Kids Play 7

I wanted to punish Vic (3 years old) and asked him to stand at the corner of the room. Instantly, he responded resoundingly, "Yes, but can I face outwards?"

Synchronicity 2

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I have just been catching up with my emails after busy helping a Vietnamese friend with his business and quest to use part of his profits for social projects in Vietnam and also down with food poisoning for a few days. Such luck! May be it is due to too many upheavals recently, including the recent move to a new apartment after the doubling of the previous rent.

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Coincidentally (or is it so?), I got an email from a friend whom I haven't heard for at least two years, who is now a volunteer librarian in Vietnam. In her email, she also mentioned about the rapidly rising rents in Vietnam and how landlords prefer short leases so that they can raise the rents the following year by substantial amounts. To top it all, she is also recovering from a food poisoning! :)

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So be careful what we think, we attract exactly what we think. Make a list of keywords around what is happening around you. It is likely what you have been thinking a lot of! In my case here, my key thoughts have been: 'Vietnam', 'high rent inflation', 'food poisoning', and 'charity'. How clear and fast your thoughts will manifest will depend on how clear and strong your thoughts are.

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A Course in Miracles (ACIM) - 2

This posting is based on what I have learned from the "A Course in Miracles" seminar on the 23rd Dec 2007 in Singapore by Dr Aaron Lim. This seminar comprises a series of 6 lectures conducted one weekend every two months. This is third weekend lecture of the series. The notes here is covers only the Sunday session, as I could not attend on Saturday. The notes is written as in the first-person for easy reading, but it is not an ad-verbatim recording of what Dr Lim speaks during the seminar.
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Warning: This posting contains opinions that may be considered unacceptable by some people. If you are easily offended by unconventional views about religion and spiritualism, then DO NOT READ FURTHER THAN HERE. If you do, then do it at your own risk! If you do not agree with the views expressed below, it does not mean that you have not 'arrived', rather it just mean that you 'do not agree'. Meanwhile, try to be open. There are lots to discover about ourselves when we are open. Do feel free to leave comments. BELIEVING IS NOT NECESSARY!

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For those of you here for the first time, I would like to tell you that this is a 'free flowing' session. "A Course in Miracles" is not a religion and you don't have to believe, because it is your choice. And as you grow your beliefs will too change. Having 'no religion' is also a religion. The word 'religion' comes from the latin word 'religio' which means 'to unite'.

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However, contemplation is necessary. By that, you may like to think, "What if what he says is true? How would that make a change to my life?..."
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We must not try to change another person. They too have their own journey. We must honour their journey. Everyone's journey is different. It is better for us not to judge.

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I myself, as the eldest son, used to have this conditioned thinking that I must take care of all my younger brothers and sisters, as a result, they didn't grow. They got older, but not tougher. So, it was me who went out to borrow money for my father and my siblings. As a result, I was in debt for a long time. It wasn't pleasant to be in debt for a long time. That made me feel very angry, and I couldn't take it out on my parents, that in turn, made me even angrier. It took me a long time to realise that I shouldn't be taking care of them and that they will have to stand up on their own. By changing my thoughts, I changed my beliefs.

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Similarly, mothers are often their children worse spiritual enemy, because in the process of loving and protecting you, she made their children small.
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The Kingdom of Heaven and Hell are in me. Change my thoughts and I'm in a different Kingdom. Let me give you an example, when you smile, you smile for yourself. Many will smile back. But if you smile at others (and not for yourself) then you may get disappointed with some who doesn't smile back. Whereas, if you smile for yourself, it needn't matter. It also becomes a natural smile. So, you can see some people who are on a perpetual smile. They appear to be smiliing even when they are not.
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[Question: But isn't smiling for yourself egoistic?]
Yes, if what you mean by yourself is about your body. But if you smile for your inner self, then it is not ego.
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When we are born, we didn't have the concept of god. Believers bought the idea of god. So long as your belief is loving, all should be well. So we have more religions which ought to bring more love, more oneness...etc. But practically, this is not the case. This is due to ego and judgment.
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We all started our journey being the same - that is, 100% Love. Somewhere, we got lost. We got to identify ourselves with the body. But this body is just chemicals and is not us. It is like a car is not the same as its driver. A loving driver will keep his car well, whilst an unloving one will have it rusted and poorly maintained. So changing the car will not change anything, changing the driver does.
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It is also like changing handphones. I have just changed my handphone and just after a few days, I got to like it so much, I have forgotten about the old phone. And it is still the same person (me) using the phone and the phone set gave me the same functions. Similarly, changing bodies will not make the difference and the body itself cannot unite you with god. So, in most cultures, when people meet, there is some forwarding and closing up of the heads. This is intuitive of that only minds can be joined, bodies can't.

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We are all built in the image of god, but somewhere we got lost and started to have unloving thoughts. Unloving thoughts are due to fear.

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Our only journey is to return home - to 100% Love - to god, which is Love and Light. When that happens my Father and I are ONE.
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So ask ourselves, "Is this the purpose of my being? Is this the reason for my being or is this incidental to my being?" For instance, yesterday since I am in Singapore, I visited Orchard Road to enjoy the Christmas lightings, it was a pleasurable trip, but is this my reason for being? Our reason for being is to return home. We can't do that unless our "Father and I are one". That is the meaning of being "holy" (as in 'whole'), without separation between form and soul. Highly englightened beings does not separate themselves from all beings, including themselves and the animals, plants, rocks...etc. Mother Teresa said of the people she was serving that she didn't see sick people, but only Christ in distress.

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The Jews who tortured Jesus did not know what they were doing, as they are not aware of the repurcussions of their actions. So it is important to do everything lovingly, as loving actions will have loving results. Being aware means that we are no longer sleeping.

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[Question: In the book, we read about the mind, is this a physical mind or the (meta-physical) mind?]

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There is no such thing as the physical mind. The brain is physical and it can be studied, but it is difficult to research on the mind. It is like if I go into a car and if I see long strands of hair, I would think that the driver may be someone with long hair, then I see some sweet wrappers and infer that he or she also likes these sweets. Then with further clues, we get an indication of the driver, but it is difficult to know who the driver is.

