The Essence of Vipassana: Observing Your Mind

The mental process is like a waterfall, the water flowing endlessly.
It is how the reality of mind working, the thought process unceasingly
bombards the mind and body for the whole life without our knowing!
Only when we are mindful, to observe how mind makes us suffer, due
to its uncontrollable nature (non-self). It is the essence to understand that,
mind is not you, what we can do is only to watch the mental process, like
waterfall, we can't stop the water from flowing down. This is the nature.
(Photos are taken by Tan Tai Peng, my brother, a photographer. Tq and appreciated for sharing)

The following article is excerpted from Ajahn Chah's book: 'A Still Forest Pool', which depicted the essence of vipassana meditation. The word 'meditation', which always confused and misled people, one way or another. There are two categories: concentration & insight meditations.

Mostly people talk about meditation, they quite often refer to concentration type of meditation. This method is emphasizing more to calm the mind by focusing on a fixed object. So it is not inclined to develop wisdom or insight by understanding this mind & body. The result is: you have a calm mind and blissful feeling, but it is temporary only, and lack of wisdom.

Insight meditation or vipassana meditation, its purpose is to develop insight, or wisdom (智慧) by observing this mind and body. In other words, it makes you understand the reality on what happen, moment to moment, within this mind and body process, which is going on endlessly since we are born. This method of meditation is to understand the process of mind, how it changes from time to time; such as from happy mood to sad, boring to excitement, up and down of mental process with all kinds of thoughts, good and bad. It means, to practice this insight meditation is to be aware of all mental activities that we feel and think during our daily life. As we know, mind is the root to all troubles, that creates suffering, at the same time, if we train the mind with mindfulness, it leads us to wisdom and happiness. So it depends on how we use it.

The deeper we understand this mind, the deeper wisdom we develop; then the result is more detached and letting go of things. This helps on daily life that we face with many personal problems, which make us angry, worried, sad, and also involved with other associated mental activities. So the untrained mind is always involved with greed, hatred and delusion. Form a loop, encircling eternally. Without mindfulness or awareness, we keep on accumulating all these negative impressions onto this mind and body. The more we involve with these negative mental states, such as angry thoughts, worries, without awareness (or mindfulness) and understanding of its reality, then we are caught to this vicious cycle of thought process. With this strong delusional mental state, then we are always in the loop, no way to escape! In the end we create more and more mental suffering, and yet we still cannot see the root or the cause of suffering.

The practice is to get out from the loop or break away from this vicious cycle by simply being aware within us. Then only we understand and see the reality, with this realization, insight developed. With this insight or wisdom we are less and less clinging to these negative mental activities that create our personal problems. Subsequently, it will help us to lessen the intensity of suffering.

That is the result of practicing this meditation, the wisdom that we develop, helps us to see thing as it is, so we are able to let thing go. This will certainly save us from unnecessary and adverse impacts to our life, therefore the suffering will be minimized.

Of course, suffering is always there in our daily life, whether you like it or not, but the insight will change your perspective. In other words, we no longer looking at things in a fixed way. Through out life, without our knowledge, we are cultivating the habitual pattern of reacting when dealing with things. With these reactions that shape our personalities, which decide our so called 'fate'. With mindfulness and wisdom, it helps us not to cling to a fixed idea, or pet view; that is a disease of mind, which obstructs the mind from seeing thing as it is (reality). A flexible mind, which is inclusive mind, is as wide as a blue sky, it covers all. It accepts thing as what it is, without trying to change thing which cannot be changed.

The practice takes years for the wisdom to develop and matured. It means, you are constantly being aware and mindful of things happening within this mind and body. As mindfulness growing stronger, the concentration also follows. If practice rightly, concentration and mindfulness go hand in hand with the practice, as it is associated with one to another. Eventually, you have both, the concentration and insight. When concentration and wisdom work together, the mind is always calm and balanced, even when it faces with ups and downs of daily life. Simply because the developed wisdom and calmness can absolve the negative mental state when it arises.

This is the only refuge we have, not from the Buddha, not from the God, not even from whatever religion, but from the wisdom, which is built-in your mind as you practice, you cannot lose it! It will with you even when you die. It is a true blessing in life, to have this kind of wisdom. No one can protect you when come to mental suffering, not even your dearest ones, but only the mindfulness and insight will!

