Heal The World

Heal The World


There's a place in Your heart

And I know that it is love

And this place could be much

Brighter than tomorrow

And if you really try

You'll find there's no need to cry

In this place you'll feel

There's no hurt or sorrow

There are ways to get there

If you care enough for the living

Make a little space

Make a better place ......

Heal The World

Make it a better place

For you and for me

And the entire human race

There are people dying

If you care enough for the living

Make a better place

For you and for me

If you want to know why

There's a love that cannot lie

Love is strong

It only cares for Joyful giving

If we try we shall see

In this bliss we cannot feel

Fear or dread

We stop existing

And we start living

Then it feels that always

Love's enough for us growing

So make a better world

Make a better world ......

Heal The World

Make it a better place

For you and for me

And the entire human race

There are people dying

If you care enough for the living

Make a better place for you and for me

And the dream we were conceived in

Will reveal a joyful face

And the world we once believed in

Will shine again in grace

Then why do we keep

Straying life

Wound this earth

Crucify its soul though it's plain to see

This world is heavenly

Let Love glow .........

We could fly so high

Let our spirits never die

In my heart

I feel you are all my brothers

Create a world with no fear

Together we cry happy tears

See the nations turn their swords into plowsheares

We could really get there

If you cared enough for the living

Make a little space

To make a better place ......

Heal the world

Make it a better place for you and for me

And the entire human race

There are people dying

If you care enough for the living

Make a better place for you and for me

Heal the World

Make it a better place for you and for me

And the entire human race

There are people dying if you care enough for the living

Make a better place for you and for me


Heal the World .........

Make it a better place

For you and for me

And the entire human race

There are people dying

If you care enough for the living

Make a better place for you and for me

There are people dying

If you care enough for the living

Make a better place

For you and for Me .........

We Are The World

We Are The World


Dear Readers,

I'm devoting the next few entries to a few songs which lyrics I feel is very meaningful and touches my heart, especially in times like now.

If you can, please read the words carefully and mindfully, and feel, Really feel.


And search deep within your hearts and ask yourselves, 'is there anything I can do, what can I do, and How can I help to make this world a better place for all sentient beings to live in, a place where we can All call 'Home'.

It doesn't have to be monetary, it can be a smile, or a helping hand.

Please know that some words of some of the songs have been changed to make it universal.

Enjoy!


With all my love,

Maitre-Light :)


We Are The World

There comes a time

When we heed a certain call

When the world

Must come

Together As One


There are people dying

And it's time to lend a hand

To life

The greatest gift of all


We can't go on

Pretending day by day

That someone, somewhere will soon make a change

We are all a part of

One big happy family

And the truth, you know

Love is all we need


We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me.


Send everyone your heart

So they know that someone cares

Then all our lives will be stronger and free

With love in our hearts as our guiding light

To lead us the way

So let us all lend a helping hand


We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's time we'll make a better day

Just you and me.


When you are down and out

There seems no hope at all

But if you just believe

There's no way we can fall

Well... well... well... well...


Let us realise

That a change will only come

When we stand together as One

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So lets start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's time we make a better day

Just you and me.

For Love For Truth For Wisdom For Light

Life : The Ironies, what Truly matters and its Purpose

Life : The Ironies, what Truly matters and its Purpose



Below is something which I feel is very meaningful and which I would like to share with everyone .....

Something for all of us to consider, or at least give a serious thought to.

I've adapted and changed them to make them more complete.

I hope it triggers, or stir something inside all of you.

Enjoy and happy reading .....

Maitre-Light :)




"We have bigger houses and smaller families;

More conveniences, less time;

More degrees, less sense;

More knowledge, less judgement;

More intelligence, less wisdom;

More experts, less solutions;

More committees, less answers;

More medicine, less wellness;

We have multiplied our possessions but diminished our values;

We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often.

These are times where leaders talk of world peace but without realising their own domestic imbalances and inadequacies.

We have more leisure but less fun;

More kinds of food but less nutrition.

These are days of 2 incomes but more divorces;

Fancier houses but broken homes ....."



Indeed, we have a lot to learn about life, and what Truly matters.

Such as

- Avoid comparing ourselves with others; it's because we're different that's what makes us special.

- Never set our goals by others' standards. Only we know what's best for us.

- Never take things or people for granted. Learn to treasure, cherish and appreciate what we have. Always count our blessings and not lament on our woes.

- Avoid being trapped in a time warp. For by living in the past or for the future, we're letting our lives slip us by.

- Avoid living life so fast that we do not know where we're going or where we had been. Learn to live life moment by moment, and when we live life moment to moment, we lived and experienced each and every moment of our lives.

- Never give up when we still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment we stop trying.

