The Boomerang Effect (Part 1)

The Boomerang Effect (Part 1)


1) Many years ago, I told a lie. Intentionally.

An acquaintance of mine made fun of me in front of others.

The usually calm and composed me caved in to foolishness and egoism.

I knew it was wrong, but I allowed my folly and ego to take control of me.

Tit for tat.

When people hurt us, we hurt them back. (It's only logical, right?)

Wrong.

I regretted it.

The boomerang came flying back to me, fast and furious.

The lie spreads like wildfire.

I had to answer questions from many people, including a direct confrontation with the victim.

Boy! That was tough.

From then on, I always watch my speech, my thoughts, and most important of all, my motives.

I keep my big mouth shut.

I refuse to make another silly mistake of false and mindless, heedless speech.

I was a 'young ginger' then.

If I had been as 'old' then as I am now, and had meditated and read about Dhamma then, I would have ignored and forgiven her.

Laughed with the group of them even, and not be 'sucked' into their political games and control dramas.

But I pay my penance now by writing it down in my blog, revealing it to the whole world.

No wonder The Buddha set it down as one of the Precepts,

"Avoid idle chatter and false speech."

Very wise indeed.



2) When I was a school going kid, I would give up my seats to the elderly. (Please understand, I still do - give up my seats to those who need them)

So, imagine my surprise when one day, years later, while I'm on a crowded bus, carrying all my 'barang barang' (my haversack and my yoga mat), someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned.

It was an old man.

He's alighting at the next stop, and he asked me to take his seat.

There was so many others who were standing, yet he asked me!

I thanked him gratefully and thought nothing about it.

But many times after that, when I'm on crowded buses, the elderly always alert me to their seats, or the seats next to them and invite me to sit, even though there are so many others who are standing, some even nearer to them.

When that keeps happening, you know it's not a coincidence.

I realised then that the boomerang which I threw many years ago has come back to find me.



"If you want to be happy, if you want good things to come to you,

Then BE GOOD. DO GOOD."

"Good begets good.

Evil begets evil.

This is a Universal Law."

- The Buddha

The 'M' Word

The 'M' Word



Meditation is catching up.

Lots of people are doing it.

Some are cashing in on it.

Earning big bucks teaching it.

I wonder if people are aware that Buddhist monks and nuns are teaching it for free?

But human nature is such that if something is free, it means it's not good.

The more you have to pay, the better it must be.

I can attest to that.

Cos' I used to give free yoga sessions outdoors.

The turnout is always miserable.

I must be a really lousy instructor.


The Buddha restarted the trend on meditation 2552 yrs ago.

He and his disciples taught it freely.

If the Buddha and his lineage of monks and nuns can teach meditation free-of-charge (read : Priceless), doesn't that make you wonder "why can't the rest?"

But that's another subject matter.

What I'm curious about is : "How many of those who practise meditation understand what meditation really is?"

Let's try something else.

Yoga.

It's very popular nowadays.

Many are doing it. Have been doing it.

The question is, " Of the many who are doing, how many know what they are doing?"

Many who go for yoga classes nowadays have the following syndrome :

1) It's trendy, it's fashionable, everyone's doing it, so I also must do. (read : Ego)

2) I want to do strange, difficult, complicated poses. This instructor teaches that. He/She must be very good. (read : stroking the Ego of both the instructor and the student. Ego)

3) Comparison : How come others can do, I can't. My pose is nicer than others. (read : Ego, Ego, Ego!)

Notice it's all external, physical?

That's not yoga.

Yoga is not just the cultivation of the body, but more importantly, the cultivation of the mind.

I always say the following in class:

"It does not matter whether you can or cannot do the poses. Go for the experience."

"Avoid comparing yourself with others. It's because we are different, that's what makes us special."

It's all about you.

No one and nothing else.

I am external. I am Nothing.

Never depend on me.

If you depend on me, one day when I'm gone, what are you going to do?

The next instructor comes along, you depend on the next instructor.