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The soul expresses itself through the mind and it has no limits. While ego has its purpose, it has its limits. For instance, Singapore is a beautiful city that arises from planning, which comes from thoughts. But all these does not exist when you die. It has its limits.

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ACIM can be a dangerous course if after attending you think you are better than others. If you think so, then you are played into your ego. Some religions do that by making you think you are more chosen. It is easier to see such egoistic practice in religion, but in spirituality it is less obvious .

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How does love expresses itself?

It expresses itself as patience, kindness, compassion, empathy, understanding...etc

Love unexpressed is of no use.
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In the world of infinite possibilities, why do you want to give a meaning that hurts you? Or a meaning that feeds your ego. Joan of Arc saw the sword and she interpreted it as a sign to take up arms against England. Why did she interprete that? There are many other ways that she could have interpreted the sword. Why didn't she interprete something that serves her or is more loving? In the end, she got burned on a stake.

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Similarly, in one of the ACIM classes in Kuala Lumpur, as I told the audience that God doesn't need us to worship Him. Then, at that instance, there was loud thunder and lightning. Someone in the audience then exclaimed playfully that God must be angry! But should it be the case? Thunder and lightning can also be seen as applause! While the member of the audience was just saying it in jest, it showed that he is conditioned to think of lightning as punishment. So give a meaning to things such that is loving and that would serve you to be joyful.

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[Subsquently, there were several other claps of thunder and lightning as the rain stormed down outside the classroom, amid the moonsoon season in Singapore. We had a few chuckles about the subjects that Dr Aaron happened to speaking about when it thundered. ]

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Yesterday, I took a walk along the Kuan Yin Temple near here. Outside, I saw these lotus flower sellers. They were so coarse, spewing profanities...etc. The lotus flower symbolises a bud that grows from the muddy and turbid waters, and despite being attacked by insects in the water, came up blooming beautifully above the water. Yet, these sellers are oblivious of what they are selling, spewing profanities liberally. Then I thought, "Isn't this what is happening to many of us everyday? Selling things we don't really understand the deeper meaning about?"

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Buddha said that things arises when the conditions are there for it to arise. In the transition from one thought form to another thought form, often guilt arises. Loving someone does not always mean that you have to be with that person. We should not be doing things because we 'must' or we 'should', but we love to. Even if we depart from people, we should depart from them with love. Even divorce with love.

[This sound like an oxymoron, so during the break, I actually asked someone who is divorced if that is possible. She told me that it is.]

This is for anyone else but our own sake. Otherwise, we will suffer, because it is not our nature not to love.

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Your being on Earth is to be loving without judgment.

For instance, when I visit my sister, I join her in her (religious) incense paper burning rituals, even though I don't believe in what she is doing. I know she needs to burn those papers, because she believes in it, and if she doesn't do it, she will be immediately uncomfortable.

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In the world of illusion, our thoughts are real to us. If you want to learn about listening to people, watch "Larry King Live". He is attentive to every word the interviewees say. That means there is no other thoughts in his mind while he is listening to the interviewee.

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When I first met Japanese people, I thought that they are people that easily agree with everything, because they kept nodding their heads and saying "Hai, hai, hai...". Then later, I realised their nodding and "hais", did not mean agreement but acknowledgement. We don't have to agree with everyone, but still we can acknowledge what they say.

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Some people when accused of something, or verbally attacked, will become very defensive. Watch your emotions next time you are 'attacked'. Watch to see if you get very defensive and even angry. If you really know that you are not guilty, there is really nothing to defend and therefore nothing to be angry about.

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Defence is a form of attack, so the accusing party ends up feeling attacked too. Typically, a conversation like this goes on...

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A: "You said....."

B: "No, I didn't..." (Straight away, A feels attacked, since B denied and defended.)

B could have answered the following...

B: "Oh, really ah? I can't remember, but I should be more careful in future."

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There's no absolute reality in the physical world. Everything is based on another person's perception.

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Speak our words lovingly. For instance, you go to a wedding and you meet the bride, groom, guests, had a great meal and see lots of gala, but during the dinner, someone complimented you on your attire and you remember that more than anything else. After some time, that is all you remembered. This is because Love is all that is real.

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I went to Catholic schools when I was a kid. That was about 50 years ago. I remember one of the priest from France. He is a loving man, but I feel his love is limited to Catholics. In one of his sermons, he spoke about idol worship among the Buddists and that it was devil worship. Then I looked around and saw statues everywhere in the church and challenged him on the difference between the statue of Buddha and the statues in the church. He replied that the statues in the church are different because they represent saints.

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[Side track]

During the time of Moses, he asked his people to destroy the Golden Cow. This Golden Cow represents the Age of Taurus. It was a bygone age, when Buddha came and taught his followers that there is suffering in life. Then came the time of Jesus, which heralded the Age of Pisces. He taught people to be loving. Every 2000 years there will be an alignment. We are now in the Age of Aquarius. This is symbolised as a pitcher of water. Water is the symbol of purity and also represents the extreme emotions that we go through.

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Jesus was the one to announce the Age of Aquarius: "a man will meet you carrying an earthen pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he goes in" (Luke 22:10; Mark 14:13.)

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From then, I became more rebellious. One day I asked the priest if god is everywhere and he said "yes".

"So if god is everywhere, there is nowhere that god is not?"

The Priest: "Yes"

"Then why not in the Buddhist temple?"

"Must I come to mass to talk to god?"

"Why can't I talk to god at home, in my bedroom or any other places?"

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Amid all the confusion and anger, I went up to St Paul's Hill in Malacca to quarrel with god.

I asked god that if we are all his children, then why does he have favourite children like the Jews. Why aren't there prophets that are Chinese?

Then I shouted to god to ask him to talk to me.

Then over time, things become clearer. Answers appeared before me in one form or another.

So ask and you shall be given. It won't happen overnight, but gradually, if you ask, you will understand bit by bit.

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[Question: Who are the anti-Christ?]

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To understand this question, we first have to understand what is meant by 'Christ'. 'Christ' means 100% Love. Anti-Christs are persons with separated minds, some thoughts loving some unloving. Anti-Christs don't need to have horns, they are you who have separated minds.

