Sunday, March 29, 2009

Story 18. The magic wand, "the purpose" of your life

Have you ever wondered “What is the purpose of life? What is the purpose of my life?”
I have. In fact, all the time. I searched high and low, trying to figure out how to make a sense out of this seemingly ordinary and uneventful life for as long as I can remember. I often wondered; what’s the meaning of all the hustle-bustles in life when nothing seem to be lasting forever. One day we all are going to disappear into thin air. Then, what’s point of being born, living in the first place? I struggled with my innate pessimism and lack of motivation as I wanted life to show me “the purpose” so that I can strive to live for better reason.

It was not until recently that it dawn on me, I WAS living the very life I sought for, though I was unaware at times. That’s when my 13 year-old asked me what my favorite book was in my growing up years. Yes. I loved reading story books when I was small, frequently venturing into the world of fantasy, adventures in my imagination. What I wanted was, a magic wand with the power to transform mine as well as others’ lives to something extra ordinary, from being ordinary and boring ones. I finally came to understand life by simply looking back my footsteps in the past that was stretched to the present and until the future.

One of my favorite books was “the adventure of Robinson Crusoe.” It is the story of a man who got stranded in an island in his youth, finding ways to survive alone for 30 over years before he finally returned to his homeland of Spain. (If you do not know the full story, you can borrow it from your children’s school library.) His lonesome adventure, in how he managed to learn all the life skills of farming, sowing, cooking and figuring out time, seasons, and others, somehow captured my young heart in a strange way. I read the book many times.

It dawn on me that the choices I made in my life were very much influenced by what those stories had formed in my young psychic, especially the adventure of Robinson Crusoe. Like him, I settled into a completely unknown land, away from home, culture and family; thereby learning all the life skills by my own of which I have never knew or trained before. How interesting! I realized that whatever impression that went into during our childhood, stores deep into our sub consciousness to manifest in strange ways later; thereby shaping our future, influencing the choices we make and the directions we take in life. We just don’t know or can’t foresee at that time.

In choosing the life path to tread on, consciously and unconsciously, I always chose the path of psychic forces, consciousness rather than conventional social and material realms. Of course, it was much more difficult than just going along with others as there was not much help or guidance, except the faint voice from my own heart. I asked the question of ‘why’ to life but it came back with my own echo not the clear-cut answer like mathematical formula. I had to fight my inner demons of doubts, uncertainty, fear and loneliness alone.

But then, I didn’t mind being lonely, facing difficulties or having to work hard to overcome challenges. What I could not stand was, giving up hope, the belief for a bigger, larger world than the earth plane; mystical and transcendental place that exists beyond this mundane plane; in where lights, goodness, peace, and selfless love are all abundant. I could not let the ugliness that I see in people and the world to overshadow my inner belief, and that life is somehow meant to be more beautiful, precious and unique experiences than being the physical, sensual ones only.

Maybe I became a dreamer by reading too much story books. But then, I didn’t fancy becoming the princess in trouble but of the fairy who has the magic power to transform, not the damsel who waits to get rescued, but of the heroes and heroines whose courage and strength always outshine the evil powers. When I saw people who are lost, with no sense of purpose or direction, I always felt this insatiable urge to awaken them up. Whenever I saw their uncertain and confused look, I pondered myself how to clear the ‘cloud’ so that they can see more clearly of themselves and the directions. I wanted a magic wand and I found that. The magic wand with the power to awaken us from the slumbers of lifeless, helpless and mediocre dream in where we experience no life, energy and enthusiasm to strive on, but fear, tiredness, insecurity, pain and desperation… It is in each one of us; that I have realized through my dreamy journey.

What is the magic wand? The Purpose of Our Life! Then how do we know what our purpose is. The moment when you ask to yourself the very question “what is my life purpose?” is where you will find the answer. Pause a moment. Go within. In that silence, you can hear the echo of your question and can “see” the answer. The truth is that, there is no “purpose” in life except the one that we give it to it. Whatever purpose, reason we give to our life, our life delivers just that. Do you want to be rich or famous? Life will bring you that. Do you want to be the powerful and successful? You will be. But then, there are prices to pay. The price is your willingness to dream, your openness to explore another routes than what you are familiar with. Your life purpose will show you how to go about the rest.

