The Hidden Messages in Water

A book by Jap scientist Masaru Emoto to introduce the reader to his revolutionary works. Through years of research and experiments, he found out water molecules are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings.

Making use of high speed photography, he discovered that crystals formed in frozen water reveal changes when specific, concentrated thoughts are directed toward them. Water from clear springs and water that has been exposed to loving words formed brilliant, complex snowflake patterns. However, water from polluted sources or water exposed to negative thoughts formed incomplete, asymmetrical patterns.

Click here to see various breath-taking crystals formed with exposure to words of love, peace and happiness.

Armed with such a wonderful discovery, Masaru Emoto constantly spreads his messages of love and gratitude through published works and seminars over the world. He believes as humans are made up of 70% water, if we can constantly generate good thoughts, we can better ourselves and our surroundings. =)

It's an easy read with a good number of the crystals pics shown within the book. Thumbs up for the pics! =)

There Is No Suffering

A Commentary on the Heart Sutta by Chan (Zen) Master Sheng-Yen.

Just finished reading couple days back for the second time. Definitely a whole new experience all over again. Nothing like the first time.

How should i describe my first time reading the book? It most intellectually simulating and Master struck me as a most profoundly wise person with a very deep understanding of Zen. He is sharp, clear and concise in his commentary. A person more than worthy to be called a Master and a scholar of the Zen lineage.

Before i go on any further, let me relate what the Heart Sutta is and why it is one of the suttas held in the highest regards by practitioners around the world. Heart Sutta is just over a page long but it distills the teachings of the Buddha (where Zen has it roots stem from) to their purest form.

In Zen, one is encouraged to cultivate a beginner's mind. To constantly see things anew, with equanimity. This second read was definitely a whole new feeling. As i read the commentary, it felt as if it was the first time. The commentary opened up to me in a different light.

Saw it more than an intellectual read, it resonated with my daily affairs ~ how i think and act. It became something of a reflective and contemplation medium. To see things as they truly are, past our six senses, past our consciousness, the non-duality nature of all phenomena.

Four Noble Truths ~ "There is suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering, path to cessation of suffering."

In the Heart Sutta ~ "There is no suffering, no cause of suffering, no cessation of suffering, and no path. There is no wisdom, there is no attainment."

Amazing isn't it? =)

Fat "Sundae"

Rained during the weekend ~ no skating... Haha, my parents really should consider a side-line as part-time weather forecasters. =)

My folks predicted (in a jokingly manner) that it will rain the moment i step into East Coast. They almost had it spot on. The moment M,T and i reached Katong area, it rained. There goes the once a week skate session.

Settled down at Macs in Marine Parade ~ instead of burning calories, decided to store some. Had some fries ~ didn't really feel enough ~ went for a hot fudge sundae. =) It's really enjoyable to have it once in awhile (can't have it every weekend, doesn't go down well with a thirsty throat after the skate). Hmmm... that thick chocolate syrup. =D

That's my fat sunday (sundae)! =)

Sending Off Deities

It's sunday and not sure if any of you guys know what day it is. It is a day of great importance to most chinese. It is the 23rd day of the last lunar month. Tonight is when we send the deities in our home back to heaven.

The deities will take a short break from their earthly duties and report all events that transpired on earth to the Jade Emperor. Haha, that includes all deeds, no matter good or bad, that transpires in your household. That's the reason why we have nian gao (a sweet chinese cake) as a part of the offerings to the deities. To sweeten them up so that they will sweeten their reports of us. =)



It doesn't matter if you think it pure supersition or you strongly believe in their existence. What truly matters is the underlying meaning behind it, to be more pure in our dealings. It is a reminder to us to be constantly mindful of our intentions, speech and actions. This is why sometimes it is good to go back to our roots and traditions, to touch ourselves and the teachings of our forefathers. =)

To Love, Be Loved ~ A Zen-like Reflection

Been reading up recent blog entries by various friends and Ja (a friend that i knew during my Perth trip) put up in one of the recent entries ~ "To love and be loved in return"

Line caught my eye and i knew immediately that i will very much like to do some sort of Zen-like reflection on these words. =) If there's any unintentional deviation from Zen's teachings, it's really my lack of right understanding.