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Before we go for a break, I would like to leave you with this statement to contemplate:

"To join is to separate."

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[Lunch Break Chat]

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There are some in the Thesophical Society in Singapore who are very cautious about spiritual books that are not authored by the Society's members. They even feel that such books can be dangerous. I feel that it is the same as churches that see any teaching outside the Bible as dangerous and anti-Christ, or at worst, viewed as words of the devil.

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I know of another spiritual organisation that does not admit disabled members, as they are seen as having bad karma in their past lives. I am not comfortable with that, as alleged past deeds are past and if what they claimed are true, then aren't these disabled people already paying for their past deeds? And if they are already paying for their karma, then why continue punishing them? Conversely, don't they think these disabled people need more help and love?

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Personally, I am also not comfortable with organisations that worship their guru. Some gurus, I suspect, started off well, but ended up enjoying the worship and let their ego take over.

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However, there is a KuanYin group I know of that doesn't have a master or leader. The person that shares and facilitates discussions told me not to give him any titles. He said that once we start to have masters or gurus in spiritual organisations, it immediately sets a glass ceiling on the members seeking their spiritual paths. Everyone has their own path. Everyone's path is unique and not therefore not relative to that of a guru.

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I join the activities for all the four organisations above. I think I have learned a lot from them. I also think that all spiritual organisations have human imperfections and it is up to us to choose what we are comfortable with, and leave the rest that we do not agree with. Like a buffet.

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[Course resumes]

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By joining an organisation, you tend to exclude others who did not join. So in Boddhi Fellowship, we don't have memberships or fees. It is only for legal reasons that we register as an organisation.

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[Q:Why does Kuan Yin have 3 birthdays?]

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The three birthdays are:

1. Day of Birth

2. Day of Passing - when you pass from this world, you enter another world.

3. Day of Realisation - that you are with God

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[Q: Why does Kuan Yin have many hands?]

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They represent hands of compassion. It also depends on what they hold in each hand. For instance, one of the hands holds a book, which represents knowledge. Some hands have eyes, which represents caring for infinite beings.

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[Q: There is much mentioned about impermance in the book, yet you mention that there is no beginning or end to the Universe. So is there such thing as 'impermanence'?]

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Here, 'impermanence' refers to the physical world, not at the soul level.

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God cannot be found because it is the aggregate of the sum, however god can be understood. Blessed are the pure at heart for they shall see God.

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[Q: Do you believe in ascension?]

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Yes. Ascension is pumping up the love. Easy?

If you want to be loved, practise being lovable. Introduce love into your business and you see miracles happen.

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[Q: What do the Buddhist mean by 'going into heavenly realm'?]

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A Heavenly realm is a realm one is comfortable with.

The Bible says, "The home of my Father has many mansions, I shall go there to prepare a place for you."

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There are 31 planes of existence. If you are of 100% love, you can exist in any level or the 31 planes. However, if you are of a very low realm, you will be comfortable with only one or two realms above your current realm. So whichever realm you are comfortable in, is the heavenly realm.

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It is like the analogy of a building with 31 storeys. The top floor is the expensive and posh revolving restaurant, whilst the ground floor houses the cheap food court. For some people, they are more comfortable at the food court level. To these people, the revolving restaurant at the tope floor is not only too expensive and hence beyond reach, but also uncomfortable with dinner table etiquette and formalities.

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[Q: Page 32, Para 5, Sentence 11: Time is essentially a device by which all compromise in this respect can be given up...]

We have created time to separate. Time itself is not real and hence anything derived from or dependent on time are not real. Hence all compromise in this respect can be given up.

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[Q: Page 454, IV The Fear to Look Within - Can you elaborate?]

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Sometimes, it can be fearful to look within. Let's take this example. My father was a bad tempered person and growing up with him, I have also become a bad-tempered person. But whenever someone says I am like my father, I will defend myself against such a statement.

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We need ABC - Awareness Before Change and later Admit Before Change.

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Alcoholism is not a drinking disease. It is a thinking disease. It is also called the Stinking Thinking Disease. You would not give that to your body if you love it.

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The Holy Spirit will never teach that you are sinful. Love will not teach you this.

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The other day in Malaysia, a little three year old boy asked me if I know what is 'sin'. I told him that sin does not exist and asked where he learned about the word. He told me that he learned from his sister who is nine years old. When I confronted his sister, she said she learned it from her religious teacher.

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Then she asked me if I know about 'hantu' (ghosts) and then she also asked about Satan. Again, I asked where she learned all these things and she said that her religious teacher taught her so. She said that they were asked to kneel closely next to one another to pray so that Satan has no place in between. Hearing such ridicule, I asked the nine year old girl if she believe in such a thing and to my surprise, she said that she doesn't feel that what her religious teacher said is true. However, she said that if she disagrees with everyone then she has to pray alone and then, that would be worse because then there will be two spaces next to her for Satan to occupy. [Laughter!]

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Isn't this ridiculous? A religious teacher using fear to teach his students. It was so ridiculous that even a nine year old does not believe, but yet it has created fear in her. So, don't buy what people tell you unless you are convince of it yourself. Don't care if they are your religious teacher or anyone. Use your own heart to tell.

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And if you have to teach anything, teach only Love.

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[Q: What is guilt?]

Guilt is when you are not aligned with what you truly are.

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I have a lady from a rough working class origin who attended ACIM. She dresses and behave in her unrefined ways when she started the class. But as she went on, she started changing her dressing to become more neat and her behaviour more refined, so much so that eventually, her husband became uncomfortable with her. And then her children also became uncomfortable with her. Finally, she succumbed to pressure from her family and went back to her old ways and more (to compensate).

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About cleansing our thoughts:

When John Baptist was baptising Christians with water, some of them asked if he was the Messiah. He replied that he was not, as the Messiah will baptise them with fire (that will clean their thoughts).

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As long as there is a concept of god outside yourself, wars will be fought. In Buddhism there is no concept of god as in the monotheistic religions. Hence there is no Buddhist wars. No wars has been fought in the name of Buddhism.

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Jesus said, "There will be a day when they will call me name, 'Lord, Lord, Lord' but I will tell them I know them not".

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That means there will be people who will use the name of Jesus or God to fight and start wars, and God has no part in them.