Anyone can practice it, with or without religious background, just by understanding the reality of mental process with mindfulness, because the reality is part of the universal truth. The truth has no name, no label; as all labels are man made, so the word 'meditation', it is for the sake of conventional communication. When you start practice, you forget about the term and label, but only with the awareness of thing happens at the present moment.

The Essence of Vipassana: Observing Your Mind - by Ajahn Chah

Begin practice by sitting up straight and paying attention. You can sit on the floor-, you can sit in a chair. At first, you need not fix your attention on much. Simply be mindful of in-and- out breathing. If you find it helpful, you can also repeat "Buddha," "Dharmo," or "Sangho" as a mantra while you watch the breath going in and out. In this awareness of breathing, you must not force. If you try to control your breathing, that is not yet correct. It may seem that the breathing is too short, too long, too gentle, too heavy. You may feel that you are not passing the breath properly, or you may not feel well. Just let it be, let it settle by itself. Eventually the breath will enter and exit freely. When you are aware of and firmly established in this entry and exit, that is correct breathing.

When you become distracted, stop and refocus your attention. At first, when you are focusing it, your mind wants it to be a certain way. But do not control it or worry about it. Just notice it and let it be. Keep at it. Samadhi will grow by itself. As you go on practicing in this way, sometimes the breath will stop, but here again, do not fear. Only your perception of the breath has stopped; the subtle factors continue. When the time is right, the breath will come back on its own as before.

If you can make your mind tranquil like this, wherever you find yourself-on a chair, in a car, on a boat-you will be able to fix your attention and enter into a calm state immediately. Wherever you are, you will be able to sit for meditation.

Having reached this point, you know something of the Path, but you must also contemplate sense objects. Turn your tranquil mind toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts, mental objects, mental factors. Whatever arises, investigate it. Notice whether you like it or not, whether it pleases or displeases you, but do not get involved with it. This liking and disliking are just reactions to the world of appearances-you must see a deeper level. Then, whether something initially seems good or bad, you will see that it is really only impermanent, unsatisfactory, and empty. File everything that arises into those three categories-good, bad, evil, wonderful, whatever it is, put it there. This is the way of vipassana, by which all things are calmed.

Before long, knowledge and insight into impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and emptiness will arise. This is the beginning of true wisdom, the heart of meditation, which leads to liberation. Follow your experience. See it. Strive continuously. Know the truth. Learn to give up, to get rid, to attain peace.

When sitting in meditation, you may have strange experiences or visions such as seeing lights, angels, or buddhas. When you see such things, you should observe yourself first to find out what state the mind is in. Do not forget the basic point. Pay attention. Do not wish for visions to arise or not to arise. If you go running after such experiences, you may end up babbling senselessly because the mind has fled the stable. When such things do come, contemplate them. When, you have contemplated them, do not be deluded by them. You should consider that they are not yourself; they too are impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not self. Though they have come about, do not take them seriously. If they do not go away, re-establish your mindfulness, fix your attention on your breathing, and take at least three long inhalations and exhalations-then you can cut them off. Whatever arises, keep re- establishing your attention. Do not take anything as yourself-everything is only a vision or a construction of the mind, a deception that causes you to like, grasp, or fear. When you see such constructions, do not get involved. All unusual experiences and visions are of value to the wise person but harmful to the unwise. Keep practicing until you are not stirred by them.

If you can trust your mind in this way, there is no problem. If it wants to be glad, you just know that this gladness is uncertain, unstable. Do not fear your visions or other experiences in practice, just learn to work with them. In this way, defilement can be used to train the mind, and you come to know the natural state of the mind, free from extremes, clear, unattached.

As I see it, the mind is like a single point, the center of the universe, and mental states are like visitors who come to stay at this point for short or long periods of time. Get to know these visitors well. Become familiar with the vivid pictures they paint, the alluring stories they tell, to entice you to follow them. But do not give up your seat-it is the only chair around. If you continue to occupy it unceasingly, greeting each guest as it comes, firmly establishing yourself in awareness, transforming your mind into the one who knows, the one who is awake, the visitors will eventually stop coming back. If you give them real attention, how many times can these visitors return? Speak with them here, and you will know every one of them well. Then your mind will at last be at peace.

