Just saw a youtube clip by Humanity Healing on the Wounded Healer.
The premise was very good, that a truly effective healer, is one that has been wounded before.
Because if you do not understand the pain, how can you treat it effectively....
And because of the pain, you would wish to help others reduce their suffering.
Is that really the case for our social workers, counsellors, doctors?
They should also understand the fact that healing comes from the heart, not the mind, that the various techniques taught in school, does not always apply, esp if you do not have the compassion and heart to help/serve.
May all healers out there, work with their heart, and have the compassion and wisdom to benefit and heal others with the right motivation and means
Friday, August 26, 2011
Buddhism & New Age
Had a discussion with a Venerable about New Age modalities (in general), and I was
trying to see the "linkage"/relevance (if any) to Buddhism. More rather, I was trying
to make sense and ask, if a Buddhist should practice new age modalities.
I entered Buddhism via the new age route. Yes, it sounds odd, but my "mentor" is a
Buddhist, and while she uses new age methods to provide some immediate clarity,
the end suggestion (whenever suitable), was always Dharma.
But through my chat with Venerable, I have a better view and understanding of the
New Age/Buddhism "divide" (if I may use such a term)
- New Age can be viewed as a shortcut, that provides immediate guidance/results.
But often enough, the root problem is still not resolved
- Buddhism & New Age has different goals. So if you are clear that your goal is
liberation, than the key focus should still be on practicing the Dharma
- So the question is: If Dharma is that good (as gold) why should we be focusing
on the "less precious" (new age) [This is relative, depending on your perspective]
The right view and firm understanding of the Dharma, should motivate us to
cultivate and not rely on methods that provide instant results, because we would
know that cultivation takes a long long time, and even the shortcuts (Pureland)
are not easy to "access"
- The premises that new age modalities work on, are very similar to Buddhism,
and there are always equivalent methods in Buddhism that also works as well
- From a Buddhist's point of view, it is very easy to be over attached to the results
of new age that we forget to practice properly.
Cultivation is a long term thing, and we should be clear about that; if it really is
that easy, I guess everyone would have been enlightened already
Well, I still have my attachment to instant results, but I have a clearer picture now.
May I continue to practice and cultivate for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Amituofo
我们要把佛法生活化，菩萨道人间化！
Long time since i wrote. Went through my draft folder and saw this topic.
Well, it is as good as any to start.
Key point, is the cultivation of Dharma in our everyday lives, and to practice the Bodhisattva path.
Of course, it is easier said than done.
But that should always be our aspiration as a Buddhist.
May we all strive to perfect the Dharma in our lives
Well, it is as good as any to start.
Key point, is the cultivation of Dharma in our everyday lives, and to practice the Bodhisattva path.
Of course, it is easier said than done.
But that should always be our aspiration as a Buddhist.
May we all strive to perfect the Dharma in our lives
Friday, January 14, 2011
No wastage - CTS 7
OF time.
Last year I had already blogged about the conservation of water, electricity, efforts of recycling.
But the most important commodity, that of TIME, is also not wasted at CTS.
At least that is the case for the monastics.
Even though they have their duties for the retreat, plus their normal duties and practices, etc, we can really observe that their mind and body, is solely focused on Amituofo.
Everywhere I turn, I can see examples of it. During break times, when the hall is mostly empty, the monastic on duty will still be at the info desk. But she will most likely be seated in a lotus position, silently chanting or meditating.
Even when the Venerable is walking around, I could see some holding their prayer beads and chanting.
It is really inspiring, to see that they have managed to really be mindful, and integrate Amituofo into their daily lives. And that is what we should aspire for.
We (if I may make such a generalisation) are really wasteful, of our time, our energy, our resources. Each single random thought, is a waste of time, and takes away another 阿弥陀佛.
Think of how much more 阿弥陀佛 there can be in our daily lives, if we were more mindful and concentrated.
The additional merits that we can dedicate to all sentient beings, that one step nearer to rebirth in Pureland.
We have much to lose when we waste our time.
Last year I had already blogged about the conservation of water, electricity, efforts of recycling.
But the most important commodity, that of TIME, is also not wasted at CTS.
At least that is the case for the monastics.
