My 2011 resolutions are
- Be POSITIVE
- Develop my capacity for everyone :)
- Be healthy
My sincere apology to those who I hurt intentionally or unintentionally by deeds, speech or action. May you forgive me.
May all be safe, happy and well always.
With love,
Lee Yean
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Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
One of My Random Thoughts
Know the outside world.
Know the inside world.
Create a balance between outside and inside worlds.
Build a bridge then we can cross over two worlds.
By doing so, you may then live like a frog.
A frog which is able to breath in water and on land.
Know the inside world.
Create a balance between outside and inside worlds.
Build a bridge then we can cross over two worlds.
By doing so, you may then live like a frog.
A frog which is able to breath in water and on land.
Monday, December 20, 2010
My First Day with Monash University
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A Gentle Reminder
If you are only 'fairly sure', proceed with confidence. But if you feel you are completely sure, proceed with caution.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The Shawshank Redemption
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Paradox, Humour and Change
Dan Millman: Life has just three rules?
Socrates: And you already know them...
Dan Millman: Paradox, humour, and change.
Socrates: Paradox...
Dan Millman: Life is a mystery. Don't waste time trying to figure it out.
Socrates: Humour...
Dan Millman: Keep a sense of humour, especially about yourself. It is a strength beyond all measure.
Socrates: Change...
Dan Millman: Know that nothing stays the same.
Socrates: And you already know them...
Dan Millman: Paradox, humour, and change.
Socrates: Paradox...
Dan Millman: Life is a mystery. Don't waste time trying to figure it out.
Socrates: Humour...
Dan Millman: Keep a sense of humour, especially about yourself. It is a strength beyond all measure.
Socrates: Change...
Dan Millman: Know that nothing stays the same.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
For One More Day - Mitch Albom
A reminder from the book "A child embarrassed by his mother, is just a child who has not lived long enough."
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Thinking outside the box
Suddenly, I recalled what my friend said to me long long time ago:" People say we have to think out of the box, but why do we have to think with a box? We have to think without a box..."
Till now, I cannot really understand how to practice what he shared: to think without a box.
Is the 'box' referring to 'perception'?
We think we are thinking outside the box only because we cannot see how big the box really is. Imagination cannot easily transcend the boundaries of the present, and one reason for this is that it must borrow machinery that is owned by perception. Daniel Gilbert.
Till now, I cannot really understand how to practice what he shared: to think without a box.
Is the 'box' referring to 'perception'?
We think we are thinking outside the box only because we cannot see how big the box really is. Imagination cannot easily transcend the boundaries of the present, and one reason for this is that it must borrow machinery that is owned by perception.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Spiritual Athlete
Don't become a victim of spiritual athlete who goes to one meditation retreat after another.
It's not a matter of gaining a particular kind of special experience but is a matter of understanding the nature of all experiences.
It's not a matter of gaining a particular kind of special experience but is a matter of understanding the nature of all experiences.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Albert Einstein (2)
"That which is impenetrable to us really exits. Behind the secrets of nature remains something subtle, intangible, an inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond that we can comprehend is my religion" -Albert Einstein-
Is this force = Kamma??
Is this force = Kamma??
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Cannot Be Bothered By Details???
Discipline is based on pride, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of the goal or the fear of failure. ~ Gary Ryan Blair ~
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The Secret Teachings of All Ages
~ To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books. ~
Monday, September 13, 2010
Repression vs Suppression
Suppression is done mindfully to not allowing the distracting thoughts in taking control of our mind. Suppression can be translated as "to arrest", e.g arresting the motion of a moving object. To bring the uncontrollable mind to stillness. Repression is done after compulsion, fear and without realizing what we are doing.
As defilements are not permanent or independent but based on causes and conditions so suppression sometimes can be used to 'fight' with our defilements.
As defilements are not permanent or independent but based on causes and conditions so suppression sometimes can be used to 'fight' with our defilements.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Commitment
Thing that we have committed we have to deliver; not only we have to deliver but have to do it WELL. Simply because our commitment affects others.