Those Were The Days

Those Were The Days

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Green Green Grass of Home

Green Green Grass Of Home

The old home town looks the same as I step down from the train,
and there to meet me is my Mama and Papa.
Down the road I look and there runs Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me, arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
The old house is still standing tho' the paint is cracked and dry,
and there's that old oak tree I used to play on.

Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary, hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me, arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.

[spoken:]

Then I awake and look around me, at four grey wall surround me
and I realize that I was only dreaming.
For there's a guard and there's a sad old padre -
arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak.
Again I touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree
as they lay me neath the green, green grass of home.

Green Green Grass of Home...

Down the earthy lane I walked... to the green green grass of home...
but there was no Mary running to meet me, as the lyrics writes...

The old house is still standing though the original owner is living
in the dream of heaven... Now, we are just strangers and passing by here,
no sense of belonging as the past is only a dream of delusion...

And there is the old oak (or rain?) tree that I used to play on, and also
there is the 'Dato Kong' hut, where I used to sleep there when I ran
away from home or school, and here, it was my refuge.

Now, brothers gathering here. Around this hut of 'Dato Kong', it was our childhood
playing ground, located at the foot hill of Bukit Tunjang. Local people
used to come here to try their luck. If you were lucky, 'Dato' would
give you a dream, for 4 digits, then fortune suddenly fell on you...
Want to try? Ask me, I will take you there...

Once upon a time, my father owned this rice mill, it located in the
vicinity of hill of Tunjang, where I spent my childhood here. At the
back of rice mill is a hill, in front is a river. 背山看河, 好風景, 也好風水!

This small bridge linked between the Tunjang town & the rice mill.
We must pass through here, to go to school or town.
小橋流水人家, 古道西風瘦馬, 夕陽西下, '流浪漢'在天涯! Yes, when I came
back, I felt I am just a wanderer, passed by a familiar place, where it was
once called my home, now, it exists no more, but just a passage of my
mind... as long as the memory retains and recalls...

'So long boy you can take my place, I got my papers, I got my pay. So pack
my bags I'll be on my way... to Yellow River' ... That is the lyrics of song
called Yellow River. Here, this Tunjang river was my life line, inseparable
from childhood days. I spent hours of each day in this river, like kids
now, spending time on their computer games! That time the river was
not yellow, but clean water, even lobsters found its home here! Every time,
when there was a drown boy found at the river side, my father would
rush to identify whether the body found was his son or not! Oh...
A sigh of relief, it was not me! According to the legend, the 'water ghost'
never took the life of local boys! Ha, this is how I survived until now.
Thanks a lot 'water ghost', for not taking my life!

'You jump, I jump!' Remember, the Titanic memorable quotes. Yes, those
were the days, I used to jump from here, not for love but for fun!
And naked some more! But Leonardo DiCaprio jumped in full clothes!
And yet he never came up alive from water... sad!

By Mary Hopkins - Lyrics of Those Were The Days

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

.....

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

.....

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

.....

This beautiful lyrics tells about life, there is nothing in life is in a standstill, change is the nature of life. It reminds us that whether we are wiser as we grow older... Our whole life, is a learning process, learn to be wiser... This is the most important thing in life!

A Trip to the North...I am coming home

My childhood place: Tunjang,, a small & beautiful town, 30 km from
Alor Star, quite near to the Thai border.

This old coffee shop, after all these years, still not much changed. When
I was a child, used to wander here...

All in one shop! What do you want? From hardwares to
selling chicken! It is better than hyper market! Can you
buy live chicken at Carrefour?

Oh, I still remember this shop, my sister used to buy vegetable
here, then she took hours to chit chat with 三姑六婆, forgetting that I
was waiting for her. When back kena scolded by mum! 活該!

My primary school. Reminded me of how naughty I was! When
teacher wanted to punish me for not doing homework, I ran away
from class, never returned on that day! Teacher also scared and had
to report to my father. Ha, that is the kampong boy's life! That time no
computer's games, playing with nature was my computer's games!

See, that is Bukit Tunjang, our house at the foot of hillside! So scenic
and beautiful, with green and hills surrounded this little town, Tunjang.
It is really memorable to spend my childhood days here, enjoyable, and
simply blissful, on those years! The happiest days in my life.

