Living in the Mind with a World of Fear

Don’t run from fear. Running is the reason for fear to give chase, and by avoiding it means allowing fear to wait on you as though someone stands at your door front not wanting to leave – Irritating at the very least. Let’s take this view point further by assuming the context of fear insinuating it to bullying. By nature, a ‘bully’ antagonizes its victim by opposing action, and the victim’s submission gives the ‘bully’ reason to dwell further in its cause of intimidation. If these circumstances of opposite persist means that you are consistently giving fear the recognition of its formidability allowing it to be trapped in the conscience, and stretched by your imagination.

Fear is an emotional response to the thought of losing the sense of control, or protection. It’s virtual, manifests from the conscience where space-time does not exist to control its form of existence. Mind response to restrain fear only proves desirous to its motive, making it even more possible to remind you of it. The mind is accustomed to taking the approach in quantifying the issues of emotion. Confrontation is a measured approach that the mind instinctively engages to neutralize the effects of fear. It applies resistance, “an eye for an eye”, and “a tooth for a tooth” as the saying goes. Fear is a whim, an imagination which cannot be quantitatively confined. So, emotion has no tangible form to confront with making the mindful effort likely to be a make-believe, or an illusion. As the element of fear is virtual, it’s best to adopt an approach which draws close to the heart in releasing fear from the conscience.

Spoken here is a call to effort in reconciling with the internal stumbling block. The ‘bully’ is an external facet acting as a catalyst to arouse a dormant emotion in the sub-conscious mind. It, or any other physical entity for that matter, has no substance. It’s not personal, though the action projects an intention that seemingly implies it. In fact, the ‘bully’ presents a purpose in your life which is to serve you the opportunity not to resolve any of your emotional content, but attend to it. The search within will opened doors.

We lived in a world surrounded by uncertainties. Uncertainties stir the suspicious mind which precipitates the fear within you. Undressing uncertainty is an initiative in search for the truth. When unknown becomes known, the mystery is solved. In the effort to unravel the mystery, and to neutralize the intimidating feeling are signs to show that you are initiating a constructive effort in ‘tuning’ with the natural elements of the environment. In doing so, you’re embracing without resistance the element of fear into your life liking to having a friend rather than enemy, because fear is looking to connect with you. Fear will never go away until you find out why it has surfaced to infect you.

Your action must provide substance with sincere initiative if anything is to be resolved. The intention must be pure, and honest. For instance, where do frustration, and anger come from? When your valued opinion is infringed you get flustered. Your thought and others are not sharing the same wave pattern. Some thoughts raced so far ahead leaving others scampering behind, and some just veered sideways. Beating yourself up about it does not resolve anything because rest within your conscience, you know that to succeed in anything there must be a collective move. Reconciling with your environment requires considerable amount of effort, tolerance and most of all – honesty.

“Fear is what makes us great”

Fear gets its invitation through intimidation. It comes, and goes like your shadow. In knowing that fear is a message to be heeded with adequate respect, an understanding can prevail. Accepting the significance of fear forges a new level of relationship where the emotion is going through a process of transformation. This process sets the foundation of two opposing minds, the environment and yours to coincide in resonance which will take you to places of greatness.

Blind Faith, a Malaysian Story

Definition: “Hudud” is a law in Islam stating the limits ordained by Allah and including the deterrent punishments for serious crimes

Although it seems ‘hudud’ law is solely a religious matter advocated by Muslims, but the underlined issue goes beyond that. It’s not a race, nor a religious issue, but a subject matter which takes a shot at human nature. If history had taken another turn with a twist, we could witnessed Christians today making the provocative legislation of rigid laws instead. Some of the rigid measures introduced in ‘hudud’ pre-dates Islam. It’s not racial, neither it’s religion motivated though it seemed to appear like it.

When ‘hudud’ law is put under the microscope, you will be accused of mockery and disrespect. But, it must be made clear that Islam, or other religions have no substance without followers to embrace their teachings. Words of wisdom have no meaning if not taken to tasks to motivate us spiritually. When we are spiritually motivated, only then faith will evolve. Faith has no tangible form, therefore it cannot be quantified or measured by words in any law, and it certainly cannot be justified by purposely disgracing a human subject in the process of criminal punishment because stealing for example is committed by intention, not by the hands. Dismemberment is a physical act which cannot correct the intention which is spiritually connected. It could result in more remorse, or even anger. Hopes of subduing the offender into disgrace by that approach is never a guarantee of deliverance. Righteousness begins with nurturing the spirit within. Is redemption possible to the offender, and loved ones who would be shamed for his offence by losing his physical dexterity, and be reminded of it permanently? Ever heard of Johnny Depp? Take a look at the public record for all the offences he had committed when he was a teenager. He moved on.

At a micro level, it’s to do men with little faith who do not wish to see beyond the veil. But, they championed the words of wisdom in desperate need for conformity to comfort the obsessive mind fixated on nothing but fear, and insecurity. Yet, the authority puts a claim on faith as reason to enact the rigid law, but the hard-line that they’ve taken clearly revealed the absence in humility, God’s grace, and spirit in mind.

Blind faith can be disconcerting because it reflects the incapacity to understand God’s spirit, and inadvertently diminishes the importance of ones role in life. Have you heard some people would say, “God said his law is indeed fair”, or “Leave the past, present and future to God’s care”. If only they knew that it takes only half a mind to make a difference in life, they wouldn’t have made remarks that would invalidate themselves as subjects of God. Taking words of God out of context from holy books can prove to be misleading when you don’t apply yourself to the thought of it. There is no God in any holy book, but you. Given the chance, I or anyone else could have added a trail of words to the phrase, “God said his law is indeed fair only to the limited in mind”. That would greatly shift the perception on faith, and God all over the world today! But, change can be a difficult experience to accept for some. Humanity needed the experience to learn, and evaluate from, in order to lift themselves out of self-pity, and make better of themselves.

