Whatever You Have, Don't Have It

A lot of times, we become very attached to things to such an extend that we become identified with the things that we possessed.

We like this, we love that, we cannot live without all of these...

Stop for a moment and think - "Why am I so attached to these things?"

Are you defined by what you own, by the physical possessions that you have, by your status and title?

What if you lose all these in the blink of an eye?

You will suffer a huge blow, lose sleep obsessing about your lost and even become depressed when you cannot reconcile the fact that the thing that you love is gone.

Why is this so? It is because of your ego, the "I" within you that has developed strong attachments. The ego cannot let go...

Since the very basic law of the universe is change, there is no way you will not suffer from losing something that you possess or love in your life time.

The only way to avoid these sufferings is not to be too attached to your things. Remember, in life, everything is transient - that is the DNA of life.

Everything changes - not for better or worse as what you perceived it to be. Everything changes just because it is so. There is no changes for the better or changes for the worse - it is how you perceives these changes to be. The changes are just as the universe is.

Therefore, do not have too much attachments. Whatever you have, just do not have it....

And you will live a happier life with full awakening...

How Can I Serve?

Everyday, we are always so involved in our daily lifes, routines, challenges and problems that we just filled up the hours in our day with a lot of activities and events. At the end of the day, we feel exhausted and think, "What did I do today? What did I achieved today?"

Often, the answer would be "Not much." You were just so busy filling up the hours that you are awake with work, studies, chit-chat and other busy activities.

And so, slowly, the days turn into months and the months turn into years. And pretty soon, you will reach a time when you hit some life stage like your 40th or 50th birthday and you look back and wondered what you have done with your life.

Then, you are hit with a deep fear of not having lived the life that you have dreamed of when you were young. Where were the big dreams that you wanted for yourself? The things that you wanted to achieve for yourself?

Maybe it is to build a great home for your family. Maybe it is to do something for your community. Maybe it is to discover a new invention. Or to build a business that will provide for your family's financial independence? Or to change the world in your own small ways?

But, often we looked back with regret that we did not do anything like that. We did not live the dreams that we dreamed of when we were young? Why? Because life gets in the way....

However, perhaps it is time for you to Awaken to all that you can be. Perhaps, it is time for you to live outside of yourself. Instead of wanting and needing endlessly, perhaps you should ask : -

"How can I serve? How can I be used for a higher good? What can I be to do good for the world? God, how do you want to use me to achieve greatness for my fellow human beings?"

Once you send out your intentions to the Universe, the Ultimate Consciousness or God (however you may conceive Him to be), be opened and receptive of an answer. For an answer will certainly come when you have sent out your cry for being of service to the world. Just wait patiently, hopefully and reverently.

And when the Ultimate Consciousness answers, be courageous and take action. Plunge right in with no doubt in your heart. No hesitations or reservations and self-doubt.

This is the right thing for you - the Ultimate Consciousness will not give you a task that it does not know that you are ready for. It will know that it has prepared you for this responsibility. All your past experiences, skills and strengths have prepared you for this - so, have no fear. Just take action and Do It.

I am sure that many of the great people of today has gone through the same process. From Oprah Winfrey to Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. All of them has asked : -

"How May I Serve? What Can I Do For the Benefit of Mankind?"

Therefore, ask yourself the same question and go forth to serve.... And discover your courageous self in the process.

Awaken the Compassion Within

Today, the 19th day of the 6 lunar month is a day that celebrates the enlightenment of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (He Who Hears the Sounds of the World), also known as Kuan Shi Yin Pusa in Chinese or Goddess of Mercy.

Kuan Yin Pusa made a powerful bodhisattva vow to save all sentient beings from sufferings and deliver them to salvation. He is the personification of compassion and mercy, as it is out of his compassion for all beings who are suffering in all the worlds, that he made the above bodhisattva vows.

Kuan Yin Pusa will come and save any sentient beings who sincerely call his name when they are in difficulties or in dire straits. He rescues all beings by hearing their voices of suffering and cries for help.

All religions of the world preaches the elimination of sufferings and pains. Therefore, if you meet someone or any sentient beings who it suffering, you should try help minimise their sufferings or eliminate the pain. That is what compassionate living is all about.

You cannot be Awaken without awakening your compassion within.

Why? This is because to be truly Awaken, you would have to live in the Present. And if you encounter someone who is suffering in the Present, can you truly turn your back and not help the person?

Deciding not to help alleviate someone's suffering shows that you are not Present and in touch with the essence of the Being that is in all of us. Your selfishness would cut you off from being close to the Being. Therefore, lend a hand and render help to the best of your ability.

Doing so would make the world a more beautiful place to live in - for every sentient being. As without suffering, this world can also be a paradise.

May all sentient beings in the ten directions be well, happy and peaceful...

Speak Only The Truth With Thoughtful Words

If you know anything that is hurtful and untrue,

Do not say it.

If you know anything that is helpful but untrue,

Do not say it.

If you know anything that is hurtful but true,

Do not say it.

If you know anything that is both helpful and true,

Find the right time.

"The Shakyamuni Buddha"

No Good, No Bad and No Me, No You

I have been asked "How do you keep yourself in the Present? My mind has many thoughts and it seems to wander off even though I try very hard to be mindful and stay in the Present."

Yes, it is not easy when you are not trained in the beginning. Just don't obsess over it and worry about it.

Just try to keep your mind in the Present. Whatever arises in the mind, just watch it and let go of it. Don't even wish to be rid of these thoughts. As you practise this, the mind will go back to its peaceful, natural state.

Let there be no discrimination - no good, no bad. No me and no you - no self at all. Just let it be.

There is no need to cling to anything. Wherever you are, know yourself by being natural and watching. If doubts arise, watch them come and go - do not grasp it. It is very simple - hold on to nothing.

Stick to the Present. Do not worry about the past and the future. Do not be concern about where you were and where you are going.

Everything is changing. Whatever you pass, don't cling to it. Eventually, the mind will reach its natural balance and you realize that there is peace in the Present.