February 5, 2009

How you think and feel can have a profound effect on your ability to recognize opportunity, how well you perform, and the outcome of the goals that you  set for yourself.

When you maintain an optimistic outlook and make an effort to harbor only positive thoughts, you begin to create the circumstances conducive to you achieving what you desire. You feel in control and few of life challenges seem truly overwhelming because it is in your nature to expect a positive conclusion.

Staying positive does not mean that you ignore difficulties or disregard limitations. Instead, it means spending time focusing only on the thoughts that are conducive to your well-being and progress.

Positive thinking dramatically increases your chances of success in any endeavor. When you are sure that you are worthy and that achievement is within your grasp, you start to relax and look for solutions rather than dwelling on problems. You are more likely to imagine positive situations or outcomes and disregard the thoughts related to giving up, failure, or roadblocks.

What the mind expects, it finds. If you anticipate joy, good health, happiness, and accomplishment, then you will experience each one.

Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, try immediately replacing it with a constructive or optimistic one.

With persistence, you can condition your mind to judge fleeting, self-defeating thoughts as inconsequential and dismiss them. It is within your power to become as happy, content, or successful as you make up your mind to be. Staying positive may not have an immediate effect on your situation, but it will likely have a profound and instantaneous effect on your mood and the quality of your experiences.

In order for positive thinking to change your life, it must become your predominant mind-set. Once you are committed to embracing positive thinking, youl start believing that everything that you want is within your grasp.

刚刚清理了电话中的inbox 发现很久以前、去年的农历年简讯都还在，所以逐一删除。

一些在过去放了、包含很多重量情绪的简讯也删除，感觉确实很不错。

没有重量情绪的人生，那么轻描淡写的样子。轻飘飘的，反而让人觉得舒服，容易呼吸。

：）

January 26, 2009

We can positively affect our health, prevent illness, and heal injuries by regularly focusing our mental and spiritual energy on the workings of our bodies. This can be done by performing a body scan on yourself.

Begin by lying in a comfortable position and taking three deep cleansing breaths.

Imagine, if you will, a sunbeam entering the top of your head.

Feel this light slowly scanning each part of your internal body.

Allow it to scan every cell in your body and keep breathing.

Every time you exhale, blow out negative energy you may feel. Notice any changes in your body.

You may feel a shift in body temperature, see a color or flash of light, or hear a voice offering you guidance.

If you feel a block in a certain area of your body, sit with that block and feel into it. Ask your body why that block is there and what you need to do to release it.

Try not to judge or analyze the wisdom that comes to you. Often, we experience energy blocks in our body because our body is trying to tell us something. You may want to breathe into that area until you feel the block dissolving.

When you have finished your scan, take one last deep breath and exhal! e any energetic residue that you are ready to release. The body doesn’t lie, and it has much wisdom to share with us. Any injuries or blocks that exist in our bodies are there so that we can learn from having them in our bodies. An existing injury can teach us to slow down or help us recognize that something is out of balance in our bodies.

The more you scan your body, the better you will become at it.

When you have finished your scan, don’t forget to thank your wonderful, amazing body.

January 13, 2009

Clarity of Soul

Just as the physical spaces we inhabit require that we clear them periodically of clutter, the energetic fields that are a vital part of our being must also be cleared of old thoughts, energy, and emotions. Clearing your chakras and your aura restores and strengthens your connection to yourself and your divine inner wisdom.

Unfettered by energetic baggage masquerading as fear, pain, and self-hatred, your consciousness is once again free to grow. If you find the thought of clearing your energy fields disconcerting, simply think of it as cleansing the energy that surrounds you and releasing any stagnancy. You may not be able to see the results of your efforts, but you will experience a lightness of being and clarity of mind.

You can begin by sitting or lying down on a comfortable surface. Take a series of deep breaths and allow your soul to connect with Mother Earth and the vast expanse of the Universe. Visualize your first chakra, situated near the tailbone, and imagine if you will, a valve opening there, much like a faucet. Imagine a cord dropping from your tailbone deep into Mother Earth and let everything that is stagnant within you flow through it. Let go of old energy, inactive thoughts, and anything else that no longer serves you. Ask the earth to accept what you are offering by turning this old energy into light. Continue to let old energy drain out of you until you feel like you’ve released all your energetic baggage. When you are done, imagine the valve closing.

Before moving on to clear your next chakra, let vibrant terra cotta light travel upward from the earth and through the cord into your first chakra. Repeat this process with all seven of the body’s chakras. The second chakra is orange, the third is yellow, the fourth is green, the fifth is blue, the sixth is indigo and the 7th is violet. Afterward, visualize your crown chakra and draw beautiful, golden-white light from the universe flowing down through the top of your head. Release any worries or fears that you have been holding on to. Draw this light into your aura and enjoy the resultant feeling of peace.

To finish clearing your energy and ensure that you have rid yourself of the last vestiges of clutter, take a bath infused with one cup apple cider vinegar, one cup Epsom salt, and one cup sea salt. After completing this exercise, be sure to thank Mother Earth and the universe for their help.