At a larger scale of things, it’s about maturity, and sophistication of governance on policy making. It’s about taking the people by the hand going forward as a united nation under a common law.

Thousands of years ago, rigid rules were accustomed to smaller communities, or societies. Public punishment was effective in maintaining peace, harmony and neighbourliness in small clusters of society. Such practices were customary rather than a religious adaptation, and confined to the culture of that community. Then, dishonesty was not to be tolerated. Today, implementation of such rigid practices would reflect an unsophisticated and banal leadership liking to being dictatorial. From Europe to China, imperialism has no positive impact on progress let alone ‘hudud’, simply because over aggression in ruling has no substance in influencing the sophisticated, and creative minds. ‘Hudud’ has no spiritual influence, only religious regime makes it so. It’s a creation by man drawn from insecurity, not God. In the middle ages, the Roman Catholic church employed measures so extreme, and barbaric that could even be termed as acts of atrocity to humanity. The church was unable to accept radical ideas for fear of deviating from mainstream belief. Fear retracted awareness from discovering God’s creation, and mysteries. The church did not know any better, but they made some amendments, and moved on.

‘Hudud’ was never a part of East Asian cultural fabric. In this part of the world rich in cultural diversity, extensive natural rain forest and resources where the indigenous people lived free. Why forced their hand, and contain them by threat? We should nurture their energy through appropriate, and adequate education to help elevate their living status to the next level. ‘Hudud’ goes against the natural grain of our society, so why import something which doesn’t sit well with the people? Peoples of this nation and their ancestors have endured five centuries of colonisation and oppression. We must build our own unique identity to tell that story. This ideology imposes only to the frame of mind which is caught up in the illusion fear. And, fear stems from the incapacity of stretching the conscience closer to the divine. Hence, the lack in understanding brews insecurity. Taking God’s name in vain for ‘this’, and ‘that’ with no facts in hand makes anyone a ‘no brainer’, irresponsible, and misleading.

Why do we need to descent to a despicable display of inhumane aggression, and anger by hurling stones? What’s with the tone of anger? Where is the love and respect? All sinners deserve them even in the face of death. Life’s experiences are compulsory requirement to perceive God’s work. So, life is about continuity, and action without compassion eliminates that opportunity. Don’t disgraced your fellow-man by stoning, and dismemberment for they are who you are not.

It’s undeniable that our environment is continuously evolving, and that we must be in synchrony with it to move creativity forward. Two system ruling sets a stage for double standards, and in effect classifies the people who happened to walk on the same soil, breathe the same air, and share the same livelihood. Double standards would only bring incessant conflict of opinions. You don’t have to go far to find the truth. Make an evaluation in the up-bringing process of your family. Don’t you wish fair treatment, and attention for your children? Don’t you want for them your equal love? Don’t you want them to mature in confidence in an environment conducive for creativity, or rather confined them to an environment subjected to threats and treatments only for the purpose to disgrace? For any form of resolutions to find their way to a compromise and conclusion, there must be a common principle to adhere by, an existing mainstream principle structured unequivocally and comprehensively with the test of time in the modern era.

Forward

– Part 1 –           

“Walk, don’t run as your destiny lies in the journey, and not at the finish line”

Life’s reason and purpose are substantiated in its activities, rather than the results. Orientating your focus and priority toward the course on the present will deliver sustainable success. Events of the past, and plans of the future are affected by actions of the present. Subsequently, the status of past and future circumstances changes proportionally with the extent in action made in the present reality. Progressive action motivated by spiritual intention is key to the harnessing of meaningful experiences which add to life’s value, where chance to creativity, and new discovery will also become favourable.

Like making a sculpture of yourself where the repetitive hand strokes are to reach refinement in the art work in defining the makeup to your identity. The makeup changes with every single stroke of the hand either in the works of filling cavities, or profiling. The definition of your character tomorrow is formed by the experiences acquired today, which essentially means that your personality is always in the making.

Personality is a culmination of indefinite cycles of births, and past life’s experiences all stored in karmic memory, a sub-conscious state to provide you the instinct to act, or react in a natural way that you do. Such is the doctrine of ‘karma’, a virtual reservoir of recollections or experiences, and provision of new ones. Karmic process is perpetually in motion with continuous manifestation of experiences where paths alter at any given moment through the passage of time. The concept even relates to the laws of physics of Newton, and Einstein. It implies the essence of karma being the ‘energy’ is defined by life’s experience which cannot be eliminated. Life’s richness is clung onto the journey of countless unfolding events. Events can transform into many meaningful experiences by making progressive action with reformed perspective and confidence.

 

– Part 2 –

“Fear will not take you to the place where your soul wishes to be”

To orchestrate new and meaningful events in your life, you must free yourself from the restraining elements of fear. Fear of failing, or failing again. Fear of losing love, and attention or recognition. Fear of getting emotionally hurt, or being alone. Fear of losing something that you’ve grown accustomed to, or loved ones. Until you learn to manage your fears, you’re like a vessel with a draping sail adrift in the vast sea with no land in sight to bound for. Fear will mount as long as the vessel continues to drift. However, an opened sail gives invitation to hope which will diminish the intensity of fear. In any given circumstance, life must proceed in a forward and progressive pattern for hope and opportunity to prevail with a goal in mind.

