational and corporate settings. The retreat organizers also arranged with him to give a talk about storytelling in their center at the end of April and I was about to attend it with my son whom also likes to tell stories. I thought he could learn some tips from him. Then I received an email, the talk was cancelled by the sudden demise of the speaker…What do you mean sudden demise? You mean he died? Yes, that’s what they confirmed through his daughter. How come…? It was a heart attack, and well, life is indeed uncertain…that’s what they said. My, my… that was all I could say…
Whenever I come across with the news of an unexpected exit such as this, once more it makes me to reflect on the emptiness of life and death. Without needing to borrow the language of the Buddhist canon, it is the universal truth that whatever is born will die one day. So will be my life and yours. It is only a matter of time. Though we know it to be true, and yet, no one really wants to die or think about death seriously except time to time in the moments like this. Why? Because of fear…because of the fear of unknown and unfamiliar… We are familiar with life but not with death. We sense death as total annihilation from all the things, people we held so dear, and the thoughts of isolation, sever, is immensely frightening for many. The ancient Yoga master Pantanjali said the fear of death is something very, very deep in all of us that even the most learned ones dreads it. Thus, popular stories of Taoist immortals who never dies or many Indian yoga masters who lived for few hundred years continue to fascinate many alchemists, spiritual seekers in hope to find the formulas for longevity and immortality. The success or failure of our modern medicine also is so much depended upon extending life spans as long as possible if not curing death.
It seems the better society gets developed and the greater the modern technology advances, the more people focus on how not to die, how not to get sick, how not to get old by all measurements. But no matter how much power, wealth and fame we have accumulated, no matter how much endearing family and friends we are surrounded by, can we put a hold on Time that flows like river? Time that keep ticks in perpetual synchronization? No, certainly not. There is no almighty that can stop Time from moving forward. Each step, each day, we are that much closer to death. We just not don’t know when it will end for each of us.
Then what’s the point being so afraid of it with something so sure to come sooner or later? Why not, instead, we focus on living while we are still here and don’t worry ahead of what has not yet come? Because of the law of attraction, we might just invite the very things we are afraid of if we constantly put attention on what we don’t want. Why don’t we focus on how to live well, so that we could be proud and free to leave when our time arrives at the door? Time is slipping through fingers in every minute and we might end up squandering it away in futility if we keep running to catch up with Time. Don’t think about “how not to” but let’s focus on “how to” because every minute we have now is precious. While we are still around and kicking our legs, let’s make sure we do things that will help us to stay healthy and hail with a gaiety of heart. How would you spend your time today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so that your time on earth enriched you with greater freedom and happiness instead of gripping fear or psychotic neurosis?
As for me, I would like to nurture a healthy body, sound mind and light spirit so that I can live balanced life with a perspective. For that I exercise and meditate regularly, eat nourishing and wholesome food most of time. Above all, I focus on becoming a better person spiritually as time keeps on rolling under my sleeves. I am learning and improving bit by bit in how to love and kind to all, how to be compassionate and revere for all life, and how to laugh even in the facets of adversary. By doing so, is not to score high marks in the balance sheet of lord Yama, but is for my own good to maintain sanity in this crazily fast moving society. I am also striving to be a harmonious person who can maintain equanimity in all up and down emotional fluctuations, or else it’s so easy to sabotage my sense of wellness and contentment, forgetful and careless ever persistently. The wheel of time keeps on turning while we all have limited time in this Earth. Thus I would like to use my allocated time in a wise, productive way as much as I can. I would like to contribute in elevating the qualities of my life and others’ lives so that I will have no shame, no regret when I have to leave. That is how I want to live for the rest of my remaining days. I don’t know whether Osman had the chance to properly reflect his life before he left.