To love ~ just like what Enya sang in her recent album Amarantine, "when you give your love away, it opens your heart and everything is new." How is like to love? In Zen context, one should love unconditionally and without attachments. Suffering stems from our fundamental ignorance and attachments. Without these, there will be no afflictions. When we know how to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return, without any form of attachments, our heart will truly open itself. We will become somewhat like a child ~ boundless and endless joy at every single simplest present moment. Joy in simplicity.

Be loved in return ~ this is probably the simpler of the two. You may ask, "Why? Isn't getting someone to love me in return harder? After all, there is no guarantee that he/she may love me back?" If you think this way, then you have not learn how to love as mentioned earlier. You give your love because you expect to be loved in return. If you give without any attachment, you will not be vexed by the fact that people do not appreciate it. You will constantly busk in the joy of giving your love generously.

If every moment is spent in this manner, are you not blissful? You are not suffering, not angry but you are peaceful and calm. Isn't that wonderful? People try all means to make themselves happy with the simple reason that they love themselves. If we are that blissful and happy, are we not loving and taking good care of ourselves? In this case, you've already loved yourself in return. =)

童夢奇緣

One of the latest Andy Lau films that i caught on discs. Applause to Teddy Chan the director for the excellent direction he provided for this film and the cast for a most commendable performance. =)

This is definitely one of the better HK films i've seen in recent times. Very enchanting story plot to begin with and it's wonderfully coupled with a most unexpected ending (not anti climax sort of ending but definitely not a fairy tale ending).

If you wish to see this film, try not to read any further ~ might spoil your enjoyment of the show. Haha, and i have no wish to spoil your day...

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Here goes ~

In the film, Guang is a kid who puts the blame for the death of his mum (suicide) on his father and stepmother. He tries all means to make life difficult for them and badly wishes to be free of his family.
 

Through fate, he meets a stranger who invented a potion that speeds up one's life process. Guang tries to steal it but ends up breaking the test tube. Though broken and the potion spilled, his blood is already tainted with the formulae (a cut on the hand by the shattered glass). Next morning, he wakes up a man in twenties.

As a young adult, Guang is fascinated by the seemingly endless possibilities placed right in his face. Things like standing up for his buddy, saving him from the bullies, chasing after his pretty teacher, permission to drink and many more. However, he realises soon that it is not all fun and that there is a heavy price to pay... ~ he's growing old too rapidly.

He soon realises a number of truths including the fact that his stepmother is really the first wife, not the third party as he always thought. He also realises how much unconditional love his father has been giving him and how hard the father is salvaging to keep the family going. "Sometimes the truth is not what we perceived it to be" ~ very nicely done in the film to remind us not to be too judgemental or critical. At the same time, not to be overly attached to our self-formed opinions. Realising his own folly, he goes back to the inventor and ask for an antidote in hope to revert all things to its original stage.

When Guang ask for an antitode, the inventor said there isn't one. Guang broke down and regrets badly his actions. The old fella said, "Life is a process that is irreversible but no matter how short a time you have left, there is always hope." Really loved the way it's being said ~ very zen like, shows that it doesn't matter how much time is spent but if one learns to treasure the present moment, if one puts in the effort, it is never too late. Afterall, the past is gone, future yet to come and we only have the present. A moment spent in diligence and love is better than years spent in laziness and hatred.

Heehee, guess i wrote too much...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

A must see film if you are one of those kids that were deeply enthralled by the tv series screened on our local television network in our younger days! And i was definitely one of those kids! =)

If you are wondering, i'll just give you some bit and pieces of info about it. The current movie and the tv series made in the 80's are based on the second book in the series known as the Chronicles of Narnia (7 books altogether if i'm not mistaken).

Animals are given a makeover in the show. In this magical world behind the doors of a wardrobe, all of them are bestowed with human intellect, characteristics and the ability to speak. Some, like the beavers, reminds you of good-natured neighbours while some, like the wolves, reminds you of unscrupulous evil-doers that will stoop to nothing to reach their goals.