Monday, September 6, 2010
内敛
“内敛,可以说是我们为人处世的传统方式。
不以物喜,不以己悲,是一种内敛;
智欲圆而行欲方,胆欲大而心欲小,也算一种内敛;
凡事不张扬,得意时不忘形,富足时不骄矜,位卑或者贫穷时也不谄媚,更是一种内敛。
内敛也是适可而止,是含蓄,是不夸张,是给人家留个面子。
无比的坚定统一,也是内敛。
摘自(雅虎知识堂)
不以物喜,不以己悲,是一种内敛;
智欲圆而行欲方,胆欲大而心欲小,也算一种内敛;
凡事不张扬,得意时不忘形,富足时不骄矜,位卑或者贫穷时也不谄媚,更是一种内敛。
内敛也是适可而止,是含蓄,是不夸张,是给人家留个面子。
无比的坚定统一,也是内敛。
摘自(雅虎知识堂)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
What is wisdom?
Knowing how to response in every situation and bringing a positive result to a situation requires timely mindfulness.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Fear
“We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears. People living deeply have no fear for death.” Anonymous
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wedding vs Marriage
When you prepare for your wedding, don't forget to also prepare for you marriage. Best wishes.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Universal Problem
Viewing the 'other' as a 'stranger' is not the problem; the problem is dissolving the "strangeness". By Ron Adams
Demystifying The Thesis by Ron Adams
Dear Academic,
Knowledge is your power, words is your tool. So activate your hunger for words.
Best wishes
Ron Adams
Knowledge is your power, words is your tool. So activate your hunger for words.
Best wishes
Ron Adams
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Effective Delivery
Metro Trains chief executive Andrew Lezala explaining to the public about the Melbourne's train network. The Age, 1 August, 2010.
''Because we have a spider [network], if we want to have a spider's web we have to have the buses connecting the legs up effectively,'' he said. ''The buses have a vital role to play.''
''When the services get to the centre, they cross over each other a lot,'' Mr Lezala said. ''If you traced the path of all the trains it would be like spaghetti. We need to get it so it is more like lasagne, so we have got … flow through the middle, so if one line is in trouble it doesn't affect another line.'
''Because we have a spider [network], if we want to have a spider's web we have to have the buses connecting the legs up effectively,'' he said. ''The buses have a vital role to play.''
''When the services get to the centre, they cross over each other a lot,'' Mr Lezala said. ''If you traced the path of all the trains it would be like spaghetti. We need to get it so it is more like lasagne, so we have got … flow through the middle, so if one line is in trouble it doesn't affect another line.'
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What I learnt from the e-mail, 7%
1. Agree to disagree.
2. Time heals everything. Give time time.
3. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
4. Forgive everyone everything.
5. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one does.
6. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
2. Time heals everything. Give time time.
3. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
4. Forgive everyone everything.
5. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one does.
6. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sati Sampajanna
Three factors of meditation:
1) Sati – mindfulness, not forgetting or remembering,
2) Sampajanna – alertness, awareness or wakefulness,
3) Appropriate effort.
1) Sati – mindfulness, not forgetting or remembering,
2) Sampajanna – alertness, awareness or wakefulness,
3) Appropriate effort.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Suffering
Notes from Vassa one-day retreat with Ajahn Kalayno
1. Some suffering in life are subtle and we don't even know we are experiencing them.
2. Suffering is to be understood and dealt with wisely but not to be avoided.
3. Some suffering cannot be avoided, e.g. old age, death...
Miscellaneous
Hearing is just hearing: When you are mindful, you'll notice the whole hearing process. 1) I hear that 2) I give meaning to that (he is praising me) 3) I know that I am receiving praise 4) I check the truthfulness of the saying (you'll be able to do that only when your wisdom and mindfulness are strong enough)
Practise to think, say and react in a neutral way, e.g.
1) The cow is eating the grass on the field. (not the ugly cow is eating the grass on the field...)