The next instructor leaves, you depend on the next, next instructor.

And the next, next, next instructor .....

Forever you'll be depending on an instructor, on someone.

And be manipulated by them like a puppet on a string.

Depend on no one.

Depend only on yourself.

If you do from the heart, feel from the heart, the energy flows

And you'll not need an instructor. You don't need me."


(Think : Kalama Sutta - Investigate. Find out for yourself. Experience. Avoid blindly believing others. )



Just as I wrote in "Let's Talk about Love" -

"Only you hold the key. Only you can set yourself free.

You Alone is the light in the dark. No one can light the path for you Except Yourself."


Likewise with religion.

To be fair, I'll use Buddhism, and my observations of some of those who call themselves "Buddhist" for my example.

To me, Buddhism is a way of Life.

Dhamma - the right way of living.

How you live your Life right.

How you live your life in accordance to Nature's Laws. (Dhamma).

It's not just about chanting, prostrating/number of prostrations, going to the temples to pray, ceremonies, rites and rituals etc.

That's just scraping the surface.

It does help a bit but it's not enough.

That's more to it.

It goes far deeper than that.

A lot more deeper than that.

To me, it's pointless to do All of the above if one acts as follows :


1) In "Why oh Why?" I mentioned how, during Chinese New Year's Eve, devotees pushed and shoved each other just to be the first to put their joss sticks in the urn of the Kwan Yin Temple at Waterloo Street.

And, the irony of how in the Temple of Compassion, none is displaying it.

Kwan Yin is well known to all to be the Goddess of Compassion, of Mercy.

What I mean is, when you truly pray to a being that represents kindness and compassion, surely the qualities of kindness, gentleness, compassion and virtues would 'rub' onto you.

You'll want to emulate that being.

Be like that being.


2) Open mouth, close mouth : Amituofuo (Amitabha Buddha)

Yet gossips, tell lies, speak ill and spread rumours about others, slandering others. (Breaking of 4th Precept : Avoid idle chatter, harsh and false speech, and malicious gossip.)

Or, one hand with beads chanting away, rushed and sit herself down on a double seat, putting her bag on the empty seat next to her, oblivious and totally ignore that there may be others who may need that seat. (Breaking of 2nd Precept : Do not take what is not given. No 'stealing'.)

As a Buddhist, if we truly practise and follow the path as set down by Gautama Buddha (more commonly known as Shakyamuni Buddha, or The Buddha) 2552 years ago, we'll be watching our thoughts, our speech and body actions, if not all the time, at least most of the time, we'll be mindful.

Please understand : To me, Amitabha Buddha and the Pureland Teaching is an okay teaching.

The thing is, How many are truly practising it?

The essence of it?

How many actually understand the meaning behind the teaching?

Or what the teaching is about?

This, is what I'm saying.

It's not about just reciting/chanting the Buddha's name, and then totally neglect and/or not pay attention to your mind, your thoughts, speech, actions, intentions etc which creates Kamma.

What I'm saying is,

You mouth the Buddha, but are you behaving like one (a Buddha)?

Or at least, doing your best to be like one.

Likewise, Pureland.

As the name suggests, it's a land that's Pure.

Therefore, those who reside there would, or should be Pure.

With Pure minds.

Perhaps we should all start to think about working on purifying our minds first before thinking about being born in a Pureland.

Go back to basics : The Four Noble Truths, and The Noble Eightfold Path (Please refer to my 6th and 7th entry)



Like I wrote in "Life Lessons" :

"Focus on the journey (i.e our deeds - kamma) and not the destination (Pureland);

For the lessons lie in the journey and NOT the destination."

Please avoid or thinking there's an easy way out.

There's no "Fast Pass'. (Sorry).


A few years back, a lady pushed me, and rushed past me when the MRT door opens, just so that she can sit on the only seat available in that particular car.

As I was standing, I noticed the nicely coloured polo tee she was wearing.

It attracted me not because of the colour, but because of the words on it : "Love and Compassion".

Huh?!