To manage fear and insecurity, you need to evoke the inner strength of ‘will’ to place yourself at the helm in command of your vessel to negotiate the seas. If you are Captain of the vessel, then the sea is an extension of your awareness, just as the environment is a reflection of your consciousness. ‘Will’ sprouts from the sense of responsibility in an act of returning a favour. ‘Will’ is determined by the level of understanding, and respect in a relationship which you have with your environment. This means that it’s possible to make adjustments to your environment at ‘will’ to draw the emotion needed to perform a certain task.

Fear is a natural phenomenon in human which cannot be eliminated completely, but the sentiment can be transformed. If you choose fear to remain, then you’ve invited apathy into your life. There is no creativity there. But, if you choose fear to change form, then start analysing the process of past events to release the trapped thought that is infecting your conscience with fear. When thought is put into action you have realised an experience. Thoughts are originally stimulated from intention, and they can only affect the conscience. Until thoughts are put into action, they remain an illusion of the mind.

Anything that you wish to do have a motive attach, a quality that you tap on to provide leverage required in the initiation of your actions. Motive is a derivative of karma. Karmic motive is sometimes insufficient to give impetus to your progress. A strong motive derives from the maturity in your relationship with the environment in co-existence. When respect in that relationship grows, a path is cleared for ‘will’ to walk ‘motive’ through to embrace destiny. There, love, respect and unity awaits to receive you, the essential qualities of your soul.

 

– Part 3 –

“Analysing the process of past actions will develop a present sense of acceptance through understanding”

Effort is required in analysing the process to draw a better understanding of the result. For example, how does Usain Bolt win his races? Though the 100 metre and 200 metre sprint expert bathes in glory race after race, his coach will analyse the race from the moment Usain got off the starting line to the finish. Even though Usain wins most of his races convincingly, yet analysing his run process reveals the possibility closer to Usain crossing the finish line in second place, or even third should he fail to execute the strategy in the acceleration build-up with perfection. The slightest of a mistake within the first 50 metre of the track is all that it takes to lose the race. Mathematically, in a 100 metre dash race Usain has only half a chance of winning. The performance in the run reveals more of Usain as an athlete than what his result can tell.

“Take charge of your life”, is a phrase used too often without giving due consideration. One must realise that it takes effort to be in that commanding position. Karma is the provider to the degree of maturity in the relationship with your environment. It’s the basis for character variation in tenacity, confidence, passion, compassion, courage etc. Therefore, the degree of effort in the initiation of self-awareness vary from one person to another. Taking reference solely from the result is not the answer to a fulfilling living. Evaluation of life’s past events cannot go without the effort in eliciting truth to explain the outcome. Its fate that your state of awareness is destined to grow further, therefore no one is exempted from the responsibility of engaging in the self-realization exercise. When uncertainty is resolved through cultivating understanding in the process analysis, fear will no longer stand in your way.

 

– Part 4 –

“The God that you believe rest with the motive of your mind”

Living by analysing, and cultivating the processes of life are similar in exercises to any field research, and development. The primary objective in the field of scientific research for instance is looking for dots to connect in the attempt to understand creation. There is nothing new to find when whatever researchers are looking for already exists, ready to be discovered (hence to word ‘existence’). It’s as if the world is made for you to discover, learn and evolve. The purpose of any research is to set a new level in understanding existence. When connecting the dots is successful, the research has aligned with the environment of study as though the gap in the search is bridged to allow new information to flow in. The collation of information is useful in the implementation of further development. This is the commonality that is shared in all aspects of life, from the study of sciences, and arts to the legislation of monetary, and fiscal policies. When a link is established in search together with the environment, the relationship is then nurtured to harness confidence, and faith.

The God that is responsible for your acquired attribute in self-esteem comes from a self-initiated process, and not the entity. Daily routine in prayer, and meditation are processes which help instill self-esteem. Self-esteem is all about having faith in your own assessment, as well as in God’s motive. It’s a divine quality of acceptance derived from a certain understanding cultivated from the environment which provided the base for study. Imagining the form of God will impinge the development of greater awareness, whilst you need only to realise that God’s essence which is His spirit, or love has always been ‘tagged’ on you. Self-esteem provides the resilience in embracing God’s principles where your faith matures. Whatever form, or image that the mind holds has no substance, whereas the process in making the effort brings meaning to your belief.

 

– Part 5 –

“The distance between you, and God is a separation measured only by ego”

You don’t have to go far in search of God because the distance between you, and Him is only as big as your ego. Life’s events that creation has laid in your path are clues to assist in your search to return home by leaving all forms behind, and take all experiences with you. That, in essence is living beyond the boundaries of the mind. The way forward.

Echoes of Silence (A Tribute to Nelson Mandela)

This article was written prior to the passing of Nelson Mandela. Nonetheless, it is fitting to dedicate this write-up to the man with a great spirit.

I thought at first of mirroring the topic title with a blank article, but on second thought that would not amuse. So, I’ve decided to elucidate on the topic because it has too much content worthy to be left unsaid. It’s not meant to be esoteric. Each selected word is relevant without any intended obscurity, or vagueness. In fact, it’s plain and simple. “Echoes” refers to “Resound”, and “Silence” is “Peace”, “Love” or “Joy”. Rephrasing it simply, “Repeat the Sounding Joy”, or “Resonating Peace and Love”.

Why coined it as “Echoes of Silence”, you might ask? Our spirit resides in silence, and when the spirit resonates, it manifests the feelings of love through our mind. As intricate and sensitive as love is, the topic title is in reference to the expression of spiritual love. When we feel love, or in love, the following attributes will emerge;

1.         You experience closure from all kinds of emotional and mental distractions,
2.         You feel an invisible force of attraction to be one with another with a powerful sense of belonging, where separation does not linger in mind, and
3.         You have no trouble in putting your pride aside at the expense of unity. The process is unconditional in that you don’t ask for anything in exchange.

