Going on a holiday to Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand)
Parents wanted me to buy travel insurance, but guess what, Thailand is a declined destination...hahaha....(Not that it is important)
Anyway, the point of this entry. Chiang Rai (even more north of Thailand) is a lovely lovely place, surrounded by hills and mountains, and padi fields. The whole environment in the countryside is one of peace and calmness, from the small roads of the villages that leads to the rice field where some of them work, to the machines that they use to package and produce rice, set in a landscape of scenary... I can't wait to go back there again, to experience the slow and relaxing life. One of relaxation and even mindfulness.... each day might seem repetitive, but it is actually conducted with awareness of life and mindfulness. How can you fail to appreciate the beauty around you, or the fresh, crisp air that you inhale with each breath...
But mindfulness, or awareness of life, is "something" that we can do/have each and everyday, even admist the "busy" and frentic lifestyle here in Singapore. It is more of a mindset/frame of mind, than the true dependence on our environment.
The same applies to the joy and happiness in our lives. Joy should spring and bubble from each within each of us, and not be dependent on external events, such as family, career, money, etc. An increment might bring you happiness, but how long will that "happiness" last? If you cannot find joy in being yourself and loving yourself, how do you expect to find joy that is "permanent"?
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
What do u want to learn in this lifetime?
There are a lot of new age concepts floating around, about the life lessons that one is committed to learn. Committed even before we are born....
Authors such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss, etc, have all shared about the plan that you undertook before you were born, to come to earth, and to learn some precious lessons.
Have you ever wondered why you were born in a poor family, or why you have irritating siblings, or why you are stuck in a single parent family???
It is my belief that you chose all those conditions, in order for you to learn, about hardwork and effort, about patience and tolerence, about love and communication...
"There were once 2 angels who were good friends. One of them wanted to learn forgiveness. So the other offered to teach. They were than born on earth as enemies..."
As the year is coming to a close (though this can be done anytime, anyday), it might be a good chance to take the time to reflect on yourself, on your surroundings, on the people around you. Take an open approach and be truthful in evaluating.
What is it that I am supposed to learn, from him/her, from the situation, from the circumstances of my life....
You, yourself, have the power and the right to make your life a better one, a more loving and enlightening one.
Authors such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss, etc, have all shared about the plan that you undertook before you were born, to come to earth, and to learn some precious lessons.
Have you ever wondered why you were born in a poor family, or why you have irritating siblings, or why you are stuck in a single parent family???
It is my belief that you chose all those conditions, in order for you to learn, about hardwork and effort, about patience and tolerence, about love and communication...
"There were once 2 angels who were good friends. One of them wanted to learn forgiveness. So the other offered to teach. They were than born on earth as enemies..."
As the year is coming to a close (though this can be done anytime, anyday), it might be a good chance to take the time to reflect on yourself, on your surroundings, on the people around you. Take an open approach and be truthful in evaluating.
What is it that I am supposed to learn, from him/her, from the situation, from the circumstances of my life....
You, yourself, have the power and the right to make your life a better one, a more loving and enlightening one.
Happiness and weepy drama serials
Or books for that matter....
Watched a video talk on the Path to Happiness....which is FREEDOM. It took a little digesting, but the key message at the end of the day, is that one is always free to be happy.
Your happiness should not be tied to external circumstances. And should you know the result of an action (e.g. sadness/tears), why do you still persist in doing it.
A prime example would be heartwrenching drama serials. It gives you loads of heart ache and tears, but humans seems to be drawn to it nonetheless....it is your choice, and you knowingly choose something that would make you sad. Does it make you happy to cry???
The above rule applies to a lot of things in our lives. We choose actions/things that would make us sad, and than complain that we are not happy.
Maybe the simpletons in our society are the happiest people around. Because they have no concept of choice, or even sadness. They are not restricted by the labels and expectations in society to determine their laughter and joy.
What would I give to be like them.....
Watched a video talk on the Path to Happiness....which is FREEDOM. It took a little digesting, but the key message at the end of the day, is that one is always free to be happy.
Your happiness should not be tied to external circumstances. And should you know the result of an action (e.g. sadness/tears), why do you still persist in doing it.
A prime example would be heartwrenching drama serials. It gives you loads of heart ache and tears, but humans seems to be drawn to it nonetheless....it is your choice, and you knowingly choose something that would make you sad. Does it make you happy to cry???
