"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
A snail (again?)
A snail (again?)
It was drizzling. Tiny raindrops fall on my hoodie as I walked up the stairs after the underpass and in the midst of the steps, I saw a tiny snail in the middle of the steps, hidden in the dirt under the cloak of raindrops.
I took out my tissue to try to move this little snail away, and as I picked it up, I discovered that life has already left it, what was left was only It's form.
I was sad, standing in the rain, lamenting the loss of another life. I was too late in trying to save it.
But I proceed to move the snail out of the way to prevent the form of the snail from getting crushed by others.
Some may asked why? The main reason was because I didn't want others to think that they killed the snail since it was already dead when they stepped on the snail physical dead form. Those who doesn't know may feel sad, and blame themselves for the death of the snail when in the first place, they got nothing to do with it. It may just be the key to diminishing someone's happiness, especially if the person is compassionate and has a heart for other non-human living beings.
Then again, some may argued, there is no tangible or even seemingly remote tangible value In what you did. No one would ever know (well unless you post it on Facebook like I did :p), or so we assume.
Regardless of good or bad, there is always one who knows; the person is you, yourself. You walked away knowing that you did your best to prevent any more unhappiness in this world. Imagine being in the same situation, I would not like to blame myself for a death which I didn't caused. If the person before you who saw it, removed it from the path, you would have been spared from the agony of remorse.
To be compassionate, in my limited understanding, is the intention and action to alleviate the sufferings of others; when we see and perceived that others are suffering, we want to help and reduce the suffering. For example when we see a little puppy fell and got hurt, bleeding, we may want go and tend to the wound, bandaged the injury with tender loving care. We can see the effect of our intention, our action hence it is perceived as more tangible.
What if we had removed the little rock on the road which, when not removed, had caused the little puppy who walked by later, tripped on, and cut by the rock. Again, I see it as kindness, being considerate of others. It is not perceived as tangible, we don't know whether any puppies will get hurt but at least we reduced the possibility of it happening.
Being considerate, springing from the fountain of kindness within could be a life saver, even if we don't know. Imagine if you give way to a car with an anxious driver on the road and not blocked it because you felt irritated, there are multiple possibilities, maybe the driver Is a surgeon, rushing to the hospital to save lives; maybe the driver is a parent or child rushing home to take care of family members who may be injuries or ill.
Maybe just maybe.
If you considered all the possibilities and give way, you could have prevented unhappiness from arising. If you had not give way, the driver may try to overtake you when there is a chance and both of you won't be happy. If the overtaking, done recklessly, resulted in an accident, it would have caused more misery. But all these are just maybe. Maybe.
There is perhaps a 'reward' in being considerate, the fruit of peace. Not because you think you had done others a service of kindness but by being empathetic and considerate, you don't give anger, self-obsession a chance to hurt you. Without the presence of these damaging thoughts and emotions, you can enjoy the happiness of peace.
But then again what do a bear like me know?
Grateful to the little snail who inspired this post. May the snails have a good rebirth.
May all be well and happy.
Have a good weekend everyone.
With love and compassion
Simple Bear 06.02.2015.
It was drizzling. Tiny raindrops fall on my hoodie as I walked up the stairs after the underpass and in the midst of the steps, I saw a tiny snail in the middle of the steps, hidden in the dirt under the cloak of raindrops.
I took out my tissue to try to move this little snail away, and as I picked it up, I discovered that life has already left it, what was left was only It's form.
I was sad, standing in the rain, lamenting the loss of another life. I was too late in trying to save it.
But I proceed to move the snail out of the way to prevent the form of the snail from getting crushed by others.
Some may asked why? The main reason was because I didn't want others to think that they killed the snail since it was already dead when they stepped on the snail physical dead form. Those who doesn't know may feel sad, and blame themselves for the death of the snail when in the first place, they got nothing to do with it. It may just be the key to diminishing someone's happiness, especially if the person is compassionate and has a heart for other non-human living beings.
Then again, some may argued, there is no tangible or even seemingly remote tangible value In what you did. No one would ever know (well unless you post it on Facebook like I did :p), or so we assume.
Regardless of good or bad, there is always one who knows; the person is you, yourself. You walked away knowing that you did your best to prevent any more unhappiness in this world. Imagine being in the same situation, I would not like to blame myself for a death which I didn't caused. If the person before you who saw it, removed it from the path, you would have been spared from the agony of remorse.