This site here was a swampy area where I caught and played with
'fighting fish'- 打架魚. Now it is a paddy field.

Crossing the border, reaching Hatyai, Thailand. Our favorite morning
market, near to my brother's house, where you can buy all sorts and
varieties of things, including breakfast!

Time for lunch? This is our favorite restaurant, in Hatyai, we always end up here!

Photo session. A cozy restaurant, with unique and traditional
Thai food, and some old sentimental photos that attracted customers.
One of the photos- this one is the birth certificate of the King
of Thailand. So cute when he was a baby.

I am coming home, I've done my time. Now, I've got to know what is and isn't mine... That is the lyrics of another song, namely 'Tie a yellow ribbon'.

But no one to tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree' to set me free!

I am free, not from prison, but free from worldly entanglements: like a rhinoceros freely roaming in the jungle. No attachment, alone ... but blissful with readiness to detach from worldly things.

Out of sudden, I decided to make a trip to the North, to Alor Star, but unexpectedly ended up in Hatyai of Thailand! This is how life unfolds without knowing for the next step, it leads, but always leads to happiness!

Just for the sake of enjoying the Thai food and catching up with my brothers in Alor Star and Hatyai. A relaxed and pleasant journey, especially tasting traditional Thai food, it is always pulling me back again and again. As Alor Star is my sweet and memorable home town, but further to the North, a small town, called Tunjang, 30 km away from Alor Star, is my childhood's wonderland. All the pleasant unforgettable memories started from here. The recollection to all the happiest days in my life happened in this small town.

As the old sentimental song of Bee Gee, that describes well; 'When I was small, the Christmas trees were tall...' Also the 費玉清's one; '當我們小時候...'

Ha, here it goes, the nostalgia of the past happy moment starts... At least something worth recalling in the process of life. Those happy and innocent days are inspiring, the source of blissful feeling. Adding some positive energy to life especially facing the ups & downs, and the vicissitude of life. That is a momentary refreshing, with the pure heart and happiness.

That is life for, the living is to seek happiness, right? Be happy, always! What a wonderful world!

我們二十年後還是朋友嗎?

從報紙上讀到這一個真實故事。

《 1985年，一架日航飛機載了524人，從東京飛往大阪。
45分鐘後，飛機爆炸，在空中盤旋了5分鐘，才告墜毀。
這5分鐘內，機上乘客都知道必死無疑，他們在想些甚麼？又能做些甚麼？搜索隊伍後來在墜毀現場發現兩張字條，顯然是兩位乘客的遺言。

一張寫著：“我的3個孩子，你們要好好照顧母親，飛機正在往下衝，沒有希望了。我這一生很愉快，謝謝大家。”

另一張更扼要：“燕子，好好照顧我們的孩子！”

原來，生命的最後一刻，可以是關懷心愛的人，而不是在乎自己即將逝去；剩餘的5分鐘，不是哀怨，而是感恩。生命的終結，可以是溫情，而非恐怖。》

5分鐘或是20年，可以反映人們如何看待生命。

我對這件事的發生, 非常感動。對人的關懷, 是要以時間和行動來付出。那溫情及感恩的最後5分鐘, 卻要用20年的真心付出! 妳付出甚麼，妳就得到甚麼。

這使我想起昨天在網上閒談的一位在外國住的朋友，她說: 她可以找到平靜 (peace), 只要單獨一個人, 每天在網上玩遊戲！也許吧。這是她對網上遊戲的付出，她得到的是遊戲高手。世界真的那麼冷漠嗎？而須要整天把精神放在遊戲上？在她生活中，真的沒有比網上遊戲更重要的事情做嗎？在國外生活，很枯燥無味？那麼她的親友，心愛的人呢？可以讓她每天這樣過日子嗎？這就是她所說的‘吃喝玩樂’吧！她沒有得到關愛嗎？她有沒有去關心過別人，或付出愛心？我懷疑...

