All Labels Are Useless

As people, we need to categorise and label the things, people and the environment around us.

Doing so helps our brain to wrap around various concepts that we encounter and the things that we see in our daily lives.

However, all labels are actually useless.

Why? Because everything that you see, hear, feel or experience and give a name or label is based on your sense perceptions.

Someone may say that this space is small. Another may say that it is really huge.

Why is there the difference when they are both referring to the same space?

It is because each of them perceived the space with different sense perceptions, different values and different context.

A person used to living in an environment of huge, open space would find a house small. Yet, a poor person who lived in a small space and shared it with 10 people would find the same house to be huge.

So, who is right?

Neither one is right. The space exists just as it is. Big or small is meaningless to the space.

It is because human kind has such different perceptions that a lot of disagreements and arguments arise because each person defends his labelling and his perception to be absolutely correct.

This is the danger of labelling and naming things. It restricts our view and perception of its true nature.

We go running around, chasing our feelings and having opinions of everything and yet we fail to see the truth that lies within each of us.

Self and No-Self

As recorded in the Ananda Sutta, a wanderer called Vacchagotta once asked the Buddha if there is a self, to which the Buddha remained silent.

Next, he asked if there is no self, to which the Buddha also remained silent.

Upon his departure, the Buddha's attendant disciple Ananda asked why didn't he answer either questions.

The Buddha replied that if he were to say there is a self, that would conform to eternalism, which is the mistaken view that there is an eternal unchanging soul.

If he were to say there is no self, that would conform to annihilationism, which is the mistaken view that with death is the annihilation of consciousness.

And if he were to say there is a self, that would not be aligned with the realisation that all phenomena (mind and matter) are not-self.

And if he were to say there is no self, the bewildered Vacchagotta would have become more bewildered as to whether the self he used to have does not exist now.

Eternalism proposes that there is a part of our being that does not change from life to life. This the Buddha clearly did not endorse, as he had analysed our being into the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousnesses) in the Anattalakkhana Sutta - all of which are fluxing and dissatisfactory, thus unsuited to be a substantial self.

Annihilationism proposes that there is no part of our being (aggregates) that remains from life to life. This the Buddha also did not endorse, because the aggregates do exist - in terms of change. That is to say, though our forms, feelings, perceptions, mental formations and consciousnesses are not fixed from one moment to another, they exist in the moment.

In this sense, there is ultimately no fixed self (Anatta) to speak of, while conventionally speaking, there is a self that we need to relate to practically; albeit not cling to, since it changes.

The Buddha taught a subtle 'Middle Way' truth between the erroneous extremes of eternalism and annihilationism, as based upon the truth of impermanence (Anicca).

Though we have body and mind (conventional self), we have no fixed body and mind; we are ultimately not-self.

As such, the questions of whether there is a self or not could not be answered simplistically.

Perhaps the Buddha didn't explain the above to Vacchagotta because he was too attached to wanting yes or no answers despite the complexity of the truth.

As such, even if the Buddha elaborated on the meaning of his silence to him, it wouldn't be useful - which is why silence became the best answer - for him to contemplate its intention.

Vacchagotta was probably not sharp enough to discern and reconcile differences between the relative truth of a conventional self and the absolute truth of ultimate non-self.

Are you like Vacchagotta too? - Shen Shi'an


Right speech includes appropriate silence; not just appropriate words.

- Stonepeace

The End Of The World?

Last week, a complete solar eclipse covered major parts of India and China.

In ancient days, such an event would fill the people with fear and terror that the sun has been swallowed. In fact, ancient Chinese legends have it that it is the heavenly dog that is devouring the sun when an eclipse happens.

From a fengshui point of view, a solar eclipse is an omninous event as it portends a period of bad things happening in the world. Since the sun is the source of Yang Qi, when it is covered by the moon and the whole world becomes dark, the event is generally regarded as not very good.

However, this solar eclipse provides you with an opportunity to reflect on the true insight of impermanence.

Just as the solar eclipse is not permanent, it also holds true that everything changes and nothing is permanent.

Even the sun will die one day. So, why are we so attached to all the transient things on earth?

Therefore, take courage when you experience a solar eclipse and meditate on the truth of impermanence.

Time Is Our Present Breath

Many people who are born and died lived a mindless and unexamined life.

They are so busy "living life" that they forget the very fundamental things about themselves.

Their egos obscured who they really are.