1. Some suffering in life are subtle and we don't even know we are experiencing them.
2. Suffering is to be understood and dealt with wisely but not to be avoided.
3. Some suffering cannot be avoided, e.g. old age, death...
Miscellaneous
Hearing is just hearing: When you are mindful, you'll notice the whole hearing process. 1) I hear that 2) I give meaning to that (he is praising me) 3) I know that I am receiving praise 4) I check the truthfulness of the saying (you'll be able to do that only when your wisdom and mindfulness are strong enough)
Practise to think, say and react in a neutral way, e.g.
1) The cow is eating the grass on the field. (not the ugly cow is eating the grass on the field...)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Time
Time is a concept.
It's conditioned by the absence or presence of your desire towards something.
When you want something so much but you haven't got it yet or you haven't been satisfied then you will feel that time passes so slow ...so slow...
It's conditioned by the absence or presence of your desire towards something.
When you want something so much but you haven't got it yet or you haven't been satisfied then you will feel that time passes so slow ...so slow...
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A timely motivation to metta
1) We'll be able to detach at the end, only if we have tried hard enough in the first place.
2) Don't give up hunting until you get the best meat
3) Give more patience
4) Aim HIGH
2) Don't give up hunting until you get the best meat
3) Give more patience
4) Aim HIGH
Misc
" Many folk like to know beforehand what is to be set on the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the feast like to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise louder." ~ The Return of the King ~
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Home
What does this word mean to you?
Answers:
1. A place where I feel comfortable and relax
2. "My sweetheart is here, this is my home"
3. A place where my parents are living
4. A place within
5. This is home where I know I won't be alone
6. A place where everyone loves you no matter what
Answers:
1. A place where I feel comfortable and relax
2. "My sweetheart is here, this is my home"
3. A place where my parents are living
4. A place within
5. This is home where I know I won't be alone
6. A place where everyone loves you no matter what
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Jimmy Cliff - I can see clearly now
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun shiny day
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun shiny day
Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin' but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
You're the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun shiny day
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Do it
"People often think: I need to go an MBA or something first. It's rubbish," says Charles Armstrong of Trampoline Systems. "The surest way to learn... is to do it."
"And the sooner you do it the better because as our lives proceed we have more to lose."
Quoting from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10322902.stm
"And the sooner you do it the better because as our lives proceed we have more to lose."
Quoting from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10322902.stm
Monday, July 5, 2010
Status conscious
Am I becoming more and more status conscious?
Definition of "status conscious" is to want to have a high material standard of living by, for example, owning the latest gadgets and wearing fashionable clothes...
Definition of "status conscious" is to want to have a high material standard of living by, for example, owning the latest gadgets and wearing fashionable clothes...
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Nobody owns nothing
Don't be afraid of becoming nobody, as we are actually nobody.
Don't be afraid of losing something, as we own nothing.
Don't be afraid of losing something, as we own nothing.
Saying it or doing it
1) We are what we do but not what we say.
2) We all can talk the talk but can we walk the walk?
2) We all can talk the talk but can we walk the walk?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Just do it but do it well
Bro.Tan always say,
1. Just do it, what is so difficult ??!!
2. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. 要么不做, 要么做好。
3. Focus on learning but not the emotion as emotion is groundless.
1. Just do it, what is so difficult ??!!
2. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. 要么不做, 要么做好。
3. Focus on learning but not the emotion as emotion is groundless.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happiness
Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony. ~ Mahatma Gandhi ~
Friday, June 18, 2010
A big step
Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is needed. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps. ~David Lloyd George~
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
每个人心中都有一首歌
為你 我用了半年的積蓄飄洋過海的來看你
為了這次相聚 我連見面時的呼吸都曾反覆練習
言語從來沒能將我的情意表達千萬分之一
為了這個遺憾 我在夜裡想了又想不肯睡去
記憶它總是慢慢的累積 在我心中無法抹去
為了你的承諾 我在最絕望的時候都忍著不哭泣
陌生的城市啊 熟悉的角落裡
也曾彼此安慰 也曾相擁嘆息
不管將會面對什麼樣的結局
在漫天風沙裡望著你遠去 我竟悲傷得不能自己
多盼能送君千里直到山窮水盡 一生和你相依
為了這次相聚 我連見面時的呼吸都曾反覆練習
言語從來沒能將我的情意表達千萬分之一
為了這個遺憾 我在夜裡想了又想不肯睡去
記憶它總是慢慢的累積 在我心中無法抹去
為了你的承諾 我在最絕望的時候都忍著不哭泣
陌生的城市啊 熟悉的角落裡
也曾彼此安慰 也曾相擁嘆息
不管將會面對什麼樣的結局
在漫天風沙裡望著你遠去 我竟悲傷得不能自己
多盼能送君千里直到山窮水盡 一生和你相依
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Deeper and Subtle
Be a deeper person who can think deeper, see farer and always keep an open mind. Be a subtle person who can act accordingly upon different kinds of environments, situations and conditions.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Craving
Ajahn Brahmavamso talked about 'craving'.