The above rule applies to a lot of things in our lives. We choose actions/things that would make us sad, and than complain that we are not happy.
Maybe the simpletons in our society are the happiest people around. Because they have no concept of choice, or even sadness. They are not restricted by the labels and expectations in society to determine their laughter and joy.
What would I give to be like them.....
Everyday should be Christmas...
Honestly, today is the same as yesterday, and will be the same as tomorrow. So what is the special occasion of Christmas, New Year or other festivals? While there might be a "rationale" behind the celebration, it truly doesn't change anything, or even you.
So what's the fuss....
So what's the fuss....
Monday, December 15, 2008
Food, glorious food!
Man loves variety, but is it really necessary? What difference does it makes between chicken rice and prawn noodle, if it simply fills your stomach, and that once you swallow, the taste is already gone? You can argue that you are savouring the moment.
While living in the moment is something that i would wish for everyone, does it justify the death of another creature. Would you at the moment when you were savouring, also taste the death that was called upon them?
While living in the moment is something that i would wish for everyone, does it justify the death of another creature. Would you at the moment when you were savouring, also taste the death that was called upon them?
Walking, Sitting or Silent
Attended a one day retreat, and came back with more new insights, and the determination to brush up on my practice.
xin4, yuan4, xing2
No matter what practice we do, no matter which religion we choose to believe in, this 3 key components should never be missing....
One must first have the Faith, before we can make Aspirations and finally embark on our Practice
Throughout the retreat, there was a "variety" of practice. Walking ones, bowing ones, seated ones and silent ones, percepts to follow, mindfulness and awareness...
Perhaps the hardest for some were the seated ones, where you have to fight the numbness and pain in the legs. For others, maybe it's the Noble Silence...
Can man live in silence? Is man supposed to live in silence?
But how can u ever hear yourself if u surround yourself with the noise and distractions of the society, of ur peers, or of this virtual reality?
As you are reading this now, are u really "listening" to what I have to say, or is your thoughts already bringing you elsewhere? say hi to your thoughts for me....
xin4, yuan4, xing2
No matter what practice we do, no matter which religion we choose to believe in, this 3 key components should never be missing....
One must first have the Faith, before we can make Aspirations and finally embark on our Practice
Throughout the retreat, there was a "variety" of practice. Walking ones, bowing ones, seated ones and silent ones, percepts to follow, mindfulness and awareness...
Perhaps the hardest for some were the seated ones, where you have to fight the numbness and pain in the legs. For others, maybe it's the Noble Silence...
Can man live in silence? Is man supposed to live in silence?
But how can u ever hear yourself if u surround yourself with the noise and distractions of the society, of ur peers, or of this virtual reality?
As you are reading this now, are u really "listening" to what I have to say, or is your thoughts already bringing you elsewhere? say hi to your thoughts for me....
Soccer matches chanting
A friend asked me what i was doing recently, and when i replied chanting, he told me that he also used to chant. i was quite happy & excited till i realised that he was referring to "chanting" at soccer matches...
However, if u were to look at it in perspective, there are similarities between the religious chanting, and all those "chanting" that goes on during a soccer match.
There is that strong strong emphasis on the "chanting" to deliver an outcome, that fevered concentration and focus, which is only 1 thought at 1 time (which many of us might fail to achieve in our daily lives).
That Joy and Exhilartion when a goal is made (ie, the end destination reached)...
so who's to say that spiritual practice can't be fun
However, if u were to look at it in perspective, there are similarities between the religious chanting, and all those "chanting" that goes on during a soccer match.
There is that strong strong emphasis on the "chanting" to deliver an outcome, that fevered concentration and focus, which is only 1 thought at 1 time (which many of us might fail to achieve in our daily lives).
That Joy and Exhilartion when a goal is made (ie, the end destination reached)...
so who's to say that spiritual practice can't be fun
Friday, December 12, 2008
Showing appreciation
Just a quick one really....
When was the last time u appreciated anyone for anything....
When was the last time u appreciated anyone for anything....
At this moment, what is real?
"How, at this moment, do I interpret myself?"