Life is not just acquiring or becoming this and that. Living life is continuous process to experience, expand and grow with a vision toward higher aim; not some things that once you have it or reached to it, then, you can forget about it. Whether it be education, career, spouse, children, cars or houses, money… Underlying all that is the desire to be happy, to feel worthwhile, to be more wholesome and complete, materially as well as spiritually. What route do we choose to bring the satisfaction of our desires is up to us, up to our inherent inclination and innate talents.

It is we who give the permission to our life to live the dream, the purpose we decide on. The purpose we find in our heart, is the magic wand; it will bring all the necessary strength, energy, direction, resources and assistance as we take the first step of asking question to unfold our life purpose, our destiny to live the kinds of greater life that we choose to live. Instead of feeling late, sorry or regret for not having started earlier to dream on, why not you start now, to dream for more beauty, enchantment and wonder in the magic world of your purposeful life? It took me longer time to figure out this but I guarantee yours wouldn’t. I also guarantee that it is much easier and simpler than what you think.

To learn more, you can come to the talk on “A Wish-fulfilling Cow” on 18th April, 2.30pm to 4pm. Those who have missed the first one due to the Chingming, and those who came but want your loved ones to hear, most welcome to join again.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Talk on "How to Own A Wish-fulfilling Cow"

Hi, there!

Don't forget the next Saturday talk, 28th March 2.30-4pm. The topic is about "How to Own A Wish-fulfulling Cow; Changing Your Life, Destiny and Fortune."

Through this presentation, I would like to share some secrets of life on how to unlock the keys to our True Destiny. They are are well-known principles of successful life but remain as elusive as a mirage to most people. We all want to live a happy and successful life but how do you acutally live them? How do you actually own the 'cow' that will grant your every wishes for healthy, fulfilling life?You are welcome to come and find out. Bring your loved ones, friends, so that they can dicover the secrets together. See you there! Beth.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Story 17. Are you a giver or a taker?

I was searching for some information in internet when I came upon an inquiry regarding meditation course that caught my attention. I thought quite pitiful of the person because his very inquiry itself carried impossibility to find any answer or relief to help him in anyways. At first I thought of writing him but I decided not to. But it was a good case study to reflect. The inquiry went something like this;

“…is there any meditation class in KL? I am keen on attending one. I don’t believe in the charging ones. Anyone knows about it? I really need to learn meditation because this stress and tension is driving me crazy…”

What do you think? Can you see the problems with this inquiry? Can you see him having fundamental problem in his attitude, in his belief system that is the source of his stress, tension and misery, even poverty?

Obviously he is looking for free meditation courses, because he doesn’t have money or doesn’t want to pay for what he needs. Either way, the problem is not the money, but is his attitude of ‘wanting something for nothing.’ Not only that, he is accusing others who charge the fees by making the strong statement of not believing in them, ‘demanding before deserve.’ Who would want to teach him meditation? Not me. I would love to teach meditation free to those deserving, grateful ones; but not his kinds. In fact I would run far, far away even if he consents to pay the fees. Doing so will be like instructing a monkey to take care of a diamond.

I know where he got this idea. Traditionally, be in India or China, meditation is taught free by Gurus or monks. But don’t forget, who is supporting them, we, laymen. That is why they give teaching free in return because that is their Dharma. Does he sound like attached to any temple giving any financial supports to them? I don’t think so, or else he won’t place his inquiry to the web instead of asking to his temple. And also, we are living in the modern world, not some remote ancient village, in where the community lifestyle supports all the members in it.

In our modern living, in where we don’t even know who our neighbors are, we support each other through the fair transaction of service and money. We exchange values based upon what we want and the price we pay for it. He conveniently pastes his belief system with the mixed-up ideas to justify his unwillingness to pay. Does he have the right attitude to learn the right meditation from the right teachers? Even if he learns, he won’t’ be practice it in the right way because his value system is based on money. What he didn’t pay for, he is not going to take it seriously. He will also remain poor. Why?