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About teaching ACIM:

There is a group of 'devout ACIM students'. (Smiles) I call them 'devout' because they are very earnest about ACIM. Anyway, they have asked me what it takes to teach ACIM and if they have sufficient knowledge to do so.

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I told them that as long as they think they (personally) are teaching it, then they are not suitable to facilitate the course.

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In ACIM, the holy spirit teaches. You are not the doer. The teacher has to turn himself to the holy spirit.

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End.

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It was raining heavily when the course ended, so Din gave me a lift home in his van. But before we set off, he was busy dishing out bottles of mineral water to everyone who passed the van. As the last bottle was given out, I told the others that Din is the man with the water pitcher, and we are going 'upstairs' (ascension). *grins*

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Next ACIM class will be on 23 and 24 Feb 2008.

Al Gore's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech - 10 Dec 2007, Oslo, Norway

Summary:

That Alfred Nobel the inventor of dynamite was mistakenly blamed as "The Merchant of Death" and consequently resolved to serve the cause of peace. Seven years later he created the Nobel Prize.

That seven years ago, Al Gore's failure to win the US Presidential elections brought him a precious gift and opportunity to search for fresh new ways to serve his purpose.

"Life or death, blessings or curses. Therefore, choose life, that both thou and they seed may live."

We, the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency; and that we have the ability to solve the crisis and avoid the worst,... if we act boldly, decisively and quickly.

Winston Churchill once said, "They go on a strange paradox, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all powerful to be impotent."

Culmulative concentratiions of global-warming pollution will trap more and more heat from the sun.

Last Sept 21, as the Northern Hemisphere tilted away from the sun with scientist reports that the North Polar ice cap is "falling off a cliff". US Navy reseachers warn that it could disappear in 7 years from now.

In last few months, major cities in the Americas, Asia and Australia are out of water due to massive droughts and melting glaciers; causing floods, evacuations, wildfires,...etc.

We never intended to cause this destruction, just as Alfred Nobel never intended that dynamite be used for waging war. We shared that same worthy goal to promote human progress when we began burning massive quantities of coal, then oil, then methane.

As CO2 is invisible, tasteless, and odorless -- it is out of sight and out of mind.

Our war on earth itself - "Mutually assured destruction."

That is why we resolved to halt the nuclear arms race.

Robert Frost, an American poet said, "Some say the world will end in fire; some say in ice." Either, he notes, "would suffice."

But neither need be our fate. It is time to make peace with the planet.

At a time of crisis, at the 11th hour to defend the common future, free people will rise against the challenge.

"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - an African proverb.

We must ensure that entrepreneurs and inventors everywhere on the globe has the chance to change the world.

When we unite for a moral purpose that is manifestly good and true, the spiritual energy unleashed can transform us. eg. The defeat of fascism in the 40s; the launch of the Marshall Plan; the United Nations that facilitated the emergence of democracy and prosperity in Germany, Japan, Italy and much of the world.

"It is time we steer by the stars and not by the lights of the passing ship."

In Chinese, "Crisis" means "danger" and "opportunity", by taking the danger away, we have only the opportunity.

The United States and China, the two largest CO2 emitters will need to make the boldest moves, or stand accountable before history for their failure to act.

"Pathwalker, there is no path. You must make the path as you walk." - Antonio Machado, a Spanish poet.

"One of these days, the younger generation will come knocking at my door" - Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian playwright.

The next generation will either ask:

"What were you thinking; why didn't you act?"

or

"How did you find the moral courage to rise and successfully resolve a crisis that so many said was impossible to solve?"

For full text, click here

Moving 3

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My ex-landlord is feeling really edgy. He had asked me to make certain repairs to the apartment, which I did (with the help of a contractor). But as he walked through the apartment, he was checking those items which we had already ticked off previously. He is paranoid, checking everything over again. Then when he came to the shower rose, he was not happy that I replaced it myself. Man! It was a simple five minute job and he was not happy because I didn't get a plumber to do it.
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Anyway, eventually he accepted the repairs were in good order, and went back home to write me a cheque which is my deposit for the apartment.
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Then a few minutes, he called to say that he will pay the contractor first, then return me the remainder of the deposit money. Naturally, I disagreed as the contractor was hired by me and therefore had to be paid by me. After all, if I default on the payment, the contractor will come after me, not the landlord! I asked if he is accusing me of being deceitful and he replied that he finds it difficult to trust people these days! How sad!

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Why is he so paranoid? Is it because he is going through a bad patch? Or is it because he knows deep down that he had manipulated the situation such that he need not extend my lease and then can rent it out on a new lease at twice the price (there is no rent protection in Singapore)? ... and that now (in his mind) I will get back at him by not paying the contractor???!!! In other words, he is now afraid of the consequences of his own deeds even to irrational proportions! But then, these fears are all his, not mine. I am free, as I have a four year track record of paying him rent without default. After some negotiations, he agreed to give me the cheque.
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Then as I walked home, it suddenly dawn on me if I could trust that his cheque doesn't bounce! After all, this is the first time I am getting a cheque from him. I normally do not have such doubts, but since he was so paranoid, he had affected me. In short, fear is contagious. As he pre-occupied himself with fear that I may cheat him, I now fear his cheque may bounce!
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Hmmm.... I will check that on Monday with my bank! :)

Social Enterprise

Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore is starting a new course called a "Diploma in Business and Social Enterprise". Perhaps all enterprises shall have a social objective someday.

Moving 2

Having to move within three weeks without a new place to move to can be daunting, especially when you have to pack the whole place single-handedly. Where am I to bring my things to? Shall I sell the beds? It's such a waste as when I find a new place, I will have to buy everything new! Then some of the beds were supposed to get sold, but the buyer withdrew at the last minute. Shall I sort my things out and divide them accordingly so that they can be stored in three different places? However, despite all these, somehow I knew in the end it will all be alright.

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Up to forty-eight hours before I have to move, I still did not have a place to move to. Then, at 10am on that day, I rang up an estate agent for an apartment, view it at 11am, and agree to take the place on the spot. It is a beautiful apartment in the same condominium as the old apartment is, but nicer - it is on a higher floor, it has a better view and a higher ceiling giving it the feeling of spaciousness. What more, it is at a lower rent than what the ex-landlord wanted to increase his rent for his apartment to.