Ya, I know, you are surprise. So was I.

She was wearing 'Love and Compassion', but it makes a person wonder if she saw, noticed, knew, or realised what she's wearing, doesn't it?

Then, she proceeded to talk on her mobile, so that everyone can hear, that she's going for the '3 steps, one bow' ceremony.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with what this ceremony is about, I'll briefly explain :

It's a ceremony conducted on the eve of every Vesak Day by certain Buddhist temples to remind Buddhists that The path to Enlightenment is a long, hard and tedious one.

That we need to Persevere, be Patient and keep Practising The Dhamma, the Teaching of the Buddha despite all the difficulties so as to reach Enlightenment.

Going back to the lady - I do hope that that's not her usual behaviour.

And I sincerely wish her the very best on her journey to Enlightenment.

I believe many of you would have met, seen, or come across people like them - regardless Buddhists or otherwise, who tarnish and spoil the name of their faiths, beliefs, or religions through their speech and actions.

However, having said that, I believe the above examples are those of a few 'black ignorant sheep'.

I'm very sure that there are many others out there who are practising the teachings of their faiths/beliefs/religions wholeheartedly, mindfully and Wisely.


The point I want to make is : It's NOT important what you say your religion is.

It can be Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Love, Kindness, Compassion, Peace etc etc etc.

You can call it whatever you want.

Give it fanciful impressive names, and/or descriptions even.

BUT, are you practising 'it'?

Do you know the 'M'eaning behind it?

Or , are you just mechanically practising and hiding behind the name and the congregation just to boost your own ego?


Words are 2 dimensional. Physical.

Go beyond Physical.

Go into the heart of things. Deep within.

Just like some of those who do yoga.

They're just doing it.

They're not doing it.

They're just doing the poses. Physical.

They don't know what they're doing, they don't know what they learn, and they don't know what the instructor is talking about ......

And that makes me wonder -

How many of you are reading this blog?

Or, are you just reading it? ..

"Physical alone is not enough. Go beyond physical.

Practise not the word.

BUT the meaning behind the word.

The essence of it.

Go/Search deep within."

. .

.

"People may know;

But how many understand?

Of the few who understood, how many 'see'?

Of the few who 'saw', how many realise?

Of the few who realised, how many, will be, 'Awaken'?" .

"Expecting Salvation through prayers, worshipping, animal sacrifices and offerings to idols in the name of gods and so forth are selfish acts.

One must expect salvation (only) through the observance of precepts, self-training, discipline, a righteous way of living, by radiating loving kindness to others, purification (meditation) and by selfless and noble acts."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda

.

.

"However many holy words you read,

However many you speak,

What good will they do you,

If you do NOT Act upon them."

- The Buddha

.

.

"You are not honouring Me by just offering flowers.

You honour Me ONLY by practising the Dhamma."

- The Buddha

..

.

On this Vesak Day 2007,

May the Light of Eternal Wisdom, Truth and Compassion shine and illuminate on this Earth Once More.

Let there be peace on Earth,

Love for All Sentient Beings.

May All Beings have the chance to meet with the Ultimate Truth (Dhamma),

Learn the Ultimate Truth (Dhamma),

Practise the Ultimate Truth (Dhamma),

Realise the Ultimate Truth (Dhamma),

And May All Beings Be Enlighten soon.

This, I wish For All Sentient Beings.

Have an Enlightening Vesak Day Everyone!

With Loving-Kindness,

Maitre-Light

Good or Bad

Good or Bad


I took up driving a number of years back.

During one of the classes for Highway Code, the instructor asked us, "What do the 'E' and the 'F' on the petrol-meter represent?'

The class kept quiet.

In my mind, I was thinking, "E means Enough. F means Finish."

The 'Smart Alec' in me was impressed and delighted with my 'Intelligence'.

But the instructor had to spoil it by saying,

"E means Empty. F means Full. Not "Enough and Finish'."

I was dumpfounded. I was stunned.

He 'read' my mind. So scary.

