Attachment

There is a kind of monkey trap used in Asia. A coconut is hollowed out and attached by a rope to a tree or stake in the ground. At the bottom of the coconut a small slit is made and some sweet food is placed inside. The hole on the bottom of the coconut is just big enough for the monkey to slide in his open hand, but does not allow for a closed fist to pass out. The monkey smells the sweets, reaches in with his hand to grasp the food and is then unable to withdraw.

The clenched fists won't pass through the opening. When the hunter comes, the monkey becomes frantic but cannot get away. There is no one keeping the monkey captive, except the force of its own attachment. All that it has to do is to open the hand. But so strong is the force of greed in the mind that it is a rare monkey which can let go.

It is the desires and clinging in our minds which keep us trapped. All we need to do is to open our hands, let go of our selves, our attachment, and be free.

The Walk

Working in Suntec tower 4 gives me the opportunity to exercise my limbs everyday from city hall mrt station.

The walk can be as long as 20 minutes depending on one's speed and if one is carrying any other load like laptop. I was a reluctant participant initially, complaining about the distance tiring me out even before the day has begun.

But the unhappiness won't go away just because I dislike the walk. This is a necessity if I wish to report to work everyday.

So I decided to slow down a little and started to enjoy every single moment that I get to experience as I ply through the walkways. The moment of noticing what other people are busying with, the changing window displays, the little patches of landscape that brings warmth to the concrete and more...

The observation may not bring on any emotions or contemplation - as I simply notice and let go. But the experience does give me varying and interesting insights about things and people everyday.

I am now more mindful. Yet I feel calmness. The same walk, different mindset, different impact to one's well being...

Seemingly endless road...................

Thinking is difficult.

But is doing really that easy?

This is but a journey to nowhere - an endless road that is filled with lots of turns and signages but leading nowhere...

Control

A simple word I never thought could be applicable to so many aspects of our daily life. I am so used to relating this word to things such as driving, electronic devices, a dominant overriding person, etc. But now, I am beginning to see it in a very different light.

We are so used to the idea that we are in control of our lives. And when things do not go our way, we get upset, angry, disappointed. Why is that so? Because control leads to expectations. When we think we are in control, we desire what we are controlling to give us the outcome we want. Is this really the way the world works? Or are we conditioned to think as such. We feel good when we are empowered. When we are able to control whatever we wish and to reach our desired goals.

What if we give up this very control, and let nature take its own course? What happens? Does the world stop because we give up control? What exactly are we trying to control? In the Taoism of Lao Tzu and the classic Tai chi shcool of thought, the act of doing by not doing is the true essence of being.

An interesting simile about control comes into mind when I think about wakeboarding. I'll always remember how the instructor keeps reminding any newbie or even me when we are towed behind the boat that we do not need to control the board or anything at all. Just hang on firm to the rope, and the boat will do the rest. This couldn't be any truer for anyone with some experience in wakeboarding can attest to. Once you give up the control, everything becomes so easy. But of course, every now and then when doing certain tricks, I get back into the old habit of trying to assert control. And as always, the harder I try to control, the harder the fall will be. Isn't it interesting? Giving up control and everything just falls into place. Just go with the flow.

The world doesn't stop because we give up control. The world doesn't get messed up just because we stop trying to control and organise it. Nature has its own orders and it doesn't care if you are there or not. The river doesn't stop flowing just because we dam it, it simply flows elsewhere.

Take a step back and watch nature's wonders. Understand and accept that thats just the way it is. Then maybe we will truly see the real beauty within. The peace that comes with giving up control. When less is more.

By the way, who is it that is watching anyway? Me?

幸福

纵然俯看茫茫人世中
多少纷纷扰扰失落的眼神
漂泊的灵魂与无助的身影
深深刻刻印在我心中
不愿看见困惑与悲伤
牵手走出黑暗太阳不西沉
明天复明天希望却何其多
得失只是一种过程
站在世上最高之巅
潜进海里最深之源
终於明白人世间施比受更有福
付出就是一种幸福
用爱走出人生的路
关怀身边每一个人
今后回顾这一生
我不枉费此生
潇洒踏步不带尘土


词:张广新 曲:陈致成 歌手： 黄思婷（台湾）


I do not know why but my mind is unsettled lately. I have been waking up from sleep suddenly with unusual palpitations. I must be mindful and persevere with the right efforts, understanding and concentration.

This melodious song, shared with me by MIL recently, is calming and meaningful. This is but one of The 10 Great Perfections. I shall be heedful....