Helping to Lie

There once was a nobleman who liked to tell lies, but sometimes he got stuck.  Once he wanted to hire a new servant.  When one came to offer his services, the nobleman asked him if he could lie,

“Well…” he said, “If I have to, then, it’s got to be!”

“Very well!  I sometimes get stuck telling lies.  Then you will have to help me.”

One day they were in an inn, and the nobleman was as usual telling lies. “Once I went hunting and I shot three rabbits in the air.”

“This is not possible,” said the others.

“Then you better ask my coachman, to bear witness.” he said. 

They brought him in.  “Johann, listen, I have just been telling these gentlemen about the three rabbits I shot in the air. Now you tell them how that was.”

“Yes, sir!  We were in the meadow, and a rabbit came jumping through the hedge, and while it was jumping out, you shot and it was dead.  Afterward, when it was cut open, there were two young rabbits inside.”  Of course the others could say nothing to this.

On their way home the nobleman said that it was well done.

“Well, sir,” said Johann, “the next time you tell lies, try to keep out of the air.  On firm ground it will be easier for me to help you.”

Of lately, I had been through some heartache caused by my own foolishness—my age-old naivety to easily believe whatever others say rather than believing what my heart says.  Since small I can’t tell very well between lies and truth.  So my hubby and son often make good fun out of me with their cheeky jokes.  I have tendency to believe what others say in face value, then, I would agonize over days and nights, sometimes for years, when my expectation of others to follow up their words-to-words fails miserably.  I thought I become better by now, but no…I was not any better at all even after all these years…I still fall for their words while ignoring what my heart is whispering inside…in the end, I made a fool out of me…

A skywalker…that was what one psychic lady used to describe about me years ago.  Too much cheap words and unkept promises are all over in the air…sometimes I get teary when I can feel the weights of those lies and deceptions…and yet, after one class of Yoga, affirming the firm ground under my feet, I am still  an optimist of our higher nature rather than a pessimist to stay stuck by our lower nature.

And yet, I become sad…whenever I come across with ingenuineness…Maybe I needed to do more Yoga to ground me down…

Geocentric and Heliocentric

Everybody knows that the Sun is at the center of the solar system, and the planet Earth in which we inhibit, is circling around the sun, not the other way around.  However from the point where we live, it was more convenient to assume the earth is at the center, and the sun with the rest of planets, stars are circling around it.  The astronomical terms are “heliocentric” for the former and “geocentric” for the latter.  Though we know the “heliocentric” view is more scientifically accurate, in reality, the “geocentric” view is what appeals to us more real.  Thus, from our point of view, it is the sun that rises and sets every day whereas the earth beneath us stays ever so still.

There is nothing wrong in whichever view we take it for convenience sake as long as it serves us.  But it becomes problem when we hold onto the assumed truth for too long because we tend to lose a perspective with time.  The false truth that we are at the center of the universe, not the sun, turns into the truth, thus distorting our views to discern what is real from what is not, what is more important from what is not.  Thus we start to function based on many false assumptions not only in the astronomical belief but also in many other areas in life including taking our planet Earth for granted.    

In this Earth, there inhibit, billions of human being alongside with other species like animals, insects, plants, etc, sharing its eco system in perfect balance and orderliness that the Nature has designed and maintains it in perpetual equilibrium.  The Earth is the landlord and we human and other species are the same co-tenants sharing its compartments in different tenancy terms.  Different life forms come and go in constant flux, so are our human lives on the earth.  But we assume as though human are the owners while other species are liabilities—abusing, destroying and manipulating it to suit our needs, as we like or dislike.  The sky, the sea, and the forests…they are ever being exploited by our humans’ insatiable greed.  Thereby the global warming phenomenon causing much unusual weathers patterns lately and frequent earthquakes keep erupting throughout different parts of the world. 

As much as we are concerned with the Earth’s health, even greater concerns are our failing morality, poor emotional intelligence which is the byproduct of the fast technological advancements in our society.  Thus creating much personal and social crisis by and large.  The computer has taken over much of others’ existence from the individuals’ lives, that, large portions of population are turning into extreme egocentrics.  