也許她對生命失去目標，也失去愛心，那麼，可以肯定的，她也失去快樂了！如果真的在網上遊戲可以找到快樂，平靜，那麼這世界就簡單的多了！不是嗎？或許她在逃避現實生活中的苦悶, 孤獨, 寂寞, 無奈... 然而沈迷於網上遊戲, 使人更苦悶, 更寂寞, 不是好法子。到底那是虛幻的世界，不是真實的，會上癮的!

我覚得，人與人的關係，是以行動，真誠的付出。妳缺乏坦誠的心，不能夠打開內心來面對朋友，或關心別人，而妳又不要付出，那朋友也無法了解妳，而慢慢離開妳，因為妳的心已經和外面世界隔離了。妳現在的行為，以甚麼態度來對待朋友，妳付出的時間用在那裡，是不是以誠心誠意付出，這一切就決定妳的未來！也決定人家怎麼對待妳。這是不變的定律。世界本來就是這樣的，一切從妳開始！我真心希望在國外生活的她，能夠得到幸福，快樂。

然而，那也是我對人生的看法，也許我們是生活在不同的世界，目標也不一樣，差距也越來越大，人生的價值觀也不一樣.... 但是，這也可以反映人們如何看待生命。人生最後5分鐘，就靠這20年，如何來培養，經營，不是嗎?

所以我心中也在問，我們二十年後還是朋友嗎?

Journey to the Heaven...

Banyan Tree - Resort

My boss told me: 'Don't let your money stay in your bank account, and you are in the heaven!' (錢在銀行, 人在天堂)

Where is the Heaven? Oh... the heaven is in the earth; heaven for the peace of mind and heart! Let the body and soul immersed in this heavenly serenity. Here, the heaven right in the Banyan Tree...He is right! Don't wait, because heaven is HERE & NOW!

Give a try, let the nature pamper you, washing away your tiredness, refreshing your mind & body. And you will never forget!

刘轩 - 玩出精彩的人生...

刘轩

刘轩父子

刘轩 - 新書

“每个人的心里都有一个部分想要流浪，都是渴望自由的”，刘轩如是说。

当然，不是每个人都敢去放纵、去流浪、去追求自由，因为人们面对自由时都战战兢兢，害怕做出错误的选择，这也就是框框的限制所在。那怎么才能不选错呢？

刘轩的答案其实很简单，就是不要害怕。

在報紙讀到有關刘轩的新聞。 原來他爸爸是劉墉，台灣名作家，好多年前看過他的著作。果然有其父必有其子；現在，兒子也是名作家，而且還不止呢！我對他兒子選擇目前的生活方式，覺得很有意思，這也是我理想的生活模型。

流浪就是一种随遇而安的观念，是一种让人的心对新的机会可以保持开放的态度，你也可以从里面去学到东西。當一扇門關閉時，它会导致到另外一扇门再打开来，會帶來意想不到的东西。在之前我們害怕失去熟悉的人，環境，而不敢踏出去，結果失去打開另外一扇门的機會 。

其實失去並不可怕，只有失去才能得到新的東西，新的機會。結束就是新的開始！生活也是一樣，不是嗎？舊的不放棄，那來新的生活？這種流浪方式，外表像是 “不務正業，吃喝玩樂”，但是生活卻是充實，有意義，能夠做自己喜歡的事。

刘轩说，我们时常要出去流浪，但记得要回来；在外面跑了一圈，回来看看生活，或许我们的心态会有了改变，或许我们会看到平常生活里看不到的东西。

刘轩就是这样一个人，喜欢到处看看，到处跑跑，有时是自己亲身去流浪，有时候让自己的精神去流浪。喜欢流浪的刘轩去过了阿拉斯加、去过了南美洲放纵自己，那他还想去什么地方？他想去南极洲，所谓的“地球上最后一块净土”。

幾個月前，刘轩来大马，也是他的流浪旅程。巡回演讲8场《放任心中的一百次流浪》是刘轩演讲的主题，也是他的新书名称。这本书在台湾大受欢迎，但卖书不是驱动他来马的目的。