He's such a 'wet blanket'.

But ever since then, I always remember what 'E' and 'F' means.

I made a mistake. I learn from my mistake.

While thinking about what and how to start for the above heading, my thoughts drifted back to that particular day.

And I asked myself, "Why can't E be Enough and F be Finish?

It's possible, isn't it?"

And that sets me thinking about grading : Why is 'A' Very good, and 'F' fail?

Why can't it be the other way round :

A means Atrocious

B means Bad

C means Can Do

D means Damn Good

E means Excellent

F means Fantastic!

Why not?

Who determines/decides these things anyway?

Good or bad is just a matter of individual's opinion.

There's no good or bad, there's only 'Just is".


If you think about it, if from time immemorial, from the time language came into existence, if the label 'man' now was called 'woman' then, then all the men in the world today would be women now.

And, vice versa.

Or, if there's no 'mummy' but only monkey, and there's no 'daddy' but only donkey, then all the children in the world today would be calling and addressing their mummies 'monkey' and their daddies 'donkey'.

Why not? It's possible, isn't it?

After all, these are just labels for convention, to make things simpler.

In actual fact, they're 'Nothing'.

We are the ones who cling on to these labels, make 'something' out of it, put meaning to it.

Just as I wrote in my first entry, "Points to Ponder" -

'We're Humans first before labels separate us.'

It's not just about being elite, non-elite, local talent, foreign talent, rich, poor, young, old... etc etc etc.

It's also not just about being a good Christian, a good Catholic, a good Muslim, a good Hindu, a good Buddhist etc etc etc.

This is focusing on differences, on the labels that separate us.

There's more to it.


Who's right? Who's wrong? Who has got the right 'ingredients'?

Who knows?

Nobody.

Everyone is very much in the dark as everyone else.

So why even fight?

Why play those silly 'games' and make a fool out of yourselves?


In 'Dose of Wisdom', I said -

"Never argue with a fool. People may not know the difference."


When 2 people are fighting/arguing, do you know the difference?

Can you see / tell the difference?

I don't. And I can't.

Likewise, in my 4th point to ponder, I said,

"We're not here to judge - who's right, who's wrong. Who's the good guy, Who's the bad guy.

We're here to bridge the gap."


Perhaps we should all focus on building that 'bridge', focus on something similar - Human.

Focus on being a Human first.

If you think about it.

What's the point of being All of the above, or anything else, when you can't even be Human?

"Most of my students are curious about my age.

To me, age is not important cos' it's just a number, which like all other labels, separates us.

To me, what's important is : I am a human, you are a human; and that is what that matters."

"Please work together, cooperate and live in harmony."

- Ajahn Chah

"Make effort to get along with each other, to have harmony in your relations rather than exploiting or harming each other."

- Ajahn Chah

Mr CEO or Cleaning Auntie

Mr CEO or Cleaning Auntie



A CEO and a cleaning auntie died on the same day.

They met at the judgement room, awaiting their fate.

Auntie : ""Hello Mr CEO!"

"Who are you? Do I know you?" the CEO asked incredulously.

Auntie : "I worked in your company. I'm the cleaning auntie. I ... "

"Hah ..." the CEO interrupted with a snort and turned away, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

Just then, the judge arrived and said,

"One of you has accumulated good kamma (merits) and is going to Heaven. Let me see who is it going to be."

The CEO thought to himself, "Of course it's me! I'm a CEO. She's just an old dirty, useless cleaning auntie. Heaven would never have a place for such people."

He looked earnestly at the judge, smiling expectantly as he adjusted his coat and tie to ready himself to be ushered to the Heaven's gates.

The judge looked up from his book of records and said, "Ah Auntie. you are going to Heaven. Congratulations! Stay humble now. Be good, OK?"

The CEO was so shocked his jaws literally dropped.

The Auntie humbly thanked the judge.

Turning to the CEO, she said, "Goodbye Mr CEO sir. I'm sure you will be even better than me," as the guard ushered her through the Heaven's gates.

