Lekokkon Cycling Fail

After two hours of sweating it out on the pedals, I was near exhaustion. And very hungry. The plan was to  grab food along the way. Roti, snacks, local rice dishes and maybe even the fancied mohingar. And of course water.

Bends after bends and mile after mile, there were no stalls to be seen. Goodness! Popping questions to the rare local passed along the way ended with amused smiles and shakes of the head. Smiles for the confused cyclist and head shakes for my wrangled burmese.

How did I get myself into this?

It all started a few months earlier. Was it early 2017? Can’t remember exactly. The lady boss of my favourite hotel in Yangon had invited me to check out another of her establishment, the Adventure Shore Resort. Now that sounded exciting and inviting. She had plans to do something different with the place and I could take a look-see. Maybe give some feedback. 

So, that August, I arrived in Yangon lugging along a newly bought XDS 16inch foldie packed into a size 32 hardshell suitcase.

A tiny foldie would be fine. It was from shore to beach with no climbs of any decency. 56 km flat terrain, it would be a stroll. The only factor would be it was in the middle of the rains but getting wet would be part of the fun. That was what I thought.

I had a lazy in-house simple breakfast and waddled my way to the Pansodan ferry terminal for the crossing over to Dala. A short ride, maybe 15 minutes or so. 

You can push your bike loaded with whatever from gate to ramp and ferry once you have your ticket. But foreigners have a separate gate and pay maybe 10 times the price of a local to board. Fair enough since foreigners are “rich”. Nice if I were. 

I had already folded the bike thinking that it would be easier to clear whatever checks and besides, I did not want to leave a ‘lift and away’ bike lying around while I say hello to the ticketing lady. Carried the bike to the jetty and swayed up the plankway. Quite a relief. Made friends with two young boys who had an interest in the bike. Nice kids. They helped carry the bike up but they did ask…and we parted later good friends and they a 1000kyat richer each. Nice kids.

The thing about a 16inch bike is that the geometry does not take well to a rear load. First mistake and lesson 1 is always to test ride with the expected luggage. I had packed light and things would be a cinch. Wrong! 

This particular foldie does not cater for a handlebar bag of any substantial weight. With the weight all to the rear, it will do a wheelie on its own. That adds to the effort pedalling as there is that much traction on the front wheel. That was Lesson no2 for me.

Lekokkon boasts a stretch of beach about 10km long (own guesstimate). Not fully explored but one day I hope to really give it a fuller cover especially that part nearer to the mouth of the Yangon River. Someday, yes.

If you like wide open padi fields, curious, helpful strangers and loads of fresh air, this is the place to be. The big three beaches of Chaung Thar, Ngwe Saung and Ngapali, are ever popular. If one likes pricy hotels, touristy conveniences then maybe it will be good. Remote off the road places like this one attracts me more. Possibly due to a preference for the basic bare necessities way-of-life things.

As a young boy, I asked a frenchman travelling alone why he chose to travel instead of slogging away at a career. He said simply, “People and places interest me more.” That left a long lasting impression. Would also add that the way people live and the the way they shape their lives under their circumstances fascinates me more. It is like coming home wherever that home may be.

This is a picture of naked happiness. The simple things of life!

Back on the road again, it was another hour before I found a little shack and a grandmother tending it. Thought I could get a cup of good local sugared milk tea but alas, she only had canned drinks. They had this red bull tonic drink loaded with caffeine (believe loaded with caffeine) and there was strip coffee. Never mind, whatever. 

I asked, “ar sah par la?”. She looked puzzled. Then she went back inside. I was expecting food. I followed to see what was available. She pointed and looked at me with eyes that asked, “This?” I laughed. She was gesturing at a bottle of salt. Ahh…ar sa…salt… Well, can also.. salt for the road. Replenish all the sweat.

Lesson no3. Eat well before a ride. Bring loads of food which is more important than anything else. Maybe besides tools and spare tubes. Can’t go on much when legs get wobbly.

I had only some oats in the bag and a banana. That would suffice. Not really. Another 2 hours later and still no food stalls, every crank became a challenge. And the 7 speed foldie made every tiny incline seemed like a mountain. Wonder where horses get all that energy from just oats.

Lesson no4. Never discount the headwind. It makes every inch of the road that much harder. And when there is no sugar in the blood, a lovely breeze at any other time carries with it immense grind. With usual good luck, it was headwinds all the way.

Hope…she often lifts you up and brings you down later. Into the fourth hour, (this narrative is more accurately described in hours rather than kilometres), I passed a village junction. The local folks, enviously relaxing under a shelter, gave me directions. Soon I was joined by three energetic young boys who raced after me on their bikes. We chatted as we rode alongside the potholed road. Yes, there is food up ahead, they said as they turned off to their village. Not true. Not even water.

As with all journeys, the end will come somehow. Almost finished off a litre of water when a drink stall finally and mercifully appeared. This trip reminds me of another time in Thailand when the helpful innkeeper offered that there will be one big climb ahead as well as three 7-11’s en-route only to find out countless big climbs and one 7-11. And that at the last 20km of the ride. Needless to say, that was another helluva day.

Little Pema

Little Pema passed on

Without seeing the world

Somewhere beyond my sight

And tears

Knowing release from her bonds

She will find equanimity

On the other shore beyond!

Every once in a while, we get a little jolt out of our complacency. For most I know, life is good. Food is aplenty and the sun will shine forever.

Such a tiny little thing. Yelping. There she was, a helpless little grey wriggling mass with her birthbag still attached. Those big fierce yellow ants were attacking her, snipping her.

It was by sheer chance that I was tidying up the leaves that morning, something rarely done.

Fed her the best way I could come up with. With baby pet nipples and syringe. Looked like she did a few gulps. Tucked her nicely in and hopefully to a cosy sleep and in the morning hope that she would gain a little more strength. 

But it was not to be. She did not survive the night.

It was sad to see her leave. There is always sadness when things like this happen.