刘轩的背景，學歷，可不簡單呢：

1972年生于台北，作家、DJ、时尚杂志总编及音乐工作者，美国哈佛大学心理学博士，纽约朱丽叶音乐院预科及史岱文森高中毕业。曾任波士顿慈善教育机构Citystep音乐指导及剑桥WHRB电台Rhythm95节目制作主持人。译有《我独自走过中国》、《林玉山画论画法》及《真正的宁静》。著有《颤抖的大地》、《属于那个叛逆的年代》、《寻找自己》、《Why not？给自己一点自由》、《做书虫也做玩家》及《放任心中的一百次流浪》，有声书《从跌倒的地方站起来飞扬》及室内乐《秋思》等。1993年获布莱佛门音乐演出贡献奖。1994年获哈佛“艺术第一”、“Adams House”表演奖金及“台南市钥”及台湾侨委会颁海外优秀青年荣誉奖章。他在八歲就離開台灣到美國當小小留學生,刘轩卻非常自豪地說: '我不一樣，我一切靠自己！‘ 刘轩出國念書， 不但不花家裡錢，而且還能賺錢， 又不影響課業。不是因為爸爸的關係，而有一種生活在溫室花朵的感覺。

放任心中的一百次流浪， 内容简介：

《 每个人心中都有未实现的计划、未成形的梦想，当我们忙着脚踏实地生活时，是否也应该放任自己随着感觉，走出一些与众不同的路呢？当世界正在快速改变时，我们要枯守着人生蓝图，钻着牛角尖，还是保持开放好学的态度，应万变而变，顺着玩出精彩的人生？刘轩自从 2000年从哈佛研究所毕业后，从事了市场调查、杂志编辑、音乐制作、活动策划等。他将与年轻朋友们分享自己疯狂有趣的经验，和正面思考的人生态度：只要能放任你的心，则动得越多、学得越多、玩得越多、获得的越多! 》

好有意思的《玩出精彩的人生》！如果各位想要活的多采多姿，偶爾又能不務正業， 又可以吃喝玩樂，就要有勇氣跳出生活的小格局，小圈圈，去過自己想過的人生。生命有限，我們不知道明天還會再醒來！難道我們的人生就只限於看看電視，工作，玩電腦遊戲嗎？每天都過這種生活，將造成鬱悶，空洞。何不改變自己的人生？

有沒有想過，這樣過日子，有意義嗎？難道日子只是吃和喝嗎？玩，只有玩電腦遊戲，看電視，那叫做快樂嗎？朋友，不要再沈迷於這種沒有目標的吃喝玩樂的生活了。重新再把生命擦出火花，讓短暫的生命活出精彩的人生吧！

因為明天不一定會更好，不如把握現在，不要再等待了！就像刘轩說的，不要害怕，勇敢的走出來！把你的梦想实现吧！給自己有機會去打開另一扇門。

Good-bye PC - My Ex Lover!

MacBook Pro, my new darling!

Goodbye PC, Hello Mac!

Over a few years, I had been contemplating to dump PC, and embrace to Mac. It was quite a difficult decision, considering I had been using PC even before Windows 95. Sometime between 93-94, Windows was still using the DOS based version of Windows 3.11. After all these years (18 years!), I was so used to it and quite familiar to its functions. It is not easy to dump a lover of 18 years, isn't it? After all I had been attached to her for so many years! Just could not live without her, when thinking of leaving her, I felt sad!

So the PC, she served me well, though sometimes threw her tempers. All these years I had to bear with her with so many problems. It was a love and hate relationship but still continue for 18 years! From the early stage of the infamous syndrome, the 'Blue Screen of Death', which simply hung the the computer, not talked to me, like getting angry and refused to work! She showed her emotional temperament! That was her style and habit to threaten me in this way. She created mental torturing for me! Then came the countless bugs and virus. She was so easy to get involved all sorts of diseases. I had to spend countless hours of repairing and formatting the PC - simply to make the relationship worked and made her happy again! It was not easy to maintain good relationship with her!

But everything has its day, nothing is permanent. May be the yuan (緣) with her, coming to the end, and time to say goodbye! Although, a bit sad, and not willing to part with her, after all, it was a 18 years relationship! But life must go on...

I have heard and read so much about Mac of Apple, but I was not quite sure, and hesitated, whether to dump my old lover, PC, and simply jumped to the bed of Mac. Who knows, she might be another devil. This was the predicament that I was facing, on and off. But mind is capable of thinking out of the box. One day, I thought why not gave myself a chance to learn something new? Next moment, I was in one of the Stores of Apple...