To be compassionate, in my limited understanding, is the intention and action to alleviate the sufferings of others; when we see and perceived that others are suffering, we want to help and reduce the suffering. For example when we see a little puppy fell and got hurt, bleeding, we may want go and tend to the wound, bandaged the injury with tender loving care. We can see the effect of our intention, our action hence it is perceived as more tangible.
What if we had removed the little rock on the road which, when not removed, had caused the little puppy who walked by later, tripped on, and cut by the rock. Again, I see it as kindness, being considerate of others. It is not perceived as tangible, we don't know whether any puppies will get hurt but at least we reduced the possibility of it happening.
Being considerate, springing from the fountain of kindness within could be a life saver, even if we don't know. Imagine if you give way to a car with an anxious driver on the road and not blocked it because you felt irritated, there are multiple possibilities, maybe the driver Is a surgeon, rushing to the hospital to save lives; maybe the driver is a parent or child rushing home to take care of family members who may be injuries or ill.
Maybe just maybe.
If you considered all the possibilities and give way, you could have prevented unhappiness from arising. If you had not give way, the driver may try to overtake you when there is a chance and both of you won't be happy. If the overtaking, done recklessly, resulted in an accident, it would have caused more misery. But all these are just maybe. Maybe.
There is perhaps a 'reward' in being considerate, the fruit of peace. Not because you think you had done others a service of kindness but by being empathetic and considerate, you don't give anger, self-obsession a chance to hurt you. Without the presence of these damaging thoughts and emotions, you can enjoy the happiness of peace.
But then again what do a bear like me know?
Grateful to the little snail who inspired this post. May the snails have a good rebirth.
May all be well and happy.
Have a good weekend everyone.
With love and compassion
Simple Bear 06.02.2015.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Going to the 'bank'
Going to the 'bank'
I was having a short conversation with two seniors who were helping out at one of the Dharma halls and the topic was on '立春' (which symbolises the start of Spring, the new year) which happens to fall on today for this new year. For Chinese, it is said that if today we make deposits into our bank accounts, it will help in your financial luck in the coming year.
Seniors: "今天是立春?" (Today is the start of Spring?)
Simple Bear: "是啊。所以今天很多人忙着去银行进钱, 存款。" (Yes. That is why there are many people who are busy making trips to the banks to make deposits.)
Seniors: "难怪今天银行那么多人。" (No wonder there are so many people at the banks today)
Simple Bear: "我也是来存款的。" (I am here to make deposit too)
Seniors: o_O ?
Simple Bear: "功德款。" (Deposit of Merits)
Seniors: *laughed
Adding another perspective on the start of Spring, a new yearly cycle of the four seasons (although in Singapore, we only have the rainy season and the hot season), it is a reminder to make 'deposits' in your 'spiritual bank'.
Spring always symbolises hope for the year to come and it is a good time to make the resolution and start practicing the Dharma. And 'deposits' are good habits and qualities such as love and compassion that we can start to build up in our 'spiritual bank'. In the event of adversities, we may need to make 'withdrawals', the good habits and qualities are assets which can help us handle the adversities or liabilities in our lives. And the best thing about making the 'spiritual deposit', you don't have to queue to make the 'deposit'.
Have a good year ahead everyone. May all be well and happy.
With love and compassion
Simple Bear
P.S. Heard about the TransAsia plane crash in Taiwan, hope all my friends in Taiwan are safe and sound. May the merits from my practice and offerings today be shared with all sentient beings including those who are on the fateful flight, hope more people can be saved. May those who had passed on have a good rebirth. May all be well and happy, free from ill will and sufferings.
I was having a short conversation with two seniors who were helping out at one of the Dharma halls and the topic was on '立春' (which symbolises the start of Spring, the new year) which happens to fall on today for this new year. For Chinese, it is said that if today we make deposits into our bank accounts, it will help in your financial luck in the coming year.
Seniors: "今天是立春?" (Today is the start of Spring?)
Simple Bear: "是啊。所以今天很多人忙着去银行进钱, 存款。" (Yes. That is why there are many people who are busy making trips to the banks to make deposits.)
Seniors: "难怪今天银行那么多人。" (No wonder there are so many people at the banks today)
Simple Bear: "我也是来存款的。" (I am here to make deposit too)
Seniors: o_O ?
Simple Bear: "功德款。" (Deposit of Merits)
Seniors: *laughed
Adding another perspective on the start of Spring, a new yearly cycle of the four seasons (although in Singapore, we only have the rainy season and the hot season), it is a reminder to make 'deposits' in your 'spiritual bank'.