The CEO ignored her, thinking to himself,

"Of course! If she can go to Heaven, surely I'll be going to a better place than her. Ahh...perhaps the most fortunate rebirth of all - as a human again cos' I did such a good ... no no no, excellent job as a CEO, and they see and appreciate my potential. Maybe I will be the president of a country this time ... or, maybe they want me to be enlighten, to lead the world to salvation ..." Mr CEO fantasized away.

Just then, the judge interrupted his fantasies.

"And for you, Sir ... "

"Yes! Yes! Judge, please tell me, where will I be heading for my next rebirth?" Mr CEO asked in fake modesty.

"You sir, are going to The Avici Hell."

"What?! Is there some kind of mistake? Please check through your records again. I'm the CEO of xxx company. How can that dirty stinky old woman be going to Heaven while I'm going to Hell?!" The CEO shouted and argued pompously, aggressively.

The judge cocked his eyebrows, thought to himself, "Ah ... the wolf is finally showing his tail ... "

The judge put on his glasses, looked through his records one more time, and replied flatly,

"There's no mistake. You, the CEO of xxx company, is going to The Avici Hell."

As the guards were about to lead him away, the CEO fought," Wait a minute! I want to know why? I created 300 new jobs for my company. How can I be going to Hell? I helped 300 people." .
.
The judge replied, "Oh yeah. 300 new jobs - it's recorded here. But for the 300 new jobs, 600 others lost theirs because of it."

"They're old, worthless, useless. It's the new economy. What do you expect?! We've got to move on. Can't stay stagnant, you know. We've got to compete." Mr CEO countered.

"They've got families to feed, and 500 of them could not find another job after that."

"OK, fine. But I increased the salaries, bonuses, benefits etc of my staff by 50%." Mr CEO proudly announced.

"Yes, Yes. But it was only for yourself and the 100 managers who were directly beneath you. And, it's at the expense of all the other employees who had to suffer substantial pay cuts etc. You and the 100 managers were already enjoying huge and great benefits and luxuries, while the rest had to struggle to make ends meet."

"Well, it's their Kamma ... " Mr CEO stated matter of factly, nonchalantly.

"Yes, it's their Kamma, and it's also your Kamma that you didn't make full use of your position to do good, to help and benefit others that you are going to Hell. I hope you learn your lesson ... "

"Wait! I did do good, help and benefit others! I set up funds. I give to charities. Every year I donate $10,000 to charities. I do good. I help and benefit all those charities!" Mr CEO pleaded. This time, with panic and fear in his voice.

"Yes. I see you do that. But you did it for 'show'. For publicity. To show everyone you're good, you're kind' you're charitable. That you're Better Off than them.

It wasn't real generosity. You're NOT giving to let go. You're giving to Gain. That's NOT giving. That's NOT generosity.

Besides, you earn $10 million a year...... $10,000 to $10million is peanuts!

No more arguments. Off you go!"



"CEO or cleaning auntie, young or old,

Regardless of who, what or how we are in this life,

We'll all have to face our own sunset one day.

A sunset that's painted and created by no one else BUT Ourselves."

"Ultimately, what really matters in life is neither riches, nor power, nor glory, nor fame and fortune;

Rather, it is the ability to love, to help, and to make our lives beneficial for ourselves and others."

"Nothing lasts. Whether whole or otherwise, we'll all end up one day in a pile of ash."

"Regardless of who, what or how we are in this life,

When we die,

We'll all end up as nothing but fertilizer for the soil."

.

.

"When we die, our fame and fortune will stay behind.

Our family and loved ones will only take us up to our grave.

But the good and/or bad deeds (Kamma) that we did during our lifetime,

Will follow us,

Even beyond our grave."

"Give and forget you've given;

Take/Receive and Remember Always you've taken/received."

Cat or Dog

Cat or Dog


A couple was taking their evening stroll in the park when they heard, "Woof!" "Woof!".

The husband said to the wife, "Hmm ... there's a dog nearby."

