God

I believe man is more likely to blunder.

Which is it: is man one of God’s blunders, or is God one of man’s blunders? - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

When men make gods, there is no God! - Eugene O’Neill

As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or do not exist. - Protagoras

Cosmos

The Cosmos is a body of chi. Chi has the properties of yin and yang. When chi is spread out, it permeates all things; when it coalesces it becomes nebulous. When this settles into form it becomes matter. When it disintegrates it returns to its original state. - Zhang Dai

The entire cosmos is a cooperative. The sun, the moon, and the stars live together as a cooperative. The same is true for humans and animals, trees, and the Earth. When we realize that the world is a mutual, interdependent, cooperative enterprise – then we can build a noble environment. If our lives are not based on this truth, then we shall perish. - Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Atheism

The philosophy of Atheism represents a concept of life without any metaphysical Beyond or Divine Regulator. It is the concept of an actual, real world with its liberating, expanding and beautifying possibilities, as against an unreal world, which, with its spirits, oracles, and mean contentment has kept humanity in helpless degradation. - Emma Goldman

It is not hardness of heart or evil passions that drive certain individuals to atheism, but rather a scrupulous intellectual honesty. - Steve Allen

The Yin Yang Symbol

Yin and Yang represent the dual polarities in life. Yin is the feminine polarity and Yang the masculine polarity. The (Yin-Yang) symbol represents the ancient Chinese understanding of how things work..

The circle that represents the whole is divided into Yin (black) and Yang (white) halves – two polar complements in harmonious balance. The two smaller circles in the centres (the eyes), shaded in the opposite colour, illustrate that within Yin there is Yang, and vice versa. Yin and Yang contain within themselves, at their very centres, the seeds of change. The curve dividing them indicates that this change is dynamic and continuous. Each half invades the other half and establishes itself in the centre of its opposite. - Simmone Kuo

The black and white dots/circles represent that nothing is absolute – that within the Yin, there is a bit of Yang, and within the Yang, there is a bit of Yin.

Buddhism

Buddhism:- the belief in the limitless human capacity for wisdom, compassion and courage, starting with a deep understanding of your own limitless nature. - Unknown

Buddhism is more a system of philosophy and practical ethics than a religion. If by religion we mean something which inspires enthusiasm and fervour, Buddhism is certainly a religion, as it has given spiritual enthusiasm and joy to nearly five hundred millions of the world's population, and has served to carry men through material pains and evils and to make them their conquerors. But if we take as the beginning of religion the fear of God, or the dread of the unknown, or the hankering for the unseen and unintelligible, or the feeling for the infinite, Buddhism is certainly not a religion. The most striking feature of Buddhism is that it eschews all hypotheses regarding the unknown, and concerns itself wholly with the facts of life in the present work-a-day world. - Pokala Lakshmi Narasu

Meditation

In layman terms, it means to contemplate, to think or ponder profoundly on something. However, people usually associate meditation with religious practices. Mention meditation and images of sages or monks sitting in the lotus position comes to mind.

The practice of meditation has been around for centuries. It is one of the main activities and practices of religions, a daily routine of sages, religious leaders, and monks.

Different schools have different ways, or techniques for meditating. But basically, meditation is the stilling of the mind, so that there is clarity of mind. When there is clarity of mind, we think and see clearly, and we are in better control of our emotions, of ourselves. Our senses also sharpened.

It is said that a meditator can gain super human powers if he meditates successfully. That’s when he gains ‘enlightenment’. He will be able to understand and perceive things, and perform feats not possible to the ordinary people. However, that is not easily accomplished and beginners are advised not to focus on that goal, but to take a step at a time. There is also the believe that in an advanced state of meditation, we might not be able to control what is going on in our mind, and that could cause us to go insane. Thus, it is advised that one should go to a reputable teacher if one wants to learn meditation seriously.

However, if you meditate to de-stress or to calm your senses, you can go ahead and just do it – anywhere, anytime, anyway. Simply – sit comfortably, (back straight if you can), and just clear your mind of thoughts. You will find that it is quite impossible to do that. Thoughts will come. When they do, just dismiss them and start again. It helps if you concentrate on your breathing, (breath normally), and not think of your thoughts.