That was first of September, 2009, the moment of changing of heart. From then onward, I never looked back again, to this old lover of 18 years, marking a new life began. Wholeheartedly, plunged into the Mac's world, another new relationship begins and develops, a new chapter too. One door closed, another door opened.

Involving with this new darling, Mac, was not all a smooth affair. In fact, it was up and down, like the old PC did to me. Sometimes, out of frustration, I almost felt like to throw her out of window from the 9th floor building! Initially, I was not familiar with her, and had to start all over again, to understand her , and learn from the basics. This was a very challenging and torturing task. After two weeks of trying, not much progress, still could not handle her. Because I was so used to the past habitual ways of dealing with PC, that I tried to use the same methods on this new found lover. Definitely, it won't work on this stubborn lady! She needs tenderness and soft approach. She is just another class of breed! Cool and aloof!

At that torturing period, I was so tired and getting mad! Soon, I regretted for dumping my previous PC! I started to miss my old lover, I even called up Apple Store that I wanted to return the goods! Forgot about the huge financial commitment that I had invested on it! They tried to comfort and advised me to be patient, and taught me some tricks and tips of how to handle this new machine. Sometimes I had to call up the Customer Service Center in Singapore for helps, which is part of the agreement and service.

With patience and steadfastness, I continued firmly, trial and error and learned meticulously. A couple of months later, things changed for better. Now I can confidently say, I won the heart of this stubborn darling! An elegant lady of its class!

One of the features of MacBook Pro I love so much is the Trackpad. This bigger than the usual pad, not only can handle more than the normal tasks that it is expected, it is also the place to write the Chinese characters. Just use one of the fingers to write, that is! It is so cool and easy! So convenient that I really fond of it. This is the reason why I started to write Chinese in my Blog! Thanks Mac!

Next feature is the Spotlight, it helps me to locate my file in seconds! No matter how many thousands of files you have in your external or internal disks, just type the initial few words or titles, then you get it instantly! It is cool, I really love you, Mac!

It seems that everywhere I travel, must bring her, and also working I need her. And even sleeping, she has to sing my favorite song; 'What a wonderful world' by Louis Armstrong. She replaced my iPod which I lost in India years ago. Her quality of sound is pretty good, clear and loud that making me sleep soundly. Only one thing I never use it for: to play the computer or internet games! In life, I still have a better choice to spend my time wisely, do something more wholesome, more meaningful, more inspiring than sitting there for hours, days after days, immersed myself inside the virtual world... Why waste time?

With this new found darling, time to let go the old lover, thanks PC, for your 18 years of love and service. What a wonderful world - with Mac.

Good-bye, my dear PC!

Note:
Lately there was some problems with my messengers software, I tried to upgrade the new Mac version for Yahoo & Microsoft Messengers. I found some of the contacts have lost, and no more display on my screen. May be some of you might have contacted me but could not get through. Please inform me, if you are one of them, thanks.

Siem Reap - The Old Town & Its People

"Mister, do you want to buy postcards, bracelet?" Under aged
young girls pestering me to buy some souvenirs.
Life is harsh for these young girls, morning going to school, after school,
selling postcards, souvenirs to support families. They said, if lucky, they
can earn a few dollars a day, but have to bribe the local police of 5 USD
per month, to allow them to do business in a 'prime' location, where a
lot of tourists visiting. They can speak some French, Japanese,
Mandarin, quite fluent in English. Reality shapes them, at this tender
age, have to deal with corrupted police, by bribing them! Sighed!

This pretty girl brought by her parents to seek treatment by a monk. Normally
they believe some bad spirits had possessed her, at this stage of life
she might encounter tragedy and even death.

The monk performed the rite & ritual by covering the girl
with white cloth and chanting. After the spiritual mumbo
jumbo, it was claimed that to wade off the bad spirits from
harming her. When the white cloth was removed, it also
symbolized a 'rebirth' of a new person, as the 'old' had died.
so, no longer affected by bad luck. In this way, the potential
tragedy was avoided from happening. This is a common
spiritual practice in Thailand and Cambodia.