I still have Osman’s name card in my hand, with his smiling face printed on it. He was so full of life and enthusiastic just two months ago. His lively voice and laughter is still vivid with me. Though I didn’t know him very well, long enough, he was a good man who seemed to be in love with life and people. Would he have had any premonition about his approaching end when he was talking to me how much he loves good curry chicken…maybe or maybe not… He seemed so much looking forward to more learning, exploring new ideas and concepts including meditation from a Buddhist monk as an Indian Muslim…I hope his soul doesn’t linger too long in confusion by his own sudden departure and rest in peace from wherever he has moved onto, not forgetting to entertain the otherworld audiences too with his interesting story bag…that might ensure a better place next to his God, because God also needs to laugh…
Throughout the 3-days retreat, he was never short of his story bag, always pulling something interesting out of it to entertain his audiences. He was a sweet, unpretentious and likable senior who didn’t carry his age in the attitude. In his early 60’s, he was a retired banker who loved eating, travelling and exploring new ideas. After the retirement, he made his lifelong love of storytelling and psychology into his second career, thus becoming a Peak Performance Coach with more than half dozen of self-help certifications indicated at the back of his name card. He was active with trainings and seminars in various educational and corporate settings. The retreat organizers also arranged with him to give a talk about storytelling in their center at the end of April and I was about to attend it with my son whom also likes to tell stories. I thought he could learn some tips from him. Then I received an email, the talk was cancelled by the sudden demise of the speaker…What do you mean sudden demise? You mean he died? Yes, that’s what they confirmed through his daughter. How come…? It was a heart attack, and well, life is indeed uncertain…that’s what they said. My, my… that was all I could say…
Whenever I come across with the news of an unexpected exit such as this, once more it makes me to reflect on the emptiness of life and death. Without needing to borrow the language of the Buddhist canon, it is the universal truth that whatever is born will die one day. So will be my life and yours. It is only a matter of time. Though we know it to be true, and yet, no one really wants to die or think about death seriously except time to time in the moments like this. Why? Because of fear…because of the fear of unknown and unfamiliar… We are familiar with life but not with death. We sense death as total annihilation from all the things, people we held so dear, and the thoughts of isolation, sever, is immensely frightening for many. The ancient Yoga master Pantanjali said the fear of death is something very, very deep in all of us that even the most learned ones dreads it. Thus, popular stories of Taoist immortals who never dies or many Indian yoga masters who lived for few hundred years continue to fascinate many alchemists, spiritual seekers in hope to find the formulas for longevity and immortality. The success or failure of our modern medicine also is so much depended upon extending life spans as long as possible if not curing death.
It seems the better society gets developed and the greater the modern technology advances, the more people focus on how not to die, how not to get sick, how not to get old by all measurements. But no matter how much power, wealth and fame we have accumulated, no matter how much endearing family and friends we are surrounded by, can we put a hold on Time that flows like river? Time that keep ticks in perpetual synchronization? No, certainly not. There is no almighty that can stop Time from moving forward. Each step, each day, we are that much closer to death. We just not don’t know when it will end for each of us.
Then what’s the point being so afraid of it with something so sure to come sooner or later? Why not, instead, we focus on living while we are still here and don’t worry ahead of what has not yet come? Because of the law of attraction, we might just invite the very things we are afraid of if we constantly put attention on what we don’t want. Why don’t we focus on how to live well, so that we could be proud and free to leave when our time arrives at the door? Time is slipping through fingers in every minute and we might end up squandering it away in futility if we keep running to catch up with Time. Don’t think about “how not to” but let’s focus on “how to” because every minute we have now is precious. While we are still around and kicking our legs, let’s make sure we do things that will help us to stay healthy and hail with a gaiety of heart. How would you spend your time today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so that your time on earth enriched you with greater freedom and happiness instead of gripping fear or psychotic neurosis?
As for me, I would like to nurture a healthy body, sound mind and light spirit so that I can live balanced life with a perspective. For that I exercise and meditate regularly, eat nourishing and wholesome food most of time. Above all, I focus on becoming a better person spiritually as time keeps on rolling under my sleeves. I am learning and improving bit by bit in how to love and kind to all, how to be compassionate and revere for all life, and how to laugh even in the facets of adversary. By doing so, is not to score high marks in the balance sheet of lord Yama, but is for my own good to maintain sanity in this crazily fast moving society. I am also striving to be a harmonious person who can maintain equanimity in all up and down emotional fluctuations, or else it’s so easy to sabotage my sense of wellness and contentment, forgetful and careless ever persistently. The wheel of time keeps on turning while we all have limited time in this Earth. Thus I would like to use my allocated time in a wise, productive way as much as I can. I would like to contribute in elevating the qualities of my life and others’ lives so that I will have no shame, no regret when I have to leave. That is how I want to live for the rest of my remaining days. I don’t know whether Osman had the chance to properly reflect his life before he left.
I still have Osman’s name card in my hand, with his smiling face printed on it. He was so full of life and enthusiastic just two months ago. His lively voice and laughter is still vivid with me. Though I didn’t know him very well, long enough, he was a good man who seemed to be in love with life and people. Would he have had any premonition about his approaching end when he was talking to me how much he loves good curry chicken…maybe or maybe not… He seemed so much looking forward to more learning, exploring new ideas and concepts including meditation from a Buddhist monk as an Indian Muslim…I hope his soul doesn’t linger too long in confusion by his own sudden departure and rest in peace from wherever he has moved onto, not forgetting to entertain the otherworld audiences too with his interesting story bag…that might ensure a better place next to his God, because God also needs to laugh…
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Being Courteous Makes One A Better Person
By Edwin Lee (14 years old)
Being courteous makes one a better person, that is definitely true. As the saying goes, “courtesy is a way of life,” one should be courteous to all that surrounds you, as with each good deed one does, he/she will find that he/she can enjoy a better life.