Yes, they can buy beautiful things to make themselves feel good and indulge in activities that supposedly bring them happiness.

And yet, many of them are never even aware of their breath going in and out of their bodies.

That is how far away they are from their true selves. That is how mindless they are.

Think about it a little bit. What is more important than your own breath?

Without it, you are no longer alive.

With every breath that you take, you consciously mark every second of your time. Every breath is time and the Present.

So, breath in and out consciously. Meditate on your breath in the quiet moments of your "busy" lives. Find the Truth within you.

Give thanks for the breath going in and out of your bodies.

Be grateful that your breath is giving you life.

Rejoice in the simple activity of breathing...

Happy All The Time...

If you were to ask anybody around you, one of their life goals is to be happy. Some may define their dreams as to achieve happiness in their lives.

Even if you achieve happiness, can you truly say that you are happy all the time?

No, that would be impossible.

Why?

It is very simple. Life moves in cycles. There are times when you are happy and times when you are not. That is the duality of all human existence.

It is as natural as daylight and night-time. There can be no darkness without the light. There can be no up if there is no down. There can be no right if there is no wrong. This is the principle of duality.

Happiness is a state of our mind. It is the mind that tells you when you are happy.

Certain events or occurrences that happen in your life and your mind interprets the event that this should make you happy. So, the body will release the various "happy" hormones in your body and you will feel a sense of happiness.

But this state of happiness will not last. As like everything in life, it is transient. So, after that feeling of happiness has passed, you will feel no-more-happy. This is the dual state of being happy.

An enlightened sage will know that it is futile to grasp at happiness. You just cannot make happiness stay in your life due to the changing conditions of life.

So, the wise sage will just maintain a state of equanmity. If happiness comes, he recognizes it, holds it for a while and let it go with no attachment. If sorrow comes, he would do the same thing.

Therefore, if you experienced happiness, be thankful for the grace of that happy occurrence. Do not chase after it and try to prolong its presence. It cannnot be done.

Enjoy the small episodes of happiness that comes into your life and be grateful for the opportunity to feel the happiness...

You Don't Have To Do The Big Things

How many times have we felt the need to take action but held back or hesitated because we were afraid that we would be embarrassed or we think that the results would be insignificant?

How many times have we turned away from addressing a problem or resolving an issue because we think that we are inadequate to the task or think that what you do is inconsequential.?

How many time have we thought that we cannot contribute to society because we are too poor, we do not have the power or we are just a nobody?

Please don't!!

Be courageous and take concrete actions. Do not think that what you do will be of no consequences.

Just like a pebble thrown into the pond, the ripples will spread far from the centre of where the pebble enters the water. You do not know how far-reaching are the results of your actions.

You do not need to do the BIG things.

Why? Because not everybody have the capability or capacity to do the BIG things.

BIG things like President Obama changing a country for the better. BIG things like Oprah building schools for the poor in Africa. BIG things like a scientist discovering a cure for cancer.

You can start by doing the smaller things.

How about giving freedom to a caged bird so that it can fly and sing its beautiful songs? How about a word of kindness to someone who needs it desperately? How about nurturing a child by reading a book or sharing your time with him.

As long as you do it with the goodness of your heart, the Universe will register your intentions and create good karmas down the line.

So, do not hesitate. Each small things will slowly accummulate into BIG things. You may not know the impact your small gestures may have in the lives of someone else.

So, please be brave and just throw as many pebbles as you can into the pond....

Believe That You Can

In each of our life's journey, the most important thing that we possess is the ability to think and discern between what is right and wrong.

Our mind, the life experiences that we have and the values that we were exposed to help us develop our belief systems.

What we believe help shape our responses and actions to the world around us.

We set goals and dreams that we want to achieve.

But how many of us can truly say that we have achieved all that we dreamt?

Why is it that some people seem to be able to fulfilled their dreams and live a fulfilled life of success and happiness?

It is because these people simply believe that they can. They believe that they can achieve all that they set out to do.

Life's battles do not alway go the strongest, the fastest or the richest.

It goes to the person who thinks he can and believes it in every fibre of his being...

The Beggar Woman

Once, there lived a beggar woman in ancient India.

Nobody really knew how old she was - she was old beyond her real age.

Her sufferings showed in the lines of her face, the lack of food has shrunken her body frame until you can see the ribs and the weight of her existence hung on her shoulders until she can barely walk.