They think they are in the center not only of the earth but the entire society and the universe.  Everything revolves around the “me” and “mine.”  “I” am the most important and top priority above everyone else.  The each “I”s demands their every need to be met as soon as they want it as though the universe owes them a huge debt.  Or else hell breaks out with anger, frustration, disputes, often leading to personal crisis, family conflicts, social crimes or international wars, etc.  Living too long in the assumed truth like geocentric and heliocentric, we became terribly lopsided in our views and our collective sanities are reaching to much dangerous level.  Just open the daily newspapers.  See how crazy the world and people are these days? 

Because we have been living in a confined reality for too long, we have lost a perspective about wholeness and get preoccupied with too petty things in life instead.  Everyday most people’s concerns are revolving around what to eat an how to lose pounds, how to save my dollars while looking for anything better deals or free lunch opportunities, how to show off our aggrandized image with finest houses and furnishing, imported cars and branded items, etc.  Like a hamsters running in the wheel, like an ostrich who buries its head in the sand to escape from danger, doing the same things over and over again for days and nights and years… many just keep running because everyone else is running too.   They forgot they don’t have run if they don’t want to.  They forgot “I have no choice” is the assumed truth.  We just need to stop and turn around to see the real truth. 

Where are we going?  What are we doing?  Do you ever stop and think for a while?  The longer we live, the narrower and tighter our brain usage becomes.  Many are like psychos but they don’t know.  They are so mental, absolutely selfish and crazily obsessive about “what’s in it for me?” with not regard, no respect for others that it is almost nauseating.

Yes, ultimately all our lives are self-serving ones.  Without “me”, other people, other species, even the entire universe is no use.  Whether they will last for billion lights years or not, it doesn’t matter once “I” am dead.  It doesn’t matter whether some greedy developers and manufacturers are destroying the green forests or fuming out polluted gas in the air, or suicide bombers are blowing people and places away from somewhere else, as long as “my” living conditions, “my” securities are not affected or threaten by it.  It doesn’t matter how much others working hard or suffering in the neighborhoods, other parts of the country and the world as long as “I” and “my” family have enough food, clothing and shelters to keep us well and safe… that is how our limited mind functions.  When we don’t reflect regularly upon the big picture, to the Truth, we human beings can be really some egoistic, selfish or demonic creatures ever.  

As much as our family, property and happiness are important to us, so are to others, different species and our environments.  As much as our privacy, lifestyle is precious, so are to others too.  How can we wish for others to be nice and kind to us when we are not?  How can we blame others being selfish, greedy when we are only interested in ourselves? 

I feel immense pity whenever I see someone so preoccupied with themselves only, living in their heads while wondering why happiness and peace seem to be so difficult to get despite how hard they work for it.  What they don’t realize is that, supreme happiness and abundance are attainable only when one can switch one’s attitude from “what’s in it for me?” to “what I can contribute?”, moving from the self-centered mind over to the four immeasurable minds—loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity—towards oneself as well as others.  Only then, one can see the interconnectedness of not only humans but with all other beings in the world and the universe, like the difference between the assumed geocentric truth and the heliocentric Truth. 

How much do you uphold the Truth in your everyday lives?  Do you assume your life, family, health, job and fortune are sacrosanct?  Or are you afraid of losing them even a bit, is that why you hold your breath and fist so tight to work so hard day and night?  When is the last time you took the deep breath that reached down till your toes and fingertips?  When is the last time you saw the golden morning sun rays or the glittering morning dew in your neighboring park?  Or are you waiting until your retirement day to have enough time to enjoy those natural things around you because you are so busy at the moment…?

Time is fleeting through our fingers.  Our children are growing up fast and the crowfeet at the corner of our eyes are deepening by day.  Even the most wealthy and all mighty Madonna can’t do much rather than struggling to hide her sagging cheeks and wrinkles with airbrushes.  What to say the mere mortals like us… In fact Time was moving so fast that I stopped trying to catch them up.  Instead, I simply started to exist in the present moment.  Just living one day at a time, walking one step at a time and enjoying moment by moment…it has given me tremendous sense of freedom and joy.  There are still many things, projects that I have set out to accomplish but not done yet or some didn’t even started yet.  But I feel okay to live with those imperfections now.  

