Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain

Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, photographer, and author. He has lived and worked in the Himalayan region for forty years. One of the scientific test shows that he is considered the happiness man in this world. This video shares his wisdom on how mediation can train one's mind and bring closer to our true happiness.

http://vimeo.com/49587835

I enjoyed the part where he mentioned about many people thought that sensory pleasures are form of happiness. Sensory pleasures are unsubstainable. They are seen as fleeting wind, comes and goes quickily.

True happiness is timeless. It is the way of being. Inner qualities give us the ability to dealt with ups and downs of life.

The well being consists of inner peace, loving kindess, wisdom, compassion, confidence, freedom. These inner qualities that we cultivate will help us to handle the external situations better and more efficiently. Having a clear, peaceful and stable mind is important. The fitness of the mind is as important as fitness of the body. Meditation gives emotional balance and benefits to the society.

Those people who cultivates self discipline, generosity, patience, concentration, diligence, enthusiam effort and wisdom are more successful in life.

I am glad that I am slowly cultivating in this direction :) May all be well and happy.

Life affirmations

In June 2012, I was asked to empowered myself with life affirmations and my own beliefs to take charge of my own daily life. During then, I couldn't understand how does life affirmations actually can help. To me it is just a sets of statements that I do not resonate.

However, today I starting to write down what are the things I affirm. I felt I am connected with these statements thus these sets of affirmations will help me to promote life or celebrate life.

21 statements
1) I am grateful for all the things I have or going to have.
2) I am courageous to take up the life challenges.
3) I am honest with myself and other people.
4) I am kind to myself and other people.
5) I am open-minded to things that I am unaware.
6) I am decisive in my decision makings.
7) I am a leader who leads by example.
8) I am creative in my work.
9) I am clear about what I am doing and going to do.
10) I am here to make beautiful things to enhance the quality of people life.
11) I am wealthy in my mind and my heart.
12) I am accountable to my own actions.
13) I am respectable and respect others.
14) I am thankful to have loving family and friends.
15) I am appreciative to people who have helped me.
16) I am patience with myself and other people.
17) I am enjoying each day of my life.
18) I am glad that I am able to help people around me.
19) I am able to manage my time and use it wisely and purposefully.
20) I am creating my wealth each day.
21) I am building healthy relationships each day.

Confusion to Clarity

Life sometimes can be so strange. Perhaps it is due to my lack to understanding. I remembered that I created a blog named Cycle of Life. This blog was created because I wanted to have a connection with the Universe. I wrote how I feel towards myself and how I view about certain things.

During my depression, I was so fearful about looking at the things I wrote to the Universe. From my understanding, Universe is the signal or energy that we send out to the system. This energy will be able to attract what we send out. I was so confused and somehow I thought that having the name "Cycle of Life" will screwed up everything. It was really silly of me. When I reread what I wrote. It is nothing scary. Those articles that I wrote are the thought moments that I feel during that point in time.

Thanks to the Buddha's teachings that makes me have more clarity. Things change to the positive side, so did I.

I really glad that I revisit the website and it is really not as scary and fearful that I have imagine it to be. I actually silly enough to think that I can changed the whole world from the words that I used. Nevertheless, I have changed the name to "Letters to the Universe". So that it will no longer create that kind of confusion and uncertainties.

When I look back now, it is really myself who created such a big drama into my life. This whole drama makes me cherish my love ones more and I get to know that I really need to trust and love myself completely. Though this drama is a short period of time. I have learn to take time to reflect and most importantly, taking back my own power and strength.

Craving

Today's buddhism class is about craving. There are two types of cravings: the gross craving and subtle craving.

When I learn about craving, I thought that as long as the amount needed or used was extreme, it is considered craving.

It is interesting to know about subtle craving. It means that when we are attached to things for more and more, it is subtle craving. For example the craving for a promotion or craving for material things. I think unhappiness arises when we didn't get what we wanted. That is because we have attachments and desire for it.