It is not because you want the things you craved for but you are addicted to 'craving'. For most people, life is craving, life is wanting for something. Craving gives us a sense of being, a sense of identity. The problem of craving is, if you want the next thing, you cannot enjoy the thing you are having now. When you have stillness of mind, you reserve your mental energy :-) Sometimes, remember to look at things which have been done, do not always look only at what have not been done. (Note: Be careful of this saying !!)
Bro.Tan said: This is good enough for me. This is enough for me. I have enough of what I need. What others need is what they need and that is not what I need.
Ajahn Jayasaro said: " There are two types of craving: wholesome and unwholesome cravings. For unwholesome craving, it can be craved for sensual pleasure, wanting to be and not wanting to be."
It is not because you want the things you craved for but you are addicted to 'craving'. For most people, life is craving, life is wanting for something. Craving gives us a sense of being, a sense of identity. The problem of craving is, if you want the next thing, you cannot enjoy the thing you are having now. When you have stillness of mind, you reserve your mental energy :-) Sometimes, remember to look at things which have been done, do not always look only at what have not been done. (Note: Be careful of this saying !!)
Bro.Tan said: This is good enough for me. This is enough for me. I have enough of what I need. What others need is what they need and that is not what I need.
Ajahn Jayasaro said: " There are two types of craving: wholesome and unwholesome cravings. For unwholesome craving, it can be craved for sensual pleasure, wanting to be and not wanting to be."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The motivational journey
Movement is everything.
Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. ~Samuel Johnson~
They said, to successfully complete a thesis we have to engage in new behaviors and avoid or limit other behaviors.
While each thesis journey is different, all share the need for students to manage their thinking, emotions and behavior, in order to produce the necessary persistence and intensity of effort.
The thesis is as much a motivational journey as a journey of research and discovery.
Good Luck.
Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. ~Samuel Johnson~
They said, to successfully complete a thesis we have to engage in new behaviors and avoid or limit other behaviors.
While each thesis journey is different, all share the need for students to manage their thinking, emotions and behavior, in order to produce the necessary persistence and intensity of effort.
The thesis is as much a motivational journey as a journey of research and discovery.
Good Luck.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Timely Wisdom = Mindfulness
When we are able to call upon our reserve, knowledge, principle to deal with each and every situation then we can say that we have mindfulness.
Wisdom is something which is in regards with time and place. It has no specific personality but is sensitive to the need of time and place. It makes you see when you need to agree or disagree, firm or compromise, lead or follow…
Train and educate your mind to be able to have the optimal response in regards to every situation. This is the role of mindfulness.
Wisdom is something which is in regards with time and place. It has no specific personality but is sensitive to the need of time and place. It makes you see when you need to agree or disagree, firm or compromise, lead or follow…
Train and educate your mind to be able to have the optimal response in regards to every situation. This is the role of mindfulness.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Go against the grain
To get rid of an old and a deep-rooted habit, we have to go against the grain and always stir things up a bit.
Appreciate every single difficulty which stirs your calmness and peacefulness.
Don't miss the chance to learn from every single difficulty you have encountered.
Appreciate every single difficulty which stirs your calmness and peacefulness.
Don't miss the chance to learn from every single difficulty you have encountered.
Friday, April 30, 2010
A conversation with Sunanda
When you are agitated, remember that daily routines and good habits can help you to calm your mind.