- Never be afraid to admit our mistakes, or that we are less than perfect. For sometimes, the pain and suffering which we go through are needed to help us learn, grow and understand. And, it's through our failures and weaknesses that we learn, we grow and we become 'awaken'.

- Never allow fear to stop us from doing anything in life. For it is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

- Never shut love out of our lives by saying it's impossible to find. The fastest way to receive love is to give love; and the fastest way to lose love is to hold it tightly. More importantly, the best way to have love is to give it wings to fly.

- Never forget that everyone's greatest emotional need is in the following : To be accepted, appreciated and attended to.

- Never be afraid to learn. For it's a treasure we can always carry around easily.

- Avoid using time and/or words carelessly. For neither can be retrieved.


And last but not least, what truly matters is to know that Life is not a race,

But a journey to be savoured each step of the way ....."

I've found the purpose of my life.

Have you found yours, yet?



"The purpose of my life is to discover Truth and Happiness, to do good, to serve, and to make my life beneficial for all sentient beings."

"A good life is inspired by love and guided by wisdom."

- The Buddha

"It is not that something is wrong with the world, but something is wrong with us."

- Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda

"If we are unduly attached to material things, we will experience various problems.

Fear, insecurity and suspicions will disturb our peace of mind."

- Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda

"We can make use of this life for a better purpose by being of service to others, by cultivating morality, by training the mind, and by living as cultured men in peace and harmony with the rest of the world."

- Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda

Completion

Completion



What I'm feeling now is beyond words.

But some of the lyrics of the song 'One Moment in Time' by Whitney Houston describe what and how I feel.

Please note that some parts have been changed to express my feelings more completely.



"Each day I live

I want it to be

A day to give

The best of me


I'm only one

But not alone

My finest day

Is yet unknown


I broke my heart

In every 'game'

To taste the sweet

(Instead) I taste the pain


I rise and fall

Yet through it all

Nothing's changed

Everything's the same


In the past,

I wanted it all

No time for rest

But now,

I lay down my plans

And leave the chance

Here in my hands


I want one moment in time

When I'm more than what I thought I could be

When all of my dreams I discard it away

For I know the answer lie deep within me


Give me that one moment in time

When I'm through with 'destiny'

I know I can be a winner

If only I let 'me' be


Let me seize that one moment in time

And make it shine

And in that one moment of time

I will feel

What's Eternity


And that's also when

I know

I will be free ........

I will be free ........"

"Health, contentment and trust are your greatest possessions;

And Freedom your greatest joy.

- The Buddha

"Health is the highest gain.

Contentment is the greatest wealth.

The trusted, whether related or not, are the best kinsman.

Nibanna is the highest bliss."

- The Buddha

Competition and Consequences - (Part 2) Consequences

Competition and Consequences - (Part 2) Consequences



You know, some people have a huge "apple pie" in front of them already.

Yet, they're not satisfied.

They can't even finish or cope with their own "apple pie".

Yet when they look to the right, they see someone with a "strawberry pie", and they want it.

Then, they look to the left, they see another with a "blueberry pie", and they want it, too.

Be careful ...

If you can't even handle your own "apple pie", avoid hankering or coveting after others' "pies".

You may get "indigestion".

The stress and competitive nature of our current world creates an atmosphere of greed and unhappiness, selfishness and immorality.

As I said in 'Let's talk about Love' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/01/lets-talk-about-love_09.html, there's too much negativity right now.

Let's all take the call of the government and be an entrepreneur.

An entrepreneur of positivity, that is.

I assure you you'll earn lots of money.

Why else do you think motivational speakers are earning big bucks?

The negativity market is saturated already.

Too much depression, too much sorrows, sadness and pain, too much anger, enmity and hate.

You'll not be profitable selling negativity.

The places where I used to work, a lot of negativity.

Lots of gossiping and complaining.


Like I said in "Let's talk about Love" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/01/lets-talk-about-love_09.html,

One gossips, all gossip.

One complains, all complain.

I always smile and laugh all the time.

The staff likes to talk to me.

Even the aunties say that when they see me smile/laugh/happy, it makes them happy and want to smile.

Trust me, positivity is a rare commodity.Sell it!

No money in your bank account, never mind.

But I assure you, you'll earn lots of good karma.

People will love you.

Of course there are those who say or call me names like, "You siow(mad) or what?!" "Crazy woman!" "You forgot to take your medicine hah?" "Time to take your medicine!"

I just laugh it off and forgive them.Sometimes, I join in the fun too and reply, "Ya! Ya!" :)

They don't realise that I'm not the one with 'illness', they are.

They are drowning themselves in negativity, always unhappy, unsatisfied, suffering in samsara, chasing after all those material things, coveting after all those 'have-nots'.