These attributes give nuance to the term “silence” as everything in mind is blocked out, and your focus has never been so narrowed in the course of romance. To sum it all, it is a process of surrendering to the power of what true love is as though we are subsumed by it.

Drawing closer to observing the mechanics of spiritual love reveals the exchanging of potentials. This means either a catalyst is involved, or two or more parties in participation to trigger the exchange of infinite possibilities. To dwell further in the engineering of spiritual love has the tendency to drive romance away. I faced the same circumstance when I was undergoing my bachelor studies in engineering. I used to think the thrill was gradually taken away as my cup kept filling up with answers during the course of my learning. But, the thrill never ends because I constantly have a date with destiny, the unknown. With a question answered, came another question. In time I realized, to conclude on anything is to draw a line at the finish, but the line is imaginary as life’s journey goes on and on. The thrill actually lies in the search. The underlying concept of spiritual love is subtle. Just as you think you found it, you found not! Just as you think you know it, you know not! The love for knowledge or someone, even God is thrilling. Nonetheless, the process of spiritual love deserves an aphoristic assist to give that subtle effect, “tickle the spirit and love comes laughing and kicking”. And, the experience of true love is best described by saying, “we don’t know what we’ve committed ourselves to, and whatever that may bring, but it feels right!” Facing the infinite possibilities in the company of spiritual love makes you feel protected and safe. Contrary to embracing material love where there is the element of pride is a lonely affair, and in facing uncertainty brings anxiety.

Everyone has a chance to experience the vested “gift” and as incredible as it may seem, humanity possessed that ability and the capacity for it. It is our inheritance from the divine, hence spiritual love does not discriminate. The love suffuses the hearts of “do-gooders” and criminals alike. So, why do we see incessant conflicts everywhere? When the state of our environment is divisive, it is because we allowed pride to distort the true meaning to spiritual love in order to cover the lack in foresight and tolerance which has reciprocated with the failure in reverberating true love.

All situations will eventually arrive at a common end that there will be consequences to be confronted from the choices we make. Life has casts a curse for those who opposes spiritual love. It warns those who takes spiritual love for granted, and suffer they will from the deprivation of it. “OUCH!” That is the effect of the curse. Being deprived of spiritual love is really painful. Metaphorically speaking, it’s more profound than any kind of physical pain you know because it leaves behind traces of lingering pain and bad taste. Continuing that path will see the quality of the mind deteriorate, in a psychological and emotional state of denial where the need of the conscience unable to reconcile with the demand of the environment for pride and material returns. If you are hard headed and don’t believe it, try it. After all, we are empowered with choice. But, before you tempt your fate, make sure that you have an escape route to return to the source. Otherwise, it’s “ADIOS” and “SAYONARA!”

In general, humanity faces difficulty in coming to terms with the differences between the needs of the spirit and mind. Only through reconciliation, a path can be cleared with “silence” for true love to channel through uninterrupted. At this juncture, humanity will be ready to evolve to face the next level of life’s challenge and new experience. This sounds like life is a game, doesn’t it? It is.

Have you ever felt impatient and agitated, and then the emotion escalates and turns into frustration when nothing seems to go your way? When we are caught in such untimely circumstance, we are tempted to “twisting” the truth. Thence, true love is adulterated. Sincerity and genuineness are compromised. Matters of the mind are threaded with complexity. Matters of the heart though sometimes uneasy, but the path is always clear.

I have given a description of true or spiritual love in my earlier article noticing it like the wind, and I would like to bring it up again. True love fades just as quickly as it reveals itself unannounced and unpredictable like the wind blowing in from any directions. Though true love sweeps in and out of our minds, it does not disappear forever. The experience clings onto our human fabric where its essence is embedded in our DNA, verifying true love is a function.

The spiritually adept have their unique way in “catalyzing” the spirit to harness true love either by the repetitive process in prayer or meditation. The techniques are strikingly different, but they share a common platform that the intention is the same. They evoke a subtle invitation to the spirit. By fervent and consistent practice, the magic of silence will echo.

The perpetuity of life’s journey nests in true love’s reward…

“Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life”

“At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limit in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable” – R. Tagore

Excerpt:

Function of true love has two parts, a noun and verb;

1.         True love is glue, and
2.         True love is a process where pride is sacrificed to give comfort to others, including one self in harmonizing co-existence or partnerships. It’s a process which cannot be subjected to duress. It must be waited out until the bond of the glue completes its natural curing cycle to give its maximum effect.

*A Merry Christmas to all. May peace fills your hearts, and love of the spirit moves you to show it.

GOD

“GOD exists because you exist”; a view point which will absolutely draw clashes with traditional beliefs. But, if it can initiate a thought process which allows you to glimpse beyond the normal boundaries of the mind, won’t you allow it to see the page turn?

The view stands by reference to co-existence where the moment you think of GOD, GOD is revealed to the mind at the very least. Denying this standpoint would be to defy the rationale of being. Your thoughts of GOD distill HIS existence in yours. Contrary to common beliefs which hold the view that GOD existed prior to everything else, and where the soul’s journey rest solely in GOD’s architectural grandeur are contemporary views widely accepted and relied on by the general population. The implication suggests that you belong in the mind of GOD, that man is created in HIS image. Man has imprints of GOD all over him.

Typical to everything else that must be measured and tangible, man in their nature formulated “contracts” in the effort to validate the bond with GOD. And so, in every structured religion either by virtual prayer or written covenant is drawn between man and the institution which upholds the divine laws, and applying them to every life’s turning events such as baptism, barmitzvah, fraternity initiation, marriage, divorce, and even death. Evidently, the presumable laws of man and GOD coincide in one mind which gives rationale to the concept of co-existence.