The wife replied, "Nah. That's a cat."

The husband said again, "It's a dog. Listen carefully."

Getting annoyed, the wife replied, "It's a cat"


"Woof!" "Woof!"

"Stupid woman!" thought the husband as he impatiently said, "It's a dog!"

"Stubborn man!" thought the wife as she, too, insisted rather angrily, "No! It's a cat!"

Turning to face his wife, the husband barked, " I say it's a dog!"

She looked at him squarely in the face, "I say it's a cat! " She hissed back.

"OK, let's look for it and I'll prove to you it's a dog." The husband challenged fiercely.

"Sure! Why not? and I'll show you it's a cat!" The wife scratched back.


They turned angrily away from each other and started searching.

After half an hour of futile searching, the husband, feeling exhausted, sweaty, hungry and thirsty, turned and looked at his wife who's still busy searching.

As he stood and watched the perspiration trickling down her face, he remembered their courtship days. A deep sense of remorse swept through him.

Walking behind her, he slipped his arms round her waist and whispered in her ear, "Darling, I believe you are right. It's a cat. And it probably ran off when it saw us coming to look for him. Shall we stop searching?"

With tears in her eyes, the wife turned and rested her head on his chest, holding him tight.

"Thank you. It was a cat, right?" She cried softly, gently.

"Yes, it was. You hungry? Shall we get something to eat?"

She looked up into his eyes and nodded her head as he wiped away the tears from her face.

Holding hands, they walked down towards the beautiful sunset together ...


Unknown to the couple, perched high up on one of the trees was a bird who saw and witnessed the whole incident.

The bird thought to himself,

"Silly humans! What's there to search? I'm neither a cat nor a dog. I'm a bird!"

As he, too, spread his wings, soar to the sky and headed for home, woofing away. .

"Reality and Truths are NOT what they seem to be."

"After anger and hate, what follows is sorrow, sadness and pain.

Be careful.

Love, Harmony, Compassion and Wisdom are more important than being right."

"To understand things, we have to accept first.

For without acceptance, there can be no understanding, no realisations.

Being open does not mean accepting other's beliefs.

Being open means accepting that what (i.e the beliefs) we had held so dearly and strongly for so long to be the Truth, may actually be, Un-True.".

.

"It is not only greed or attachment to pleasures caused by the senses or attachment to wealth and property, and the wish to defeat others and conquer countries;

But also attachment to ideals and ideas, to views, opinions and beliefs that lead to calamity and destruction, and bring about untold suffering to whole nations,

In fact, to the whole world."

- Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda

Myths or Truths

Myths or Truths


There are many myths and old wives' tales surrounding a lot of things.

Example, chicken pox.

One of the myths of chicken pox is not to wash your hair.

I can understand why such a myth exist.

Cos' it's true.

I had many water bubbles on my head, so much so that my head was like a landmine - you've got to tread carefully cos' they 'explode' easily.

I washed, combed, tugged and pulled at my hair during the initial few days.

Big mistake.

It feels 'shiok' (really good) at first, but you suffer like crazy after that. That was my greatest regret. It was a nightmare.

I remembered on the 3rd or 4th night, my head was so itchy.

It was like a million zillion ants crawling and biting my head.

Even pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) doesn't help.

Luckily, meditation helps to ease the itch.

And, fortunately for me, that was the only time I suffered from extreme itchiness (I only remember of 2 other times when it was a bit itchy.)

However, thereafter was like going from one 'Hell' to another cos' I was not able to sleep or rest.

I can't lay my head on the pillow.

Not even sideways cos' it was so painful.

Serve me right! What do I expect?

After enjoying all the estatic pleasures of multiple 'explosions', naturally suffering will follow.

Anyway I told my sister that if I had known I was going to get chicken pox, I would have shaved my head.

My sister stared at me. She was shocked. She looked worried when she asked me what happens after that?

I told her the hair will grow back.

That's when her face showed a sense of relief.

From my experience, the myth of not washing hair makes sense.