And because they're unhappy, they want others to be unhappy and suffering like them, too.

Very sad.

The world is filled with so many of such people.

And when they see or find someone who's truly happy and smiling, they don't like it.

They get uncomfortable.

They think or feel that this odd one out must be mad or crazy.

If only they realised that they're the ones who don't get it.

That their world is just too negative and miserable, and that there's no light or happiness in their world.

Always distract the mind with positive happy thoughts, and in the process, you'll increase your immune system and not fall sick so easily.


Remember this Always :

Thoughts = A B C

If you keep thinking negative thoughts, it'll affect your speech and deeds (A: Action).

And when you keep speaking and acting in a negative manner, it becomes B - your Behaviour.

Once you continue to behave in a negative way,

It becomes a habit, then over a period of time,it becomes You - the Consequence. (C)

In other words,

Thoughts become you.

You are what you think.

So be careful.


Cos' negative thoughts and emotions gives out negative energy which affects the whole atmosphere and they usually hurt not just others, but also ourselves.

Likewise, positive thoughts and emotions gives out positive energy.

So, Be Positive, Stay Happy and Smile Always!

Cos' our Mother Earth needs and depends on You - Your positive energy that is.

* (Please refer to "Earth" - Do you know she's in pain - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/02/earth.html).




"Man can change the whole atmosphere according to his thoughts, speech and actions.

In this respect, man not only can mould himself, but also adjust the destiny of the whole world."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda




"Just as the light of a single candle can light a million zillion other candles without itself getting extinguished,

So the Kindness, Compassion and Happiness of one, too, can spread to the whole world."




"Physical conditions are largely determined by mental states.

The body is what a man makes by the form of his thoughts."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda




"We are what we think;

All that we are arises with out thoughts,

We make the world."

- The Buddha




"Think not lightly of evil, saying :

It will not come to me.

Drop by drop the pitcher is filled.

So the fool becomes saturated by evil,

Little by little he gathers it.

The wise man gathers worthy thoughts and deeds,

Bit by bit he builds his pile of Happiness."

- The Buddha




"Clear the mind of all its defilements, and you free and heal the body of all its ailments."

- The Buddha

Competition and Consequences - (Part 1) Competition

Competition and Consequences - (Part 1) Competition



We're told we live in a highly competitive society/world by people of authority - our parents, our teachers, our government, our bosses etc etc etc.

To compete, we have to move/act fast. If not, we'll lose out and be last.

In the process, we live in a fast society/world where everything is fast.

We eat fast, we drink fast, we talk fast.

Even going in to the MRT is fast.

Not forgetting the speed at which some get their seats - super fast.

In the midst of all these 'fastness', we lose our temper fast, we lose our health fast, we lose our minds fast, we lose our morality and virtues fast.

And the result?

We also die fast.



Don't get me wrong.

Efficiency is one thing.

Being over efficient is another.

Moderation is the key.



Cos' with the fast pace comes the effects - ailments of not just the body, but worst, the mind.

I've heard of many stories of people who behaved in a mentally unsound way.

I've come across a few myself.

I'm sure you have, too.

They're not necessarily poor or uneducated.

As a matter of fact, most seems educated, speaks perfect crisp English, looks well-off and established.



To me, Aids, cancers, heart diseases etc are not the only illnesses we should be concerned about.

Mental illness and the prevalence of it is also something we should all be wary of cos' it's rising in an alarming rate.

In fact, it should take precedence over the rest.

All the stress and fast pace of the rat race of our modern world where inventions and decisions are made in a split second are producing factories of 'lunatics', so to speak.

Just a few examples :

Why do you think people get angry and hit their computers when their computers crash or break down?

Or, scold the traffic light when it turns red?

Temporary insanity, that's why.



People are tired.

Everyone is tired.

Tired from all the rushing about, from having to do things all the time, that there's no time to rest, to take a breather, or to appreciate the beauty of the little nature that's still around us, that grows alongside of us.

Everyone is mentally exhausted, drained, burnt-out, and therefore, 'insane'.

My question is, why do we have to 'fight' to be first?

Why don't, or can't we 'fight' to be last?

Or, better yet, to be in the middle?

Being fast is easy.

The world is moving fast enough as it is, perhaps we should have a competition to see who's the slowest, or who can sit still and do nothing for the longest time.

I'm sure the Meditating monks and nuns who truly practise the way will win this hands down.

Someone once suggested that we should have a soccer league of compassion : If the team wants the ball, you pass it to them.

If they can't score, you score it in your own net for them.

I think that that will be a really interesting soccer match to watch.

Notwithstanding the above, why even fight or compete at all in the first place?