She was dirty, smelly and nearly blind. She shuffled in her torn shoes, with a sturdy stick that she depended on to support her fragile frame. Her teeth was rotted and her hands were all withered and diseased.

People avoided her when they saw her. They ignored her and her tragic presence.

Some kind souls would some times give her some food, some water and a coin or two.

One day, this beggar woman walked past a temple. Usually, she would keep on walking pass the temple but on that day, something stopped her. She heard beautiful chants and music coming from within the temple.

She stepped through the doorway and made her way slowly towards the altar which has a statue of Amitabha Buddha.

The chanting stopped when she entered the temple. Everybody looked at her to see what she was doing.

When she stepped into the temple, she felt a sense of peace and a lightness in her heart. When she came to the altar, she knelt in front of the statue of Amitabha Buddha.

From her tattered pocket, she took out a beautiful flower that she had plucked from outside and offered it to the Buddha. She bowed respectfully and muttered something quietly under her breath.

After that, she got up, shuffled slowly to the donation box and drop in a coin. Then she sat down on the bare floor to rest and to behold the beautiful face of Amitabha Buddha.

At the side of the temple, there was a gathering of monks. All the monks of the temple were present and kneeling respectfully in front of a raised platform.

On the platform sat a serene and kind-faced person with a majestic air about him. He was Sakyamuni Buddha, the Enlightened One.

He spoke "Did all of you see what the beggar woman did?"

One monk replied "Yes, my lord. She made an offering to Amitabha Buddha."

Sakyamuni Buddha said "Yes, she did. And do you know the merits that she had earned by her simple deed?"

Another monk replied, "No, my lord."

Sakyamuni Buddha said, "By her giving from a sincere heart, she has earned so many merits that even if the king should come here and offered his kingdom and all his riches, it would pale besides her offerings."

"Her offerings is so immeasurable that if all the money, gold and jewels in the world would be piled high until it reach Mount Sumeru, it would still not be equal."

Sakyamuni Buddha proclaimed, "My disciples, do not look down on this beggar woman. She is suffering in this life because of her bad karmas from her previous lives."

"By her generous act of making an offering of a flower to Amitabha Buddha, she has generated immeasurable merits and good karmas. In many kalpas to come, she will become a Buddha and help deliver sentient beings from all sufferings!!"

Ananda, the Buddha's personal assistant, got up and walked across the temple to the beggar woman. He bowed before her, lifted her up and asked her if she would want to become a disciple of the Buddha.

When she agreed, she was given clean clothes, food and she joined the monks to listen to Sakyamuni Buddha preaching the Dharma.

And for the first time in her life, she was happy and a sense of serenity descended on her heart...

The Dharma that she heard filled her soul with a fullness that she had never felt before.

The above Dharma story has a very simple message :

It is not how much you give, it is how sincere your heart is when you do give. Even the smallest kindness will generate a lot of merit.

So, give. And give with no reservations...

Happiness Is How Much You Give

Why is there so much unhappiness in the world today?

Everywhere you look, you see a lot of people burdened by the trials of earning a living, of making enough to fulfill their desires and numerous wants.

It seems that whatever you have now is never enough.

There is always the need to have more.

The need to accumulate more material things, the need to compare with your neighbours on who is richer, the need to show the world that you are successful with your condos or your BMW.

Even you have all these material things, are you truly happy?

There are many rich people, who front the outside look happy, but in their private moments are in deep despair. Why? Because what they have is never enough.

In the deep of the night, they cannot sleep due to the cravings that they have. Cravings for more material things, riches and other needs.

So, to numb these pain, many turns to drugs, sedatives or destructive life-styles to fill these voids.

When you see these people, you feel compassion and pity arising for them.

They do not realize a very basic principle : -

"Happiness is not how much you have - it is how much you give."

When you give, you feel a lightness of the heart and your spirit soars.

It is not just material things that you can give.

You can give your time, your presence and your energy.

If you do not have a lot of money, a kind word given to a man in deep depression may be more valuable than all the riches in the world.

Time devoted to a lonely child will be remembered in years to come.

By being present for the friends in their time of need will forever showed them how much you value them and they will always treasure your being there.

So, give, give and give.

Give with no expectations of thanks. Give with no hope that the gift will be returned. Give with no expectations of reciprocity.

When you give so generously, the Universe will register your goodness from the heart.

And the Universe will bless you with all that you need - the simple abundance that will bring lots of happiness in your life.