If man and GOD are two sides of the same coin, why do the pillars of the two views (ie. co-existence, or GOD existed first) stand apart? They don’t have to be. If your perspective is at a standstill the views will always appear to be separated. But, if your perspective shifts the two pillars can be seen coinciding, implying the once opposite views are in fact unified, and always have been. Separation is only an illusion of the mind. The existence of both man and GOD reciprocates in compliment. The same goes for saying in the situation to justify the conduct of respect towards GOD, you must dignify your actions with self-respect without the exchange of insults. Every moment of your living presence mirrors “HIS”.

“We are many, but a reflection of one”; is another way of addressing the same standpoint. It applies to many life’s aspects may it relate to an object, emotion, a perspective, field study ranging from sciences to humanities where the search for their source or origin always proved to be relevant. Like watching a spider spins its web in reverse. The final destination is the beginning, a “.” or nothing. The spider is just an agent of creation just passing by, where ever conscience leads the ingenuous creature.

When people find themselves in despair and lost, it’s usually a case where the LOVE element is found missing. In response to fill the void, they embark on the journey in search of a suitable “GOD”. They could become a Buddhist one day, and a Christian the next, trivializing GOD to suit their model. The same goes with all religions. Internal factions arise, and the population of followers divides. They imagined what their GOD should be, and disregard the HIS SPIRIT. In retrospect, man has broken the covenant repeatedly with his “casual walk” with GOD. Overstaying HIS welcome has precipitated pride in man to satisfy a selfish indulgence. Therefore, the term GOD is an illusion conceptualized in purpose by the mind. Despite it all, the search for GOD is real because the process manifests coincidences and unity.

The essence of GOD is the SPIRIT. Now, the “SPIRIT of GOD” carries a whole different meaning. It reveals GOD’s extended awareness which mobilizes life by SPIRITUAL LOVE. This is the LIVING GOD constantly on the move, unlike the one held by the mind is a dying one. The SPIRIT nests in LOVE’s domain, the source to life and all that it represents. This single term “GOD” can only be a function to the imagination of the mind, and it has limits to resolve the deepest of pain as memories of time cannot be erased. So, the past lingers in mind and the pain revisits from time to time. On the other hand, LOVE has the function to bring restitution irrespective of time and space where it’s power to resolve life’s sufferings is unlimited.

So, where are we at now? HERE!….”GOD evolves when our awareness evolves”. OH GOD!….. I think I will leave it at that.

 

PS.       I hope the material in this article has been useful, if not at least entertaining. Do visit next month for my Christmas article.

The Paradox of “Karma”

“Karma” is a closet where our old wears are stored. It keeps memories of the past, with causes which explain our present joy and despair. The concept of “karma” can be postulated where the extract of our past lives moulds and shapes our present. Nonetheless, the purpose of “karma” is meant to serve humanity with abstract reasons, and not by serving the cause on a platter. The reason behind the cause is what we should seek in cultivating the will to change, so our lives could continue in meaningful and forward motion. Focusing on the cause has the intention on only looking for an excuse which is static. However, focusing on the reason will bring process and mobility. Life with all its intent and purposes, is to look for that reason which is hidden behind the cause. The search for the reason will unfold a path where the journey into eternity begins.

Some chance on the process of hypnotism or psychological regression to reveal the source or cause to their karmic afflictions. An interesting method no doubt, but the answer is not guaranteed because the reason to why they suffer the affliction lies hidden in their pride. Others chose to embrace the gift of life, and gracefully lived it with conviction. They don’t look back, but “karma’ stays in their stride nonetheless.

Pondering on the past and future are like “what was” and “what could be”.

* What joy will it bring emphasizing “was’ and “could be”?

* Do you think in regression of your subconscious mind will bring reconciliation, and alleviate your present dilemma or short fall? If so, are you ready to know “why” rather than “what”, and be accountable for the mistakes of past lives? If not, then what’s with the hypocrisy?

* If you believe in the concept of past lives, then do you accept the same trait in the character that you were, in the one that you are now? Should you discover that you were once a cheat and murderer, could you accept that same moral values in you now? After all, wasn’t that the very reason in looking back to the past to find the connection of who you are?

There is validity in the hocus pocus of “karma” and its connection of past lives to the present. But, walking that path strictly as a belief in order to resolve any part of life’s issues intuitively feels rather restrain and dubious. Personally, I find the process of searching for the cause of our afflictions in “karma” is rather mechanical which lacks love and appreciation for life and existence. How is extracting from one scene in previous life event be an absolute answer to a problem when our present definition is a series of compounded lives of many? If the tenets of “karma” holds true, then it’s reasonable to ask “why” are we subjected to so many rebirths, as if we are being punished over and over again for the same wrong doing? Is humanity so ignorant? The cause is “what” afflicted us, but the reason “why” do we suffer from it, is the next level of engagement in thought where we bring ourselves closer to being truthful. “Why” assists in the process of admission to our flaws.

So, the search for the cause in “karma” must provide a deeper sense of purpose. It must provide impetus to the desire to change in order to resolve the real problem that causes the pain, and not simply to cover it. For instance, should you discover the fact that you were once a thief in one of your past life, do you sacrifice the wealth and comfort in your possession of this life time to charity in the belief that the act will return balance? Not only the past and present are set in different time line, each era holds different set of circumstances. “Then” and “now” may have a connection, but is there any correlation or relationship left in the past event to effect the present? The past is an absence of relationships, where correlations of events no longer occur. The past has no substance anymore, and therefore no future. The connection between the past and present is merely a reflection.