The contented Heart

I heard the following story from my Indian astrology teacher Mr. K.N. Rao. He belongs to an elite Brahmin caste who never been outside of the country until sixty years old.


When he first came to the US by invitation to consult and teach astrology, he experienced profound dose of cultural shock with the starling difference in lifestyles, people and attitudes. The severe discontentment, restlessness and loneliness in the US people’s hearts, despite of their affluences and advanced technology, were baffling him more than anything. In his home country, he said, even the simple hearted souls know better than them how to enjoy life happily and merrily despite their humble and poor living conditions.


The rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find the Southern fisherman lying lazily beside his boat, smoking a pipe. 

“Why aren’t you out fishing?” said the industrialist.

“Because I have caught enough fish for the day.” said the fisherman.

“Why don’t you catch some more?”

“What would I do with it?”

“You could earn more money” was the reply.  “With that you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish.  Then you would make enough to buy nylon nets.  These would bring you more fish and more money.  Soon you would have enough money to own two boats…maybe even a fleet of boats.  Then you would be a rich man like me.”

“What would I do then?”

“Then you could really enjoy life.”

“What do you think I am doing right now?”

Which would you rather have: a fortune or a capacity for enjoyment?

Wesak Day--In the memory of mother

It’s Wesak Day.

Millions of people around the globe are celebrating this memorable day, but, I am not writing this piece in the memory of Him. Instead, I am writing it in the memory of my mother.

Wesak Day brings up faint memory of my mother who had departed more than twenty years ago. My mother was not a devout Buddhist. She didn’t declare herself as a Buddhist either. But she went to temple once a year, in Wesak Day. So I consider her as such.

In Korea, large population do not really define themselves with any religion. It doesn’t mean they are atheists. But loosely consider as Buddhists if you try to nail them of their religious orientation. My mother was one of them.

Last dynasty of Korea was Confucianism based. So its influences are strongly embedded in every ways of life till now. Then, they do not consider Confucianism as religion, but, rather as a philosophy or a way of life. So subtract Christians or other new religions…the rest are Buddhists because Confucianism is still closer with Buddhism.

Every Wesak Day, she will dress up nicely and go to temple; lighting lamps, listen to chanting, participate in prayer, and enjoy temple vegetarian meals. Whenever she came back after that, there was special glow in her for days… That’s how I associate Wesak Day with my mother. Every Wesak Day, I remember my mother, rather than Sakyamuni Buddha. Because, it was one of rare days in her life that made her happy. Most other days, she was in pain. Her life was not an easy one. So in Wesak Day, I can remember my mother’s happy looks, instead of her sadness.

Of recently, one of my long time yoga students lost her beloved mother. I went to pay my respect. It’s never easy, no matter how old we are, to lose mother. Seeing her clad in nice costume in a coffin, I felt chill running through my spine, the same chill feeling I felt with my mother, and with another dear students moms one and half years ago. They departed the world, but, somehow they continue to live on in our daughters’ hearts no matter how long it had been. Maybe it’s special bonding between woman to woman that we girls only can understand… Thus, when I think of Sakyamuni Buddha, I relate more with his mother, Lady Maya, who had to depart the world just 7 days after giving birth to him. Her pain as a mother who had to leave her son is direr to me in Wesak Day….

Mother’s day is around the corner again… While millions of devotees celebrating the birth of Buddha, we yoga girls…why not we celebrate our mothers instead…? If they are still around with you, you are the lucky ones. If they are not, then, will you join me to celebrate Wesak Day in the memory of our mothers???

Happy Wesak Day!

