Holistic Sunday

Date: 24 October 2009 (Sunday)

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A 'holistic day' for me...

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1000h-1300h: The Holistic Fair

Woke up early to go to Fort Canning for the Body Mind Soul Fair, also known here as the 'Holistic Fair'. Once a year, such a fair is organised gathering holistic healers, meditation groups, tarot card readers, innovative health products,...etc. Of course discretion is needed when choosing what services to engage. Personally, I would raise a red flag on 'gurus' that display:

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1. Personality Cult

It is not uncommon for gurus to allow their followers to paint a glorious and larger than life picture of themselves. Some of these unquestioning followers work as unpaid volunteers to the guru. Remember you are there to listen to the song and not to worship the singer.

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2. Nerve

A guru would be one who is peaceful and calm. I would be uncomfortable with one with a nervous twitch and volunteer their unsolicited opinions about people around them. (Who asked for your opinion anyway?)

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3. Magic

When they demonstrate 'magic' to capture your belief.

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4. Exclusivity

That only through him, through their method or their product/service can you achieve a higher consciousness.

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5. Content

Strip away the robes, long beard, batik sarongs,...etc and check if there is any content left. For instance, I had heard of a guru telling someone that she was on the right path. Is there such a thing as a 'right path'? Everyone is surely on their own (unique) path, but there is no 'right' or 'wrong' paths. I know of a drug addict and trafficker who had served time in jail, but after that created an enterprise ark to help, train, hire and counsel ex-offenders. Is his path more 'right' than my less dramatic path?

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However, there is sub-conscious evolution and conscious evolution. For the latter, we need awareness to consciously lead the path of self elevation of consciousness (salvation).

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6. Money

Follow the money. Is there a large donation required at some point?

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7. Sex

Follow the sex. Sex sells - even in the 'spiritual business'! For instance, if the yoga school is more into sexy tight fitting fashionable gear and emphasize more on looking good than the true meaning of union of body and soul, then something is amiss.

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1400h-1730h: Tao

This is an excerpt of a talk on "What is religion?" by a Tao master. This post is written as a first person account for readability reasons only and is not an ad-verbatim record of the speaker. Any distortions or omissions are mine and most likely accidental and definitely without malicious intent. As such, please do not quote from this post.

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Life is short, so what is the meaning? Buddha asked if the animal has meaning. The animal like everything here has value, so it has meaning to itself. Hence we can't judge.

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So what is your value? None one else can tell you except yourself.

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What is religion and what is philosophy?

'Philosophy' is a recent name. In ancient times, they are merely wisdom derived from life. Before the existence of 'religion', there was still meaning. From mere survival, mankind has started worshipping nature, mystics and even devil spirits. It is only when mankind's consciousness is reasonably developed then would it be able to grasp the concept of mysticism. Such practices were meant to alleviate sufferings.

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Then came prophets who (perhaps not intentionally) the concept of religion. So the difference between a religion and a philosophy is that the former has a prophet. [ My note: However, according to Wikipedia, the difference between religion and philosophy is that the former essentially involves some beliefs and faith. ]

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Religion led the world before science. There arise different religions due to different cultures and geography. Contemporary religion is more scientific and less ritualistic. There are attempts now by the contemporary religions to offer scientific explanations. This is perhaps to cater for the younger generations (brought up more in sciences) who are generally less religious.

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But science has developed very fast. It is also important to note that science do not operate in a vacuum devoid of the natural laws. On the other hand, traditional religions are too old fashion and could not explain science using the natural laws.

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Philosophy is between religion and science. It is mostly derived from Love and is also not completely scientific. There is also a difference between Western (Greek) philosophy and the Eastern (Chinese) philosophy.

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Greek philosophy is propounded from idealistic thoughts of what life should be, whilst Chinese philosophy is based on the natural laws of being (Tao).

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What is the difference between Buddhism and Tao?

Before Buddha, there was no Buddhism. During Buddha's time, it was known as Buddha's teachings or teaching for enlightenment. Enlightenment is to realise one's true nature.

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Tao is basically true nature reasoning. It is 'the way'.

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Is there any meaning to ancestor worship?

Traditionally, there has always been 'ancestor worship', but they are punctuated with the arrival of Western relgions. There is still a relationship between our ancestors and us, if they (the ancestors) have not reincarnated yet. So they are still able to help us.

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[I asked: So what if they are reincarnated?]

Then they wouldn't recognise the relationship anymore.

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Are religious people better off than atheists?

