Change is a constant..

I have to remind myself that change is a constant.. It's always more comfortable to stay where we are and easily loose the big picture but the truth is that things will change.. And most of the time change is gradual. If we fail to observe that, it will hit us one day making us think that something big has just hit us when it has simply evolved over a long period of time without realizing it!!

I remind myself to acknowledge change. To embrace change. To understand change. And then flow with change. Gradually, i will blend so well with change that i bend change towards my wishes..

Thinking about having kids? ;-)

Tis is funny & interesting.. but dun read too deep into it..

Three rights don't make one's wrong

Everyone knows the old saying "Three wrongs don't make one's right". Now, i also think "three rights don't make one's right" either..

Recently, someone told me that if at least three folks tell u how wrong u are, it's probably true'. That kept me thinking for a while.. Mmm.. but my conclusion is that it can only be food for thought. And not THE ONLY ANSWER! Three rights just dont make one's wrong. Think about those early days when no one believes that the earth is flat.. But one man thinks otherwise.. Everyone thinks he's wrong but in the end we now all know that he's right!

Therefore, beware and be aware of receiving such comments. It's very difficult to know who's right or wrong sometimes. It depends on the individual's intelligence, talent, knowledge and experience to know something more 'rightly'..

Four different types of listeners

Extracted from 'Meditating on non-self' by Sister Khema.

Buddha compared listeners to four different kinds of clay.

(i) the first clay vessel is one that has holes at the bottom. If u pour water into it, it runs right out. In other words, whatever u teach that person is useless.

(ii) the second clay vessel is one that has cracks in it. the water seeps out. These people cant remember. Cracks in its understanding.

(iii) the third clay vessel is one that is completely full. So full of views that it cant learn anything new!

(iv) hopefully, we're the fourth kind - empty vessel without any holes or cracks. Completely empty. Ready to learn new things.

Buddha divide questions into four classes

Extracted from 'No-self or Not-self' article by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

The Buddha divided all questions into four classes. They are:

1. those that deserve a categorical (straight yes or no) answer

2. those that deserve an analytical answer, defining and qualifying the terms of the question

3. those that deserve a counter-question, putting the ball back in the questioner's court

4. those that deserve to be put aside. This class of question consists of those that don't lead to the end of suffering and stress.

Buddha said that there are two types of people who misrepresented him. (i) those who draw inferences from statements that shouldnt have inferences drawn from them and (ii) those who dont draw inferences from those that should.

The Spiritual Path..

The spiritual path is

never one of achievement.

It is always

one of letting go.

Do not depend on past experience alone..

Many people told me that experience counts. i agree. But if only experience counts, i disagree.

It is dangerous to assume that experience is the only source of ideas & inputs for a person to make decisions. In order to make optimal decisions, one should engage the wealth of tools, ideas & inputs from all sources available. However, do not go the extreme and attempt to seek all sources that handicap you to make any decision. Stay balanced. Time constraint is usually a key factor for u to set a deadline to make a decision.

That's why wise people know that wisdom comprises knowledge & experience. And knowledge is gained thru reading & learning from others. You dont have to burn your own hands to know that fire hurts.. Therefore, it also requires the power of imagination. Imagination helps you to imagine plausible scenarios and how u would behave to solve problems. All these require effort, patience and perservance. But it's all worth it!

A wise Buddhist reminded me that man shall walk on compassion and wisdom.. missing one, one would fall..

A misconception..

when i was young, i thought Buddhist pray and burn papers to god(s) or in front of some godly statue will bring peace wealth, health & happiness to people.. now i know that's mainly Taoism,.. and Buddhist dont actually pray to Buddha as if he's god.. coz Buddha himself said that he's not god. Buddhists are actually chanting in front of Buddha's statue or image out of great respect to the great master. His image also acts to help us focus our practise and as a constant reminder of our chosen path. Therefore, praying to Buddha statue does not mean god exist and that they would help us with some magical powers! There's no magic in these! All things will still abide to the laws of nature or the universal laws.

Do not believe in Buddha..

.. and the Buddha said: "Make a proper investigation first. Proper investigation is good for a well-known person like yourself." The man was even more pleased that he decided to become a follower of Buddha..

Buddha Light

This morning, i can feel Buddha light shining on me.. so peaceful & calm.. Today, is a good day!

7 Best Anti-cancer Foods

1. Red Onions

2. Chilli Peppers

3. Carrots

4. Cruciferous Vegetables e.g. broccoli, brussels, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, arugula, horse radish, wasabi & watercress.

5. Berries

6. Garlic

7. Turmeric

note: Info extracted from The Straits Times's Mind Your Body 29Nov'06.

Paper Christmas Tree

We felt that perhaps this year we'll skip buying a Christmas tree.. then my wife whose interest in origami decided to make one! She's really something.. i adore her! ;-)

Checkout Shini's blog

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness

The Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is truly an easy-to-read book and engaging one as well. I'm still reading it to date.. reading it slowly so as to digest the meaning and instructions given..

One para i particularly like is on page 129. It says:

"As the Buddha expressed this idea:

Hatred is never overcome by hatred.

Only through loving-friendliness does hatred cease.

This is an eternal law."

Managing with a Heart

Recently, i took out this book Managing with a Heart by Sharon Good again to read.. As always, i like to re-read books especially those self-improvement ones..

This book was given to me by someone who thought i might need a little awakening.. ;-)

Indeed, it woke me up of having a heart in managing.. not just manage by objective.. Some time later, i read somewhere that we should manage by emotion first, followed by manage by objective. This has since become one of my management principles.

Childhood video

Video played on my wedding reception..

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Nacho Libre - Jack Black (Recreation Pose)

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To see results, u need 4Ps

The 4 Ps that helped me realise results are Preparation, Perspiration, Perservance & Patience.

Preparation - Whatever u do, plan first. But dont over plan. Do your homework. It's worth the effort.

Perspiration - Do it! Take action! Hardwork is one of the key requisite for success.

Perservance - There will be pain. People may laugh, criticize & look down on you. The going gets tough.. but the tough gets going. Dont give up. Usually when u think u are at your wits or eleventh hour that light is at the end of the tunnel. Believe me, usually it's not an oncoming train too. Be positive.

Patience - All good things will come to those who are patient. Everything takes time to nuture & grow.. and for events to unfold. Enjoy the passage of time. Let time be yr friend.. & not yr enemy.