Am currently reading the Essence of Tibetan Buddhism by Lama Thubten Yeshe, and I was captivated (if I may say thus) by the statement above. [Lama was sharing about Renunciation, Bodhicitta and Shunyata]
And that is the question that I want to pose to you. At this moment in time, WHO are you, and how will you interpret or define or describe yourself.
watashiwa seow yuin des. I graduated from NUS Arts, with a major in Psychology, and was doing market research work. I am currently pursuing buddhism studies and wish to gain more wisdom. I am married and society would/can label as a DINK (double income, no kids).
Is that how you would have interpreted yourself? Or have you thought more in terms of souls, the Self, your religion?
Actually, it matters not how you have interpreted, or answered the question. Because everything is influx, and the only constant is change. The Seow Yuin that is writing this today, might become a different person tomorrow, and the definition would have changed. In this case, what is real?
What seems real to our eyes might not be real. What is real to our senses, to our definition of the world, of the society, might also not be real. So is there "real"? Or is there "fake"?
to be continued....
Am currently reading the Essence of Tibetan Buddhism by Lama Thubten Yeshe, and I was captivated (if I may say thus) by the statement above. [Lama was sharing about Renunciation, Bodhicitta and Shunyata]
And that is the question that I want to pose to you. At this moment in time, WHO are you, and how will you interpret or define or describe yourself.
watashiwa seow yuin des. I graduated from NUS Arts, with a major in Psychology, and was doing market research work. I am currently pursuing buddhism studies and wish to gain more wisdom. I am married and society would/can label as a DINK (double income, no kids).
Is that how you would have interpreted yourself? Or have you thought more in terms of souls, the Self, your religion?
Actually, it matters not how you have interpreted, or answered the question. Because everything is influx, and the only constant is change. The Seow Yuin that is writing this today, might become a different person tomorrow, and the definition would have changed. In this case, what is real?
What seems real to our eyes might not be real. What is real to our senses, to our definition of the world, of the society, might also not be real. So is there "real"? Or is there "fake"?
to be continued....
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A new beginning...
This blog is "born" out of A commitment that I made during the Advanced Transformation Journey that I took recently. The no. of "commitments" that I made, were kind of (in my opinion anyway) numerous, but yet, those were the things that I have been striving to achieve on my own accord.
Should I list them out here, so that whosoever reads can remind me of them? I think not, or rather, I am not ready at this stage.
As a general rule, I am a quiet person who doesnt quite like to communicate. If you have read the "Celestine Prophecy", I guess I would fall under the Aloof character (when you talk about control dramas). What is the point of sharing what others do not/fail to comprehend?
There are numerous ways to rebute my comment above, and I would wholeheartedly agree with you. People do change, and there is the question of the sub-conscious, or past life, etc. What I say today might stay with you and resurface further down the road, be it 3 days or 30 years...which is why I guess this blog would come in handy...
Nowadays, there is a growing awareness of the quarter-life crisis, personality disorders, learning disabilities, etc. But are they new concepts? Or have they been there all along? Everything is open for debates, and so is this. At the end of the day, it matters not, for if one is happy and true to oneself, why should society interfere? Or why should we be subjected to the approval of others? [Ok, there is actually 2 topics in this para here, hope you didnt get confused.]
Time for a break. I am getting confused by myself, which is not new. Too many "personalities/topics" trying to speak out and call to me at one time. Take a Q dude.
Should I list them out here, so that whosoever reads can remind me of them? I think not, or rather, I am not ready at this stage.
As a general rule, I am a quiet person who doesnt quite like to communicate. If you have read the "Celestine Prophecy", I guess I would fall under the Aloof character (when you talk about control dramas). What is the point of sharing what others do not/fail to comprehend?
There are numerous ways to rebute my comment above, and I would wholeheartedly agree with you. People do change, and there is the question of the sub-conscious, or past life, etc. What I say today might stay with you and resurface further down the road, be it 3 days or 30 years...which is why I guess this blog would come in handy...
Nowadays, there is a growing awareness of the quarter-life crisis, personality disorders, learning disabilities, etc. But are they new concepts? Or have they been there all along? Everything is open for debates, and so is this. At the end of the day, it matters not, for if one is happy and true to oneself, why should society interfere? Or why should we be subjected to the approval of others? [Ok, there is actually 2 topics in this para here, hope you didnt get confused.]
Time for a break. I am getting confused by myself, which is not new. Too many "personalities/topics" trying to speak out and call to me at one time. Take a Q dude.
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