Destiny + Luck + Timing = Success!

I have learnt that some people no matter what they do, will not be able to achieve their goals according to their deadline. And there are some who would rise quickly as if, everything is laid for them.

I think it's about preparing oneself. Sometimes your destiny is as such, everything has been arranged... just have to prepare to receive it. It's like you're preparing to board a plane. You know where you're heading, you have checked in and put your luggage. Now you have to go the the boarding gate. Some people's flight comes quickly, some will have to wait. So people will miss their flight because they didn't 'check' in properly

'Checking In' is like preparing yourself. Get all the right documentation and know the procedures. Then it's time to board, Opportunity will come, some will arrive early and some later. When the 'plane' comes, this is the moment, when you fly it's time...

So I am in the boarding hall and I'm waiting for my flight to come. . .

Insight #15. Benjamin Button got me thinking...

For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit... start whenever you want... you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things that you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

-Benjamin Button

Insight #14. Wheel is turning again...

The wheel never stops. It always turn... Just like the book of changes, I Ching. It has a lot of possibilities. Everyday, we turn our own little wheels of life. How we turn it? Up to us. You could turn it clockwise or counter clock wise. You can turn it left or right. It's still turning. How do I stop turning the wheel? I'm not sure. I hope I can find the answer through the Dharma.

Turning the wheel is like walking the path of your life. Each step, each pace, each foot print we make is a part of the turning. Each new day, we learn something new, we commit new mistake(s), we regret something we have done, we wished we could have done something more effective or better.

Will I get out of the wheel? I'm not sure... I can hope and learn as I take each step to making the wheel turn less....

Insight #13. I give thanks....

Wisely reflecting I eat this alms food, 

not for fun, not for pleasure,

not for fattening, nor for beautification,

but only for the maintenance and nourishment

of this body,

for keeping it healthy and helping with the holy life.

Thinking thus, I shall allay hunger without overeating

so that I may continue to live blamelessly and at ease.

Sadhu........

Insight #12. Who am I

Who am I? Am I the filial son? Am I my parent's pet? Am I a good friend? Am I being honest with myself? Am I being harsh with myself? Am I having too much fun? Am I clueless? Am I an evil person or a good person? Am I racist? Am I? Who am I?

Insight #11. MYOB....

Exactly. . . Mind your own business. . . perhaps this applied to me more as I have the tendency to go over the fence and kay poh (busy body). . . 

I was gently reminded by a good friend that one should not go over the fence and intrude into the private affairs of others. . . a good lesson. . .  and there are times, certain things don't need to be elaborated or dicussed upon, for example, like one own's cultivation. There is a distinct difference between sharing and boasting. . . 

So I shall M.Y.O.B in future. .

Insight #10. . . Nothing. . . is everything. . .

Since all phenomena are pure by nature,

meditate the thought of the non-existence of things.

With bodhicitta,

meditate the thought of great compassion.

Imperceptible by nature, luminous clarity,

meditate without any attachment to things at all.

Mind is the cause of the arising of wisdom,

do not seek Buddhahood elsewhere.

From  Arya atajñana nama mahayana sutra (Sutra of the wisdom of the Time of Death)

Insight #9. Subject to change . . .

From a good friend's blog: I also realized that we are all subject to change. . . Nothing stays the same, This is a solemn but insighful statement taken from a Pali recitation book. . . 


Pali recitation for meditators by Sujiva.

I am of the nature to decay - ( Jaradhammomhi )
I have not gone beyond decay - ( Jaram Anatito )
I am of the nature to be diseased - (Vyadhi Dhammomhi)
I have not gone beyond disease - (Vyadi Anatito )
I am of the nature to die - (Marana Dhammomhi )
I have not gone beyond death - ( Marana Anatito )
All that is mine and dear - ( Sabbehi Me Piyehi Manapehi )
Will change, Will vanish - ( Nanabhavo Vinabhavo )

I am the owner of my own kamma - ( Kammassakomhi )
I am the heir of my own kamma - ( Kamma Dayado )
I am born from my own kamma - ( Kamma Yoni )
I am related to my own kamma - ( Kamma Bandhu )
I abide supported by my own kamma - ( Kamma patisarano )
Whatever kamma i shall do - ( Yam Kammam Karissami )
Wheather good or evil - (Kalyanam Va Papakam Va )
of that - ( Tassa )
I shall be the heir - ( Dayado Bhavissami )
Thus by Us - ( Evam Amhehi )
Should (these) be frequently recollected - ( Abhinham Paccavekkitabbam )


So it is. . . 

Insight #8. Going back to basics...

I've decided to go back to basics... I'm taking a refresher course in meditation and some dharma classes (Theravada) at the Maha Vihara in Jln Berhala, Brickfields, I went for the my first lesson last thursday. It was good. Before I went, I paid respects to Grand Master and seek his blessings so I can benefit the teachings taught by Upasaka Chee. And I also emptied my mind, my knowledge about Buddhism so I can see his perspective. It turned out to be a very good class. As for meditation, I'm learning to be more focus on my concentration during meditation. Realized that my mind is like a wild monkey and needs to be subdued so I can be more focus in my endeavors...

Sadhu! May I find inspiration and renewed faith in the triple gem...

Insight #7. Take matters personally and get blessings from elders before doing anything

I have learned this lesson the hard way. Do not leave matters to others just because you have the means to dispense away with. Always take charge of your own assets. This includes the big and small details of the picture. Since I am the artist and I am painting the work of art, I have to choose wisely and plan my strokes and movements before the paint is dried. 

And get blessings from the elders (ie: parents) for important things in life such as renovating the house, embarking on new business venture, etc...

I pray all my endeavors are successful.... Sadhu