Being a courteous person does not mean one has to constantly do good merits in order to be courteous. Being courteous is when you can spare a bit of your time to someone, and help them; for example, if you are rich, you can help the poor, if you are poor, you can help those in need, if you are neither rich or poor, you can give support to those who need it. No matter what sort of limitation one has, he/she can always be courteous. Donating to charity does not automatically mean one is courteous, as it is the thoughts of that person that decides whether he is courteous or not. If he is donating merely to earn praises from the public, in the end, this counts simply as self-contentment. However, if he harbors the thoughts of wanting to help others, he/she can, or will be considered a courteous person.
There are many things one can do to be courteous, such as helping an old lady crossing the street, or helping someone with their grocery shopping. Being courteous can often have unexpected results on a person. An example of the event is the following story:
“There was once a selfish man that lived on the outskirts of a village. He rarely went into the village. On rare cases that he did, he only went to the market, bought what he needed, and stomped off. During one of his trips to the market, a beggar approached him and begged for some money. This selfish man, being the selfish person that he was, gave a hard kick to the beggar, and walked off. Little did he realized that this selfish act had been witnessed by the local paper boy, and upon seeing this, ran off to tell everyone in the village. The next day, the selfish man went to the market as he had not finished his shopping the day before. Upon his arrival, every single house shut their doors and windows, and every street vendor chased him away, refusing to sell him anything. This went on for quite some time. One evening, while rocking his rocking chair, he realized that, perhaps, it was his selfish attitude that caused the recent discrimination. So he set a goal for himself that, for an entire day, he would try to be kind. He went to the market the next day and got the usual treatment from the villagers. He saw the beggar whom he kicked the other day, and without a word, gave him RM 5. The beggar’s expression changed from shock to joy in an instant. The selfish man suddenly experienced an unusual but comforting feeling deep in his heart. He liked this feeling, and throughout the whole day, did every single courteous act there was to be. The unusual feeling the selfish man experienced grew into a feel that he cherished like never before. And day by day, the selfish man’s personality changed completely. He no longer was the selfish man everyone knew. He became a courteous man and everyone liked him.”
As one can easily see from the story, a simple act of courtesy changed this man’s attitude completely. So courtesy is really a way of life and in the end, through some unorthodox acts, one’s life can change for the better.
P.S: The above essay won the third place in his school’s essay competition that was held on the spot without prior announcement. I thought I would like to share it with my readers, as it amazed me how young children are often our real life teachers to us adults with their innocent heart and the right understanding about the way life is.
Being courteous makes one a better person, that is definitely true. As the saying goes, “courtesy is a way of life,” one should be courteous to all that surrounds you, as with each good deed one does, he/she will find that he/she can enjoy a better life.
Being a courteous person does not mean one has to constantly do good merits in order to be courteous. Being courteous is when you can spare a bit of your time to someone, and help them; for example, if you are rich, you can help the poor, if you are poor, you can help those in need, if you are neither rich or poor, you can give support to those who need it. No matter what sort of limitation one has, he/she can always be courteous. Donating to charity does not automatically mean one is courteous, as it is the thoughts of that person that decides whether he is courteous or not. If he is donating merely to earn praises from the public, in the end, this counts simply as self-contentment. However, if he harbors the thoughts of wanting to help others, he/she can, or will be considered a courteous person.
There are many things one can do to be courteous, such as helping an old lady crossing the street, or helping someone with their grocery shopping. Being courteous can often have unexpected results on a person. An example of the event is the following story:
“There was once a selfish man that lived on the outskirts of a village. He rarely went into the village. On rare cases that he did, he only went to the market, bought what he needed, and stomped off. During one of his trips to the market, a beggar approached him and begged for some money. This selfish man, being the selfish person that he was, gave a hard kick to the beggar, and walked off. Little did he realized that this selfish act had been witnessed by the local paper boy, and upon seeing this, ran off to tell everyone in the village. The next day, the selfish man went to the market as he had not finished his shopping the day before. Upon his arrival, every single house shut their doors and windows, and every street vendor chased him away, refusing to sell him anything. This went on for quite some time. One evening, while rocking his rocking chair, he realized that, perhaps, it was his selfish attitude that caused the recent discrimination. So he set a goal for himself that, for an entire day, he would try to be kind. He went to the market the next day and got the usual treatment from the villagers. He saw the beggar whom he kicked the other day, and without a word, gave him RM 5. The beggar’s expression changed from shock to joy in an instant. The selfish man suddenly experienced an unusual but comforting feeling deep in his heart. He liked this feeling, and throughout the whole day, did every single courteous act there was to be. The unusual feeling the selfish man experienced grew into a feel that he cherished like never before. And day by day, the selfish man’s personality changed completely. He no longer was the selfish man everyone knew. He became a courteous man and everyone liked him.”
As one can easily see from the story, a simple act of courtesy changed this man’s attitude completely. So courtesy is really a way of life and in the end, through some unorthodox acts, one’s life can change for the better.
P.S: The above essay won the third place in his school’s essay competition that was held on the spot without prior announcement. I thought I would like to share it with my readers, as it amazed me how young children are often our real life teachers to us adults with their innocent heart and the right understanding about the way life is.
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