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What I learned from this episode is that it is important to trust that what we will receive will be for our highest good. To follow our trust, we must stay calm and not be distracted by anger. In this context, it could have been the anger with the ex-agent denial of having received my notice for extension or her siding with the landlord. Staying calm enabled me to have a clear mind to listen and observe, and understand that at the end it will be ok, and if it is not ok, it is not the end! :)

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I am learning to trust that whatever is given to me, I would appreciate it, and whatever that will be taken away from me, I will accept it; and life will be peaceful. This is what Swami Kaleshwar said when he was in Singapore in November 2006.

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Do you have that trust?

Technology 4 - The New Life?

Being made to move out to a new place has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The major one being that I was forced to take stock of my things and clear my clutter. Going through the stuff was like a journey through time over the last four years.
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What struck me was that over that period of time, technology have moved so fast that it has changed my way of life drastically. When I first came back to Singapore, I was desperately looking for networking events so that I can get to know more people. There were very few around. Then, as more networking events got organised, online networking came - and took over!! :) They are free, fast and arguably more effective, though it still have to be complemented with face-to-face meetings.
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I even find it easier to organise alumnis online via online social networks. That way, it reaches out worldwide. There is also no club to register, no Annual General Meetingss, no books to audit, no club house to maintain and no membership cards to print. Just organise events online, find a cafe or restaurant and congregate everyone for the event. And when I do meet them, I beam my name card to their mobile phones. I think paper name cards are wasteful and clumsy.
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Next, I was looking for magazines where I can contribute articles on 'information security'. It was difficult to get magazines to accept that - even when I offered to do it pro-bono. Now, I can write my articles have them linked with other relevant articles, add animation or videos to them, and have them read by the world via a blog. So I'm able to do more, better, faster and reach a bigger audience and it doesn't cost me any money.
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Four years ago, I used to keep in touch with friends by email - that itself was a quantum leap from writing snail mails, but now I get in touch with them instantly via sms and online chats. Doing any better would be telepathic.
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Taking it further, I now buy things online, and pay my phone and utility bills online. I have also asked the companies serving me to send the bills only by email. That way, I can store them without filling my house up. It's also easier to search for backdata.
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I now listen to songs online. All the songs I like to hear are online. So I don't need CDs too. Even if I do buy CDs, I will have them saved as a mpeg file and store them on my disk and mp3 player. Again saving space and time.

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Oh, BTW, I threw out my new Yellow Pages. These guys must be living in Stone Age.
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Besides exploiting the Internet and Cyberspace, I also use robots to help me to do the household chores. Besides the usual washing machines, coffee maker...etc. I use a robot vacuum cleaner. I work them hard everyday to keep my house clean, while I put my legs up and drink coffee.
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I believe there will be more robots coming up. Robots for different purposes. Robots to serve you tea, robots to keep you company, robots to be attached to one's arms/legs as we get older and weak...etc.
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See below, I have some videos about some interesting robots...



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Not sexy enough? Look at this...

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This one has more realistic facial features and expressions...
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However, to date, none of them can be self inspired. That means they cannot think out of the box. Which means that if we do not want to be inspired, we may one day realise that we are no better than robots.

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Besides robots, what is next?

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May be we will learn to communicate with our thoughts. Thoughts are energies and they travel, so communication is possible. Today, I thought of my friend Makarand out of the blue, then he called from India. Next I thought about a project I am working on, and my colleague call me at that very instance to ask about the progress. I am sure some of you have experienced this before.

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There are several instances when I can feel the symptoms of the people that I send Reiki Energies to. If you would like to read more, click Reiki 2- Letting Go. In those moments, I am like a radio connecting to the energy frequencies of the other person and playing his music. But I am not exceptional, there are other Reiki practitioners who have experienced the same.

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Extending my experience of Reiki, I found that I can feel the vibrations of objects in general. By focus and concentration, I can tell something about the objects and the stories related to them. If you would like to read more, click Psychometry.

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The Red Indians in the Americas are said to have learned the art of communicating with all living things. Here living things extend to even things that are not visibly moving and considered non-living by many people. If you would like to read more, click Tao.

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Considering what we can do, we would one day look back and find that even the Internet and what we can do on it, to be clumsy and slow. :)

A Break, A Move, and an Enlightened Builder

I was taking a break from the packing and meeting up with my Australian builder friend.

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The location was a local coffee shop. The kitchen chopper went a-chopping at the Hainanese Chicken Rice stall and the aroma of coffee was in the air. It was a little too sweet to me, but such is the norm - coffee here are sweetened with condensed milk.

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My friend told me that a local organisation had asked him if he could volunteer to build a church in Mongolia. While he is a Christian himself and loves his own church, he told them that it is more important to build basic shelters, schools and hospitals for these people, rather than churches. Also, he feels that it is not necessary to convert anyone, but rather just to live an exemplary life, and if the natives like you, they would want to follow you.

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At that point, I realised that some of the architects and builders in the Middle Ages in Europe had lived their life surrendered and as volunteers to build churches. Some did not even live long enough to see their churches complete. In effect, they pledged their life to the church.

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"I wouldn't do that to the church," said my friend, "... as I know there is an authority much more powerful than that."

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Moving

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I'm packing and clearing all the clutter. It's so liberating! I'll do it once a week here on. Also, I have resolved to:

1. Avoid using paper and printing.

2. Stop reading paper magazines.

3. Avoid collecting name cards.

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I will have my contact details beamed to the other parties' mobile phone and vice versa. If I do received paper namecards, I will have them scanned and digitised; then invite them to join the online business or social networking portal that I use. That way, they will also have the responsibility of updating their own records. :)

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Save some trees... and my time too!

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Clear my clutter, clear my mind, clear my conscience.

Remembering My Neighbour

My neighbour was a strong woman. When she was in her 70s, she was diagnosed with cancer and the doctor said that she had not very long to live. Defiant, she went on to eat only tomatoes everyday. After a year, she was off cancer.