The reality is the present. The certainty is the way. Our future is marked now in every living moment by the way we act in making life-altering choices. There is more than meets the eye in the process of regression into the past in search for explanation. The past is our shadow where the reality is already gone and lost, there is no truth to be found. Yes, it may lead you to an explanation of the present or even the future in which you may think it’s the answer, but the answer is far from the truth. Truth and explanation do not share the same stage. Truth is always hidden from our senses, but eternally in our presence. Truth reveals itself when you place emphasis on the present in what you make of it, a task which requires a reality to perform. Truth is you.

The life-altering choice that is spoken here does not relate to this mechanical act of giving from the mind. It refers to a spiritual transformation in giving from the heart, the act none other than to disavow pride. Pride is the source to all our misgivings and misdeeds. That is the reason we should ask “why” to “what”. Should we choose to focus on “what”, then we are trapped in an impairing frame of thought that will remain unchanged which goes round and round in circles, similar to a dog pleasuring itself by chasing its tail. ‘Why’ stretches our thought beyond the curiosity of the mind, pointing to pride as the source to our afflictions. Naturally, the mind will respond by cultivating love to arrest pride. On the other hand, “what” takes us only to the point of nursing the wound by covering it with a band aid, and should the question to “why are we wounded” remain unanswered will continue to see truth stands apart.

Fate of existence is uncertain, so nothing is definite. Which means, change is a constant in existence as the complexity of fluctuating variables is causing change to our environment and the continuing expansion of the universe, through a sense of correlation where our destiny changes with it. So, the future is an open end which remains uncertain. The future is what we make of it now. Certainty lies only in the process or journey, and not in our concocted prediction. When we make life-altering decisions, we are certain to change directions of our journey and progress becomes imminent leading towards the future where our destiny awaits, whatever that may be.

Jesus has a saying, “He killed who you were, so that who you are can be born”. This single line sums it all. Jesus irrefutably spoke of love. Love by forgiving, and letting go of pride. Only love can dissolve “karma”, and that power rest resolute on this plane of reality, in our hands.

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“Busy Body”

We know that stress is primarily generated from the mind through an evaluation process of what our physical senses picked up from the environment. When plans don’t come together or something unexpected just “crops” up, the mind prompts for an immediate response. That is the general line of thought that our mind takes, but where along that line becomes our difficulties? It is when we choose to jump to conclusion in any given situation without engaging in a fair thought process and analysis. A case when the urge to create factions is very inviting. Putting it mildly, this is commonly known as being a “Busy Body”. “Busy Body” is an attitude more than anything else in which the impetus behind the behavioural response is the need to be critical. Every situation with uncertainties will give opportunity for “BB” to fill itself in, and leave its mark. The arena of politics is a great nesting place for “BB”.

Curiously, “BB” is a trait which sits quite comfortably with many people, except with the difference in the degree of assertiveness. What a “BB” does other than the simple term that it implies, it has the tendency to interpret a situation more than necessary leaving behind traces of emotional elements. Truth is then “twisted”, and became a lie. “BB” is grossly irritating, and that is the extend of its impact in normal circumstances. But, if “BB” shifts into “over-drive” well, it can get pretty ugly. Lies will be flipped over, and confusion takes centre stage. It is like watching a play with a curtain wall in the background. Behind the curtain wall hidden from our eyes are secrets to the play. How do we remedy this? Easy, mind your own business. No participation, no gloating. Simple, yes? Not quite! There is a bit of “BB” in all of us. Before making any denial, allow our thoughts to expand by engaging in a “self-recognition” exercise in attempt to acquire an understanding about ourselves. Experience needed to be harnessed in order for an understanding to be developed that is real enough that can be felt from the heart. Experience and understanding go hand in hand, nurturing each other in no particular order on which comes first. Humanity offers this opportunity for we are blessed.

“Self-recognition” takes us through an observation exercise by first reflecting upon ourselves. Then move our observation on to our environment starting from the home, neighbourhood and then to the workplace. For example, I recognised my wife defines me as her husband. My children define me as their father. My parents define me as their son. My brother and sisters define me as their sibling. My neighbours define me as their friends. My staffs define me as their employer. My garden plants and trees define me as their planter. My dog defines me as his reluctant walking companion, and so on. Current events too play a crucial part in our lives. Be it pleasant or not, they contain purpose. Life’s events are invitations without the cards, don’t dismiss them. Take them in our stride and grow by experiencing the good and bad that comes with them. And to grow, we need to nurture all that relationships.

Husband, father, son, sibling, friend, employer, planter and an undependable pet companion are confluence of relationships which suit me up and empower me to act in accordance to my given definition. In many ways, we are definition of a product like “ironman” from the comics. When we see the connection between ourselves, and those entities around us, we are realising our existence with its purpose. If we appreciate our existence, then we will understand due respect is to be given. That is key, “love thy neighbour as thyself” refers to respect but it also carries this message, “see yourself from the eyes of the other”. “BB” has a one track view with a handicap of not able to reciprocate the perception, much less understanding respect. Should we take the trouble to nurture every relationship, the greater our lives fulfilment will become and we grow richer at heart.

Ignoring these relationships eliminate our opportunity to grow. The effect is a proportional one as growth stuns in the absence of relationships or dependencies. When someone commits a murder, the murderer effectively destroys a part of himself, as the wrath of the commandments reveals, “thou shalt not kill”. Taking a life leaves a void. The same goes with someone who beats up his victim. The single act of aggression to vent his anger from within plotted his downfall. Unknowingly, he deprived himself of the chance where he could nurture himself from the emotional illness, rather than exorcising it. Losing the base that he needed to depend on to grow has tipped the balance. The balance will return in time, only time is limited. People harbor such emotion will continue to live in grudging bitterness. And, their emotional cycle perpetuates for as long as they remained obstinate in their narrow and selfish view.