January 7, 2009

There are times when life urges us to seek more. Small changes to our comfort zone may fail to alleviate any sense of stagnancy or frustration, and we may need to examine our lives and ourselves more deeply to find the right place to start. Everything we need for success and joy lies within. But so often, life’s debris accumulates, building layers around our core that makes it difficult to access the truth that resides within. To reach the depth we wish to access, we must dive below these layers to the deepest parts of ourselves.

The first layer can be found in our minds. Our to-do lists and busy work are usually less important than we think, so we must look past them to examine the thoughts that matter most to us. The next layer can be found in our hearts, where past hurts and disappointments can sometimes cover up our vulnerabilities, as well as the truth of who and what really stirs the love within us. We can choose to go even deeper – to our center. If we can go beyond anything has affected us to the point that it blocks us at the gut level, we can reconnect with our power, our raw instincts, our organic yeses. Here, at the core, lies our truth. Our core is our foundation that supports us and what we’d like to build our authentic life upon.

When we examine ourselves to these depths, we are able to find what we wish to bring to the surface and what we wish to let go. When we remember what lies beneath our layers, we can look at what was floating on the surface, causing blocks and pains, and understand the purpose that they served. Oftentimes, it is the built up debris that causes us to go deeper, so we can search for the truth. Go deep, live life from your truth within, and watch your innate beauty manifest outward.

今年没有升级。

3/4年没有升级了？太久，所以都忘记了是几年。

本来很期待，但没有会升级的感觉。感觉对了。

去拿信的时候，老板说：“no news is good news。”

也没错啦。

本来有点失望，因为我觉得去年的评估不公平，付出了很多却没有回报——但不是一切付出都要／有回报的。一切依赖的是福分、时机。

时间对了，应该得到了，就会得到。

刚刚在工作时想到另一点，去年得到的其实很多了——有了自己的房子，结婚，有了孩子，下来baby就要来了。

这些，都不是升级或是金钱可以买到得到的。

Everything we need for success and joy lies within.

：）

写到这里，不禁要骄傲一下：真的有成熟一些哦。

charra soyo!

干得好！加油！

i tried to think abt 3 good deeds i have done in 2008,but i found none that gave me joy/happiness——i mean,apart fr getting married.

it seems its much much easier to think of the wrong/unwholesome deeds…

ia this life?or part of human nature?that we cant/don’t learn easily?

perhaps.

its the 1st day of a brand new year,but i m feeling half full. i do not know what the year will bring to me, and as always, this feeling of apprehensiveness just unsettles me.

but who is not afraid?

people all try to brush aside whatever worries n ignore them,thinking they will go away on their own. i have been like that too.

i have also been worrying too much—for my good, and that doesnt seem to help things either.

it seems like the most sensible way is to go with the flow n to confront whatever life n 2009 brings. and in the midst of it all, contemplate n perform merits.

continue with the act of cultivating compassion n the cleansing/purification of my mind n heart.

….after 2 weeks of rest,it will b time to go back to work tomorro…..

Try to recall of at least 3 of such actions or events which you participated. The practice of contemplation of virtues or merits is called SILÄ€NUSSATI. This will help to establish in you a sense of confidence in cultivating good or wholesome qualities. When you develop this skill you will find it very useful, especially when you are feeling somewhat low and depressed. The contemplation of virtues or merits will help to uplift your spirits and get out of your negative state of mind.

For example, those of you who have been to Bodhgaya for the Novitiate Programme, just recall to mind of this event and the time you spent under the Bodhi tree or in the sacred shrine or the meditation garden,  observe the joy/happiness that arise in your heart. Similarly when you recall of how you saved the life of a cat or dog, or performed some other charitable act, you can feel the joy of doing good. That’s how you’ll be motivated to do more good things.

That’s when you’re ready to think of a few good things that you’ll do for this coming year. Then you make a firm resolution to carry them out.

The thought of avoiding or overcoming certain bad habits (in body, speech or mind) is a good thought.

Basically we should all try to resolve to avoid all evil, to do the good and to purify one’s own mind. But merely repeating the words is not good enough. You need to identify at least one bad habit that you’ll try to quit and get rid off and at least one good thing you’ll do again and again (such as cultivating metta or loving kindness throughout one full day a week. Then increasing to everyday and in every direction whether standing, walking or moving around, sitting or lying down. The thought of purifying your own mind is a good one. Resolve to go for longer retreats next year.

Once you’ve made these resolutions and you’re happy, and quite comfortable with them, then go to the Buddha – to a shrine or a quiet and sacred spot – and make the resolution again & again until you’ve sure that’s what you really want to do. Seek the blessings, guidance and protection from the Triple Gem so that you’ll be able to fulfil your aspirations and overcome whatever obstacles that may arise. The good things that you wish to do are the aspirations. The resolutions you make is your determination, the effort and perseverance to fulfil your aspirations.

If your aspirations is to attend a month long retreat to purify your mind and if you so resolve to do it, then that resolutions will give you the strength and courage to do so thus fulfilling your aspiration.

ADITTHANÄ€ or resolutions/determination is one of the 10 Paramita or Perfections.