Spring always symbolises hope for the year to come and it is a good time to make the resolution and start practicing the Dharma. And 'deposits' are good habits and qualities such as love and compassion that we can start to build up in our 'spiritual bank'. In the event of adversities, we may need to make 'withdrawals', the good habits and qualities are assets which can help us handle the adversities or liabilities in our lives. And the best thing about making the 'spiritual deposit', you don't have to queue to make the 'deposit'.
Have a good year ahead everyone. May all be well and happy.
With love and compassion
Simple Bear
P.S. Heard about the TransAsia plane crash in Taiwan, hope all my friends in Taiwan are safe and sound. May the merits from my practice and offerings today be shared with all sentient beings including those who are on the fateful flight, hope more people can be saved. May those who had passed on have a good rebirth. May all be well and happy, free from ill will and sufferings.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Being a Mirror
"We need people to be able to reflect back to us the beauty that we
cannot see because of the fog that mental illness brings to our minds."
Kate, who recovered from depression.
These words from Kate struck me as I was listening to her speak about her recovery journey at a forum organised by Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) yesterday.
I used to joke to my psychology schoolmates that we all need psychiatric treatment because most of us are delusional. We tend to think that people will speak and behave, situations will change the way we think they will where in fact most often or not, they won't.
If all of us are delusional, then perhaps we need others to reflect the beauty of this world by being the embodiment of beauty itself, through unconditional acceptance of each other. We are not super heroes, we are not here to save; we are in this, together as one on this journey.
If the delusions causes one to be dysfunctional in everyday society, in relation to others, we term it as illness, but what constitute dysfunctional is determined by norms and it is subjective; the majority rule doesn't take into consideration with empathy, inclusion of those who are special. We are a paradoxical kind, we want to be different and yet be similar at the same time.
Regardless of faiths and belief systems, be the reflection of what is beautiful in your life, as a human and you may just find that similarity within all, the beauty and happiness of being us.
Grateful to SAMH for doing the good work in taking care of our brethren who are perceived to be more unique than others. May all be well and happy.
Kate, who recovered from depression.
These words from Kate struck me as I was listening to her speak about her recovery journey at a forum organised by Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) yesterday.
I used to joke to my psychology schoolmates that we all need psychiatric treatment because most of us are delusional. We tend to think that people will speak and behave, situations will change the way we think they will where in fact most often or not, they won't.
If all of us are delusional, then perhaps we need others to reflect the beauty of this world by being the embodiment of beauty itself, through unconditional acceptance of each other. We are not super heroes, we are not here to save; we are in this, together as one on this journey.
If the delusions causes one to be dysfunctional in everyday society, in relation to others, we term it as illness, but what constitute dysfunctional is determined by norms and it is subjective; the majority rule doesn't take into consideration with empathy, inclusion of those who are special. We are a paradoxical kind, we want to be different and yet be similar at the same time.
Regardless of faiths and belief systems, be the reflection of what is beautiful in your life, as a human and you may just find that similarity within all, the beauty and happiness of being us.
Grateful to SAMH for doing the good work in taking care of our brethren who are perceived to be more unique than others. May all be well and happy.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Happiness, not an entitlement
"When one feels entitled to happiness, one loses happiness."
Simple Bear
Time for one of Uncle Bear's uncle stories.
Went to Fortune Centre to have my dinner this evening, placed my bag on a seat next to an empty seat and went to order my food. While I was waiting for my food, a family of five came in (mother, three children and a maid) looking for seats and I can sense frustration in the mother of the family. I offered to give up my seats so they can have four seats (two tables side by side) and perhaps get another seat by sharing the table. The mother walked past me and said in an annoyed tone, "We have five people" as if she was entitled to the seats and I should have not even been there, with my bag on the seat.
I immediately focused within to detect any signs of anger. Once assured I was 'safe' from anger, I smiled and proceed to take my bag to look to share another table. The staff saw the incident and offered me a seat which was previously denied to the family. I declined and found myself sharing table with my ex colleague, a pleasant surprise. I had a great dinner and catch up.
I didn't regret giving up my seat for the family. Just felt a tinge of sadness for the mother of the family, maybe she was tired, maybe she was frustrated at something which happened earlier, but no matter what had happened prior, she had missed an opportunity to be happy.