I personally think craving can be seen as a form of addiction too. For example to queue for an iphone or a bubble tea drink for no good reason. Even when we are attached to certain people, especially to our love ones, when they leave us, we feel pain and hurt. Main reason is because we can't accept that the person has left us.

My greatest learning for today is to realise that the way to embrace change is to have the mindset of everything that we have, doesn't really belong to us. There is a chinese saying, "天底下有不散的宴席 means there is always an end in every gathering. There will be a day we need to leave this world. When we need to let go, just let go. There is time for everything. What's most importantly, we are able to depart swiftly, happily and peacefully.

Geek Girls Experience

Have a great time at this study group workshop for a month. Almost lost touch with web programming, glad that I picked it up again. Really happy to know some of the cool, geek girls here :)

This workshop is interesting and basically let those girls with no programming background to attend such study group so that they have a better understanding of what web programming language is all about.

Although I have basic web programming knowledge, but I have lost touch for many years. Therefore, I have to relearn all the techniques and terms used in programming. Programming is a skill that you need to use in day in and day out. If not, will be easily forgotten. Even the expert programmers sometimes, they may even need to refer code helps to get some work done.

I am glad that I get to know these group of fun loving girls who have interest in learning the web coding. I like the part where we are assigned to come out with our own designs and programming project that we wanted to do. I really spend a day to conceptualise and design the portfolio and I really love what I do. It is a fun and enjoyable experience. Even when I was sharing my ideas and why I do this project. I could feel that the excitement within me. I enjoyed the learning design process and coming out with the end product, I also enjoyed sharing my knowledge with them as well.

I do hope that I can stay in touch with the geek girls so that I can continue to learn and having a group of like-minded learning friends with me so that we can learn and grow together. :)

林育群 - 人海中遇見你

I like this song very meaningful especially my sis forward this song to me :) I really grateful to have such a wonderful sister in my life. Thanks for being my loving, jovial and kind sister. Love you :)

I want to radiate this loving kindness to my parents, friends and people I have met. Thanks for meeting you this lifetime.

范瑋琪 - 因為

I have heard this song before many years back but I didn't know is sing by Fan Fan. Nice Lyrics :)

總在我家巷口和你分手　彷佛偶像劇一樣　
覺得我們就要發生些什麼

總在回家時候不知所措　想再打電話給你　
可是再見剛剛才說過

有一種想要擁抱你的衝動

想靜靜看著你的笑容　讓你藏在懷中　
直到我每天的盡頭

因為想一個人而寂寞　因為愛一個人而溫柔

因為有一個夢而執著　因為等一個人而折磨

因為想一個人而解脫　因為愛一個人而寬容

因為有一個夢而放縱　因為等一個人而漂泊

因為想一個人而寂寞　因為愛一個人而溫柔

像夜的矇矓　你的深情難懂　我的世界因為你而不同

因為想一個人而解脫　因為愛一個人而寬容

像風的自由　你的深情難留　你的背影　是我最美麗的所有

Taking charge of my life

After attending yesterday's class "Working with emotions", I do have some insights about myself. I realised the importance of taking control of my own life. Emotions come to me moments to moments. I feel that I have some clarity finally.

I have been seeking for answers for many years, asking what is the purpose of my life. Whenever I cant find any answers, I just live quietly with my life and from time to time attended various self development courses, hoping to that I may get the answers that I want. Walking through all the rollercoaster of my emotions then finally today I realised that I just want the inner peace and lasting happiness within my heart.

Yes, there are many teachers out there to teach about life. But what truly make senses to me is how I really feel about life, how I walk through my own obstacles and challenges and how I get my own wisdom and develop compassion.

All these things that I need to learn is to do and experience it. There is no better way of experience then to learn from the experts and to do it.