Start with 10 minutes a session, and gradually extend it to as long as you want. Persevere with the practice. Do what you can, for as long as you can, and you will find that it gets easier as time goes by.

People on the spiritual quest will usually take up meditation at some point. It is the only exercise that gives clarity and calmness of mind – two attributes which are very important to a spiritual practitioner.

In recent years, science has proven that the benefits of meditation are real. There are now more and more people taking classes in meditation because of the health purposes.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that meditation can help in curing minor aliment. It’s all to do with the flow of Chi – the Vital Energy in our body. When Chi is flowing smoothly through the meridians, our organs are well nourished and the result is robust health.

Chi / Energy

Chi, or Qi is the Chinese term for Life Energy, a vital force that flows through all living things. In western terms, it is call Universal Life Force or Vital Life Force.

It is this Life Force Energy that gives Life to humans, animals, reptiles, plants – anything that is alive on this planet. Without this Vital Life Force coursing through us, we will be dead. All living things will be dead things.

As with all things in Nature, there are two polarities to this energy - positive energy and negative energy. When the energies are balanced, and flowing smoothly through our body, we experience general good health and well-being. When they are unbalanced, we will experience variations in our emotions. If the positive energy is stronger, we will feel peaceful, happy, blissful, excited ... If the negative energy is stronger, we will feel sad, depress, distress…

When our accupoints are block, we fall sick. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses herbs, acupuncture and massages to clear blockages and restore the smooth flow of the Chi. However, that is another topic all together…

Look around you. If you take away the Energy, or the Life Force in everything that you see, what would you be left with?

Cognitive Dissonance

About the Blog

Continued from previous post ...

The following two decades were focused on my career, but my mind was never far from thinking about stuff that was philosophical, spiritual, mystical. I never stopped wondering about the meaning of life, and the role we play. I continued reading Buddhist books, articles – anything I could find on Buddhism.

A decade ago, when my career was tapering off, I again spent time looking for answers. I took courses in Reiki, (I am actually a Master practitioner in Reiki), read extensively on New Age practices like Crystal Healing, Aura Reading, Tarot Cards Reading, Colour Healing, Sound Therapy … I was curious about these New Age Therapies and I tried to read all about them. I also took up Tai Chi, Qi Kong and Traditional Chinese Massage.

I realised one common factor in the New Age therapies. All deal with Energy and the chanelling of energy. If we take away the different methods of practice, it all boils down to how we harness the energy that is all around us for our own use. It is the same with all religions. Basically all religions are the same. They teach us to do good, not to harm or kill, not to steal, to be kind etc… So, if you are already being a nice human, you have no need of religion, especially now when Religion has become very divisive.

I believe I have acquired the basics in my spiritual journey. Now, it’s a matter of continuing my learning and most importantly, to practice what I have learned. There is still much to learn. As long as we are open minded and willing to learn, we will be rewarded. The seeking of knowledge ends when our sojourn in this life ends - when the Vital Life Force leaves us.

In conclusion, the spiritual journey, although rewarding, can be very lonely at times. This is because we walk the path alone. We might meet like-minded people on the way. They may give us encouragement and support, but ultimately, we have to carry on ourselves, one step at a time. No short cuts, no helping hands. Our destination is the same but our individual journeys are different. However, persevere, and surely, we will be rewarded for our efforts. This I believe!

I don’t know what’s ahead for me, but I am soldiering on – one tiny step at a time!

Thank you for your interest in the blog!

Bliss and Light to you!

About the Blog

Finally, I decided to start a blog on my personal experiences on my spiritual journey - my ‘journey of discovery’ in this existence called Life. I deliberated about that. I wondered if people would be interested, whether it would be interesting enough. At the end, I decided to do it for myself, for the fun of it. People who are interested are most welcome to ‘follow’.