In life, we reap what we sow. We attract what we are. If we project stinginess, we receive scarcity. If we project generosity, we receive fortune and abundance. It’s not his lack of money but his attitude, his ingratitude that is the very source of his poverty, stress and tension. Instead of being honest in his inability to pay the fees but to accuse others for their right to charge fees for their service, you can just see how dishonest and stingy he is. When he is not willing to support others’ lives, how, then, can he attract goodness, fortune to his own life, no matter how hard he try? This one way of thinking, seeing things in terms of what he wants only is the very source of his unhappiness, stress, tension and poverty.

You see, it all comes down to one’s attitude and behavior for whatever we have in life. If you give big, you will also receive big; if you give small or nothing at all, then you get the same as well. It’s the principle of reciprocal or karmic law. If you give love, caring, respect, consideration, then, you will receive that as well. If you haven’t given any of these, but wondering why you are not happy, alone, and poor, you better check the color of your heart whether it’s not black. Only thieve has a black heart that is tightly clogged. Our life expands based on what we have sown. If you planted nothing at all during summer time but expect harvest during autumn; isn’t that absurd just to hear? Funny thing is we often laugh at other’s folly but blind to our own absurdity.

Thereby, let’s ask, before we demand; what have we contributed to others, why we believe we deserve better life. Are you happy, are you satisfied with your life right now? If the quality of your life, your health, and your relationships are less than what you desire, then, we have ask ourselves about what we have done, what we have given, to have it better, to enjoy better health, relationships and success alike. I often marvel at someone who constantly complains about others or circumstances for faults, problems, unhappiness and lacks in their life. It is like waiting for whatever they want to drop from the sky. Typically, they are very selfish, ego-centric with the mind as narrow as needle that pokes at your patience and disenchantment. You want to stay away from those people as far as you can. They will rob you of happiness and taint your heart with their questionable characters.

On the other hand, when you see someone who is always out to give, you can tell they generally live a good life; they are easy to please, simple minded, grateful and also hard working. They attract goodness, righteousness and happiness in life by giving out just that to others. It is so nice to be around them because they are like angels without wings. They have infectious laughter and sparkling eyes lightening your heart anytime, any day.

A good yard stick, in inviting happiness, beauty and good fortune to our life, there fore, is examining ourselves, whether we are a giver or a taker. Are you a giver or a taker? Do you like free gifts, free meals, while you are stingy in your purse string? Are you the one to always give first in your relationships, in your dealings and in your work? Or do you wait until the others to give their love, understanding and acceptance so that you can give it back or not give it at all as you think you deserve? The goddess of good fortune is going to elude us as long as we stay on the taker’s side. You can also evaluate others that are close to you; family members, friends, colleagues, etc, in where they stand. If you are surrounded with more of givers, then, your life will be joyful and happy one. If not, you will be suffering from one heartache after another, filled with struggles, conflicts, stress, tension, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. As much as it is important to guard our heart to stay open and be generous, be careful of whom you associate with as well. The takers don’t like to get drawn in the pool of life’s misery alone but will pull your legs to die together…

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

"How to Own A Wish-fulfilling Cow"

Special Talks on “How to Own A Wish-fulfilling Cow: Changing Your Life, Fortune and Destiny through Merit and Meditation”


Dear Friends,

Wishing you all a very prosperous and purposeful OX year!

Would you like to lighten up your New Year with dream, hope and promises for better life, happiness and inspiration, countering the negativity, uncertainties that are all around us these days?

Please come and listen the talk on “how to own a wish-fulfilling cow—changing your life, fortune and destiny”21st Feb 2009 Saturday, 2.30-4pm in the Beth’s Yoga Center. In that day, I would like to share my life time aspiration with you all. You can say, I have come a long way in sharing this dream of mine: to do good and to encourage others to do good. So that together we can enjoy the gifts of life: beauty, abundance, joy, happiness and success in spite of any difficult circumstances that might be present.

