One year after my graduation from university, I went to America for a summer job. As a summer camp counsellor in a Girls' Scout camp in the wilderness of Colorado.
Flying G was situated within the Pike National Forest, with slightly high altitude. So obviously the weather was chilly and cool most of the time.
I have always been afraid of the cold, and it was surprising cold on the mountain, even though it was summer. There was even hail once or twice.
But of course, one gets used to the weather. (Still cold, but survivable). Gets used to the cold water or cold outdoor showers, etc. I was pretty much bundled up most of the time, even during the day when the sun is out.
Anyway, the point of this. When I reached CTS, and was faced with the chilly weather, straight away I was reminded of Flying G. I loved and miss Flying G. The beauty, the nature, the fresh air, everything. And because of the "training" from Flying G, I could "adapt" to the weather faster. Of course I was still freezing, but honestly, no one ever dies from cold when you are in civillisation and surrounded with people.
Than my fanciful mind came in, and suggested that I went to Flying G for a reason (at least one of the reasons). To build up my cold tolerence so that I can survive in the 佛七。
Whether that is or not the truth, isnt important. Cause and effect always come into play.
I am just grateful for the weather and time in Flying G, that allowed me to feel at home in CTS' cold climate.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
The window to your soul?
During the Heart Sutra class, Venerable told us to go back and try a "Eye meditation".
To be in front of a mirror, and to look/focus on your eye(s). To keep looking, to find the eye that is "yours".
I havent exactly tried it, but I believe it is similar to the mirror experience I had in Taipei.
Have you had the experience of writing a word so many times, that after a while, the word is no longer familiar, and you doubt you had the right spelling?
That is how your eye would "look"/feel like after the meditation. You might feel that your eye is strange, or that it doesnt belong to you, or it is simply an eye, there is nothing special about that eye, or your eye does not define you....the realisations are plentyful (I suppose).
We often think (or believe) that our eye is the window to our soul. [There is no such thing as a soul in the Buddhist context]. But if you look at it long enough, it is just an eye. The eye colour or size might differ, but it is simply an eye. What makes it so different from other eyes, from other parts of you?
Why should we be attached to our eye, or think that it makes us any different, or that it "represents" us???
To be in front of a mirror, and to look/focus on your eye(s). To keep looking, to find the eye that is "yours".
I havent exactly tried it, but I believe it is similar to the mirror experience I had in Taipei.
Have you had the experience of writing a word so many times, that after a while, the word is no longer familiar, and you doubt you had the right spelling?
That is how your eye would "look"/feel like after the meditation. You might feel that your eye is strange, or that it doesnt belong to you, or it is simply an eye, there is nothing special about that eye, or your eye does not define you....the realisations are plentyful (I suppose).
We often think (or believe) that our eye is the window to our soul. [There is no such thing as a soul in the Buddhist context]. But if you look at it long enough, it is just an eye. The eye colour or size might differ, but it is simply an eye. What makes it so different from other eyes, from other parts of you?
Why should we be attached to our eye, or think that it makes us any different, or that it "represents" us???
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Supper anyone?
After the experience of the 8 precepts, I sometimes find myself more mindful in certain areas of my life.
Especially when it comes to food. Tho I am a vegetarian, taste still matters, and so does variety. It is also hard to find proper vegetarian food under some working circumstances.
But increasingly, I find myself reflecting on my food.
I would think about what I want for dinner....Than the thought that I should not waste my energy thinking about food would pop up. And truly, the process of thinking about what to eat for dinner, whether I should have supper, does take up energy and even time, and affects your mindfulness.
Food is simply for the sustanence of this body so that we may practice. Yes, we still need to take good care of our body, but we could reduce the wastage of time and energy on useless pursuits of food and its taste/variety, etc.
Especially when it comes to food. Tho I am a vegetarian, taste still matters, and so does variety. It is also hard to find proper vegetarian food under some working circumstances.
But increasingly, I find myself reflecting on my food.
I would think about what I want for dinner....Than the thought that I should not waste my energy thinking about food would pop up. And truly, the process of thinking about what to eat for dinner, whether I should have supper, does take up energy and even time, and affects your mindfulness.
Food is simply for the sustanence of this body so that we may practice. Yes, we still need to take good care of our body, but we could reduce the wastage of time and energy on useless pursuits of food and its taste/variety, etc.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
101%
Yen is fond of saying that he has given his 101% in whatever that he has done.
Well, have you given your 101% to anything?
In some ways, I dont quite see the point of putting in so much effort. Think along the lines of attachment and greed and ego. When we put in our effort, it is mostly because we are tied to the end results, that we want to achieve something. Is that a good enough reason to put in 101%?
If (and it is) all phenomenon is empty, than what use is our 101%???