She had many hours under the hot sun. Dehydration or maybe just water might have given her a better chance? Maybe her mother knew she was too weak and abandoned her? So many ifs and ors. Denial!

Forlorn

I pretend to be strong

Yet tears are rolling

For every meeting there must be a parting

Why then do tears still roll?

I gasp

for my heart aches

This swell knows no burst

This strange power

threats to tear me asunder

I yearn for the balm to soothe

But knowing well it cannot be

For part must there be

Now i think of Grandfather

As he lay weak, spent, dying

Perhaps his heart felt the same

as mine now does?

Sons daughters grandlittleones

Farewells loneliness emptiness pain

They left taking the warmth away

I saw that tear still moist

At the corner of his eye

was that what he felt?

In time i shall heal

and this visitor shall hold no power

When he visits again as surely he will

may i feed him no more

and so too should everyone else

Letting Go

If I do not let you go, I am selfish

But if you go, you are selfish.

The pain is not so much in want

But more in seeing your anguish

As you wrestle with yourself

The pain is not so much in lack of provision

But more in your choice

Made when hopes shadowed clarity

In slumber where gentle should be

Yet creases line your brow

That is pain.

Tibetan Marriage Made in India

Startling but happy news came in today. A Tibetan friend of some years but of only so many days is getting married.

A photo perhaps of this happy creature but then I thought it would be an invasion of her privacy to have her face plastered across space.

Her marriage brings to my mind many thoughts, the first perhaps, is the plight of the Tibetans in India. They are, to me at least, a rather displaced people in a foreign land. They may speak the language and wear western clothes but for many, their soul are still Tibetan. Within their hearts are so many aspirations, ambitions, plans and hope.

Many years ago, I had experienced something similar. Shall I subject the next generation to a place alien to them because I felt that my land of birth leaves me disillusioned? Half of my grandparents came from China and their grandson migrates to another place and later their great grandchildren migrates somewhere else? Sanvega!

Human kind and perhaps all creatures too seek comfort. Oppression births the will to live. Uncertainty anxiety. Dissatisfaction the search for greener grass and a bigger moon.

May my friend finds happiness and appreciation in her new life!

What Happened

Once upon a beginningless time

Beneath a starlit sky

Two pure faerylights

Hover over the lily pond

Knowing nothing else except the presence of the other

And of course the beauty of the world around them

In another age

Within a crystal pyramid of light

A couple hold hands

Each aware only of the presence of the other

And the bliss resulting from this

Promising never to be apart

Beneath the feet of the lotus master

All sat in reverence and adoration

Amongst them sat too

Two beings in devotion

Two truth seekers they were

Each aware and thankful for the presence of the other

Those were pure times

But in between flow the rivers of life

Some waters are cleansing

While others pollute

Yet others corrode

Until all memories are forgotten

Each unknowingly soaks the colors and flavors

This everflowing waters

Becoming a being each to one’s own

Not knowing the dangers that comes

With self with pride with arrogance

With Ego

Once there were two pure lights

Now there are two individuals

One knows the other

As a name a face another

Inviting when pleasing

Distant when displeasure arises

The beauty of the starlit sky

And the fragrance of the lilies

The innocence of their dance

The warmth of their devotion

Seems lost submerged

Alas!

Dedication to Koppee

This noon you passed on
I am responsible, I killed you
A little before your time but
Was it the better part of kindness?

Who has the right to take a life?
Each suffers as heir of our acts
In cutting short your time on earth
Would this justify what I did?

The ultimate truth is ever sublime
Each event carries from somewhere
Yours and mine are intertwined now
May you reborn now to a pure abode!

First you lost your sight
Then your hearing too
The maggots made your ears their home
Your suffering, oh! how you endured...

The lice and ticks
The maggots and bugs
They bother you no more
You have paid them your debts

Now you rest
Keep in mind the Lord of Compassion
Do you hear his mantra?
Go to Him without fear! Now!

I honour this Gutsy Lady

I honour you
For today you have made one big leap
You have gone where few can do
You have walked
And what a walk this is!
The mark of courage
Is the fear that stalks the heart.

The earth rumbled
Without warning
Thousands perished, lives snatched away
Thousands more left behind, lives crushed
In swift response, you told the world
Asked their help
And the world responded!

As this is penned,
You are over Chengdu
And then on to Yushu
Your bag carries more than clothes and goodies
May protectors guard over you!
And bless the work you are doing
And all that you are about to do!

Right now I am rich. I have everything. If I die now, I lose everything. But I can start all over again. But what is that I am supposed to start?

Giant among Equals

It is an honour to know you, friends who have responded so swiftly and with such generosity and compassion to those in need in the aftermath of the Yushu Earthquake.

The earth of Yushu quaked on 14/4/10 and left thousands dead and many more homeless and traumatised. The relief you provided through the funds you compiled have saved lifes and help many more through the freezing cold as they pick up the pieces.

Why donate? You could very easily have excused yourself by saying that there are many more in your backyard whom your $10 could benefit. But you see that it is in times of need that the small become giants. Granted, kindness knows no definition but at this hour you see that like those swept away in a storm, those nearest the precipice are in the direst need of help.

It is indeed my honor to know you! Thousands may not know your face but if they do, they would have felt honored too. Not that you care.

Yushu Qinghai Earthquake

Today, a 7.1 earthquake has struck YuShu, QingHai,China (Tibet). Known casualties are sister and sister in law of Minam Rinpoche. Also, Lama Lodro said 10 were killed in Thrangu Monastery which is a short distance off Yushu town.

News received said more than 300 killed and 8000 injured

Friends are helping to collect funds to see how they can help. Any kind-hearted souls who would like to contribute cash can call me on 012-9797295. We try to see how we can help.

The pics shows Thrangu Monastery main hall, the view from the grounds as well as the road that leads up to the monastery.

Lesson from the Birds

Can we live like the birds?

Can we fly away from the nest once we are able to do so without turning back for support?