Even though they have their duties for the retreat, plus their normal duties and practices, etc, we can really observe that their mind and body, is solely focused on Amituofo.
Everywhere I turn, I can see examples of it. During break times, when the hall is mostly empty, the monastic on duty will still be at the info desk. But she will most likely be seated in a lotus position, silently chanting or meditating.
Even when the Venerable is walking around, I could see some holding their prayer beads and chanting.
It is really inspiring, to see that they have managed to really be mindful, and integrate Amituofo into their daily lives. And that is what we should aspire for.
We (if I may make such a generalisation) are really wasteful, of our time, our energy, our resources. Each single random thought, is a waste of time, and takes away another 阿弥陀佛.
Think of how much more 阿弥陀佛 there can be in our daily lives, if we were more mindful and concentrated.
The additional merits that we can dedicate to all sentient beings, that one step nearer to rebirth in Pureland.
We have much to lose when we waste our time.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Conditions, faith and determination - CTS 6
More learnings from my cold.
Even when I was burning from fever, or shivering from the chills, unable to drag myself out of bed, nodding off during meditation, it never came across my mind to give up. I wanted more rest, knew that my body needed it, but the few thoughts going through my mind were: let me get through this, I can/want to hang in there, I am failing to chant coz I am distracted by my physical discomforts....
Many a times my energy level was so low that it does seem surprising that I still managed to keep going. Of course, the seated chanting and meditation time helped.
Of course I must admit that I had thoughts of giving up. To just crash and sleep away, but at the end of it, I was still in the hall.
It was only after I had recovered from the major symptoms, that I realised....
I could have gotten an MC!!!!!
They have 病假 badges. So it appears that if you were seriously sick, you could go and get an "MC" and rest in the room.
The silly me was going....oh man, I could have gotten an MC when I was that ill, now it is too late.
And after that, I was very very tempted to request for MC....sigh.
But of course I do not regret not getting an MC.
It was a good chance for me to develop my faith (in Amituofo), and my determination to hang in there even when I was suffering.
When you put ur mind to practicing, certain conditions will arise. Maybe some good, some bad. But I firmly believe that with faith and determination, we can overcome the bad and rise with the good.
Even when I was burning from fever, or shivering from the chills, unable to drag myself out of bed, nodding off during meditation, it never came across my mind to give up. I wanted more rest, knew that my body needed it, but the few thoughts going through my mind were: let me get through this, I can/want to hang in there, I am failing to chant coz I am distracted by my physical discomforts....
Many a times my energy level was so low that it does seem surprising that I still managed to keep going. Of course, the seated chanting and meditation time helped.
Of course I must admit that I had thoughts of giving up. To just crash and sleep away, but at the end of it, I was still in the hall.
It was only after I had recovered from the major symptoms, that I realised....
I could have gotten an MC!!!!!
They have 病假 badges. So it appears that if you were seriously sick, you could go and get an "MC" and rest in the room.
The silly me was going....oh man, I could have gotten an MC when I was that ill, now it is too late.
And after that, I was very very tempted to request for MC....sigh.
But of course I do not regret not getting an MC.
It was a good chance for me to develop my faith (in Amituofo), and my determination to hang in there even when I was suffering.
When you put ur mind to practicing, certain conditions will arise. Maybe some good, some bad. But I firmly believe that with faith and determination, we can overcome the bad and rise with the good.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Conditions are right - CTS 5
Let me start off with a sad comment. Conditions are not right in Singapore for a strict retreat.
That being said, those of us who have the good fortune to go to CTS, are truly blessed, or have planted good seeds along our spiritual journey.
The conditions are CTS are PERFECT. For serious cultivation.
It is truly hard to find a temple/place, where almost everything is thought of, taken care of, for you, so that you can practice. And do nothing but focus on Amituofo.
The whole system and structure is such that you have the best opportunity to practice, to be mindful, to concentrate and focus your mind on Amituofo.
The monastics take such good care of us. And they are truly walking the Middle Way. They know when to apply pressure, when to sweet talk you, when to inspire, when to question. The only wish/concern they have, is for you to seriously practice.
But of course conditions change....and I have a huge fear of this impermanence.
May the conditions at CTS be perfect for those who want to practice the Pureland way.
