dependent-arising

this is probably the most profound wisdom i've learned this year.. though the year just begun.. ;-)

While reading 'How to see yourself as you really are' by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, i discovered the dependent-arising concept - chapter 4.

i never knew i could find a way to better understand & determine realism, the true and the untrue. Simply apply dependent-arising concept in your meditative reflection practises. In dependent-arising, you will consider all aspects of causes that brings to live the object of your focus. This method helps you to realise or reflect the level of realism or truth. For example, looking at a plate of vegetables, you see the causes involved in cooking up a plate of vegetables.. u see the farmer who planted the vegetables, the wet market vege seller who buys from farmer and sells the vegetables to the food stall, and finally the cook who cooks it..

Armed with these understanding, you will appreciate this plate of vegetables better. Stretching this example, it means you will understand life, truth better.. all things in this universe! ;-)

note: the above words & understanding is my own and not from the book. So, as a junior lay buddhist, dont believe what i write but to reflect and consider it carefully before applying it in your daily life.

books

Books, books and more books.. i never really like reading till i was 24 yrs old! i was amazed by the no of books i have read since then.. though i still wish i could read more..

Reading has become more of a pleasure these days. Whenever i learned something from reading those books, i feel very happy, experience growth and gained knowledge.

i still like to read management, personal improvement, buddhism, cooking and photography books. Rotating among those topics provides balance.

i wish i could continue reading.. forever.. ;-)

The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford

This is an interesting read. Similar to the Freakonomics book i read some time back. These days new generation of economists are getting more humourous and got style! ;-)

But what really caught my full attention was the last page of the Undercover Economist.. or in fact the last sentence - "Economics is about.. choice." page 255.

That is so 'Life'!

That is so 'Real'! ;-)

3 principles to live by - Robin Sharma

today's The Straits Times 'Mind Your Body' section featured a lawyer turned writer Robin Sharma. He is 41 yrs old & lives in Canada as a single-parent of two kids - Colby, 12 & Bianca, 10. His first book is an inspirational bestseller The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, about a lawyer after having a heart attack, not only dispenses his Ferrari but also changed the way he lives his life. His other books include Monk & Greatness Guide. note: I've not read his books yet though am interested to do so.. Based from the article, it seems his principles are similar to my own beliefs and close Buddhist philosophies as well.. But really need to read his books to be more sure..

3 principles to live by

1. Order your thoughts by night and organise your activities by day.

2. Make time for physical exercise. What's the point of being the richest person in the graveyard? We often take health for granted. Exercise gives energy, makes you live longer, look better and boost creativity. It then cascades into every area of life.

3. NSI, Never Stop Improving. each day take small calculated risk to see yourself grow. move out of your comfort zone. dont be afraid of failures. thru failures u will succeed.

I would add one more principle here (from my own set of principles) to make it more complete, at least for myself.. it's Make time for your love ones.. tat include spouse, family members and friends. we are so busy with our own activities that we failed to realise time flies and let our love ones slowly drifted away.. so make it a point to find time to be with them.