I bought a book yesterday called "Be your own Life Coach." written by Jeff Archer. Although I only read a couple of pages and about living healthy lifestyle. I get to learn more about myself. I am truthful about myself. The top 5 things that makes me happy:

1. Joy of Crafts
When I am doing craft work, experimenting how to make the products look great and pleasing. I felt a sense of achievements. That explains whenever I look at those gift wrapping, origami, craft papers, handwork related work, I could pick up within secs. It is effortless to me because I truly enjoy what I do and immerse myself into making things.

2. Joy of Relationships
I love being with my family, friends and people that I care about. They are the people who enriches my life. I love being with them. The quality time that I spend with them are meaningful and I cherish the time with them. I understand relationships need to be built and not taken for granted. In the past, I cant appreciate the bonding and love. I felt it is unnecessary.

But now, things have changed. I started to value people relationships. Why two people or a group of people are together, it is simply because of the karmic affinity. We do not know when these karmic affinity is going to end, thus we need to cherish the people around us. The best gift I can give to my love ones is my attention and presence at the present moment.

3. Joy of Swimming
Swimming is always my favourite sport. Even though I have tons of activities I like to join. However, swimming allows me to be myself, to be relax, to stay calm, at ease and composed. I love the water that touches my skin. Cooling and peaceful. :)

Before I learn how to swim, I already fall in love with the water. That's the reason for so many years, despite I can't swim well at all. I never give up on learning how to swim! Swimming gives me courage and strength as well. Having phobia in the past, does not weaken my belief of learning how to swim properly. Now I can swim at least 4-5 laps, feeling at ease!

4. Joy of Traveling
I love traveling because it broadens my horizon. I get to learn more things and culture from other countries. Even though it is usually a short trip. Last time I envy those people who can travel a lot. But now, I no longer have these thoughts of enviousness because it is unnecessary. I just need to work within my own means. There will be time where I get to travel and experience the culture from the various countries.

Perhaps I can start writing down the list of places that I will like to visit and plan accordingly. I think it will be more realistic and I get to materialise it.

The next country I want to visit is London in 2013. Partially is because I want to visit my Uncle Bob and Aunty Lyn and Cousin Jason. I want to fulfill this trip as I want to spend quality time with my relatives who are dear to me. Working towards my London Trip!

5. Joy of Smiling
I feel that life without a smile is meaningless to live. I love to smile and giggle a lot especially with my dear friend, Siew Siew. I remembered one day my ex boyfriend told me that I become crazy whenever I am with Siew Siew and he didn't like it. I was affected when he said that. I didn't dare to tell Siew Siew because I worried I will affect her as well. Even though, we are no longer together, I already believed from that day onwards, I reduced the times I smile. I always find reasons that I need to smile then I smile. That was so painful!

Having this awareness, I know that I do not need to be the worrisome kid that I used to be. So what if I smile and laugh for no good reason, does that going to harm or kill anyone? The answer is NO! I was too bothered by some negative remarks that I have forsake my true self. That was really silly and how it affected my well being, which I didn't even realise it!

Nowadays, I didn't mind what other people think when I laugh or smile because it is my true nature and character. I love smiling and this is the fact!

Being Grateful

Yesterday after writing about living life fully. I felt a sense of calmness and bliss within me. It is a subtle yet i felt the positive energy around me. This morning when I woke up, I felt the thought of being grateful and thankful for all the good things and moments that happened to me be it in the past, or at the present moment.

I felt happy and the feeling is beyond words. When we are the difficult state, we continue to believe that things will be fine, work diligently on what we can do and eventually, work out something great. Somehow or rather, more and more positive things will come by and makes me feel grateful about.

How I overcome my own negative emotions into a blissful state of mind, it is really amazing. Meditation of reciting Amituofo's name helps me a lot. From a confusion state of mind to a sense of blissful within, requires time and effort.

Clearing the stray thoughts and focus on the name of Amitfuo's name, helps me to dilute the confusion and increase clarity. I felt that it is through daily effort of being grateful and mindful about the people, events and things around me, makes me real and authentic.