That being said, those of us who have the good fortune to go to CTS, are truly blessed, or have planted good seeds along our spiritual journey.
The conditions are CTS are PERFECT. For serious cultivation.
It is truly hard to find a temple/place, where almost everything is thought of, taken care of, for you, so that you can practice. And do nothing but focus on Amituofo.
The whole system and structure is such that you have the best opportunity to practice, to be mindful, to concentrate and focus your mind on Amituofo.
The monastics take such good care of us. And they are truly walking the Middle Way. They know when to apply pressure, when to sweet talk you, when to inspire, when to question. The only wish/concern they have, is for you to seriously practice.
But of course conditions change....and I have a huge fear of this impermanence.
May the conditions at CTS be perfect for those who want to practice the Pureland way.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Reliance on Amituofo - CTS 4
A continuation to the lousy start
When I was sick, I was praying to Amituofo, to help me recover, to let me hang in there, to keep me going, even if I had to force myself to wake up every morning at 3.30am.
There was once, I went though the whole prostration activity (it was 30 mins), in shutdown/sleep walking moment. Dont ask me how I did it, but i did. When the 30mins was up, I seemed to open my eyes and realised that I went through the motions of prostrating for the last 30 mins, without being aware of it. I was very very surprised that I didn't faint there and than.
In fact, talking about fainting, I came close a few times, but often I ask either Amituofo or Guan Yin for their support and strength to let me hang in there, to just last for a few more mins, or even seconds. (Tho I was also mostly counting down to the end of the session).
And I was always blessed by their strength. In fact, I firmly believed that I "survived" my cold because of their blessings and support. It was definitely a very bad cold, one that would typically take about weeks to fully recover from, but I was mostly ok after 5-6 days.
Every day, I would seek Amituofo's assistance to get through that day, and somehow, deep inside me, I know that I would recover, and that the next day would come with me having gotten rid of some slight irritation. It might be a mixture of blessings plus strong will, but I asked to recover from my sore throat by the next day, and it happen. I sort of set timelines for my recovery, and they were more or less met.
If that is not divine "intervention", I wont know what is.
Seeking blessings/support from Amituofo is one thing, believing in him/that it would happen is another.
Often, we ask, but we do not have faith. OR that we doubt. And that wont do. We must have the faith or the "wisdom" to know, and believe that our prayers will be answered. And if not, either the conditions are not right, or that we were meant to learn something from it.
Relying on Amituofo is actually not an easy task. It takes a lot of faith to really put your life in his hands. But we must have the wisdom to know the balance between self reliance and over reliance.
When I was sick, I was praying to Amituofo, to help me recover, to let me hang in there, to keep me going, even if I had to force myself to wake up every morning at 3.30am.
There was once, I went though the whole prostration activity (it was 30 mins), in shutdown/sleep walking moment. Dont ask me how I did it, but i did. When the 30mins was up, I seemed to open my eyes and realised that I went through the motions of prostrating for the last 30 mins, without being aware of it. I was very very surprised that I didn't faint there and than.
In fact, talking about fainting, I came close a few times, but often I ask either Amituofo or Guan Yin for their support and strength to let me hang in there, to just last for a few more mins, or even seconds. (Tho I was also mostly counting down to the end of the session).
And I was always blessed by their strength. In fact, I firmly believed that I "survived" my cold because of their blessings and support. It was definitely a very bad cold, one that would typically take about weeks to fully recover from, but I was mostly ok after 5-6 days.
Every day, I would seek Amituofo's assistance to get through that day, and somehow, deep inside me, I know that I would recover, and that the next day would come with me having gotten rid of some slight irritation. It might be a mixture of blessings plus strong will, but I asked to recover from my sore throat by the next day, and it happen. I sort of set timelines for my recovery, and they were more or less met.
If that is not divine "intervention", I wont know what is.
Seeking blessings/support from Amituofo is one thing, believing in him/that it would happen is another.
Often, we ask, but we do not have faith. OR that we doubt. And that wont do. We must have the faith or the "wisdom" to know, and believe that our prayers will be answered. And if not, either the conditions are not right, or that we were meant to learn something from it.
Relying on Amituofo is actually not an easy task. It takes a lot of faith to really put your life in his hands. But we must have the wisdom to know the balance between self reliance and over reliance.
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