Reading Books

I stopped reading books since I started having a smartphone. Then last month, while searching for my guide book to Guangzhou, I stumbled upon some fascinating books from my boxes. I had them for a long while, but haven't read them as they have been packed into boxes since I moved out of my old place.

Unexpectedly, merely seeing these books energised me. An instant lightness embraced my body as I recalled the bliss.

Smartphones, cyberspace, asynchronised telecommunications and constant multi-tasking fragment our attention. I believe that without technology and commerce, we all have an inherent natural flow that keep us in bliss. When this natural flow is too frequently interrupted it will break our intuition and tire us.

I am now back into reading books. The smartphone is still my pal and a useful one at that, but it is now carefully kept in check. I think it is the same that the soul should be firmly in charge of the mind. When the mind is overwhelmed by intense emotions, the soul becomes momentarily paralysed. :) While emotions flutter like leaves, the soul ought to remain sturdy like the trunk of the tree, unperturbed and in-charged.

Coffeeshop Thoughts

My head is 'wandering' and 'wondering'. 'Wandering' because it cannot stay as still as I like it to be; and 'wondering' what is going to come up next. The latter, robbing me of my present. 

The mind is both a friend and a foe, and it is crucial to know when one should call for a separation. A separation when it is needed to allow the soul to continue in peace. I have no two minds about that!

It is with a peaceful soul that one can command the mind to be its servant. Then the mind will synchronise and it too will be peaceful. Just like a grand tree, the soul is always peaceful. It is the emotional winds that blow that make the leaves of the grand tree (the soul) flutter. But emotions do not constitute the soul. They are merely temporary states of mind that will blow over.

 -- written using my iPhone while willing my time away in a coffeeshop.

ps. Why did the first sip of the tea tastes so different from the last sip of the tea? Did somebody swap the cup?


For more coffeeshop philosophy, click here.

Spoon Bending

This is the second time I am bending spoons. The first time was five years ago. Then, I used a thinner spoon and thus was not so convinced if it was brute force or mind-over-matter. This time, I chose a thicker spoon.

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The procedure is such:

1. Hold the spoon one hand on each end.
2. Focus and feel the spoon 'softening'.
3. The moment you feel that, quickly apply some force.
4. When it starts to bend, you just have to lightly push to bend it totally.

That means, it should be: Focus-Feel-Force-LightPush. If it is: Force-Force-Force-Force until the spoon bends, then it is not it. Besides, if you are doing it correctly, the spoon is heated.

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My Double Life

I got a couple of hours notice by text message in the evening, then rushed back to start packing and I was on the next flight to the Gulf in the morning. It was hardly a good time, as I had a flu, a bad cough and also some outstanding problems to solve in Singapore.

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So I was on board, sick, tired and troubled. But all these were quickly forgotten the moment I turned to the movie "Mama Mia", as it instantly transported me back to the ABBA-mania of the seventies. Listening to their songs this time, the lyrics cut a deeper meaning as I realised that they were mostly expressing the intricate emotional struggles in relationships. "Mama Mia" will resonate well with those who have lived through the hippie era, ABBA music, and those divorced with teenage children struggling with a small business like a guest house (as the movie is about) ! :)  Here is are some clips:

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The plane finally arrived at the destination and I was thus returned to reality just as quickly. There was a large crowd of people, mostly immigrant workers from the Indian sub-continent at the immigration posts. Then, one of the grey haired older one approached me and indicated with his hand what I thought was that he needed a pen to fill in his arrival card. Then, as I passed him my pen, he shook his head and gently pushed both the card and pen to me. Obviously, he couldn't understand English and wanted me to fill the card for him. Later, I realised he couldn't understand Arabic either. That man is illiterate! It has been a long while since I have met anyone illiterate that I have forgotten they are still around. 

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Then, as I filled in the card for him, I was shocked to find out that he is actually younger than I am. He looked like he is in his 50s but actually is only 36! Working under the hot desert sun, must have taken a toil on them and aged them many years rapidly.