In the past, I always feel that I need to be gracious, I need to be knowledgeable, I need to be someone great. But the true fact is I am already the person I always wanted to be, which is being my own self. There is no need to be change to someone else that I am not. Being real and authentic is far more powerful than being someone that I pretend to be, which is fake.

How many people realised that how fortunate we are to be able to accept entirely for who we are. There are a lot of people out there, trying so hard to be someone who they are not, change face, doing physical surgery work, trying hard to fit into the society and business models, just to win the recognition of their bosses and the colleagues. Is it truly necessary?

Losing our identity just makes us losing our self confidence and self worth. At the end of the day, it is not the money that goes into our pocket. It is our own wisdom, values that are cultivated and genuine happiness that fill our hearts, that is important.

I must really thank Buddha and the Universe to give me the guidance of being real and authentic. They give me the strength to live, to love and to give unconditionally.

Live Life Fully

This week has been an amazing week because I felt that I'm slowly understand what life is all about. The topic of meaningful of life has been bother me since many years back till I felt a bit numb and a bit of pain, as I couldn't figure out how to deal with my life.

Cruising day by day, seems like it becomes a comforting thing to do. I have questions for what is the meaning of life for many years back. Are our life just sleep, eat, study, work, get married and have kids and depart when time is up? Until this week, after attending Shi an's class about his sharing about the meaning of life. I get some glimpses of wisdom and light.

Shi an shared a video about a professor invited a group of students for a tea session. During the session, the professor prepares a pot of coffee and assorted sets of cups. There are cups made of glass, porcelain, clay, gold, wood etc. He asked the students to choose the cups that they like. All the students picked their cups and looking at each other which cups did their peers choose and starts to compare whether their cups are good enough. The professor saw the situation and said,"It doesn't matter what cups are you holding. Most importantly is the quality of the coffee. The coffee represents our life. How well have we live? The happy person may not have the best of everything. But he made the best out of what he has."

I finally realised that how ignorant I was to look at what cup I was holding without noticing the importance of the quality of my coffee. One fine day, when Buddha ask me how well have I live? How well have I let go? How much have I learn? I really hope that I can answer all these questions.

Yesterday, I attended the "Working with emotions" Workshop. It is an another amazing experience for me. I get to realise that I can make my own choices in my life. I have a couple of "Ah-ha" moments. I am glad that Siew has attended this course with me. Even sometimes life may throw us with some difficult situations, these situations help us to grow wiser and better person. We can always choose a better and positive solutions.

Being appreciative is also makes me realise the goodness of people around me. Compare to last time, I noticed that I didn't resist much about taking positive actions as I know I must do something about my life proactively. Another good news is I realise I love myself. I started to care more about myself. Yes, I was too stingy with myself in the past. Too stingy to the extend that even I did something right, I also felt that it was nothing to be worth sharing and appreciate.

I teared a lot because I was feeling lacked of love and trying to get love from other people. The truth is, of course it didn't work. Self Love is a process of understanding oneself and able to love oneself unconditionally. For example, despite of the good things or bad things that happens, I am still able to love and accept myself unconditionally. That is what self love is all about.

I started to take baby steps out of my own comfort zone, of cos with calculated risk. Life has become more meaningful and interesting. I no longer complain, rather I felt that I am very fortunate. Fortunate that I have loving family, who truly genuinely love me unconditionally. I have a loving and sincere friends who stood by me when times are really bad. What more can I ask, except to take good care of myself and learn the lessons that I need to learn.

Everyone of us has something to learn and share with everyone. As long as open our hearts and learn to love and trust unconditionally, we will feel that we have so much, so much more to give.

I have choose to face my life bravely and appreciate meaningful moments once again. This is the best gift I ever give to myself. Actually it is beyond words... if you understand what I mean..

Here is the quote by Anthony Robbins which I find it very meaningful.