I wonder! Humans are different from birds. Our homing instincts are stronger to say the least. Without the family unit, what are we?

But great men and women of the past became great teachers because they dared go where others feared.

Tibetan Culture and Arts Tour in Kuala Lumpur

There will be a Tibetan Cultural and Arts Tour led by Minam Rinpoche at Chempaka Lodge, Petaling Jaya. There will also be talks by a Tibetologist cum doctor cum professor from Beijing University.

Visit http://norling-library.blogspot.com for more information.

Just in case you are lazy, here's the location map. You will need to enlarge your screen to view though :)

I remember the smiling face and consider myself so lucky to actually have seen it. I took this photo last year and am reposting it again. This year there was only one eye. Hope you like it.
I remember Ernesto who told me one of the other eye is Venus (or was it Jupiter he said). Silly me argued that they were satellites cos they don’t blink.

Ernesto was right. One of them is a planet. My son says it is Jupiter. Looking at the night sky the other night with Ronald when there were no rain clouds, I am quite certain one of the eyes of the smiling face is indeed Jupiter.

I now have the urge to buy a refractor telescope. Purpose? To see if I can see the four moons of Jupiter. Why? Just for the heck of it.

I mirrored this in www.mixedjar.com too.

Passing on of a Friend

It is with sadness that I write this.

A week or two ago, I learnt that a friend Mr. Wong has passed on. He must be near 70 and I've not seen him for quite some time, like nears. Our lives crossed. He was a good man.

We found this out only because a friend whom he gave some Sivali relics to called his home to tel him the relics he gave has multipled. ( Relics do multiply and this is not the first time it had done so. Such multiplication is seen as a manifestation of the Buddha presence)

Death so often forgets us or rather we forget our own immortality and the brevity of our presence here. We touch the lives of others but more our lives are touched by those who share this same sphere with us.

Life is about finding happiness. May all find that.

I have with me a rare talisman of Luang Por Thot which he gave to me and that will always remind me of him.

To you, Mr. Wong may you move on and swiftly find the truth you seek.

This Blog Has Moved

This blog has found a new home and moved to www.mixedjar.com....

Blessings, Curses and I love you

It is said that the most powerful form of blessings and curses are those that are delivered telepathically followed by visually. The least powerful are those done orally. The tongue burns everything.
This would provide some food for thought for those who complain that their spouses never say enough of ‘I love you’. Maybe the force of love is more powerful if it remains in the heart. Once uttered that force is burnt to ashes. Is not the love that flows from the eyes of your lover much more sweeter than plain cursory words?

H1N1

As all news, the H1N1 scare is now stale news. Interest has died down but on astro star movies 'The Legend" starring Will Smith brought out the scary part of virus attacks. In this movie, virus killed everyone, well almost. With WHO announcing that H1N1 virus is attacking the lungs direct making it more deadly, isn't that scary?

There are things we can do I suppose and that would include keeping a healthy lifestye, washing hands often, avoid touching our nose and faces too much, avoiding public places with many people. One thing I question. Is the wearing of mask helpful? Wearing them can be more harmful as it can be easily contaminated meaning we will be breathing in more germs and virus. I thought masks were meant for those who are sick to avoid spreading the bugs.

Wing Chun Kung Fu

Recently there was a hong kong movie featuring Donny Yen and Simon Yam. The title of the movie is “Ip Man”.

This movie is interesting to me for many reasons.

The first is that it is about the Chinese kung fu or self defense art of Wing Chun. Wing Chun is an effective, efficient and scientific self defense method. I know this as I have trained in it for many years. It is quite thrilling to see a movie about Ip Man or Yip Man the founding father of contemporary wing chun. Although there are many scenes in the movie which is not wing chun but nonetheless, wing chun is the theme. With the release of this wing chun movie, I hope that wing chun will become more popular or at the very least, many will know that it exists.

Secondly, not many kung fu movies are made these days. Many of us will remember the heyday of kung fu movies of the 70s and 80s. Those were the days of shaolin kung fu and no less Bruce Lee. Pardon me but somehow it is unavoidable to mention Bruce Lee whenever kung fu is mentioned. Looks like this occasion is no exception. Good kung fu movies are rare and this one has Simon Yam and Donny Yen, veteran stars in their own right. I will not say much about the moves for kung fu is not about flowery or fancy moves but this one is at least nice to watch. My sifu told me that there has been an increased interest and enquiry for training in his wing chun center which he attributes to the release of this movie. That is good.

From my experience with the martial arts students, many have taken the wrong approach. Many think it is a macho thing. Chauvinism and egoism play big roles and this reflects ignorance of the purpose of training (at least for contemporary society). They do not understand the essence of kung fu or martial art.

The true student of kung fu eventually develops humility. A student who goes into the punching bag with his or her full ego has missed the point. Of course, the skill grows and with that confidence and respect for life too. Well…I know a good wing chun teacher in Kuala Lumpur so if anyone is interested, drop me an email

1Malaysia Fund Investment

Malaysia has launched the 1Malaysia fund. Can anyone advise whether this is a good investment?

heart attack and aspirin

I heard that it si good practice to keep two aspirins by one's bedside. Should it happen that one should wake up with chest pains and suspect that a heart attack is imminent, then swallow these two aspirins, call the neighbour, say heart attack and request for emergency help. Say you have taken two aspirins. And not to lie down.

This is important information but is there anyone out there who can verify this as the right thing to do in a suspected heart attack situation...taking aspirins i mean.

Surgeons, Butchers and Karma

Ever wondered what butchers and surgeons have in common?

I read this from a book and am in no position to judge but it is good food for thought. Both butchers and surgeons are said to be meat cleavers and in some way love to feel the cutting of flesh. It quotes that some surgeons get a thrill when they cut. It further goes to say that this is a carry over of karma from a past existence. Hmmm..

