Dressing up for Theatre

went to watch the theatre some time back, and i felt the mood to dress up for it
my "up" was only simply a nicer blouse and proper footwear, but i could feel the difference in my outward appearance.
just those little changes made me feel more confident and joyful

as i was walking into the theatre, i cant help asking myself, is the impact really so great?
now i understand why people tend to dress up. but how can they let something so trivial, like a pair of ear-rings determine their confidence and happiness???
i felt the impact, but that doesnt mean that i agree with the rationale (if any) behind it....
let's agree to disagree on it. as long as it works for you, who's to complain

Are you House proud?

how many of you have prevented visitors from coming to your house simply because you think it is dirty or untidy?
i would assume that it is a normal occurrence, but almost every other house has its untidy times, so is it really a big deal?

OR are you "wrongly" identifying yourself with your house? meaning you attribute your identity to the state of your house, ie you are proud and happy that you have a sparkling and shining home, which in turn tells others about your capabilities and identity. meaning you would be seen as less if your house is not up to expectations

u might dismiss what i m trying to share here, but do reflect and ask if ur identity is tied to the state of your house. do u fear inviting people over because your house is untidy, small, run down, etc?

just because you live in a cramp studio apartment doesnt make you any less. similarly, does it mean you are great if you reside in a bungalow? i doubt so. Your house should not be a way for you to view yourself/your identity. truly, real friends wont think any less of you simply because your home is a little messy (i am sure theirs are too)

Gardener of my mind

Just to share an affirmation from Louise Hay

I am the gardener of my mind. I keep the weeds out.

how appropriate. each of us have control over our own minds, and we could work hard at maintaining it, keeping it clean and clear of weeds (negative thoughts), but how many of us actually go to that extent, to train the mind to think only positive thoughts?

Awake.Conscious.Aware

Modern science still has different definitions and perspectives of the word Consciousness....
Is consciousness something that you can measure empirically? Or is it a religion related term? How do we strike a balance between science and religion with regards to consciousness?

Are there different levels/types of consciousness? How conscious are you of the happenings around you? Or are you conscious of your conscious mind? Is mind and the brain the same thing? Is being awake and conscious the same?

Questions questions and more questions. But the key question might be, which state are you in???


Are you...

Awake but not conscious OR

Conscious but not aware OR

Aware but only intermittently

Than you might ask, Aware of what?
My answer: Aware of being aware

Attachment to Hotel California

This entry has nothing to do with the lyrics of Hotel California. Just wanted to bring attention to the concept of Hotels.

How do you view your hotel stay? Most of the time it is a transitional stay. Stay for a few days, before moving on, to the next hotel, or back home.
When you stay in hotels, you know it is a temporary stop. It is a temporary stay. Hence you do not form an attachment to the room, and do not go all out to make the room "yours".

If you believe in reincarnation, you have gone thru numerous lifetimes, and will still have to go through numerous lifetimes (until you "move on" to a better "place", ie heaven or pureland).

Each lifetime can be seen in parallel as a single hotel stay. It is a transition, a brief stop (which will still provide you with experiences and lessons). But it is still a transition. If your end destination is Pureland, why do you form attachments to your hotel room? Why do you put yourself through suffering? Suffering due to the attachment to material things, attachment to relationships, attachment to suffering itself.

People dont get attached to their hotel rooms precisely because they know it is a temporary stay. Similarly, there isn't the need to be attached to the things in the "hotel room" during your stay in these lifetime.

Enjoy the hotel stay but do not leave a part of yourself behind when you leave, or worst, chain yourself to your hotel room. "Life" is more than a single stop.

Thinking is Suffering

Just do it!
____________________________

If I had left my post simply as the above, what would you think/interpret of it?
Are more explanations necessary?

Most of the time, our suffering comes from our thoughts, not the actual action itself.
You think of the difficulties, you think of the tiredness, you think of the people, you think of the results, you think of the methods, you think, you think, you think.
No wonder you complain and suffer. You think too much.
IF you had simply tackled the problem, and acted on it, there would have been less suffering.
Wouldnt that be a much faster and easier way to address issues....

you need to see beyond physical world love

What is your sacred contract? What did you 'sign-up' to do when you agree to be reborn into this lifetime? Why did you choose who/what/where/when of that that you chose?

There could be a lot of answers, and there could only be one.
I was sitting, meditating this morning when the answer burst out into my consciousness.