Sometimes, unknowingly some of us felt entitled to certain things in life, and it extends beyond material things, to our expectations of others. We may think that things should be and should not be according to our expectations but more often of not, things turns out not to be congruent. We suffer due to the incongruity that we perceived. We are not happy.
Happiness is not an entitlement but a gift, which we can give to ourselves and others through kindness, love, compassion and patience. It's like during Christmas, children expects and wait for presents from Santa but Santa never came with presents. And we are disappointed, unhappy during the festive season. We expects, we loses. And we suffers.
When we don't feel the sense of entitlement, we may get pleasant surprises which we can be grateful for. And gratitude is perhaps, in my limited humble opinion, a great tool for engendering happiness for oneself and happiness for others through the support of kindness, love and compassion for others.
How do we immerse in gratitude in our lives? For me, it's diminishing the sense of entitlement, through the shrinking of the ego and the concept of I who seems to think otherwise.
I can't say I am good at this yet. But I know I will be perfect in it one day if I don't stop putting in the efforts to improve myself and realize my potential in the primordial goodness.
Grateful for the lady who gave me this opportunity to reflect and to have a good catch up with my ex colleague.
And yes Uncle Bear is longwinded.
May she and her family find happiness, and be well and happy.
May all be well and happy.
Simple Bear
Time for one of Uncle Bear's uncle stories.
Went to Fortune Centre to have my dinner this evening, placed my bag on a seat next to an empty seat and went to order my food. While I was waiting for my food, a family of five came in (mother, three children and a maid) looking for seats and I can sense frustration in the mother of the family. I offered to give up my seats so they can have four seats (two tables side by side) and perhaps get another seat by sharing the table. The mother walked past me and said in an annoyed tone, "We have five people" as if she was entitled to the seats and I should have not even been there, with my bag on the seat.
I immediately focused within to detect any signs of anger. Once assured I was 'safe' from anger, I smiled and proceed to take my bag to look to share another table. The staff saw the incident and offered me a seat which was previously denied to the family. I declined and found myself sharing table with my ex colleague, a pleasant surprise. I had a great dinner and catch up.
I didn't regret giving up my seat for the family. Just felt a tinge of sadness for the mother of the family, maybe she was tired, maybe she was frustrated at something which happened earlier, but no matter what had happened prior, she had missed an opportunity to be happy.
Sometimes, unknowingly some of us felt entitled to certain things in life, and it extends beyond material things, to our expectations of others. We may think that things should be and should not be according to our expectations but more often of not, things turns out not to be congruent. We suffer due to the incongruity that we perceived. We are not happy.
Happiness is not an entitlement but a gift, which we can give to ourselves and others through kindness, love, compassion and patience. It's like during Christmas, children expects and wait for presents from Santa but Santa never came with presents. And we are disappointed, unhappy during the festive season. We expects, we loses. And we suffers.
When we don't feel the sense of entitlement, we may get pleasant surprises which we can be grateful for. And gratitude is perhaps, in my limited humble opinion, a great tool for engendering happiness for oneself and happiness for others through the support of kindness, love and compassion for others.
How do we immerse in gratitude in our lives? For me, it's diminishing the sense of entitlement, through the shrinking of the ego and the concept of I who seems to think otherwise.
I can't say I am good at this yet. But I know I will be perfect in it one day if I don't stop putting in the efforts to improve myself and realize my potential in the primordial goodness.
Grateful for the lady who gave me this opportunity to reflect and to have a good catch up with my ex colleague.
And yes Uncle Bear is longwinded.
May she and her family find happiness, and be well and happy.
May all be well and happy.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Have We Met?
Have We Met?
Have we met?
Familiarity arises
When our eyes met
In that crowded line
Perhaps not, in this I
Maybe prior to this disguise
Goodbye we say in our mind
As we both walk past by
Perhaps later in another disguise
When our eyes met
We will say hi
Have we met?
Familiarity arises
When our eyes met
In that crowded line
Perhaps not, in this I
Maybe prior to this disguise
Goodbye we say in our mind
As we both walk past by
Perhaps later in another disguise
When our eyes met
We will say hi
Inspired by an encounter I had earlier on when I met a stranger who
thought I was someone she knew and I thought she was someone I knew and
just when we both wanted to say hi, we realized we don't know each
other.
Do you have the experience in which you think and feel that you know the stranger whom you are meeting for the first time?
Do you have the experience in which you think and feel that you know the stranger whom you are meeting for the first time?
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