Come with an easy and relaxed mindset; bring your loved ones and friends to enjoy together. You will learn the very secrets of life, on how to invite more fortune and happiness to your life. They are very simple, non-religious and user-friendly inspirations from ancient as well as modern teachers that anyone would benefit even just by listening. If you have not made up any New Year resolutions yet, then, it will also inspire you to take new dimensions. It can be a life turning point in finding your life purpose, as it has been to me when I first learned the lessons. Don’t miss out the precious chance to uplift your spirit so that your New Year becomes truly meaningful.

See you all that day! Beth.

P.S:

1. The meditation course is to start from 28th Feb 5.30-6.30 pm Free Introduction, and 1st March, one-to-one personal instruction. To book or for further details, give me a call, 012.2742.012. Please come to the above talk first if you wish to know how learning meditation would change your life.

2. The Credit Card Payment is available in our center, effective immediately from today.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

My New Year Resolution: To Break Silence

I am not the most sociable person in the world, and yet, every time around the festival seasons, I get to receive much greetings and well wishes via SMS. Then, I have difficulty replying them, not because I am a proud person, but because my replies for each well-wishers and friends are rather lengthy and daunting to fit into the small mobile message box. So I keep quiet…Yes, one thing I am very good at it, is staying alone and keeping quiet. And I rarely gave thoughts beyond that “silence is gold.”

However, I paid a heavy price for that this year. It seems, suddenly I’ve woken up, particularly because I got to have plenty of “quiet” time last year (2008) since shifting the yoga center to Putra Height. It’s an area that is close to the sky with lots of fresh air and green, but less people yet to be buzzing and user-friendly for a township. It presented me the chance to reflect, to realize that, as much as we need peace in life we also need certain amount of chaos if we were to live a truly balanced life. Then, I lacked that balance; I’ve been living too reclusive for people to come closer. Is it any wonder that I sometimes receive the wrong (?) label of being unfriendly person, especially by my hubby?

Over the years, I have been so used to with “inner and outer silence” that in some days I can count the words I had uttered with my ten fingers. What I didn’t realize is that, what I am comfortable to live with has been creating much room for distance, misunderstanding, wrong impression and assumption, and cold walls between the very people I wanted to be close with; they meant caring, kind, loving and supportive but I was pushing them away with my “silence” as it often appears to be “coldness” with the peculiar energy I surrounded myself. I didn’t realize that I look like a “cold blooded (?)” woman from the somewhat distant expression I usually wear in the face. Well, no wonder I don’t have much friends…

The year 2008 has been particularly constraining and difficult year not only for me, but for many due to the unstable economical, social and political upheavals throughout. And yet, it is through adversities and challenges that our human souls find the energy and will power to overcome, thereby growing and evolving to our full potentials as we are supposed to. I have learned much this year, to the fact I woke up to the callings of life—we all are meant to live in togetherness, not in isolation. Therefore my top most important resolutions for the New Year should be, to break my tendency to keep quiet; instead be more involved, pro active and expressive. So that I can learn people’s ways of living instead of one way that I am familiar with if I were to be a more wholesome and rounded person.

In ushering into another New Year, somehow, I have seldom felt this happy and hopeful despite some otherwise prediction by media and so called experts. I sense more liveliness, willingness, patience, humility and openness in me and people. I sense more stability, co-operation, lightness, joy and cheerfulness in the air. Most of all, I sense a gaiety, a carefree bright colored spiritual beauty around us; to uplift our dampened spirit caused by all the ugly things, man-made or natural disasters, happened last year threatening our insecurity and survival instincts.

I look forward to a brighter and better year for all of us, as we have accumulated better strength and resilience through one of the most difficult time in the history. Many thanks and gratitude to all those who have stood by me rending your selfless love and supports! May you all be well and happy! May all your wishes, dreams and longings, and hope, come to fruition this year! May we together aim to reach far and wide to enjoy more abundance, joy, happiness and freedom!

P.S: I ask for forgiveness to those who have not received my SMS reply. See so long of what I want to say, how to fit into the small screen?