Quite often we get all caught up with our appearances until we forget that our residence is not permanent. Our escape from this mind trap is through the reconditioning of our mind to enable perception to extend beyond the limit of our physical senses to realise purpose and meaning. It helps to set aside “BB” with the distorted and selfish thoughts to pave way for understanding and compassion. That is how we draw comfort upon ourselves and no longer allowing fear and insecurity to tear us apart. The sense of belonging and purpose unfold when it is realised that, they are us in defining our role in theirs. Emphasis must be given on the relationships and events to nurture our souls to bring recovery to our “imbalance” and in moving forward united.

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Deciphering Ego with Love, a Poetry in Motion

Love is mysteriously delicate like the wind, sweeping in and out of our mind and heart with little warning. Some simply described it as an approximation to nothing as it is conceptually difficult to grasp firmly. Though not difficult to know what love is, but still difficult enough to harness its overwhelming effect and make it stick. What most of us claimed to know about love is useless if it remains stasis. Like the wind, no longer a wind when still.

Being aware of love is simply not good enough. It is like anything sighted from afar remains separated unless a pathway is cleared to allow for an approach. The spirit is an eternal emanating source of love where its sole purpose is to unite. That pathway will put love into motion channelling it straight to the heart without allowing ego to take notice. Only then, love reveals itself, pure and untainted with a fulfilling acceptance through knowing first of its existence.

So, true love evolved from spirit and unfiltered by ego. For love to be felt fulfilling, our mind must submit itself to a process of thought transformation. Begin with relieving our mind from making deductions. Our human senses of sight and hearing are ‘tools’ of the mind that feeds the framework created by ego which constantly needs satisfying. Search within for that invisible quality that places no importance on definition and discrimination. In doing so, we effectively displaced ego to channel love through. In time, we will come to realise that we are a reflection of our environment which defines us, a creation amongst creation. Thence, a process will follow to develop a deeper sense in understanding of ‘existence’. This realisation is essential to take with us in moving forward.

Our ego-base mind subjects us to live in ‘definition’ by conjuring structures to confine love. Within the walls of the structure, love is imprisoned and weighed on a tipping scale. Under these terms, love is bartered to serve ego’s single purpose, segregation. Normal circumstance in our reality requires us to relate to a quantitative measure in everything that we do. Thus, the love we often speak of is at best a mechanical kind, very much a conditional one.

Much is said about the dark force of ego, but nonetheless ego has a valid presence in our lives which we can’t rid of. It is a permanent part of our human fabric. Ego defines our human form and without it would only invalidate the meaning to creation and ultimately our existence. Ego is like fungus, when it is exposed to sunlight, it diminished and without sunlight, it will resurfaced from its ‘sleep’ and thrived on the living again.

This analogy of ego reminds me of the epic battle which Jesus fought against Satan. The sudden burst of light emitted from the body of Christ shrunk Satan to its bones which ended the wager made between good and evil. A Jewish prophecy seemingly fulfilled which redeemed the faith of the colony, but when Jesus chose not to end the battle with the execution of Satan is baffling. After all, wasn’t Satan the most destructive force known to man? This part of the saga was conveniently dismissed and left unquestioned. Contrary to the unobservant mind, the reprieve that Jesus handed to Satan is regarded as an act of deliverance of the most profound. It is the ultimate act of sacrifice which will serve mankind in their journey to true fulfilment. Ego embodies Satan, and it is not an imagination but more of a reflection of the ugly truth of ego. So, Satan is real. If we dwell in ego’s intention long enough, Satan will manifest itself in us. We become it. Satan’s existence is just as real as we profess to the reality of ego. If the conclusion of the battle was to take another path where Jesus slain Satan, then spirit consumes ego and becomes it. If that is at all possible, then creation becomes mundane without purpose and hope. Surely, our existence would cease to evolve. Jesus understood existence, and recognised that Satan was part of creation and the role it played in existence defined his.

Even though ego tends to manifests separation by demanding identity and recognition, but ironically it is a force of its own which brings balance to our total form. Ego feeds on fear just as fungus draws from a living host for sustenance. There must be a constant interaction with ego to serve as a platform to guide our spirit to emerge. The idea is not to oppose ego forcefully as if to engage in a crusade to end its existence. No, I am subtly proposing to tame the ‘beast’ by transcending above it. If we are to accomplish that feat, ego must become part of the spirit. In a crude sense, make ego our ‘tool’ to build a bridge to lure our spirit to come forth. The scripture states, “knock and the door will be opened” and “ask and it will be given to you” are validations to the ever readiness of the spirit in making the approach to unite. The question is, are we ready to allow it? If we are, then we need to tame our fears. Fears of failure, under achievement or losing loved ones etc. We would not be stricken with lives issues as fears are only ‘tools’ at our disposal to help our spirit to awaken, as it did Jesus. Jesus do not need to put up with Satan again because in our own accord inspired by the revelation of the intricate wisdom that Jesus bestowed on us, we can transcend through him, in him, with him and in one with the spirit.

Searching from the Soul, a Personal Account

I don’t have the greatest gift in writing. It is always a challenge to find the appropriate words, and piecing them together to deliver the message to closely match the meaning with the inspired thoughts which come to mind. It takes effort in second guessing readers’ minds whether the presented points could be understood with ease. And, I do have an incorrigible tendency in rambling on. So, it did not come as a surprise that my article on “Lord’s Prayer, a Gift of Deliverance” has prompted some readers to question my views. I guess the best way to put things in a clearer perspective is to quote a personal experience.

