The path to greatness is usually full of challenges, one of them is being criticised by others, the feeling of being misunderstood and ridiculed usually ensues. Perhaps most people already know this. But in order to accomplish great things facing criticisms alone won’t be enough. Everyone faces such challenges in their life and there’s no … Read more
The way that can be spoken of Is not the constant way; The name that can be named Is not the constant name. The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth; The named was the mother of the myriad creatures. Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its secrets; But always … Read more
What’s the most important spiritual practice? I am sure different people have different views and interpretations. I don’t think there’s necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach. But according to Eckhart Tolle in this video, if one practises this one thing then it would be enough. What is that? As simple as it sounds, it’s ‘alertness’. This is … Read more
Think Well, You Will Be Well : ‘As you think, so you become.’ Think well, you will be well. Think ill, you will be ill. It’s all your thought. Sometimes you might not be thinking ill of yourself, but you are thinking ill of others. That is still thinking ill. Whether it is about you … Read more
Positive thoughts generate positive outcomes. Most of us probably want to be positive and know that we should be more positive, but sometimes it’s hard because many things get in the way. It’s great to be reminded from time to time or as often as possible. Louise Hay is a powerful motivational speaker and spiritual … Read more
Alan Watts once said that detachment is the highest form of wisdom, he also quoted Chuang-tzu on detachment: ‘The perfect man employs his mind as a mirror; it grasps nothing; it refuses nothing; it receives, but does not keep.’ Detachment means to have neither regrets for the past nor fears for the future. It is … Read more
In his recent talk, Japanese zen buddhist Osho Taigu spoke about how we can become extraordinary. It was a response to a question someone posed. For the sake of simplicity, we could probably loosely define extraordinary as ‘successful’. You could also ask, how do you become successful? Taigu gave a story. The story goes like … Read more
“Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word that means ‘noble or awakened heart.’ It is said to be present in all beings. Just as butter is inherent in milk and oil is inherent in a sesame seed, this soft spot is inherent in you and me.” The American Buddhist nun Pema Chodron once wrote in one of … Read more
I’d like to share something I’ve read recently. It’s from the Indian spiritual teacher Swami Satchidananda. It has some intriguing points on happiness. Here it is: If You Want to Be Happy : Why are you unhappy? If you are sincere in asking that question, an honest answer will come: Your actions have been selfish. … Read more
Have you ever come close to getting something but only to see it taken away from you at the last minute? Seeing it in front of you but not able to get it, it’s a devastating feeling and it’s perhaps more cruel than having nothing at all in the first place. Whether it’s something trivial … Read more
Ichi-go ichi-e, literally means ‘one encounter, in this lifetime’ or ‘once in a lifetime encounter’. It’s a Japanese tea ceremony concept which came from the master Sen no Rikyu. In traditional tea ceremony, it’s important that the host (the one who serves tea) provide the best possible experience for the guest(s) (the one who receives … Read more