Real or not, it makes one wonder about all our actions and the karma that is in constant play. All the ever present human emotions that surface with every action we make. Are they colored by lust, anger or greed? The butcher cuts for a livelihood so does the surgeon. How thick can we draw the line between what is a means of survival and what is an exorbitant fee?

light of the lamps

The lamps may be different but the light is the same...Humphrey *** from Gubra

Perception : Judge not that I not be judged

I had two encounters with perception, rather how I can jump to a conclusion which is totally wrong.

The first incident happened in Lumbini during the Drikung 2003 monkey year teachings. We were in the common mess ground with many local kids who came to revel in the atmosphere of the teachings as well as for some free food. I saw a fellow Malaysian lady travel companion fished into her handbag, took out a couple of coffeemate sticks and offered them to some of the local kids. She proceeded to ask the kids to rip open the packet and eat them.


I was a little shocked as the coffemate came with the airline food handout. Shocked because I could not imagine anyone eating coffeemate by pouring them into their mouths, let alone anyone thinking of offering coffeemate to kids. I believed them to be unhealthy. In fact, I was so taken aback that I remarked that it was not a good thing to do.


Know what? Later I saw this same lady opening another stick of coffemate and eating it herself. This gave me a thorough lesson in perception and unfairly judging others. If I had thought that this lady was not being very kind in giving away coffemate to kids, I was wrong in judging her. She had in all kindness offered the kids, because to her, coffemate is a treat.

Another incident happened recently. I was in Yushu, a remote town in Qinghai, where I saw four monks sitting in a street corner chanting and drumming along with a hat for offerings in front of them.


I thought this to be unbecoming of monks to ‘beg’ this way. I did not make an offering but strangely gave some to another group a short distance away.

I was left somewhat ashamed when I later learnt that recently many monks who were studying or abiding in monasteries were turned out when the Chinese government changed the rules limiting the number of monks in monasteries. Most refused to disrobe as they preferred to be monks. Some had relatives to support them while others had to look for other ways of continuing their monkhood. Thus the seeking of alms in the fashion I saw.

Once again I was too quick to pass judgment based on narrow views and ignorance.

fengshui healing, my other blog

Pretty blue flowers.....I have been blogging for quite a while on fengshui on my other blog. Visit www.fengshuihealing.blogspot.com for another piece.

Respect and your Child

A friend sent me an excerpt from Patrick Teoh's blog which spoke about how kids of the 50's,60's and 70's did all the wrong things which would have parents today shaking their heads. Those kids, albeit older today, are still fine.

This brought to my mind something about how children learn. Often, I meet friends show me their kids, sometimes their grandkids and what struck me most is that these kids do not say hello or call "uncle" as we were taught to. They would often act bored or just refuse to sall even when coaxed.

It is not that I want to feel good to be called "uncle" as it matters nothing to me. What I feel sad for them is that their elders did not provide them with a good foundation. They are left to learn the finer points and qualities on their own when they go out into the world. These qualities are the foundation for loving , caring, respect and humility.
Kids learn from their elders. If the parents do not stand up and greet visitors, then it is uniklely that the child will do so later in life. The child will not see that to take time to greet a visitor (or a family member returning home), even though one is busy, for example eating, is an act of courtesy and respect. Who would blame the child, if in later life, he would not as much as glance at the father when he comes home from work?

Another observation. If you want to know how your host rates you, just check how he sends you off. Does he/she let you leave on your own or are you sent to the door? If you are asking for a loan, you will notice that the front door is closed right after you are outside and before you have a chance to put on your shoes. However if you love her, you will walk her all the way to her car and wave as she drives off.

Fengshui, trigrams- the subtle aspect

Evaluation and confirmation based on the stars-this phrase is very important.

In fact it is a rule that should underscore all fengshui evaluations. It is not something new that has been created recently for it is an extension of the eight trigrams. More likely, practitioners through time had relieved too heavily on set formula and pithy instructions so much so that the true nature of fengshui was lost.

Most evaluations of fengshui rely on the natal chart. It is a very useful aid in the understanding of the nature of the fengshui that are present. The only fault is that too heavy a reliance on it could result in conclusions that may be off the mark. Good fengshui requires reading of the chart together with assessing the situation at hand.

One does not have to be a psychic or sensitive or anything of that sort but one does need to differentiate the attributes that the environment presents so that their effect on the fengshui can be evaluated or better still confirmed. If this evaluation and confirmation based on the stars is not practised then the job is not complete. It is just like aligning the wheels of our car. Like the fengshui natal chart, the instrument that were built to take measurements of the wheels of our car do not require much intelligence to use them. The machines, on their own, possess no intelligence. The good mechanic cleverly makes adjustments to the wheels base on what he reads off the instrument. He also observes the wear of the tyres for tell tale signs of what is wrong. This is where his judgment is called for. There is one mechanic in Seremban who is acknowledged as the best in wheel alignments. Where the latest instrument fails to determine the fault, he can do so just by taking the car for a short drive round the block. That skill comes from experience and understanding. Likewise, the luopan, natal chart and trigrams are but instruments. Fengshui requires making use of the information available to achieve the desired result.

New FengShui Book

27April2009 was a day of sorts. Collected the prints of the new book. Hope to hit the stores early.

If you would like to support, the price is RM30 a copy. There will be postage on top of that. At the bookshops, the price is RM35. The email is goodfengshuiadvice@gmail.com

I hope this book is a start for more translations and explanations of old fengshui text from chinese into english. Non-chinese readers are at a disadvantage when it comes to knowing more about fengshui mainly caused by the language and lack of understanding of fengshui principles.

I feel that the value of this book lies at the very least on its translation which I believe is accurate. Happy reading.

Go little Bird

Ants raided your nest
Down you plopped - did it hurt?
Starved of your mother's care
Was the sesames I fed you alright?
Stress, shock or was it the cold
that caused you to leave that morning?
Hopefully the warm sunshine
Will be your last remembrance
Of the short time you spent here
Go, little bird, we shall remember your shallow grave
and may your next birth be a better one!

Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung

They say that the world is seen through the eyes.And what we see depends on how we see.
I remember Ajahm Brahm relating an experience in his book "Who Ordered this Truckload of Dung?". Before he became a monk, he was on one retreat and during one break he noticed that a clump of bamboos was so beautiful. So much so
that he found time there at every opportunity.
However when he returned there some time later, the bamboo clump was nothing special. The Magic was gone. What I think he meant to say was that external things do not change. It is ourself and our perception that determines how things appear to us. Whether we see magic depends on ourself. Happiness begins from inside.

Plastic Bottles Unsafe?

The safety or rather the danger of plastic water bottles has been circulating in cyber space and in print. I saw a printout of this plastered on the notice board at Songtsen library too so I did some research and guess what I discovered.

According to snopes.com, it seems that there is no truth in this at all. Plastic bottles are safe. Some chap did a university thesis on the subject saying that the effect of heat and chill casued the plastic bottles to release a carcinogen, a cancer causing substance. Well, there seems to be no truth to this. It is an urban myth. Check it out at snopes.com

Words can be misunderstood

I met a Buddhist monk in India whom I thought was unusually quiet. There was once that he observed silence for a few years, avoiding all unnecessary speech. The reason for doing so was that he was fed up with all the misunderstanding and problems that arose as a result of too much idle chatter.

Is it not true that we are so often misunderstood? Sometimes, even the words we utter are often not what we mean. and at other times, we are perceived and judged through just our words with the real picture being lost.

Anything to learn from this? I believe there is. One is to remember the story of the big fish being hooked because he could not keep his mouth shut. Another is to hone the art of articulation which then can lead us to wearing masks and losing our identity.

Is it not better to practise mindfulness and make the maximum use of all our faculties?

Ox

As this Ox year moves on, let my mind be like the Ox.
The Ox is not known for intelligence so let me remember that an Ox am I.
The Ox is gentle so let me overlook the faults of others.
The Ox is slow. Let me be slow in criticizing others, if possible never.
The Ox is not afraid of hard work (at least it appears that way).

Most of all, let me know that each and everyone is an individual and have rights, dislikes, worries, dreams and everything else which may be entirely opposed to mine. It is not their fault but mine to expect others to conform to my expectations.

Kill Time Buy Time

A visit to a dialysis center is quite a hassle especially for those who do that 3 times a week.

I hear of people eating the food they like while they are hooked to the machine for it is one time they can be free of the ills of their body knowing that the machine will clean everything that is stuffed inside. On this, I would think that it is better to eat hours before the actual dialysis rather than while hooked to the machine. The food would then have been digested and entered the bloodstream.

Ah, I digressed. For those who accompany the patient, it is boring time waiting. How nice if there were an internet café or shops to kill those boring hours?

For those hooked to the machine, good money is spent but well spent it is for it buys them time.

What a difference? Some wants to kill time while another buys time.

Who have you healed?

Being involved in complementary modes of healing as well as energy works, the question often arises. Who have you healed?

As an energy healer there may be no visible results. Like Paula Horan, Reiki teacher and writer said, no one is ever healed with Reiki. This of course can and is debated.

I would relate it from another perspective.

I know a family whose father was struck down with stroke resulting from a massive brain haemorrhage. After a month or so in hospital and going under the knife there was no recovery. He remained bed-ridden, unable to move. The hospital discharged him as there was nothing more they could do and bed space was scarce.

We mentioned to the son about the possibility of using acupuncture as we had seen good results.This acupuncturist is a good man and also our acupunture and tuina teacher.

It was a happy ending. Aftera week of treatment, he could move and after the second week, he was, I heard, doing laps in the pool.

That is amazing by any standard. His doctors thought they had the wrong patient card when he returned after 2 weeks for a check-up and said something like he no longer needed any more treatments.

He has fully recovered. Good for him!

Healing sometimes need not necessarily be through our own hands. In our involvement, healing has been effected. So, for all Reikians and other like workers, despair not that you have not seen results.

Value of Human Life

Head Stones and Mile Stones

It has been taught by many trainers and motivational gurus to set aside a special day to contemplate and plan for the coming year ahead. Being a sucker for such stuff, I admit, I faithfully followed.

One who fails to plan, plans to fail, so the mantra goes. Is that really so?

As we travel along the roads, we see milestones. By planning, we set our own milestones along this journey of life. Is that good?

Maybe the truer truth is that all these milestones don't matter.

We spend so much time and effort accumulating the wealth of this world. The most important thing seems forgotten along the way.

As we fade away witht he sunset, what is it that really matters? On reflection, all the milestones that we planted are just gravestones.

Did Yasodhara Sleep?

The Buddha stole away quietly one night with no one any the wiser. That is the popular account.

There is somewhere in the basket of teachings where the Buddha said that when he left, his father was weeping. Would that mean that he left in the presence of the royal court? Or is it a translation glib?

The popular account is that before he mounted his horse with faithful Channa beside him, he stole a look at his sleeping wife, Yasodhara.

Was Yasodhara asleep?

Yasodhara was a most kind woman and from the Buddha’s lips we learn that she in a previous life during the time of Dipankara Buddha, was destined to travel the path to Buddhahood with the Buddha. It seems she knew that the Buddha was leaving that night and had instructed Channa to prepare the prince for the journey.

Would she be able to sleep on a night like this? Or was she only pretending, knowing that to face a parting would make it more difficult for the prince?

Dubai

I was into the Aghora book and at one point, it mentioned that Bombay is a cursed place.

People who live there will in the end be polluted by its curse. Only those very rare ones will come off it purer. Reminds me of the peacock that imbibes poison unharmed being able to transmute poison into the beauty of its plumes.

It made me reflect on some of those places I have been. It is true, isn't it that there are some places which makes you comfortable and then again there are those that turns you off. Of course here I would remind myself of the teaching that whatever we see is but a reflection of our own nature. (what this means is that whatever follows is to be taken with the pinch of salt that it deserves as it is only my own perception)

Recently I had an opportunity to be in Dubai. I had hopes of a desert walkabout but I did not get to see or do very much as the lack of mobility was a major obstacle and taxi fares prohibitive.