If you wish to do something and do not have the resolutions or determination, your mind tend to waver. You get into the situation where you’re undecided yes, no, yes, no. If you are really resolved and determined to do something then the wavering disappears.

Remember how the Buddha made his resolutions under the Bodhi tree. He declared to himself:

                     “Let my body wither away, let my blood dry up.

                      I will not get up from this seat until I realise the Truth.”

Such was the strength of his determination. This gave him the power to confront and overcome whatever challenges and threats that Mara had plotted and carried out against the Buddha.

The next thing to consider is that when making your resolution/determination you need to weigh and  consider the pros and cons of the situation that you are in. You need to be fairly confident that what you wish to carry out is feasible.

 If you go to that Bodhi tree now and make the resolution which the Buddha made, then you are in for big trouble. So take time to weigh and consider things.

That’s why you need a few days to prepare your resolutions. You may list out all the things that you wish to do for the year. Then prioritise them. Which one more urgent, which one needs greater attention.

 When you’ve decided then go to your favourite shrine or a quiet and sacred spot and declare your resolutions for the New Year. It is good if you can do it on the New Year day itself. Because somehow Jan 1 tends to make some people feel new, i.e. time for a change, a change for the better (however for those with wisdom everyday can be a New Year).

 Once you are clear with your resolutions, repeat iT again and again. During that time you may make some adjustments and even drop off some things that you’re not so confident with or even add on something that has arisen in your mind.

 If your faith and confidence in the Triple Gem is established then seek blessings, guidance and protection so that you’ll be able to fulfil all your aspirations for the year. After you’ve made your aspiration you don’t have to cling on to them, reciting them day in day out. What you need to do is to learn to connect with your heart. Day by day practice the Dhamma with right effort, create the necessary conditions for your aspirations to be fulfilled. That’s how your resolution will be accomplished.

 Wishing you and all other members of your family and friends, a peaceful and happy New Year.

December 29, 2008
A Self-Created State

We have all had the experience of worrying about something at some point in our lives. Some of us have a habitual tendency to worry, and all of us have known someone who is a chronic worrier. Worry is an extension of fear and can be a very draining experience. In order for worry to exist, we have to imagine that something bad might happen. What we are worrying about has not happened yet, however, so this bad thing is by definition a fantasy. Understood this way, worry is a self-created state of needless fear. Still, most of us worry. 

One reason we worry is because we feel like we’re not in control. For example, you might worry about your loved ones driving home in bad weather. There is nothing you can do to guarantee their safe passage, but you worry until you find out they have reached their destination unharmed. In this instance, worry is an attempt to feel useful and in control. However, worrying does nothing to ensure a positive outcome and it has an unpleasant effect on your body, mind, and spirit. The good news is that there are ways to transform this kind of worry so that it has a healing effect.

Just as worry uses the imagination, so does the antidote to worry. Next time you find that you are worrying, imagine the best result instead of anticipating the worst outcome. Visualize your loved ones’ path bathed in white light and clearly see in your mind’s eye their safe arrival. Imagine angels or guides watching over them as they make their way home. Generate peace and well-being instead of nervousness and unease within yourself. 

Another reason we worry is that something that we know is pending but are avoiding is nagging us—an unpaid parking ticket, an upcoming test, an issue with a friend. In these cases, acknowledging that we are worried and taking action is the best solution. If you can confront the situation and own your power to change it, you’ll have no reason to worry.

Creative Cuts
Editing Your LifeOur lives can be compared to an ongoing movie script over which we have complete creative control. Within us lies the power to examine what works or isn’t working in our lives and make “edits” to our life’s script, accordingly. Choosing to actively edit your life can be incredibly empowering. As you evolve, you have the choice to accept the script you’ve written thus far or edit it so you can create a life that fulfills you. You can cut out from your life’s script what is no longer working for you. Acknowledging that you are responsible for the experience you create gives you the ability to create the life you’ve always longed for. 

Granted, editing your real life isn’t always as easy as erasing a line of text. If you’ve carried emotional baggage or held on to an unhealthy relationship for a long time, these may be difficult to edit out. But when you do cut out what isn’t working from your life, you’ll feel lighter and more alive. Editing out activities that you find stressful, disassociating yourself from people that drain your energy, and letting go of your emotional baggage are all beneficial cuts you can make. In the empty spaces that are left behind, you can add in anything you like. Just as you have the power to edit out negative situations or beliefs that you no longer wish to have as part of your life, you can now include the kinds of positive experiences, people, and beliefs that you would like to fill your life with. The manifestation of these thoughts and images as realities in your life will inevitably follow. As you make changes to your life, you can also add in the bits where you choose mo! re intimate, healthier relationships, seek out adventure over tedium, and are no longer negatively impacted by old experiences. 

To begin editing your life, simply think about your positive and negative experiences. When you determine what parts of your life are no longer serving you, make the commitment to remove them – though, it is important to remember that there is no proper timing or way to do this, and patience and compassion for yourself are always important during this process. Then, ask yourself what has brought you profound bliss and consider how you can make those experiences and beliefs part of your life now. With a little editing, you’ll be able to clear out what is no longer serving you and make room in your life for more happiness, love, and wisdom.