Why go to wars with each other?

There is no victory in war.

The victors rejoice.

The defeated sulk and vow revenge.

Round and round the cycle goes, history repeating itself and never ends.


As the Buddha says,

"Victory breeds hatred.

The defeated live in pain.

Happily the peaceful live,

Giving up victory and defeat."



How nice it would be if everyone 'fights' to be loving and kind, to be gracious and compassionate, to be helpful and generous,

And not fight out of anger, hate, jealousy, grudges, greed, or because of history, or because the authorities or gurus say so.

Then this world will be a much happier and more peaceful place to live in.

Don't you think?

Then and only then will there peace on Earth and love for all sentient beings.

Everyone wants to change the world, but no one wants, or is willing to change themselves.

We tend to only complain and look at other's faults/mistakes, but we fail to see our own.

If only we realise that to effect a change in the world, we have to change ourselves first.

Cos' everything begins with the (individual) mind, and therefore, will have to end with the (individual) mind.

There's actually and really no need for competition.

To have prosperity in any country, just follow the simple advice given by The Buddha below :

"When the ruler of a country is just and good, the ministers become just and good.

When the ministers are just and good, the higher officials become just and good.

When the higher officials are just and good, the rank and file becomes just and good.

When the rank and file become just and good, the people become just and good."

- The Buddha






"The ultimate source of all happiness and misery is the individual mind.

Individual happiness is conducive to the happiness of the society.

The happiness of the society means the happiness of the nation.

The happiness of nations leads to the happiness of the world."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda






"It is not that something is wrong with the world, but something is wrong with us."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda

.

.

"Have faith and things will come to you;

Not in excess, but just enough."

.

.

"Believe that there is plenty on the planet for everyone.

Avoid behaving like you have to grab everything in sight in case there is not enough, or none, left for you."

.

.

"Self conquest is better than world conquest, and renunciation of the world better than accumulation of all riches of the world."

- The Buddha

Compassion

Compassion



On April 15th, I received an sms about a pet shop closing down and that the remaining dogs to be given away.

If not, they'll be put down.

If you had read my previous entry, "The Boomerang Effect (Part 2)", you would know it hits a soft spot in me and touches on a raw nerve.



Upon receiving that sms, I quickly forward it out, en masse, hoping to save the dogs.

A few of my friends replied and were very willing to help, or adopt.

It was most heartening and comforting to see people extending their hands out to help.

It touches my heart to know that there are people out there who cares about these other beings who share our Earth.

Yet, on the same evening, I received a phone call from a friend who told me that the sms is not true.

I was getting a bit suspicious myself cos' I called the number a few times, and sms the lady, but the phone's off and I receive no reply for the sms.

That's when I double check with the friend who forwarded me the message.

But he assured me it's true.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt.



However, the next day, Monday evening, another friend of mine sms me that it's a scam, and not to forward the message out.

I was confused. I do not know whose words to believe.

But, I sent out an apology sms nonetheless - I didn't want to mislead anyone.

I was kind of sad.

Why would anyone want to forward messages like these?

But what brightens my night was quite a number of my friends replied, telling me, "No worries, it's ok" etc etc etc.

Two actually told me the sms is true. Real.

I supposed by now we all know that the sms was Real.

Cos' on Sunday (22/04/07), the Sunday Times reported about it, and also about how that sms stirs up a storm on half of Singapore.

The report also stated that there's concern that some unscrupulous others may use a similar tactic to attract business.

To such a person, I say, "I forgive you. Please avoid lying or cheating to get business, cos' it's bad for your business, name and karma. Remember the cry wolf story? People may believe you once, twice, but never the third time. Once bitten, twice shy. So please consider carefully."



All in all, what I learned from this entire episode is :

There's hope for Human kind.

Humanity and Compassion is still very much alive and kicking in this supposedly cold and brutal world of ours.

Compassion Won!

Thank you everyone!




PS:

For those of you who want or wish to adopt or keep a pet, please know that getting is easy;

Loving and taking care of them, being a devoted and responsible owner is the hard part.

I've kept pets from my childhood days to adult years.

My first dog came into my life when I was 9.

Animals are very much a part of my life.

It's a lot of hard work, a huge responsibility that requires time, commitment and patience.

But along with it, you get endless pleasures and teachings of becoming a better human being, which money cannot buy.

Not forgetting the unconditional and universal love which only they, the animals, could give to you.



Animals are like babies.

Only difference is human babies grow up to become toddlers, children, teenagers and adults.

Animals don't.

They're babies till the moment they pass away.

They're dependent on you throughout their lives, for the rest of their lives.

So please consider carefully before adopting one.

Thank you.