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One day about ten years ago, I met her in the neighbourhood supermarket and though I greeted her, she didn't respond to me. I was shocked, but shrugged it off and moved on. Then a few minutes on, she called me and apologised and told me that her eye sight was failing and she couldn't see clearly.

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Her eyesight did not recover, but that did not stop her from moving around on her own. She did her daily morning walks in the woods at 9am every morning, rain or shine, or snow, without fail! So, during winter amid the snow and sub-zero temperatures, she would don her raincoat, boots and take her walking stick to go walking in the woods. She did that everyday, even when her eye-sight deteriorated so much that she became fully blind.

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Then some years later, she fell down at home and became bedridden. Then we stopped seeing her coming out for her walks in the woods. By now, she was already about 90 years old. I thought this time, she was going to die! However, after a few months, I saw her appearing in the garden on her wheel chair. Then yet a few more months, she was up on her feet! Then another few weeks, she was up going for her morning walks in the woods again.

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Her will to survive was remarkable. Everytime when I go through difficult patches in my life, I think of her will to live, and feel a lot more powerful to press on.

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Then last month, she fell sick. She must have been about 92 years old. Incidentally during that time, her husband got into a car accident and was seriously injured. He was then admitted to hospital in intensive care unit. On receiving the news of the criticality of her husband in the aftermath of the accident, she was so griefed, she passed away. The husband, however, survived the accident subsequently.

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The moral of the story here is that she died the moment she gave up her will to live, which she had persistently held on in the past. Her will was so powerful it overcame the physical ailments and accidents she had, and once that will was given up, the body dies.

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Note: The Will is more powerful than any physical force. Read about this in a recent Tao lecture I attended.

Bucky Group 14 - Sungei Buloh Bird Sanctuary Singapore

This is Sungei Buloh Sanctuary (opened in 6th of Dec 1993), tucked in the northwest corner of Singapore, this mangrove wetland is reserved for migratory birds to rest in the tropics during the Northern winters and for nature to florish. For a tiny and densely populated island like Singapore, setting aside 87 hectares for a bird sanctuary is a big sacrifice. Such effort by the government is commendable.

This is the boardwalk leading to the entrance of the reserve.

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The cafeteria hut in the reserve.

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This is water hyacinth. They grow fast on ponds and very quickly will take over the surface of the water.

These pink stuff on the stems are Apple Snail eggs. They will hatch and produce many little snails.

This leaf from the Sea Almond Tree kills bacteria that infects fishes in your acquarium. They are on sale in eBay for about $10 each. Here we find them in abundance. Who says money doesn't grow on trees? :)

Our fabulous and knowledgeable guide for the day, Pui San. He is a volunteer at the reserve and conducts tours and painting classes at the reserve.

This is a mangrove tree. There are 60 plus types of mangrove trees known in the world and Singapore is home to 50 plus of those species. We are very lucky to have this diversity as even Malaysia (many hundreds of times bigger than Singapore) does not have such diversity. They have more of some species, but not the diversity.

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This is interesting because it is the same for our marine coral life. We have about 200 plus species on our shores, while the Great Barrier Reef (about 3,000 as big as Singapore) has 400 plus species. Similarly, even Malaysia does not have the same diversity in their coral reefs.

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Does this apply to our human races and cultures in Singapore? Incidentally, we have more diversity than that found in many other countries. Pity divergent views are not encouraged nor allowed here very much.

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Back to the mangrove tree... it transpires excess salt through its leaves, giving a glossy glistened look on the surfaces. I tried tasting the transpired vapour on the leaves and they taste very salty. This is nature's own desalination plant. I am thinking if we can micmic this process and make commercial desalination plants out of this. This would be what Bucky calls "Bio-micmicry".
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These are the Whimbrels - migratory birds that are escaping from the Northern winters. Migratory birds come back to Sungei Buloh every year because they can find lots of food here.

We also saw Egrets, Herons, White Collar Kingfishers and Sandpipers in the distance.

For more info, click here

One of the idyllic ponds with a look-out point in the distance.
For some seriously beautiful pictures of birds taken at this reserve, click here



This is a pack of stray dogs. Part of the local wild life. :)
. This is an ant nest. Pui San said it is amazing to see a group of ants building their nest. Each of them seem to know what to do and where to fold the leaves and stick them together with their saliva.

This is a bird nest. Not a very refined one. You can tell what type of birds they are, but looking at their nests. Pui San said he ever watched a pair of Taylor birds build their nests over about 5 days. He said that the female bird does all the work - collecting the twigs, putting them together and testing the strength and size of the nest. The male bird just hangs around.

At that point, Vasu said that this is because if the man were to do it, the female would not be happy with it anyway. *Chuckles*

On a more serious note, Joo Hock shared that Bucky said that the female bird cannot conceive their young in the womb, as it will be too heavy for them to fly and look for food. Hence, it has to lay them as eggs and leave them in their nest. As such, the female takes her nest as an extension to her womb - like an external womb. This probably explains why she does all the work building the nest.

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This is the seed of the mangrove tree. The seed is germinated while they are still on the tree. The sapling will grow to a visible length before dropping to the ground. Seems that nature is helping the mangrove seed to grow amid the harsh conditions mangrove are in. As the germinated sapling hits the ground, it has a higher chance of survival compared to if it is a mere seed.


See how beautiful these mangrove roots are? That's how it help to protect coastal lands. We used to have 13% of our shoreline covered with mangroves, now it is about 0.2%.

The Bucky Group.

In the distant fiolage, those with the light skinned bark are the Apple Fruit Mangrove. The fruits are very popular with local fruit bats which are the main creatures that pollinates our Durain trees. So, if we do not have these Apple Fruit Mangroves, there won't be these fruit bats, and we may not have durains. In nature, everything is connected. We are all ONE.

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This is a freshly built ant nest. See how meticulously they are folded. The white sticky stuff is their saliva.
These are the red big ones that live in those nests.

We spotted a huge monitor lizard about 1.5 metres long.

This is the Yellow Candle Stick Flower. There are seven flowers in one bunch.

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This Torch Ginger Plant flower is so perfect that it looks plastic.

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This palm has starchy pulp in its stem. Indigeneous people harvests the pulp and eat them.