Yoga Story 8. Anjaneyasana (Lunge Pose)

It seems some of the simplest wishes in life are getting harder to get granted these days. For example, getting a bull’s-eye-shot at the Cupid’s arrow for marriage or producing a bundle-of-joy even after marriage are no easy matters anymore. Particularly, rising infertility issues among married couples are so dire that seeking IVF treatments are talked over lunch like norms. God must be going out of business due to high tech medical interventions nowadays…

In old days however, when women had difficulty in progeny, they used to pray. Not just wish-wash kinds of wimpy prayers, but hard ones at that, like embarking on one-hundred days of fasting combined three thousand daily kneeling in the moonlights…then somehow they could be endowed with a brilliant son or daughter in the end. That was God’s ways of testing the seriousness and readiness of women’s desire to be mother before. Now it seems obstetric specialists are replacing the God’s role. Because not many modern women have such patience and determination to wait until God answers her prayers…

In Yoga mythology, there are number of stories related to difficult progeny and magical births. One such story is about Anjana, the mother of beloved monkey-god Hanuman.

The Lunging Yoga Pose, Anjaneyasana, named after her arduous spiritual penance, is a deep, kneeling lunge that stretches the psoas muscle, which runs from the middle of the spine to the inner thigh. This very deep core muscle is pivotal in the fight-or-flight response that is built into our bodies. For many people, the fight-or-flight response is almost continuously stimulated by our on-going low-grade application of stress, by our daily habit of sitting for long periods of time on chairs, and results in a chronically locked psoas. Because of its relation to the fight-or-flight response, which typically engages when we are fearful, the psoas is where we generally hide fear. The process of opening the psoas gives us an opportunity to physically shed our fears and move into a state of fearlessness.

According to the story,

“Anjana was a beautiful woman who deeply desired to become a mother, so she prayed daily for the miracle of a child. The wind god Vayu admired Anjana very much, and when he heard her prayer, he decided to help her out. He blessed a few grains of rice and sent them with his bird friends, who were flying her way. Anjana was engaged in her daily prayer ritual. She had her arms stretched upward in anjali mudra, ready to receive the grace of God, when she received a few grains of rice instead. She knew better than to question what came to her through prayer, so she opened her mouth and tossed in the rice. Upon her consumption of the blessed rice, she became pregnant.

When her baby Anjaneya (which meant “son of Anjana”) was born, he was quite a precocious youngster. He was half mortal and half divine, since Vayu was his father. His demigod status is what often led him into big trouble. One morning Anjaneya woke up and saw what he thought was a giant mango floating in the sky. Since mangoes were his favorite treat, he immediately leapt up into the sky and rushed toward the fruit, not realizing it was actually the sun. When the sun god Surya saw this little troublemaker racing to take a big bite out of him, he threw a lightning bolt, which hit the boy in the jaw, killing him instantly and sending him tumbling to the ground.

When Vayu learned what Surya had done, his great fury made him take a deep breath. It was so deep that he sucked up all the air from the earth, and all the beings began to suffocate. The gods called an emergency meeting to try and placate both Vayu and Surya and restore order. Vayu refused to exhale until he got his son, Anjaneya, back. But Surya didn’t want his potentially dangerous child running around unrestrained.

Finally, an agreement was reached. Anjaneya would be renamed Hanuman, which referred to the broken jaw he received from the lightning bolt (hanu means “jaw” in Sanskrit). He would be revived, but cursed with short-term memory so that he would never recall his godliness long enough to cause any real harm. If he believed himself to be just a mortal, what damage could he possibly do?

And finally, he would be removed from his mother’s care so that he could start a new life. The trusted monkey king, Sugriva, agreed to take Hanuman under his wing, and the little boy took the shape of a monkey to better match his new family.”

Now this Hanuman is no ordinary monkey, who was to leave mother’s bosom and forget his godly nature for time-being, so that God could prepare him for his life’s grand mission to assist Ram, the greatest hero in the history of ancient India. Anjana, on the other hand, although she loved her son dearly, has to let go of him so that he could become a man of the world to fulfill his divine mission. In Anjanasana, we can access her fearless energy by thrusting our reluctant psoas muscle inside hip toward floor while folding palms into anjali mudra toward sky to indicate our surrender of inhibition and fear. Behind a heroic son like Hanuman, there is a heroic mother like Anjana. A fearless mother and ardent devotee like her is the lost role model for our modern mom-wanna-be. For more about Hanumanasana in the next story…