When you are troubled by intense negative thoughts, remember to try to do some hobbies for example rear a pet or take care of your garden. This will help you to divert your attention and make you feel that you are needed.
How to prevent yourself to dwell in negative thoughts? Just think in a different way, a better way.
When you are troubled by intense negative thoughts, remember to try to do some hobbies for example rear a pet or take care of your garden. This will help you to divert your attention and make you feel that you are needed.
How to prevent yourself to dwell in negative thoughts? Just think in a different way, a better way.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Move on
Watch up !!
Don't simply got caught up in daily mundane things,
remember to always move on as time does not wait.
What you think is an important or urgent matter may not seem the same to others.
Don't simply got caught up in daily mundane things,
remember to always move on as time does not wait.
What you think is an important or urgent matter may not seem the same to others.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Scaffolded Leaning
... many arrows, loosed several ways,
Fly to one mark...
~William Shakespeare, Henry V ~
It is an approach to teaching and learning that, while careful provide an initial framework, leaves it to the learner to establish longer term structures.
This is what we called "scaffolded learning'.
Fly to one mark...
~William Shakespeare, Henry V ~
It is an approach to teaching and learning that, while careful provide an initial framework, leaves it to the learner to establish longer term structures.
This is what we called "scaffolded learning'.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Research is what I devoted myself to.
Research is a systematic self-critical enquiry, made public.
It is founded in curiosity and a desire to understand;
is stable and systematic in the sense of being sustained by a strategy.
It requires a sceptical temper of mind sustained by critical principles.
~ Stenhouse, 1985 ~
It is what I devoted myself to.
It is founded in curiosity and a desire to understand;
is stable and systematic in the sense of being sustained by a strategy.
It requires a sceptical temper of mind sustained by critical principles.
~ Stenhouse, 1985 ~
It is what I devoted myself to.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wisdom
Analogy
Wisdom : Develop
Wisdom : Cultivate
Wisdom : Penetrate
Wisdom : Accumulate
Wisdom : Precipitate
For me and for now, the answer is the last one.
Wisdom : Develop
Wisdom : Cultivate
Wisdom : Penetrate
Wisdom : Accumulate
Wisdom : Precipitate
For me and for now, the answer is the last one.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
不乱, 不慌。
人乱, 我不乱。
人慌, 我不慌。
一乱,一慌,就被拌住了。
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. ~Albert Einstein~
人慌, 我不慌。
一乱,一慌,就被拌住了。
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. ~Albert Einstein~
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
LOVE, like rain.
LOVE, like rain, can nourish from above,
drenching couples with a soaking joy.
But sometimes, under the angry heat of life,
love dries on the surface and must nourish from below,
tending to its roots, keeping itself alive.
~ Mitch Albom ~
drenching couples with a soaking joy.
But sometimes, under the angry heat of life,
love dries on the surface and must nourish from below,
tending to its roots, keeping itself alive.
~ Mitch Albom ~
Friday, April 2, 2010
Sunanda's random sharing on Uposatha day
It is not a curse to be in a heaven.
Be a shining deva, instead.
Don't proliferate your negative thoughts, tell yourself:"it is not like that."
Don't unnecessarily pull yourself down.
Time is running short.
Sometimes, result is evaluated using time factor.
BH motto:' Learn & serve, learn & serve".
Many people misunderstand the word 'enjoy'.
The true enjoyment comes from within for 'en' means internal.
If we take delight in sensual pleasures, that is called 'excitement'
for 'ex' means external.
Just continue to enjoy your life but don't excite your mind.
Not to be negligence, must wake up before sun rise.
Our ability of grasping on the situations is still very poor.
We memorize the formula, but we never apply the formula effectively.
Because we don't know how/why the formula being formulated.
It's alright to make a mistake.
Just don't take too long to correct and learn from the mistake.
Time, to me is in the present moment.
Time, to me is the most precious resource I have now.
Be a shining deva, instead.
Don't proliferate your negative thoughts, tell yourself:"it is not like that."
Don't unnecessarily pull yourself down.
Time is running short.