Traditionally, people merely prayed for peace and protection. Nowadays, there is less need to pray for those reasons, so we pray for guidance. Atheists have no religions, so they have to find their guidance elsewhere, as they don't follow religious morals/ethics and may lack clarity.

[My note: Having no religion, is a religion itself.]

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How does destiny come about?

Some destinies can be read. Those have forms. There are also those that are formless, like our consciousness. Charity work with evil hearts will not work, because it is the 'cause' that will lead to 'destiny'.

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Why are there rituals?

All religions have rituals. They are a submission to a higher power.

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Can Christians cultivate Tao?

If you ask your pastor, he'll probably say 'no'. Conversely, if you ask him if you are a Tao cultivator and he would like to be a Christian, he'll probably say 'yes'.

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So it depends on you. Why do you want to cultivate Tao? Is it because the words in Tao are meaningful to you, is it the experience or is it your quest for enlightenment?

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Jesus asked his followers to seek the Truth. A Tao cultivator also seeks the Truth. Christianity, in Chinese, is translated into 'Saviour's Teachings'. So Christians are disciples of the Saviour. Likewise, in different times and places in history, there were Mohammed, Buddha and others who were to save their people from ignorance. This can be done only by seeking the Truth.

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Is there any difference between a Tao cultivator and non-cultivator?

A cultivator becomes more peaceful, calm and harmonised over time. It is the process of letting you find your true nature.

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I don't belief in Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed or any of those Prophets/Saviours, but I believe in myself. Is that ok?

Ok, as long as you don't fall down. Religion is not a crutch that you must have throughout your life. You can also believe in money. Nothing wrong about that, but that will be limiting. For instance, money alone cannot buy you happiness or good health.

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Without a religion, you can still reach enlightenment. One can be free from the perception of God and from the (perceived) God's control. When Buddha attain enlightenment, he was free from any limitations and perception of God.

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Am I free from Cause and Effect if I don't believe in it?

Try giving a tight slap to someone and you will see if there is an effect. Cause and Effect is scientific. It is one of the Universal Law. You believe this more as you get older and witness people getting what they sowed. Hence the explanation for why some people are born pretty, ugly, rich, poor,...etc.

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What is 'split personality'? Is that good or bad?

Some people have not just two, but multiple personalities. But there is a difference, if it is different personalities within one soul or multiple souls. Many of us behave different in different environments. One behaviour in society, another in your religious organisation, another in the family,...etc. Some people work so long in the jobs that they bring their workplace behaviour into the family. So which one are you? So don't get yourself to become too complicated.

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Famous actors and singers have the problem to remember their true self. As they get famous they are more and more afraid to lose their fame, as deep down they feel that they are merely an ordinary person going on a ride.

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Where split personalities is due to possession, the the person can speak in different voice, sometimes voice of a different gender, a different language.

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A person will a split personality leads a contradictory life. It can be stressful.

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It was an enlightening talk of about 3 hours. It overran, so I had to rush down for my next appointment with a friend from the Eckangkar religion.

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For other posts on Tao, click here.

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1800h-1900h: Discussion with an Eckangkar initiate

I first heard about Eckangkar by chance, amid a conversation about 'soul travel' with my Muslim friend. He told me a friend of his can do that and that friend is from 'Eckangkar'.

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After that, nothing else happened, until about two months later, another friend called me out of the blue to meet up for a drink. During our meeting, this friend wanted me to read his character and behaviour based on his date of birth. (I have learned to do that through the 'Power of Numbers' course I attended recently. For more, click here.) As I was doing his reading, he whipped out a small booklet from Eckangkar. I told him I have heard it before and had visited their website but had not taken the effort to visit them.

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"How about visiting them now? They have a "Hu" chanting session today (Sunday), " he said. And so off we went. It was on that day that I attended the first "Hu" chant. After that session, I didn't go back. Before I left for that day, an Eckist asked me to block a certain Sunday off, as they will be having a seminar and will be delighted if I can attend. So I dutifully put it on my calendar on my mobile.

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Again a few months lapsed and then one day, my mobile calendar beeped and showed that the Eck seminar was to happen the next day. But I didn't even have any confirmation nor the details yet and had to ask the Eck guy to confirm the time and place of the event.

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The next day on the way to the seminar, I had a stray thought that during the seminar, my Muslim friend whom had first told me about Eckangkar, will call me during the seminar and I will tell him that I am at an Eckangkar seminar to surprise him. Curiously, he did call during the seminar and I did tell him exactly that!!!