Tourists with family leisurely strolling at the old market.
Beside, a massage parlor, the massage girls were waiting
for customers.
The old market, with load of restaurants, hotels, cafe, massage parlors
and bars for drink. When night falls here full of people.
You never feel lonely, if you like to drink and hang
around with the 'kaki' until mid night!
The giant 'vehicle'- if you choose to ride this jumbo elephant,
instead of the little tut-tut, that is your perfect choice. Then you
will be the King of Road! All other vehicles will give way to you!
Environmental friendly! To ride an elephant on the road,
is really cool!!! Want to try it?
Phnom Bahheng - the temple at the top of a steep mountain. Tourists were
waiting for the sunset. This is a popular place for sunset, but a steep climb
up to the top. From top of this hill, offered the wonderful, scenic and
panorama of Angkor Wat & Siem Reap. Oh... what a great view! Just
for the eyes and at that moment only! All things never last, it comes
and soon it goes! This is life, isn't? All happy things will go one day!
Soon after the sunset, it was the time to walk down the hill in the dark!
While waiting for sunset, tourists being busy walking around hill top,
climbing up & down temple structures and taking photos.
It was lucky that one of the hotel's staff took me to visit his friend fish's farm,
somewhere out skirt of Siem Reap. Seeing the owner of the farm, feeding
the swarm of hungry fish.

The boss of this fish farm. Before that he was a tut-tut taxi driver, then he
sold out everything, and borrowed some money from friends and relatives.
To start his first business venture, rearing fish. With only one pond of fish,
and yet have to wait for nearly a year to harvest. He told me, if he succeeded,
by end of the year, he will have a net income of 15-20 thousand USD by
selling off the whole pond of fish. Though it is a high risk business, this
young man, in economic sense, is determined to break through the poverty
line of this country, which the average people earn less than 1 USD per day.
I wish him all the best and earn his first bag of gold by end of this year!

"Mister, please buy this bracelet?" A pretty young girl trying to sell her wares, like postcards, ornaments, souvenirs to me, outside the compound of Angkor Wat.
"I don't need this."
"Buy for your wife." She was not giving up.
"I have not married."
"Then buy for your girl friend." She continued pestering me with her sweet and soft voice.
"I don't have girl friend."
"You can buy as a gift to your mother."Woh...a smart move! Very convincing and difficult to say no!
"My mother had passed away long ago." Ha, ha, this time she must have given up on me! What else she could say.
........ No reply! She looked at me for seconds... then tried her luck again.
"Then you can buy this for me!" Oh... My goodness, could you say no to such a soft spoken poor girl, who was persisting touting her wares for a living under the hot sun!
"Ok, ok, you win the prize! Here a dollar, but I don't need this." I gave up finally.
"Thank you sir!"

Yes, that is the way of life here, you can't really blame them. It is expected, everywhere you go as tourists, there are people trying to make a buck. Sometimes extreme poverty can drive them to do this. Traveling with love, if can't give them money, then give them metta. At least I was more tolerant because of the extreme poverty of this country. Once I was in Paris, it was worst! Every corner of tourist spots, some strange women approached you and asked; 'Can you speak English?'. Then they would relate their 'stories' to you. Basically all about the same: No money, 10 children to feed, no place to stay... My compassion waned and 'hiding' somewhere else, scared to come out! So I just ignored them, and walked off. Come on, this is Paris, not Cambodia!

Paris, or even in London, I saw the same situation. If you rejected them, quite often, they displayed their displeasure and mumbling with their language at you! Both cases, they were trying to earn your compassion, then your money. But one was selling the 'concept' or the self made stories, and the Siem Reap's little girls, they were selling the products!

This country recent history is full of tragedies. The regime led by Khmer Rouge, from 1975-1979, their leader, Pol Pot had killed over a million of Cambodian people! It is considered a genocide! During this period, he had devastated and destroyed the whole nation, they had to start everything from the zero. With the blessing of the legacies of Angkor Wat, the booming economy of this country, mostly depends on tourism, which had started over a decade ago.

Until recently, which has grown to 2 millions visitors arriving annually. Cambodia is still the poorest country in the world, most people having less than 1 US Dollar income per day. That why, we can see many young boys and girls, roaming on the streets trying to earn a living, by touting tourists to buy things from them.

Anyway, Siem Reap is still a quiet, beautiful town, safe and people are friendly, it is worth to come back and explore further on this country.