There are some places which saps your energy and Dubai is one of them. Rich though it may be but behind the eyes of many, the human soul is missing. The workers are mainly if not entirely men coming from the Indian subcontinent. Except for one who says he is Arab, all the taxi drivers I have rode with are either Pakistanis or Indians. They earn what one night in a good hotel would cost. I read that 109 Indians died by their own hands as of September'08. This despite the facade that Dubai is the land of plenty.

The locals are handsome by most standards. By nature or by exposure, I observed that the migrant workers have developed very ugly values, being coarse, like to bully and on the whole contemptous both to foreigners and to their own kind. The beautiful side of human nature is sorely missing.

This attribute seems to extend to the habitat. Everywhere there is barren-ness like somehow a big torch has scorched the place and left its curse.

Alongside all this barren-ness lies manmade megaliths as tributes to man's ego and slavery to the senses. I saw all this decadence that seems so self inflicted. It conjures images of card 16.

This is Dubai. I write so briefly and there is so much room for missed perceptions. Any rejoinders?

Emptiness

Emptiness is Form
Form is Emptiness
Emptiness is none other than Form
Form is none other than Emptiness

This is an oft repeated prayer and comes straight from the Heart Sutra.

More than 2500 years ago the man we call the Buddha gathered his disciples together on this place called Vulture’s Peak. His disciples were ready for more advance teachings.

This is Vulture's Peak...

Thousands of enlightened Arahants and Buddha aspirants (Bodhisatvas) were present. It is a wonder how this small little crag could accommodate so many but then again we are limited by our own clouded perceptions.

In any case, this Sutra was spoken through Avalokiteshvara, the great Bodhisatva of compassion. If you miss that, he is none other than Kuan Yin. The Sutra follows the great style of the Buddha in that it is a parry of questions and answers between the Arahant Sariputra and Avalokiteshvara with the Buddha approving all this while in deep meditation.
Emptiness goes like this. We may have a physical body we identify as ourself. Whenever we look in the mirror, there we are. It is very assuring to know that everything is alright, minus of course the odd pimple that has popped up.

Now the Avalokiteshvara says we are actually empty or emptiness or whatever word that says that lovely shape of ours is not real. Wow! We are supposed to meditate on that.
So being told so, we go back and meditated as I suppose those great beings up on Vulture’s Peak did right there and then.

It took us quite a bit of time before we feel that we have got it. We have seen that our thinking mind is quite separate from our body. Ah.. maybe that’s the emptiness good old Avalokiteshvara is talking about.

But just as we thought that we have got it, It says that emptiness also is form. What? That means that actually we are empty..empty as in devoid of self and that lovely tummy that we have spent so much beer money and sausages on. That lovely tummy which we derived so much satisfaction rubbing and scratching after a hearty meal is not real?

Well after much complaining to the Buddha who said go and meditate more, we quietly do so. After all he is none other than the Buddha and there is only one in the whole wide cosmos. Goodness knows how long more we have to wait before the next Buddha appears. This is indeed a rare opportunity to learn something real that will give everlasting peace.

I mean, if it were anyone else we would have shown him something coarse and walked out. Probably this must have crossed the minds of some of those great ones there as this was certainly revolutionary thinking. Remember they were enlightened, you know.

Just as those enlightened beings meditated so did we. Of course our puny thinking skills and clear-mindedness just cannot fathom further. To help us along, some of the better ones realized that they were actually both emptiness and form. This they duly told the Buddha while we all lesser mortals remained silent, not being able to go further. The water is too deep.

As it happened, we exclaimed, “Ah…yes, that’s it!” or “Emaho” or “Eureka!” or something of like nature. Probably the smart Arahant did give himself a silent smirk or two.

Woe…woe…the Buddha smiled and said, “ But what about Emptiness is none other than form?”
There seems to be no end here. After exhausting the borders of our meditation skills and comprehension, we are told that our argument is not full proof but only fool proof. “Go meditate more.”

Do we see it now? This emptiness is all about pushing the borders of our perception. Pema Chodon calls it groundlessness. Every time we think we have arrived at a revelation or, if you like compliments, an enlightened thought, remove our bases. Pull the rug out and reexamine from there. Only then can we expect to see and understand what the Buddha means when he says there is no liberation or suffering. How can there be when form and emptiness are the same?When we begin to see that those who suffer and ourselves are one and the same, then maybe we have got something. This emptiness and form thing means that the person who suffers, the one who starts the suffering and suffering itself are one and the same.

Smiling Face

this was taken in Kulhan India a few nights ago.. See the smiling face? A rare conjuntion of satellites and crescent moon.

India India

Ah...what good fortune to be able to get online.

After the last month spent in a modern metropolis where monstrous concrete, glass and steel are called buildings, these pictures are a stark contrast.

Look at the bus. It is something I rode to school as a boy. The flared bell-bottom pants is from the Beatles era. Times stood satill here.

The bike rides 4. I was told it is a rule for the rider to wear a helmet but not his passengers. Wonder what the rule book says on the max number of pillions.

Yvonne Foong

Yvonne Foong needs money for her surgery. She is leaving for the states December14 and right now is short of airfare and board expenses. (post update ..she flew off today i heard on short funds. pray the good doctors will stabilise her failing eyesight.)

A dear friend has been actively, directly and indirectly helping out, praise to her. When we met up a few days ago, I made a small contribution. I feel a little bad that I am only offering so little but then this friend told me that someone we both know also made a contribution. It is not the size of the contribution but the spontaneity of that gesture which is most touching. For I know that this person is in need of whatever dollars he has and his generosity is most touching. It speaks volumes of the man.

I am again reminded that it is not the amount but the thought. a dollar may seem a little but many dollars add up.

Generosity comes in many forms. The effort puts in is a generosity and that becomes the biggest contribution since without that effort, whatever amount collected would never materialise.