I will try to write regularly but understand that I am not the most, proficient or eloquent writer. Sometimes it might take a while for me to come up with something. So, please be patient. However, in between my writing, I will post stuff I gathered in the course of my search for answers, so that there will always be something new for you to read when you visit.

Here goes:

I was young, bored, restless and I kept wondering what life was all about. I felt there was more to life. I was determined to find out what else is out there.

One day, I saw an advertisement in the papers, ‘inviting’ all who were interested to know about life and the afterlife to send for the free booklet. I sent for a booklet. It contained more leading, intriguing questions. If I wanted the answers I had to sign up for a correspondence course. I did that.  I signed up for a correspondence course with an organization call the Rosicrucian Order. I guess you can say that was the beginning of my spiritual journey – although I didn’t know it at the time.

The course was interesting. I was able to grasp the basics, but it was too mystical, mystifying, mysterious and profound for someone in his early twenties. It was also expensive. After a couple of years, I had to stop.

However, I didn’t give up my search for answers. I joined a temple as a devotee, to learn about Buddhism. It wasn’t a Buddhism Temple pe se. It was a Taoist / Buddhist temple. But there were enough Buddhist texts around. I read them all – and I was hooked on Buddhism.

The Buddhist texts were easy to comprehend – simple and straightforward. There were no hidden meanings or messages between the lines. Plenty of parables, or metaphors to illustrate a point. From the allegories, one could  easily draw parallels to situations or circumstances, making sense of all things. The part I liked most was the stress on self-reliance, and the non-reliance on supernaturals and imaginaries.

To be continued …

Calm is the key to the Soul

When the world is restless, and the restless beat the drum, the calm man is the eye of that eternal hurricane. When work is a dance of confusion, and emotions, blind as lemmings, drive for unconsidered goals, the calm man observes from his oasis. When the business of family flares, and love gropes in the fog of displeasure, the clam man is the light that guides love to unity. When man is tested, and his being feels like an open wound, the calm man sees his imperfections and removes them like a skilled surgeon. - Unknown

Those who are on the path to being calm, the path of introspection, know intimately the sobering fact that calm men are rare today, as they ever have been in the past, and probably will be in the future. But those on the path know that a person does not have to be a hundred percent calm in order to taste peace profound. Yet one taste of that divine essence and that person strives ever more to be that calm man. - Unknown

Humour

You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you’re psychotic. - Dr Gregory House

You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do. - Anne Lamott

Being God isn’t easy. If you do too much, people get dependent on you. And if you do nothing, they lose hope. You have to use a light touch, like a safecracker or a pickpocket. - Unknown

But suppose God is black? What if we go to Heaven and we, all our lives, have treated the Negro as an inferior, and God is there, and we look up and He is not white? What then is our response? - Robert F. Kennedy

Doctrines / Dogmas

Doctrines, dogmas … they are sets of rules or guides within the religion, or sect or organization, so that members or the congregation knows what to expect and how to behave in an acceptable manner according to the doctrines laid down. Call it moral laws of the time if you like. As we progress through the ages, some of these doctrines are not applicable any more, and we should be flexible enough to stop practicing, or following it. 

Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit tenant for the mind of an honest man. - Robert Ingersoll

Doctrine is nothing but the skin of truth set up and stuffed. - Henry Ward Beecher

Doctrine without precept is as a book without print. - William Scott Downey

Doctrines are meant to serve man, not the other way around. - Amin Maalouf

Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. - Steve Jobs

Everyone cleaves to the doctrine he has happened upon, as to a rock against which he has been thrown by tempest.  - Cicero

False doctrine can never be corrected by fire and sword. - Julian

I will not attack your doctrines nor your creeds if they accord liberty to me. If they hold thought to be dangerous – if they aver that doubt is a crime, then I attack them one and all, because they enslave the minds of men. - Robert G. Ingersoll

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. - Abraham Lincoln

The modern world is filled with men who hold dogmas so strongly that they do not even know they are dogmas. - G. K. Chesterton

The question is not whether a doctrine is beautiful, but whether it is true. When we want to go to a place, we don't ask whether the road leads through a pretty country, but whether it is the right road, the road pointed out by authority. - Julius Charles Hare

Atheism

I do not believe in God, nor religion. I guess that makes me an Atheist. What does an atheist seeks, and believes?

An Atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An Atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy. An Atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction, and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it, and enjoy it. An Atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfilment. He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist believes that deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanished, war eliminated. - Madalyn Murray O’Hair

The philosophy of Atheism represents a concept of life without any metaphysical Beyond or Divine Regulator. It is the concept of an actual, real world with its liberating, expanding and beautifying possibilities, as against an unreal world, which, with its spirits, oracles, and mean contentment has kept humanity in helpless degradation. - Emma Goldman

Teachings of the Buddha

The Buddha gained Enlightenment at the age of 35 while he was meditating. From then on, he imparted his knowledge, which came to be known as The Teachings of Buddha, to the masses until his death at the age of 80.

The teachings of Buddha is popularly known as Buddhism. Some people considered these teachings a philosophy, teaching the Way of Life. Primarily, they show people the correct approach to living Life.

It was mentioned in some text that Buddha never intended his teachings to become a religion. In fact, he told his disciples not to create or form a religion.

However, somewhere along the way, Buddhism became a religion. And along with it came the dogmas, rites and customs.

Personally, I don’t care for the religious aspects of Buddhism. I embrace Buddhism as a philosophy, as Teachings of the Buddha. The lessons are simple and yet profound. They make a lot of sense, answer most questions and doubts I have. They thoroughly resonate with me. I was totally convinced Buddhism was for me from the moment I started reading about it.

That’s when I stopped believing in a God, and in religion. That’s when I embarked on my Spiritual Journey. The religious shenanigans didn’t help any. If anything, they convinced me that I am on the right Path.

Re-examine

This is one of my favourite quotes! 

All too often, we were fed information which we accepted and took to be true, without questioning whether they are indeed true. When we were young, we didn't know better. But we are adults now and we should, as the quote says, re-examine all that we have been told, and dismiss whatever insults our soul. 

The Role of Spiritual

The Spiritual Journey requires dedication, commitment and effort. There will be times when difficulties and self-doubts creep in, making the self exploration unproductive and a drudgery. During moments like this, we could all use a bit of encouragement. I hope you find these posts useful / helpful in one way or another.

Light and Bliss to you on the Journey!

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The role of Spirituality

Fully functioning persons have a deep sense of spirituality. They know that the world in which they live cannot be explained or understood through human experience alone. They know that they must make the ‘mystical leap.’ They must go beyond themselves, beyond their limited reality. They have an inexplicable sense of something more. They feel a greater operative intellect than their own, even if they are at a loss to give it a name. They are aware of a great design, incessantly operative, in which all is compatible and in which there are no contradictions.

Life  offers us few explanations. We cannot be certain of the true meaning of life, the source of life nor Life after life. Only we can fill the void which this incertitude creates. We can either accept in faith or select nothingness. Both are the same. Both will involve mind games, for neither offer definitive proofs. This does not mean that answers do not exist.

Some of us are unable to live without answers. The void is too totally frightening, too devastating. So we must create answers for ourselves. Some of us choose to live without answers. We find them unnecessary. We live out our lives without asking questions, living into answers. Both ways require the creating of a belief system for which there is no validation. Either choice embodies a living sense of spirituality which arises from the affirmation of the self through personal choice itself.

Spirituality, faith and mystery are inherent in every aspect of life.

To be in touch with nature, to feel deeply its moods, to experience fully its sorcery, to know how so-called ‘inanimate’ things work, is to become caught up in the spirituality and divinity of all things.

The spirit of each person and thing is present even if we are too asleep to experience it, even if we deny its existence. Spirituality involves an awareness of all there is and an openness to what is not. It is the strength and fearlessness to allow ourselves to transcend reality and ourselves.

Fully functioning individuals know that it is the is magic that gives life its spice, irradiates boredom and elevates existence beyond space and time. To be a fully functioning person is to reach out with total trust and touch the God of all things.

- Author unknown

Religion

This is what I feel, how I feel.