Sometimes, result is evaluated using time factor.
BH motto:' Learn & serve, learn & serve".
Many people misunderstand the word 'enjoy'.
The true enjoyment comes from within for 'en' means internal.
If we take delight in sensual pleasures, that is called 'excitement'
for 'ex' means external.
Just continue to enjoy your life but don't excite your mind.
Not to be negligence, must wake up before sun rise.
Our ability of grasping on the situations is still very poor.
We memorize the formula, but we never apply the formula effectively.
Because we don't know how/why the formula being formulated.
It's alright to make a mistake.
Just don't take too long to correct and learn from the mistake.
Time, to me is in the present moment.
Time, to me is the most precious resource I have now.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Relationship
Having a healthy relationship is more important than becoming independent.
As we are human beings who live in the earth together with many others. No man is an island.
Building a healthy relationship without an attachment requires wisdom, compromise and compassion, which I need to develop.
As we are human beings who live in the earth together with many others. No man is an island.
Building a healthy relationship without an attachment requires wisdom, compromise and compassion, which I need to develop.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Do not take yourself too seriously
After enough mirror gazing, we all develop our ‘cosmic sense of humor.’
We no longer try to be perfect, or try to get all our work done in time.
We become content with whatever life brings.
Just to deal with what comes up without crucifying ourselves or others is enough of a challenge.
-- Paul Ferrini --
We no longer try to be perfect, or try to get all our work done in time.
We become content with whatever life brings.
Just to deal with what comes up without crucifying ourselves or others is enough of a challenge.
-- Paul Ferrini --
Friday, January 22, 2010
Conditions
When the conditions become less than ideal, observe the conceit in our mind.
When the conditions are better than ideal, observe the greed and guilty in mind.
When the conditions are better than ideal, observe the greed and guilty in mind.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ajahn Sumedho aka Robert Jackman remembers his guru and his own novice days
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- From the navy to the monastery, from an American city to the forests of Thailand — the trajectory of Ajahn Sumedho’s life is interesting, to say the least.
Born Robert Jackman in Seattle, Washington in 1934, Ajahn (a Thai honorific title for “teacher”) Sumedho served four years in the US Navy as a medic. He also served in Sabah for two years in the Peace Corps in the early 60s.
However, despite being a Buddhist for over four decades and a highly regarded monk at that, Ajahn Sumedho still looks like a Mat Salleh in monk costume. Of course, this could be because we are so familiar with the traditional image of monks as Asians.
Above: Ajahn Chah (right) and Ajahn Sumedho
Even so, Ajahn Sumedho recalls how wearing the robes irked him when he was a novice monk in Nongkhai in northeast Thailand back in 1966.
“We had to wear three robes on our morning alms, and I used to complain as we were hot and clammy by the time we returned to the monastery,” says the affable abbot of Amaravati Monastery in Hertfordshire, England.
“The robes were dyed with a natural jackfruit dye, and the mixture of sweat and jackfruit dye smelt terrible. Life seemed to centre on robes, washing and mending them. I protested as I wanted to meditate.
“I also refused to wash the feet of senior monks. As an American, I was raised on egalitarian ideals, and washing another man’s feet seemed outrageous. When I left Nongkhai to join Ajahn Chah, 30 monks would rush to wash his feet after he returned from trudging barefoot through paddy fields and dirt tracks.
“Not me. I thought it was stupid and boosting Ajahn Chah’s ego,” he recalls.
The food also did not suit Ajahn Sumedo’s palate, but monks, then as now, have to eat whatever the villagers offer.
“The villagers brought chicken curry, fish curry and frog curry, but in those days Ajahn Chah would dump them all into one big basin and mix them up. It tasted horrible! The nuns would bring roots and stems from jungles for us to eat. I remember writing to my mother, ‘I am living on tree leaves’, and got her worried for nothing.”
It was the wise Ajahn Chah who helped remove the murkiness clouding the young American’s mind.
“I was frustrated by the strict monastic codes of Vinaya based on the hierarchical structure of seniority. There was a selfish side in me that wanted to live a monastic life but on my own terms.