I have heard of the remark, "how do I know that the money goes where it should go?" Sadly, this is commonly heard. I believe that if we are giving then that thought should never arise at all because if evryone thinks like that, then nothing would materialise. Giving should come as something that I want to do. I should put that thought and energy into knowing that help is offered and it will get to the right place. If a drowning man is shouting for help, no debate should be made as to whether he deserves help.

Back to Yvonne. I know her as a plucky little lass, barely 22 but she has come a long way. In fact, I would be proud to have her courage and strength. Her malady has battered her so much and yet she remains a sweet girl without any trace of misgivings nor anger. I learn a lot from her. Grace her be blessed.

Pilgrimage - Run Touch Run?

Some time ago I talked about doing a great pilgrimage. Coming back to thinking about this again, I dwelled upon memories of some of my forays and observations.

I notice that the psychology of those who go on group excursions tend to rush themselves so that they get to visit or touch those places on the itinerary. The more the better. They will travel either by bus or some form of modern transport to the desired destination, spending hours upon hours to get there.

Once there, they mill round to absorb and revelate their good fortune to be there. Then within a few hours they then herd off again, basking.

It reminds me of the tag and run races that we played in school. All racers run as fast as we can to one end of the field, touch a stone or a tree or some other object and back we run again to the starting point. Of course whoever finishes first, wins.

My Father

At 55, when tough guys retire, my Father was looking for better income to provide for those with him.

Papua New Guinea was then the new frontier and they were enlisting. However his age worked against him.

He passed on to the pure realm about a year later.

The night he moved on he visited me and told me he was leaving. I shall always remember him as a courageous and righteous man witha soft heart.

Bollywood Hooray

There he was again with a lustful...sampah heiiiii...in true bollywood fashion.

Who is this guy you may ask. Well, he is our neighbourhood's regular garbage man. he always appears taking out all the garbage from the bins and stacking them by the road side for the truck that soon appears. This saves time.

But it is his cheeriness with his sampah heiii that I like. It is his way of announcing to all to bring out their gabage. He does appear to love his job for as he goes about his work, he sings bollywood songs. I like this guy. He is probably Bangladeshi or Indian.

Reminds me of the dumpling vendor in Manju Tilla Delhi who wakes all and sundry with his "sheeee....sheeee..ah..rey....!" but more of this story another time.

Spam mails snopes.com truthorfiction.com

Infallible we all are. We fall for anything. Now there is help. www.snopes.com and www.truthorfiction.com

SPAM mails...this is one good read. Click to link you there.

Bees and Orchids

Seems orchids emanate a fragrance that makes bees drunk. So when they hover over the flowers, they get tipsy and drop the pollen over the flowers and the pollination begins.

Now wonder why your man deposits himself instead of bringing the bread home. Not his fault. It's the beer!

Termites Forever

Termite queens are fertilized regularly by the same mate for life, unlike bee and ant queens, whose male partners die after the first and only mating. They live up to 50 years.

Now we know why those termites never go away. Goodness, that queen has been with me long as I have lived!

Identification through the Feet

Under the new rule, all irrespective of gender shall recognise each others' feet.

The new rule has its advantage. When before if you lose your head you lose your life but now if you lose your feet, you only lose your identity.

Of course there are those from the old school who would rather lose their life rather than their identity.

But in time, all will get use to the new way.

What is the Color of Our Money?

We are all very generous people with generosity in sharing love, favor and very openly, money.

We bear warm witness to this free sharing spirit when natural disaster strikes. We are more so willing to give when it involves giving to members of the religious order. We offer our share to the monk’s community, to the temple, church, mosque or monastery. Our intentions are always good for we believe such efforts are directed to the betterment of our kind. And there is merit in it.

What about cross-faith giving?

What about giving to isolated causes which are overlooked? A old newspaper collector on his bicycle perhaps? (He too has a family to feed).

What about a young girl with brain tumors in need of an operation? What about giving for her simple joys of a night out with friends?

Do we say no? Cos those do not belong to our belief system? Or the other does not belong to our flock?

What is the color of our money?

An Ode to English Plurals

A Friend sent me this. Isn't it interesting?!

An ode to English Plurals

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.
If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down,
in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?


'Have a Nice Day'

What Usui Sensei means to me

Recently I got back into healing therapy again. Not really getting back, more like exploring and learning again.

I was introduced to a myofascial therapist and became a patient to explore what can be done with my bad neck and back. (and I have found something that works and will share later..)

Healing and relieving of physical problems and pain had always held a great interest for me. Maybe it has something to do with the good feeling of being able to build something, put something together or repair something that was not working too properly.

With all this the journey led to picking up all kinds of magic and then to Reiki. Apart from the healing aspect itself, it was the life of the founder, Dr. Usui, himself who made a deep impression on me.

From the few stories that we know now, he led a simple life. If it is true that he meditated in the mountains, he was deeply spiritual. From his service to the beggars and the victims of the earthquake, he showed great compassion.

Typical of the orient way of doing things, students gathered to him. I can appreciate that part of his culture which is similar to my own. Through my experience in the learning of martial arts and other stuff, a good teacher is hard to find and a great master is one who shares whole heartedly with very little expectations of payment.

What I learnt and hopefully others see it too is that the Reiki that is taught is not so much about healing but of giving and offering of services. More importantly it is about leading a deeply spiritual life. A life beautifully lived is a life that leads one to self understanding and inner knowledge of the greater scheme of things.

That is how I view my Reiki grandmaster-a fine example of a life well lived.

Compassion and Loving Kindness

Loving kindness is thinking of wanting others to be happy.

Compassion is getting up and doing something to dispel suffering.

Cycles of Joy and Gloom

No no this is not about politics.

Just wanted to show the faces of joy on parents and child. The joy is real. But only seven days ago, there was gloom and anger.

That then, folks, is a reminder that nothing ever stays the same.
The endless cycle continues....

Birthday Do The ShanTung Way

We all celebrate birthdays, don’t we?