Yet on the other hand, it is not "right" to simply bum along in our lives and just wait for the apple to fall.
So I suppose this is where the Middle Path comes in.
To give of our 101%, but not be attached to the outcome. To fully understand the motivations behind our 101%, and to correct the wrong view if necessary.
Another aspiration. 101% on my Middle Path
Well, have you given your 101% to anything?
In some ways, I dont quite see the point of putting in so much effort. Think along the lines of attachment and greed and ego. When we put in our effort, it is mostly because we are tied to the end results, that we want to achieve something. Is that a good enough reason to put in 101%?
If (and it is) all phenomenon is empty, than what use is our 101%???
Yet on the other hand, it is not "right" to simply bum along in our lives and just wait for the apple to fall.
So I suppose this is where the Middle Path comes in.
To give of our 101%, but not be attached to the outcome. To fully understand the motivations behind our 101%, and to correct the wrong view if necessary.
Another aspiration. 101% on my Middle Path
Friday, February 5, 2010
"Serving" the Triple Gems - CTS 24
Well, it happens that amongst the Sangha at CTS, there are three siblings. If I got the story right, their father was a Dharma protector, and all (?) of his children devoted their lives to propagate the Dharma, to benefit sentient beings.
When I heard the history/background, I was so touched.
And I wondered to myself. What was it like, to give of your life, to protect and propagate the Dharma?
In contrast upon reflection, I find that I am not as serious or devoted to serving (as I think I am, or would like to be).
They (that family) would be my example, and I would make more aspirations to live my life for the welfare of sentient beings.
Amituofo
When I heard the history/background, I was so touched.
And I wondered to myself. What was it like, to give of your life, to protect and propagate the Dharma?
In contrast upon reflection, I find that I am not as serious or devoted to serving (as I think I am, or would like to be).
They (that family) would be my example, and I would make more aspirations to live my life for the welfare of sentient beings.
Amituofo
南無阿彌陀佛
I had an earlier entry on 阿彌陀佛. So this is same same but different.
In some sense, it is a reminder to self of the joy of chanting the Buddha's name. I am listening to a musical chant of Namo Amituofo now. And truly, it brings me great joy to simply listen. The music is lovely, but it is really the energy behind the chant that rejuvenates me.
The name/chant seems to vibrate thruout my whole being, giving me a sense of lightness and of joy. It brings a smile onto my face, cheering me up.
And it also touches me on different levels and issues at different times.
Somehow, I can feel the compassion and wisdom of Amitabha Buddha within those 6 words. 南無阿彌陀佛
And it brings me to tears and to shame. Coz I have depended so much on him, but have given so little in return.
My means of returning the favour: 南無阿彌陀佛
In some sense, it is a reminder to self of the joy of chanting the Buddha's name. I am listening to a musical chant of Namo Amituofo now. And truly, it brings me great joy to simply listen. The music is lovely, but it is really the energy behind the chant that rejuvenates me.
The name/chant seems to vibrate thruout my whole being, giving me a sense of lightness and of joy. It brings a smile onto my face, cheering me up.
And it also touches me on different levels and issues at different times.
Somehow, I can feel the compassion and wisdom of Amitabha Buddha within those 6 words. 南無阿彌陀佛
And it brings me to tears and to shame. Coz I have depended so much on him, but have given so little in return.
My means of returning the favour: 南無阿彌陀佛
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Dawn of a new day - CTS 23
It was kind of tiring to get up every morning at 3.30am. And normal morning practice (normal, when it isnt retreat period) also starts at 430am.
But it is only tiring when you approach it from our daily perspective. If we were used to it, and appreciate the value and joy behind it, you would find yourself wanting to wake up so early daily.
Picture this. As the morning practice ends, and you exit the hall, the sun is just starting to rise, with dawn breaking, and the light rays increasing. You breathe in the fresh morning air (even tho it is chilly), and you really start to appreciate the joy of rising together with the sun, with all of life, and give thanks for being alive than.
Plus, it seems to create the impression of having more time.
I do want to create that kind of "lifestyle" back home. but i have failed so far. oh well. jia you.
Amituofo
But it is only tiring when you approach it from our daily perspective. If we were used to it, and appreciate the value and joy behind it, you would find yourself wanting to wake up so early daily.
Picture this. As the morning practice ends, and you exit the hall, the sun is just starting to rise, with dawn breaking, and the light rays increasing. You breathe in the fresh morning air (even tho it is chilly), and you really start to appreciate the joy of rising together with the sun, with all of life, and give thanks for being alive than.
Plus, it seems to create the impression of having more time.
I do want to create that kind of "lifestyle" back home. but i have failed so far. oh well. jia you.
Amituofo
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