Persistence

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not;

Nothing is more common that unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not;

Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not;

The world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan "Press On" has solved and will always solve

The problems of the human race."

- Calvin Coolidge

How many times, in the face of a problem, we have given up too prematurely when the battle could have been won if we had only persisted for a while longer?

How many times have success been just out of reach because we gave up too soon?

How many time could we have won the accorlades and the reward if we have just put in more energy and effort to reach the price?

Persistence and determination is everything. It is the muse of success and without it, no person of substance would have achieved anything grand and enduring.

So, do not give up too soon. Take the time and persist in your effort.

The reward would be worth it.

The Importance of Choices

We human kind is unique in the world in one major aspect - we can consciously think.

And one of the gift of being able to think is the freedom to make choices. We can decide what we want to do or the action that we want to take.

That is a basic freedom that many of us do not really appreciate.

But think about it (ah - that freedom again) - without the ability to make choices, we would be no different from the animals that surround us.

We would be no different than the dogs or cats that we have as pets. We would only be driven by our primitive urges. We would only respond to basic instincts that we feel.

With the ability to think and make choices, we are blessed with the ability to plan and decide how we want to live our lives.

We can decide how we want to live, where we want to build a home, what type of career or jobs that we want to pursue. We can decide who we want to be our friends, what kinds of activities that we want to be involved in that brings us pleasure and satisfaction and what we want to do today.

The many choices that we make every day dictate how our lives turn out and the lives that we lead. Where you are today is the result of all the actions and choices that you have made in the past.

Can you imagine that? Do you get it?

What it means is that regardless of where you are now, you can make a choice to change!! If you don't like your life today, you can decide to change it and have a new life.

Isn't that wonderful?

And yet, many people live in a mindless way.

They do not think that they have the freedom to make choices. They have surrendered their power to decide and to choose.

Isn't that sad? God has given you the ability to make choices.

So, choose what you want to be and take the necessary actions required to reach your goals.

Be bold and take the action to choose...

Michael Jackson - Free and At Peace

Michael Jackson is dead.

Died in the prime of his life, like many other great talents that the world have seen - icons like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and many others.

I was never an MJ fan. I have never bought a single album of his.

Sure, I have heard his songs, which were played ad nauseam in the airwaves, shopping malls and at parties when his albums were released in the great 80's. I have watched his specials, concerts and performances in various award shows shown on the TV.

But yet, I was not his fan.

Why?

Because I just did not enjoy his songs and his singing. It is as simple as that.

And yet I DID respect him for the great talent that he was blessed with. The talent to reach out to touch people with his songs, his voice and his performances. The magic that he brings to his fervent fans.

I did recognize the greatness that the Universe has put on his shoulder. And I did appreciate the tremendous achievements that he had accomplished since he was a young kid.

Yes, he was truly blessed with a great talent.

However, every blessing is a double-edged sword. With great talents comes great responsibilities.

The responsibilities to share the talents generously. The burden to change the world for the better. The duty to live beyond himself.

Sadly, MJ did not developed the wisdom to do that.

With the successes that he had, he was consumed by the fame, the adoration and the wealth.

Despite all these, I doubt that MJ was ever truly happy.

He sought escape from the pedestal that his fans had put him on by getting addicted to drugs, addicted to the adorations that strokes his ego and addicted to all the material things that money could buy.

He did not have the opportunity to learn that all these will not bring him true happiness. All these will not last - not the fame, the successes and the adoration.

True happiness only comes from within.

Within is the stillness that would have told him about his calling and how he could have served the Universe to make millions of lives improve for the better.

In trying to escape reality, he tried to create his own perfect world. He built Neverland, filled it with toys and imaginative worlds. He surrounded himself with the innocence of kids. He spent a fortune on numerous plastic surgeries to change his face and the image that he saw in the mirror.

Yet, he could not have outrun the emptiness that he felt within his soul. He could not escape the painful Present.

Regretably MJ did not develope the wisdom to know that everything is transient.

He did not have the insights to know the good he could have done with his fame and fortune. He did not have the blessings of families and friends who could have given him good advices that could have grounded him to the Now.

Now MJ is dead.

And even in death, there are fights over his children, his will and his legacy.

In death, he has achieved the status of a legend, becoming an icon of our times.

MJ, wherever you are, I wish you peace and hope that you are now in a happier place. May you find the freedom, the happiness and the wisdom that you were seeking when you were here on earth.

Be well, be happy and be at peace...