In some form or other we do. The western way is to have a cake in front of you when everybody sing a song to usher in your moment and then you blow off the candle.

Maybe the blowing off of the candle is an attempt to halt the process of time and in that way we never grow old. Quite an act of denial if this is true! And actually quite self-centered. It is all about “me”.

There is one way of looking at birthdays which I like. I find the thought behind this quite meaningful. A little Confucian but still very meaningful.
When I was a young boy, there was this man who hails from Shantung province in China. On his birthday, he would sleep out side the house without blanket or pillow, braving the cold and if it rains, much worse. He says that it is their way of remembering the pains that their mothers go through in giving birth to them. It is a day for expression of gratitude. He says that in China it was much worse especially for those born in the winter months.

Care to think about this every time a candle is blown?

Water fengshui- a case study

On the subject of water in fengshui and tips in selecting property, there is something here

Statutory declarations and Testicles

Of late, Malaysians have learnt the term statutory declaration or SD in short. Well, there is another term which is a cousin to sd which is relevant to the court of law…testimony. The origin of this word?

Romans, when taking an oath before the court, to insure they were telling the truth and that their statements were accurate, they swore on their testicles.

Plight of the Tibetans

The Olympics are now well over but there are still some lasting impressions from the protest of the Tibetans. At least I hope there are. (I wrote then to the papers with the hope of generating some awareness of the plight of the Tibetans).

Now the Tibetans are more or less forgotten, swept aside by current events as all things eventually are.

This is a picture of a little boy observed sleeping in a corner of an alley just beside the road that rings the Potala in Lhasa. What struck me was the serenity of his sleep amidst the bustle of pilgrims as well as the bright colors of his dress and blanket.

Now as I look again at this image, the poignancy is not lost. As his elders ponder their grim future, he sleeps on, naïve as a child ought to be. He is older now and very soon, he will start to face his future and that of his kin. What lies ahead for him and his people?

Reiki Masters

It has been a good eleven years ago. I was one of a group of 24 who gathered at the hills of Gembrook.

What were we doing there?

We were Reiki masters in training. All in all, we spent seven full days in those hills in that chilly month of May. Seven days it was but for many it was much longer as some had arrived earlier in preparation and some stayed after to savor the after-charge. I remember one well who stayed a full one month? Of course there was one who had to stay back being unfit to fly home as a result of burns from the fire walking.

Those were seven magical days. So magical was it that we have tried to incorporate these elements of magic into our own courses. Have we succeeded? Only those along for the ride can tell.

We had fun (and stress) with games, communicated with the unseen, mesmerized by psychic surgery, confronted and even chastised by beings. There were many regressions and emotional releases. Once we cross that path of fire (literally) something snaps. I think many of us learnt a great deal about ourselves and eventually become the greatest conqueror. For that is what true mastership is all about. Sadly many miss this point.

Words cannot describe the freedom of de-inhibiting ourselves. We can only soar if we allow ourselves to.

Where are all these fellow masters now? One or two has passed on. How are the others getting along with their lives? I wonder.

Another one or two, I know have been too busy with their material lives to bother to catch up anymore. One I know who is a real tender soul may have gone back to his native Kiwi or maybe he has found the highest truth. I believe he is the one who is most likely to succeed. Déjà vu, another has remained a gem if ever there was one.

Sometimes paths cross and for those who recognize the great importance of our journey make the full use of it. May I always have the wisdom to do so.

High Cost of Healthcare

The old lady was ill with nausea. An ambulance was called and ended with her staying 4 nights in the hospital. Tests like X-rays, CT scans, ECGs, ultra sounds. The suspects were stroke, lung infections, neurological problems and specialists opinions were sought.

The bill on discharge came up to more than a $1000 a night. Nothing was badly wrong with her.

All the equipment cost money certainly but there is something wrong somewhere. Many people scratch and save and all it takes is one bout of illness and there goes the hard savings.

To the government, the young aspiring doctors, is there a thing to learn here?

I wonder too whether those doctors who have made it ever think about how they charge as they whiz around in their expensive cars and sleep in their cozy mansions knowing htat these come from those hard earned dollars of those who cannot afford their fees.

Lower Back Pain

Ever experienced lower back pain?

Here is on tip that may help. The source of lower back (that is the area of our abck behind our navel) can sometimes be strain to the buttock muscles, the gluteus. The other is the psoas muscles which are muscles at the front around the navel area.

Through strenous excercises like climbing stairs or standing for long periods of time, tightness develops in these muscles and the pain shows up in our lower back. It even causes tender tail bone.To relief pain, try lying down on a golf or tennis ball at the area of the buttocks which are most tender. A good massage of 12 times many times a day helps. The common areas are near the depression of the hip joint and just above the crease line of the thigh and buttocks.

To work the stomach muscles, again lie on your back and apply deep pressure with fingers to look for tenderness. Apply pressure and watch the tenderness ease.

I remember the effectiveness of this therapy. It was during my week long Reiki Master training in Australia and I developed a stiif back. My fellow Reiki master, Rhonda, who was sitting next to me noticed my discomfort. All she did was reached into my muscles just below the hip bone and with her sensitive hands found the right spot. It was for maybe 20-30 seconds and my pain was gone. What a great therapist. Sure magic! Thanks, Rhonda if you are reading this.

Preciousness of human life

According to the Teachings, the scarcity of being born a human is compared to the possibility of a turtle surfacing once every hundred years and on surfacing his head passes a ring the size of a yoke floating in the wide ocean.

Within the laws of probability, everything is possible. The laws of karma, rebirth in different forms, multiple realms and worlds; all these are possible.

The Teachings exhort us to make use and treasure this human life and use it meaningfully for the pursuit of spiritual goals. Have I?

Black or White

This one says a lot.

The Chinese in South Africa were once classified as black. When the government wanted to do business with Taiwan, they were reclassified as white. After the end of apartheid rule, the chinese sued and they are now again black. ha..ha...black or white?