This is the Sea Holly plant. It has jaggard leavs at its edges to protect itself. The leaves in the middle of the shrub have smooth edges.
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These types of roots that sticks out in the air are called 'pencil roots'. They collect air during low tide, so that the tree can breathe during high tide when the water covers much of the plant.

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This is a mudskipper. They are very territorial. They will occupy their own puddle of water to attract the female. The bigger the puddle, the more attractive they are to the female. Sounds familiar? :)

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These green house structure could have been more cheaply made and better served by a geodesic dome.

Perhaps this should be what our proposed Bucky University should include - encompassing research and study of nature, then using nature's properties, we can either use them or micmic them to create dwellings and equipment to support and improve our quality of life in a sustainable way.

David Attenborough's comments...

If you are not familiar with Singapore, the following is a StarAsia TV programme about what you can find in Singapore's nature reserves and gardens. Not very deep, but a good intro.

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Star Asia programme about Sungei Buloh

ECHO

Got this video from a friend...

Tao 2

This is an excerpt of a talk by a Tao master on the 15th Nov 2007 evening in Singapore.

[1st draft status, still some typos...]

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Warning: This part contains opinions that may be considered unacceptable by some people. If you are easily offended by unconventional views about religion and spiritualism, then DO NOT READ FURTHER THAN HERE. If you do, then do it at your own risk! If you do not agree with the views expressed below, it does not mean that you have not 'arrived', rather it just mean that you 'do not agree'. Meanwhile, try to be open. There are lots to discover about ourselves when we are open. Do feel free to leave comments. BELIEVING IS NOT NECESSARY!

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Though I have written this post as a first person dialogue basis to make it more readable, it is not the actual words in ad-verbatim and any errors expressed are mine. I have however taken great care to keep the content as accurate as possible to my best ability.

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Me: Must energy always circulate? Can we stop energy from circulating? For instance, can we seal air in a bottle and stop the energy from circulating?

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This is a good question which I have ever discussed with a Brazilian physicist.

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Can we store air in a sealed bottle? Yes, we can because air is matter. We can store and move the matter, but did we move the space? Can we move space? [Matter and space are distinctly different.] If we can move space, then wouldn't there be a 'hole' in space? The reality is that we cannot move space.

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If we examine an atom, there is a space within the orbit of the electrons. What is this space? Is it vacuum, nothingness or emptiness? Up till today, scientists cannot determine what this space is.

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So what is 'energy'?

Energy is the movement of atoms and electrons. Nobody knows what is in the centre between the electron's orbit. This centre is the energy. But where does this 'energy' come from? It is an emptiness, but yet the source of all energy. But is it really 'empty'? This cannot be explained with science. This is beyond physics. This is energy beyond the physical form.

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The study of this 'energy' can only be done looking at the spiritual realm. This 'energy' is the spirit, the explosion of energy and therefore the 'will of god'. No one can stop energy. No one can dig a hole in space, so energy will always flow. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It only transforms.

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I have spoken to a construction engineer and he told me that if he mix cement and water, seal it tight with plastic, it will still dry and harden, without the water evaporating into air. So what happened to the water. This water has undergone chemical change with the cement and hardened, but yet not turned into ice. This is an evidence that energy can be transformed.

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There are two sides of 'energy', namely: The Physical form coming from electrons and the nucleus. We can break these energies; the other is the 'Will' (spirit). You cannot break spirit. Buddhists called this buddha-nature. This cannot be broken. It is more powerful than physical energy, even nuclear energy. Solar energy, the most powerful energy source in the solar system is still a physical energy.

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So, as energy cannot be created and therefore cannot be destroyed, the soul doesn't die. The soul doesn't die because it is not material. If you understand this, you would understand eternity. The soul lives on, but changes form (via reincarnation). These forms are your illusions, as the real soul cannot be seen.

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The physical body is an accumulation of molecules. However this accumulation requires a strength to put all these elements together. What is this strength? This strength is the spirit. Buddhists call this 'karmic force'.

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When we get the ancient cultures to explain these things, the ancient spirits explained it using ancient metaphors. In Western societies, the New Age cultures tend to explain it more scientifically.

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Me: Does the spirit gets recycled?

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Yes it does. The spirit gets recycled back into the same world, but with new activities. It is like the same teacher and classroom but with new lessons. Here 'world' does not just refer to the earth but to the dimensions. [Honestly, I am a bit lost here with the mention of world and dimensions. ]

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So, what is our purpose on Earth? Why are we here? What's our 'will', our 'goal'? If we do not have will or goal, we wouldn't be here.

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There are two pursuits: one is the earthly knowledge like science, the other is the spiritual knowledge. Both categories of knowledge are already here. The former propounded by scientists and the latter taught by spiritual gurus. If you have got both categories of knowledge, why are you still here? You are here to teach. To teach the many who hasn't attained those knowledge. Many are unaware of their 'will'.

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Buddhas' and sages' powers lie in the energy in meta-physics. It is in their wisdom. In their wisdom, there is energy and light. There are three dimensions of Light, namely:
- Solar, which is physical light
- Wisdom
- Love

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[My note: I never thought of 'wisdom' as power, but now that it is mentioned, it is obvious.]

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Light is an unstoppable flow. The dimension of Light that is most lacking in today's world is 'Love'. Love is very powerful. Where there is life, there is love.

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There is this hidden energy in everyone. This energy needs to be initiated. In Tao, we initiate this hidden energy so that you can realise your mission. It is like lighting up a candle.

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For instance, during the Vietnam War in the 60s and 70s, the Vietcongs unleashed their hidden energy because they were fighting for their country and their families. However, the Americans then didn't have the same vigour as their 'hidden energy' were not lighted up. So, the US Government motivate their troops by using 'glory'. Westerners like that. They can be motivated by 'glory'.

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Similarly, foreign labourer workers work very hard, because they are providing for their family. This lights up their 'hidden energy'.

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So what motivates sages?

Sages are motivated and stimulated by Love.

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Life

There is life force in everything - in trees, rocks and all material, even objects like cups. The American Red Indians are said to be able to communicate with trees and grass. But we don't know how to do the same. May be we will be able in future.

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In the example about the cup, there is no life in the elements that make the cup, but there is life force that put the cup together.