I was here to teach someone about love and attachment.
Love is not equal to attachment. Love in this physical world means nothing. Nothing in the bigger picture of things. It barely covers/compensates for the cycle of suffering that we have to endure.

There is the saying that "if you love him/her, you should let him/her go"
Is that love? What is your definition of love?

For those who love, I would like you to rethink...what is it exactly that you are loving?
the person, the representation of that person, your misguided perceptions/persepective of that person, your need to love someone/anyone, societal expectations that you find your soulmate?

a venerable once shared that self love should come first, and will always come first. for even when you say that your husband/wife/children is more important than you, and that you love them more than you love yourself. it simply translates into the fact that the object of your focus is still you. I love them more than myself....

coming from my basic buddhism knowledge, love is just another affliction, another attachment, that ties you to this plane, to this world, to this life of suffering...
while love for another is great, it should not be taken/done with extreme. (Remember the Middle way). Love, no matter for family, loved ones, friends, spouse, etc, should not be the do all and be all.

You do not exist because you have love for others, or Love for your spouse.
You simply exist.

Ban Kan(?) School, Thaton - Part 4

I didn't really wanted to use posed pictures, but there wasn't much of the candid kind coz I thought it was too intrusive to take during class. But we had an enjoyable time there. Though I would request in future not to be "treated like a sponsor"!

Schools are pretty much the same everywhere, though maybe the opportunities might vary.
Kids' nature are consistent no matter where we end up in....

Doi Ang Khang - Part 3

The beauty on top of the mountain is indescribeable. Plus the cold of course. Back to my old camping days.

Thaton - Part 2

One day in Thaton, a little known place, except as the River gateway to Chiang Rai

Attitude of Gratitude

Many people know of it. But how many truly practice it?


Just by giving thanks sincerely, the rewards that return to you are double, or even tenfold...

so why is it that humans are still not grateful. Even difficulties or tough experiences deserved to be thanked, for they provide the learning platform, for you to be able to move on in your life....


It is with an attitude of giving that you will receive...

Rebonding was HELL

Rebonding your hair in North Thailand, where I must admit that the "technology" is a little backwards, was an incredibly superior experience. (But probably only for me)

After applying the chemicals on the hair, there came the steaming process. But that steamer that they used was so old fashioned, that I felt my head literally being boiled. I am 100% positive that more than a few neurons were sacrificed in the process.

Here comes the crux of that experience. I planned to chant during that few hours of being seated in that hair salon. I was doing "ok" until the steaming started...The external environment affected me so much that there was NO way i could concentrate. I could only wipe the water dripping down my forehead, and sink deeper into the seat as the mins tick by.

I remembered thinking that I was being boiled in hell. And than I was truly awakened (it was brought home in a forceful manner really) to the challenges and obstacles that it would take/face to liberate hell beings.

May all beings in the ten directions be free from suffering

4 1980s' Buddhists

There were 4 of us in that car...4 of whom were all born in the year 1980.
But yet, the life journey and path of us 4, were vastly different. And I wondered at the differences. Especially since all 4 were Buddhist.

We might have been of similiar age, but we have made very different life choices. Even very basic fundamentals were varied. Attitude, culture, faith, expectations, self love, ambition, spiritual developments, etc.
Nothing really surprising, considering the fact that we were from different countries, but still the intra country differences were great.

How many lifetimes had it been for some of the individuals, to exhibit such a stark contrast?

What is the "mark" of a "true" Buddhist? (This statement can only be thought up by a layperson still in samsara....)
Faith + Vows + Practice
Your soul will tell you where you stand.

4 souls in that car, with 4 different aspirations...
Inspiring? Hardly.

Chiang Rai beauties (Part 1)

What will you give to be able to face the vast expanse of the sky and to smile in joy every single day of your life....

Samsara = Virtual Reality

Need I say more?

Wisdom without Feet

Back from my Chiang Rai holiday....we spent the new year in my friend's village, but it was a slow and peaceful occassion for us. No countdown, no drinks, no major celebrations. Just as per any other day. Which should always be the case.

Loads of lessons learnt from this simple trip.

But the most important one should be "Wisdom without feet"

As a result of this trip, my spiritual practice had been lax. The fault is mine, together with the lack of discipline. At one of those second hand bookstores in Chiang Mai, a Pureland book called out to me. And upon flipping, it opened at the page that told me, Wisdom [Faith and Vows] needs its feet [Practice].

How ashamed I was at that moment. But I was also thankful for the reminder!