Born a Catholic who goes to church regularly in his youth couldn’t find the appeal in the weekly rituals. I just could not get pass as a “good” Christian like the others. I could not find the connection at least a spiritual one. The years in attending mass which takes me through the process of reciting prayers, singing hymns, kneeling, standing, sitting and receiving the communion are repeating disciplines only to serve as a constant reminder. The rule is simple enough, accept God with faith as told. I failed to relate to this, and the lack in sincerity kept me from a distance. All the years, I have not inculcated any long lasting and meaningful change. I have seen how feeble the mind is when it comes to the “crunch” in the worst of times, and faith is instantly shaken. All those years of drumming the disciplines into my head has its limits, and I realised admission to God from the mind is weak, and to know God I needed to connect with my soul which is driving my mind.

The mind conceptualises God, but the spirit conceives it. That is my stand. I needed that experience to understand that can bring more meaning. Notice the distinction. When the soul searches, God is everywhere but when the mind searches, we go to church. When the soul searches, I realised the concept of God dematerialises from my mind, and emphasis is placed more on the connection. With a spiritual connection, everything flows into its proper places and no longer necessary to impose the definition of God in mind. This means that I imagine less of God, although I use the term plenty of times for illustration purposes.

So, what do I do to “know thyself”? I steer myself carefully between extreme lines of thoughts. The more I do this, the more I feel comforted. My mind is more relaxed, not pressured or threatened by my environment. I discriminate less of my environment and it discriminate less of me. But, there is no guarantee that my days will flow uninterrupted. There are always distractions being a family man and all. I am bound to have “nudges” and occasional “jabs”. But one thing is clear, if I am subtle in my actions it is a “doing” which encourages the spirit, unlike actions stemmed from pride which sits naturally with the mind. It’s not a sign of weakness, but the opposite. The spirit instils courage in me. And, you do see things differently when you choose to have a relationship more with the soul than the mind.

Having said all that, Jesus was a great man, but even greater was his spirit. That is where I drew my conviction from to interpret the “Lord’s Prayer” the way I did. The words are meant to speak to your soul to relate to God. The prayer serves as a “bridge” which connects to Heaven. Which way would you prefer, to connect with God by engaging the mind in imagination, or evoking the spirit in a lasting experience?

From that stand point, it is suffice to say that the views given on the “Lord’s Prayer, a Gift of Deliverance” are not over stepping the boundaries of the Christian belief, nor a contradiction. It is complimentary I would imagine, and I feel somewhat deprived of that wisdom. I did not renounce my religion, there is no reason for that and I am free to attend masses whenever I felt like it.

Religion is a good base to start for the mind to build a spiritual foundation, and without being bias I would encourage anyone with a Christian faith to attend mass. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism are all respectable religious fellowships which centered their priority on one thing, peace by forgiving. I would research all their published materials if I could, but I would to have to change profession because that would take more than a life time to accomplish the task. Religion guides us to a point in our life’s journey, but what will remain is the walk we make our own.

Old Traits for New Ones

Perhaps the greatest challenge in which life has to offer is – to recognise, accept and embrace our undesirable traits. These traits erupt from memory of experiences which shaped our individual characters that defined the unique role in which we play in these vast seas of human demographic. The process of recognition will first help to kick-in a conscientious effort to initiate all   necessary steps for our minds to come to terms with changes that we evoke.

Rather than engaging in a struggle to totally rid of the undesirable traits in an abrupt way, instead we constantly change directions. We make small manoeuvres in changing directions but still maintaining our sights on the goal. Like dancing to the waltz, swaying and turning but we remain ‘present’ in the room. To remain rooted to the present is key in dissuading the mind from embarking in the process of imagination. Everything we do must stay relevant and real. The solution to this approach will reveal a gradual dissolution of our undesirable traits and finally unfolding a sense of acceptance.

The simple reason to why we take such subtle approach is because we are biological. The general accepted understanding about the mind is believed to be centred on the brain. However, now modern science is beginning to recognise that the mind is just more than the brain. For instance, the automated and correlated responses by our body’s auto-immune system in producing the antibodies needed in its defence to the invasion of various antigens in which the prescription of the antidote is so precise that scientists now realised that every cell in our body must contain some form of memory, thus conscience. So, it is said that each cell of the trillion of cells in our body has a conscience because when a purpose is fulfilled by a decisive action based on experience or memory deduces its presence. In similar fashion as our blood sugar level changes, specialised cells in the pancreas will secrete hormones to help recalibrate the sugar level.

There is no logical explanation to such an apt and organised ‘military-like’ display that is even thought of as pretentious pronouncing that they’ve “been there and done that”. Whether the conscience is singular or a collective of consciousness is not known as consciousness is inconceivable by the mind. Thence, the mind is not only in the brain, it is the embodiment of the entire circuitry system of our body connected by a comprehensive web of network.

Coming back to the subject of personal development – Altering the path of our undesirable traits require engagement in the process of changing our state of mind by welcoming our problems into a relationship. However, what most of us would choose to apply is rejection. This approach can build up an internal resistance which actually reinforces our emotional statement that there is something to dislike about ourselves. Rejection disrupts the natural state of inertia of our mind giving rise to emotional resistance. So, it becomes a vicious cycle of many struggles causing personal development to spiral downwards resulting in dejection and despair.

Hence, it’s self-defeating to denounce any part of us as memories are not meant to be erased, but to be embraced. Undesirable traits are expressions of memories embedded in the ‘mind’. Expressions of these traits derived from past experiences and the process is dynamic as if consciousness has momentum. Here, lies our realm where we can relate and grow in continuous motion. In short, we must learn to form a relationship with our problems rather than snubbing them.

Personal development by adopting the approach of subtle bonding with our personalities differ from one individual to another. Some would experience a complete transformation when old traits are totally disregarded and some would only experience partial transformation when old traits revisit their ‘minds’. Above all this and more importantly, we evolve to a higher sense of ourselves.

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