I am so connected

Humans are so deluded. (Myself included).

Yen got a smart phone HTC HD2 and it can act as a wireless router. So now he has the habit of saying "I m so connected".

I never fully appreciated the connectedness. But as I m seated here in KAP, waiting for a friend to come for breakfast, there is Wireless@SG, which autoconnected my ipod touch.

As I walked in this morning, I knew I was early, and was lamenting the fact that I didnt bring my laptop along. So out came my ipod touch, which i use to blog, and the wireless autoconnected. So cool. It was at that moment that i fully appreciated "I am so connected".

But what is the point of being so connected???
IF deep down inside, we are not connected to our heart, to compassion?

Death and its perspectives

Read about the death of the world’s shortest man. It was the photo that captivated me. I assume he would have faced loads of troubles in his life, but his smile, was amazing. It seemed as if he is permanently happy, that he has seen and experienced life, but has found it meaningful and wonderful. I would give anything to have such a smile (it is really the eyes that smiled and twinkled).

Attended a class that focused on death and the lower rebirths. It really spoke to my heart about the importance of practicing Dharma NOW, purely. But my friends who attended went away with other opinions. And for that, I felt at a lost. I can only bring my friends to the class, but what they take away, is something I cannot control.

We went for supper after class, and sort of discussed the topic, but I didn't really share my views. In my heart, I was still thinking of ways to share and let them understand the fear of dying. Not of dying, but of a lower rebirth. (of course this is on the assumption that you believe in rebirths). It wasn't that they didn't understand this fact, but one took issue with the fear driven method of teaching about death.

Honestly, fear of a lower rebirth is one of my biggest fear. Because you really don't know where you will end up, and I do know (for a fact), that I had committed un-virtuous actions in this lifetime, not to mention the past.

And my biggest fear for the people around me, is the fact that they are not in touch with Dharma, so who is to guess what sort of mind frame they will be in when they die. They do not even have the Triple Gems to take refuge in.

And due to my limited knowledge and lack of skillful means, I can’t do much more for them.

Sadly, even I am not practicing Dharma purely, moment to moment.

Death is good for you

Not the actual dying but the experience of your loved ones passing on.

Yes, you might be sad that they are no longer around but nevertheless, it is still something that you will need to go thru, so why not take the opporunity to learn and see the truth?

Truths are aplenty no matter where or what happens. Especially so in the face of death.

Impermanence, the attachment, being prepared for death, coping with your emotions, non-stop practicing.

If you truly understood death and the mysteries around it, you will live life fully, in e moment, and yet prepared for it.

I have learnt some during this period of my life. It remains to put it into practice and constantly be mindful.

Work is a "hell hole"

Hm... not what you think I am think.

While I won't go to the extent of saying I love my job (coz that reflects attachment of sorts) , I appreciate it for a variety of reasons.

When you work, sometimes it is the best place to learn and practice. Problems will no doubt crop up, and that is e best time to learn to face and resolve them.

When we take that positive attitude towards work issues, it's a win win.
We solve e prob and resolve our issues.
It is also a good time to be watching the mind.

To watch e mind for ego and attachment. To watch your reactions and emotions.
I have seen my mind go in all directions but the right one.
But at least I am watching it, and will slowly guide it in the right direction.

Work might be hell for all the problems and issues, but it is the best learning experience you can ever get!

Work the middle path

Sort of went back into the workforce and all sort of issues are surfacing. Typical I suppose, but I m grateful that I m more mindful this time round.

I m not the kind that can leave work behind when I go home. But I will continue to keep trying.
Trying to let go and not be attached.
As long as I did my best, I will not be attached to the results nor my image, etc.

Work is impersonal. And that is an important concept. We take work to be so much more. That it becomes our identity or our self image or esteem.
Work does not reflect us, and we shouldn't be so attached to what is associated with our job.

Of course we still need to do a good job. That is our responsibility, what we are paid for. Hence work the middle path.

I don't care!

Heard that statement from one of the flats as I was walking to the bus-stop.

It didnt quite stop me in my tracks, but it came close enough.


How often I used that statement myself. I suppose I have reduced it over the years, but even if it wasnt verbalised, the action and thought running thru my head is going "I don't care!"


'I dont care' now seems to me to be the true reflection of a self-cherishing attitude.

By going 'I dont care', u make yourself the centre of the universe, and that only you matter. That what you want is the most important and most right.


However, right can easily be wrong when you stand in the other person's shoes. So how can you forever be right?

But that's not the point. The key point here, is that we should reduce our self cherishing attitude. From a lay perspective, everyone else has the right to live, to their comments and actions. So instead of going I dont care, we should be more compassionate and willing to share their differences.

What grounds you?

The title sound very new agey. But I want to share about this from the Buddhism perspective.

Generally speaking, alot of things can ground a person. Let me explain the grounding part.
Grounding in the sense that that is the fundamental thing that you will return to, that you are based on, that you function on.

The one thing that will keep you in check, or your mind at peace. That you can take refuge in, and return to, in times of need. That will help you stay sane and move on in your daily life when you encounter turbulences in your life.

That is the whole concept of Taking Refuge in Buddhism. (But this entry isnt wholly about taking refuge.)

A good friend shared that he is lost and confused in his life. And try as I might, I couldnt think up anything for him to guide his way. Not the Triple Gems, not the fact that he will be stuck in samsara. And I could not understand why. (I do and I don't)

Personally, the fact of samsara always pulls me back. Maybe not immediately, but the thought will build in my mind, and I will try to wade through the delusions to fall back on the Triple Gems. For I cannot imagine myself suffering for endless time (if i made that wrong decision etc). The temptation is still there, but fear of eons of endless suffering stops me midway.

Sad to say, it is based on fear. But at least it keeps me on the right track for now. And it does ground me to a huge extent. Not all my thoughts, actions and decisions are processed this way, but mindfulness is slowly increasing.

What about you? What grounds you? Or what do you take refuge in? That you count on to provide direction when you are lost?

I sincerely hope it is the Triple Gems, or the Buddha Dharma