And, if you do know in advance that you're going to get chicken pox, Shave Your Head.

It makes washing so much easier.

If you do not wish to shave, then avoid washing, combing, tugging or pulling your hair during the first week.


Another old wives' tale that surrounds chickenpox was not to stand by/at the front door.

Cos' if you do, you'll get it again.

I stood by my front door so many times I believe my wish of wanting to get chicken pox again and again may actually come true!

Hmmm..... That's nice.

Of course that's nonsense.

There's no truth in it.

Think about it : If standing by/at the front door means I'll get it again, doesn't closing and locking the door means I'll will never get it ever again?

O no! So sad....

I don't know what you feel/think about the above myth, but to me it does not make sense, so I reject it.


As the Buddha said in The Kalama Sutta :

"Do not blindly believe anything that's said by the teachers or those in authorities,

Or that has been spoken or rumoured by many,

Or that has been written in scriptures and passed down through many generations.

Only upon careful observation, investigation and analysis,

If the teaching when practised, do NO harm, and brings about more love, peace, harmony and wisdom to the world,

Is for the good and benefit of one and all, do you then practise it and abide by it."

Now, that makes a lot of sense.

"Those who believe blindly and/or easily taken what others say are foolish."

- The Buddha

Mindfulness or Mindlessness

Mindfulness or Mindlessness



Being down with an illness is a wonderful experience.

It slows you/a person down.

Everything you do is slow-mo(tion).

Eat, drink, walk, sit etc is slowed down.

Forced to slow down cos' the body can't move fast.

I noticed this in the beginning of the 3rd week after chicken pox.

I was doing things faster. There was a lot of difference.

That's when it started me thinking, wondering, "How come?"

When we are well, we do things very fast, heedlessly, mindlessly, mechanically even.

But when we're sick and down, everything slows down.

You eat slowly, chewing your food slowly.

You drink slowly, sipping your water slowly.

I tried chewing the lettuce slowly and I could taste the sweetness and crispness of it.

I was finally learning to taste my food!

I become more aware.

It was a strange feeling.



My sister mentioned that chicken pox is scary, get it once is enough.

I believe many people feel the same.

However, I hold a different view.

I think it was a wonderful experience that taught me so much.

I think we should not get it as a kid but as an adult - then we will really feel.

It really wasn't that bad. I was having so much fun! Very enjoyable.

It was the best holiday of my life.

And it's an experience I know I definitely would not mind having again and again for all the beautiful lessons it has taught me.



Very often, we get caught up in the race, get sucked in the dramas of everyday life.

Illnesses help to slow us down, put things in perspective (provided we 'see' it) and teach us (provided we are willing to learn).

As a matter of fact, if you think about it, everything in life is teaching us.

Never fear or dislike illnesses or whatever that happens in your life.

Embrace it. Totally, fully, completely. Be One with It.

That's when you really experience life, and 'taste' it as it is.

Cos' very often, we are much stronger than our fears.

And more competent than our worries. Try it.



The next time you come across a problem/fear, pause.

Look back, and you'll realise you have come across this problem/fear before.

After all, why the hurry? Why the haste? Why rush?

Why not slow down, stop and take a breath instead?

Why do we have to be doing things all the time?

Why can't we put them down once in a while, and do nothing?

Some people may say, "Then the world won't move."



The world will always move, with or without you.

Cos' there will always be people who'll keep the world moving, who'll want the world to move, who can't let go.

And that person does not have to be you.

Think about it.



A Buddha is one who was in the race, but stopped. Looked, observed, Analysed.

Turned around and walked the other way-

Away from the crowd.

Away from everyone else.

Away from the world.

Who are you going to be?

Who, would you like to be?






"The ordinary man always sees the darkness and the misery of this world, but the yogi sees the grand beauty and the real nature of the world."

- Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda

"Modern man is so busy with his business of earning for a living that he has no time to live."

- Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda

"Why rush? The more you rush, the faster and the earlier you'll land in your grave."