Of course, it is not without its share of mythical creatures. They include the proud and noble centuars, smart and watchful griffons and many more. No matter how special or uncanny these mythical creatures are, they all bow to one true king ~ Aslan (the Lion).

Though a lion is not a mythical creature, it is deemed the center role and held in the highest regard in the film. Not that it is not majestic looking but it is really king because of its unconditional love for its subjects and its unparrallel wisdom (that the Witch in the show can in no way compare, no matter how cunning and devious she maybe).

This only proves how important it is to be sincere in your dealings with people around you, as the true-self will prevail. And lies can never diminish the truth, no matter how well thought and planned the lies are. Not only that, there are a great number of virtues and morals that the film imparts ~ kinship, determination, faith, trust, etc... I'll leave it to you to discover its magic like i did. =)

Xmas Fotos

It rained over the weekend, so had to give the usual skate gathering on sunday a miss. On the other hand, had some time to myself to run through the photos taken during the christmas season. Haha, I know it's a bit late since it's really more of a chinese new year mood now but hey guys, try to enjoy. =)
 

Self-Righteous...

That's the word i'll like to use to describe my department head. At least that the impression he gave me during our conversation when we had lunch together today.

Some of you guys who happened to be my colleagues will know that there is no such thing as a free lunch with my department head ~ there's always a catch, always an agenda. Hmm, for those who aren't my colleagues, let me recount what conversed during the lunch and you decide if the heading is appropriate..

My dept head invited me for lunch and this is probably the fourth or fifth time he did during these five years (since i've been working under him). Most of the time, he used it as opportunity to dish out advices based on his very own life experiences. Some of the advices are good, some are bad but no matter what i'm grateful he shared.

What really grinds on me was the fact he tends to be very critical and judgmental about people. Today was no exception. Haha, i should have seen it coming... Guess he wanted to know why i don't mix around in the office especially within the dept anymore. Admittedly, i've not been talking in the office lately especially for the last one year plus.

Asked me how my parents and siblings are doing. Told him family's doing fine. Here's the big question - he finally asked how am i coping with work and how i felt about the job rotation he intiated about 1 to 2 months back. i'm supposed to switch job parameters with my senior executive. Btw, i'm a staff at support level. She's in a senior supervisory post.

Told him in my opinion, the switch came at a very bad timing. A time when we are closing the books for the year, preparing the docs for audit and various submissions. In the midst of that, we are supposed to guide each other in our new job aspects when we are already up to the neck, already doing overtime. Told him i pity my senior exec as she's the one who has to juggle all these handing taking over as she's in the supervisory position. All these could be easier if we waited till april or so which is our "lull period".

Well, he differed. Told me to see it as a challenge and he salutes my exec cos she's doing pretty well. He believes leadership quality is brought forth in times of adversity. So, she's really shinning right now esp when her dad is very sick and is in need of constant medication and care. He said, "Even though i'm sure there are times when she would like to spend more time with her dad but she has such qualities and ownership of her work that she will complete the work no matter how."

Yup, no matter how is really the word - i left office at 10.30p.m and she's still working. Pity pity.. This when i felt self-righteous is the word to describe him. Did he ask if she sees it as challenge or a burden? So, did he decidedly play big brother and choose for her? Maybe she does see it as a challenge but from what i gathered, i seriously doubt so. If it's really a challenge and she finds it interesting, guess she wouldn't be lamenting and banging table away on a regular basis...

A really understanding boss will not increase her work load at this junction but rather choose a more appropriate timing to ease the change in a much smoother manner. What appalls me was the fact he knew she had problems at home, needed a more stable work timing and yet decidedly add on these unnecessary work. She doesn't even need him to take any load off her, all she needed was just no more addition to the tons she had to begin with. I just pray that things will have a better turn for her. =)

No matter how appalling it was, there's always something to be learned from it. If we are ever in such a situation, i think we should try to put ourselves in their shoes, ask and listen to what they have to say before deciding what's possiby best for them and not to be too self-opinionated in our thinking. Afterall, this also part of the mindfulness training. Mindfulness of others. =)