“My complaints were gnawing me from inside — all the whining, whinging, blaming, thinking I was right, getting fed-up, being un-cooperative, wanting to leave.
“I realised that even when I led a comfortable life, I already had the habit of complaining and looking at life critically. Ajahn Chah showed me a different, positive outlook. Instead of being self-centred with the ‘get rid of this and get more of that’ attitude, I began to see life as it is, filled with ups and downs.
“I learned to welcome the chance to eat food I didn’t like, welcome wearing three robes on a hot day and welcome discomfort. Life is like this. Sometimes it is nice, sometimes horrible and most of the time, it is neither one way or the other!”
Meeting Ajahn Chah
Religionists are convinced that they will meet the teacher who will guide them when the time is right. Likewise, Ajahn Sumedho, who lived alone after his ordination as a monk, hankered to meet his teacher.
“Almost immediately, Ajahn Chah’s disciple Phra Summai visited Nongkhai! Coincidence? I don’t know but this is the truth.”
Phra Summai took him to Wat Pah Pong in Ubon province, where he remained under Ajahn Chah’s tutelage for 10 years. Again, it was tough going. Ajahn Chah spoke only Thai all his life, and Ajahn Sumedho only English! It was years before the latter learned Thai.
“Ajahn Chah would give long dharma talks in the evening, sometimes four to five hours, and I couldn’t understand a word! I was bored, cramped and upset. But at the end of one sermon, he looked at me, smiled and asked, through an interpreter, how I was doing. To my surprise, I said, ‘Fine’ and suddenly all my frustration disappeared!
“That was the beginning. He pushed me to the edge to make me see reality and what I was doing. I trusted him absolutely, and soon my aversion to washing his feet fell away and there were 31 monks rushing to wash his feet when he returned from alms!”
As for the language gap, the American understood more than what he was told via translation.
“We could not hold a proper, in-depth conversation in the beginning but he always said ‘Sumedho learns through the language of dharma’, and people would ask ‘What language is that?
“He said, ‘That is the language of living and observing, learning through awakening and being conscious, of having a human body and experiencing feelings that include greed, hatred and delusions, all normal human conditions’.”
Ajahn Sumedo began to see the bigger picture. Once he was asked to give a dharma talk for three hours.
“I had to speak and watch people leave or lie on the floor and sleep in front of me. At the end of three hours, there were just four polite old ladies!”
That was when he realised Ajahn Chah wanted him to examine the various forms of self-consciousness from conceit, vanity, pride, posturing to grumbling, and even the yearning to please and receive approval.
“I am grateful to Ajahn Chah because of his compassion.” says Ajahn Sumedho simply.
Why Buddhism?
“Buddhism offers the path to liberation. I was a Christian but became disillusioned as I could not understand its teachings nor find someone to guide me. Buddhism does not force you to accept blindly but to find the truth through your own experiences, and it was such a joyous discovery,” beams Ajahn Sumedho.
Here are some pearls of wisdom from him for parents:
“Parents have ideas how their children should be. If their kids don’t fulfil their expectations, parents feel angry and frustrated. And then, they are no longer loving them,” says Ajahn Sumedho.
“Attachment to children in this way no longer allows us to love them properly. If you let go of attachment, you will realise a natural way of relating is to love, and you become aware of them as they are, not as you visualise them to be. Of course these two can often be the same.”
On happiness, he says, “Please realise that ‘happiness forever’ is an impossibility! But neither is unhappiness! As a child, I wanted a toy so badly I told mum I would never want anything else.
“So mum bought it, and I derived happiness from it . . . for maybe five minute, before I started craving something else!
“I remember this vividly because I was so convinced permanent happiness was mine once I got that toy.
Reflection
Everyday, there is another great opportunity for me to do Dana.
I rejoiced to know about your great opportunity in learning/practising the Dhamma.
To Birthday Boy, may you always surrounded by wise companions.
sincerely,
metta
I rejoiced to know about your great opportunity in learning/practising the Dhamma.
To Birthday Boy, may you always surrounded by wise companions.
sincerely,
metta
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Professionalism
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