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Me: But does the cup have intelligence?

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Yes they do. But, what is 'intelligence'? All materials have their own nature and it can manifest itself, its intelligence. Otherwise, how can the clay become cups? Did we transform the clay into cups or it transform itself? They have their own nature.

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[My note: This is very close to what Bucky said about man-made material or alloys and that all materials are natural, for if nature does not allow it, the man-made creation cannot happen.]

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It is easier for us to think of something as alive, when we see it moves, when there are changes and activities. When it is at rest, we tend to think it has no life. Even if they are bacteria or cells, because they pulsate and move. But remember, the matter itself has no life. It is the force that puts it together that is life.

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During the Big Bang, there were no germs, no cells,...etc. Everything has no life form. There was only energy force. The first forms were elements. But life already exists. They exists in rocks, earth, the air...etc. So life force is everywhere. It is just that we can't communicate with them.

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There are religions that criticise the Buddhists for praying to idols. That there can be evil in the idols. If what they claim, then there is spirit in the idol (even if it is said to be an 'evil' one - evil spirit). However, likewise the Christians have the Cross. This Cross, symbolic of Christianity is also made of matter and so is the holy water. If these matter can be holy or spiritual, then the statues and figurines that Buddhists are also made of matter. They too can be spiritual. If the thoughts of its devotees are good thoughts, then there will be good spirits in the statues. Evil thoughts will manifest evil power. Likewise, the Christian Cross and holy water can also be evil, if the believers have evil thoughts.

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So, fundamentally, the 'Will' is the spiritual power.

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Nature

God created the world in nature. There was no human thought involved. In Tao, it is referred to as 'non-action'. That means that the natural system is not to be interfered with. We shall not dwell too much into what 'nature' is, as we have not discussed about its contents. We will talk more about that next time.

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If you don't want to believe in god, you still need to believe in 'nature'. If you believe in god, you still have to believe in 'nature'.

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In physics, all substances have their own usage, because they have their own nature. Basically, all substances are made up of the Five Basic Elements. When you are born, you have a combination of the Five Basic Elements. This combination determines your lifestyle and destiny. It creates all your manifestations.

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The elements of Spirit are: loyalty, filial piety, propriety and righteousness. That's why the educated ones in ancient China does not need to use force. Cultured people do not shout in meetings. In ancient China, they used to communicate using poems. If you don't know poems you cannot communicate with them. It is like you need to know the language before being ascended to talk at the cultured level. Like a lawyer needs to learn to speak legalese in the courts. So, if we do not have culture and use physical force, then we are reduced to the lower elemental levels.

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If you go against your own nature, you are destroying your own destiny. For instance, a happy person is constructive, whilst a sad person is destructive - destructive his own life and destiny.

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This is also reflected in facial features. In the world, Chinese facial features are more balanced than other races. Features are a result of culture, which is the lifestyle of the race. When culture changes, facial features of the race changes. So we see the younger generations in Singapore now have more refined features than us, and especially with the earlier generations. The older folks of the past have disproportionate facial features, like drooped eyes, buck teeth, crooked noses...etc.

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Even Chinese people who now live in different parts of the world look different. Chinese from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States look different.

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The Blacks in the United States are also becoming a more and more handsome race.

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Vietnamese today are short and thin, but in 20 to 30 years from now, they will be different, as their country's economy is now progressing well.

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So, to understand the destiny of a country, look at the facial features of the people.

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Generally, high-bridged nose persons, like the Greeks, are artistic. Those with pointed noses are perfectionists. If they are very narrow (not much flesh), it means that they don't have much money. Anyone that talks about art and philosophy are usually poorer. So you you meet one with very rounded and fleshy nose tip, don't try to talk philosophy and art with them. Chances are that they will not be interested.

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Cambodia today is a very poor country. But recently, they have discovered oil and other minerals in their country. In coming years, Cambodia will be on the way to become a rich country. Many other Asian countries will become rich. This is because they have resources, culture and spirituality.

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The West will get poorer, because they have little resources, weak culture and little emphasise on spirituality.

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[My note: Later on, I told the master that the Europeans do have cultures unlike what he said earlier, and the master replied that their prevailing culture however mainly surrounds Christianity and not embracing the wider philosophies of the ancient Greeks. Only the Greeks embraced deeper philosophies in their culture. My personal view is that most young people do not go to churches in Europe any more, and that the Christian practice generally do not encourage unceasing questioning and challenging of its own doctrines and beliefs.

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This is unlike the Eastern religions which are freer and open to debates. In particular, Buddha specifically asked its followers not to believe anyting he said unless they have experienced the truth themselves and are comfortable to accept them freely.

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However, this is not to say that Christianity is not true. Here we are referring to its practices. ]

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In the coming years, China will export its philosophy to the world, as a contribution to humanity. In history, the Chinese are very protective of their ancient philosophies, as they did not want such knowledge to benefit their enemies. But now, China has no enemies and it is time to export their philosophy and culture.

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Me: But I can't see that in China today.

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Yes, we can't feel that yet, as such philosophies are not inculcated to the masses yet.

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Blind spots
No one can see all angles of the world. This is so in individuals, cultures, religions, science...etc. This is because our views does not cover all dimensions. Thus, we have to compensate for this by using the views of others. Sometimes, we can view an issue from the animals, plants, Buddhas and sages points of view.
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The talk ended here. It lasted two hours.
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After that, while we had a light supper of pizzas, the master told us that we come to Earth for a purpose. But as we are reincarnated, we forget. So, as we went along we learned the lessons and face the challenges that we wanted to face. We only understand those lessons or challenges after everything is over. There are some who knows a bit before hand, but those are things they need to know. Perhaps the spirit gives some hints for us to move forward otherwise we will be completely lost.
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So the spirit is talking to us, but we have to listen. If it is something we have learned before, we will take it up very fast. Things which we have not learned before in previous incarnations, we will take longer to learn. There are also some who dare not thread into new realms of knowledge. Some Christians I have known are very uncomfortable with challenging their own doctrines. Some people who meditate are afraid when they reach a certain state of the mind. They are afraid to enter a new world where they are totally unfamiliar. So such is the adventure to re-discover ourselves.