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Being transported from my personal strife to the fantasy world and now into the harsh reality of migrant workers in the desert, I was mentally stretched. Still struggling with my flu and cough, already had me exhausted and so when I got out of the gates, I was so pleased to see the limo driver holding the placard with my name. By the time I reached the hotel, I just fell onto my bed and knocked out.

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The breakfast in the following morning was good, but the staff didn't look very happy. They weren't smiling and their service was very mechanical and they looked compelled. Anyway, since they have served me, I thank each of them, including the cooks and the captain before I left. After all, it was a lot of work waking up early to prepare such a big buffet and present them so beautifully.

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It is pleasant to be back in the Gulf once in a while. The people I deal with have always been pleasant and polite with me. Going back once in a while feels like I am returning to see old friends.

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Ali, one of my friends there, told me of a true incident in Dubai recently where an accountant walked away with a million dollars in his bag. He left the car at the airport. In it, he left his cut beard and a note saying that the money is for him and the beard is for them. This man had grown his beard to look like he is living like the Prophet to gain the trust of the people for the last four years. And when he finally had his chance, he ran away with the money. Ali concluded that religion is in the heart, not in the external appearances. Everything is between one's heart and God and nothing else.

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The next morning at breakfast, the waiters brightened up and smiled as they saw me. One of them even asked how I was. It was a contrasting difference and a pleasant surprise. They must have felt appreciated yesterday and therefore were more motivated.  It goes to show that a bit of gratitude goes a long way!

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After breakfast, it's time to check out and head for the airport later in the day. Then I will return to the other double life in Singapore. I sometimes wonder which one is real?

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In Sickness or In Health 6 - Fair Weather

I am happy. The weather is sunny and dry, after weeks of continuous rain. It is easier to be happy in fair weather. I feel more energetic soaking up the sun and getting chores in the house and garden done.

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But isn't happiness independent from anything 'outside' myself? Hmmm... sounds good, but how do I put it to practice? Does that mean that if I am absolutely peaceful, then it wouldn't matter if it is dark, wet, cold and gloomy outside and I would be equally happy and energetic?

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Those of you in the tropics who have not lived in cold climates may not even understand what I am moaning about when I speak of depressing weather. You probably have taken all the sunshine everyday for granted. So the next time you see your sunny skies, give your gratitude. It is not the same every where you know?

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To give you a better idea, I have taken the picture below...

Imagine it is also gloomy and cold the whole day and try feeling happy in weather like this. When it is like this, it is very uncomfortable to go out for a walk to get some exercise and fresh air. That dulls the body.

A few days ago, I chatted with a friend of mine online whilst he was in Dubai. He said he wished he was where I am (during the wet spell), as it was 45C and extremely humid there. I guess he is right. In comparison, I will rather choose it here. I then felt better instantly! :)

There will always be ups and downs in our life, but we must not let it affect our inner peace and strive to stay happy. That's the challenge!

Also, what is desirable is mostly taken from the human perspectives. It is gloomy when it is rainy here, but farmers love it and there are many creatures in nature that need the rain to live. So, whilst I would prefer sunny skies, there will be times where the rain will have to come to give life and make the flowers grow. Thinking about it makes me feel happier already!

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In Sickness or in Health 5

Everything happens for a reason. After lying horizontal for much of two weeks, I realised my knee pains are gone, and as I had not eaten much, the constipation is gone too. I also have lost a bit of weight, which was about time.
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By now, I am about 95% recovered. I go cycling in the morning and take short naps in the afternoon. On my regular cycling route, I always dread this long slope up. My mind wanted a powerful and swift upslope run, but my body was panting and crying out for oxygen. I could no longer go up the slope the way I did. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak! :)
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On the following day, I recovered further and this time with the same mind of going for a powerful swift run up the slope, I managed to pedal myself up to the crest of the road without straining too much. I wasn't panting.
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The interesting observation on these two days is that on both days, I had the same mindset, but different states of fitness. The mind was the same, but the bodies were different. Here, I experienced and rediscovered that my soul (or mind) and body are separate entities. I am not this body, I am this soul that drives my mind, that drives my body. My mind remained the same. I am proud that I had not allowed the state of my body to affect my mind.