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During the seminar, I bought a book about "Spiritual Dreaming", I had been journaling my dreams and would like to find out more about the significance of dreams. In it, it suggested some exercises, among which is to chant 'Hu' before the sleep to better connect with the dream. I have been doing that and indeed, it seems to work. ( I have some posts about dreams. Click here.)

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Curiously, there is also a gentle and comfortable resonance through the body when I chant 'Hu'. I can also hear the different frequencies that comes out from the single chant of 'Hu'. Very strange!

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Also incidentally, just today, during the Tao session, I just told another Tao cultivator that I have plans to fast once a week to let my stomach rest. Then surprise surprise, when I met my Eck friend in this appointment, he told me exactly that!

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During the conversation, I asked him about Eckangkar's opinion towards vegetarianism and the act of taking away life. My Eck friend then replied that we can never kill the soul of an animal, because the soul is eternal. Also, we must depart from the emotional aspect of killing the animal. However, if one is to kill an animal, he is stopping the animal in its incarnation to experience its life on Earth. This will have an impact on one's karma. The more evolved the life form is, the bigger the karmic debt. But, it is not necessary to be vegetarian as an Eckist.

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It has been a series of coincidents in my meeting of Eckangkar. However, I believe nothing in life is coincident. We call it co-incidents because we cannot explain it. I mentioned these 'coincidents' just as a matter of curiosity. It is not to elevate that my meeting with Eckangkar is the only thing special in my life, nor are they the only coincidents. In fact, when our minds are still, we will begin to notice more of such 'coincidents'. So keep your eyes open! :)

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The one hour passed very fast and soon I had to rush to the next appointment, which was a talk on Light and Sound meditation, which sounded very similar to Eck.

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1900h-2100h: Talk on meditation on Light and Sound

I managed to sneak into the seminar hall minutes after the talk started. Actually, it was more like a course preview. The speaker did not describe the process to get into the meditation per-se and there was no practice during the talk.

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I have two disagreements with the talk.

1. That in this meditation, the meditator is supposed to abstain (among other things) from spiritual healing because it would be an interference to one's karma.

I find this an overly simplistic explanation about karma. The 'ecosystem' of karma is far more wide reaching, complex and involves an immense number of actions, people and beings. How can it be reduced to a one-to-one action-reaction? Which in this case simply involved healer and person to be healed? The speaker said that allowing ourselves to receive spiritual healing means interfering with our karmic debt. (You can read about Reiki healing here.)

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"So how about medical healing?" I asked.

"That is still an interference, but a smaller one to the karmic debt!" the speaker replied.

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Who is he as a single human being to judge if it is an interference or an act of compassion? This resignation to the fate of karma is one of the reasons why some poor communities are left to rot, because the richer ones in their community abandoned them to suffer.

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This is counter-intuitive! How can turning a blind eye to poverty go with the universal flow of Love? The heart instinctly jumps up to help and yet corrupted beliefs stopped it from doing so!

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I believe that if we put Love first, everything else will be sorted. Also, we must learn to be human first. If we cannot live our life as a loving human being, what chance do we have to live our divinity?

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2. That after meditation, we should do a Self Analysis on our negative characters like: anger, lust, greed,...etc.

Meditation brings us peace and tranquility. When we are peaceful and tranquil, there are no negative characteristic traits in that moment. That is, when there is light, the shadows disappear. So why bother analysing the shadows? Over time and over repeated meditation, our negative characteristics will gently fade away without our notice. There is no need to re-visit them and remind ourselves of them. It wouldn't help, as you cannot remove any shadows by focusing on shadows. In fact, if you continue to focus on your negative traits, they will grow. The thoughts that you feed more will grow and truimph over the ones that you don't feed. So, focus on the light. Just meditate and then enjoy the peace.

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But shadows do have their purpose! It makes us realise the divine aspects in ourselves that we have forgotten. Similarly shadows make a photograph beautiful, without shadows there will be no picture to take, as there is only light.

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I voiced my opinion to the speaker and he replied that perhaps their method does not suit me. To me, it is a refusal to reassess what he believes in, in clearer light.

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It was a long day! I didn't plan it like that, but it just turned out impromptu like this. I had some 'high' moments and 'low' moments.

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However, here are my (harsh) opinions...

I think that gurus should be more responsible and think carefully before they start a 'spiritual group'. If they are half-baked themselves, where will they lead their followers? What value will they add to their students' spiritual journey?

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I suspect there is a lot of ego going around, and in some cases, it has a lot to do with money! *sigh*

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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.