Walking meditation

As I was walking yesterday, some spontaneous thoughts came to mind.

Still waters ...

Vapours rising ...

Clouds moving ...

Rain falling ...

It was a fusion of two sets of ideas:

1) Four element walking meditation
Earth - Feet feeling the ground. Soft, hard, rough, smooth
Fire - Lifting the feet. Lightness, ascent.
Air/wind - Movement
Water - Descent, heaviness, trickling down

2) Thay's (Thich Nhat Hanh) teachings

You are afraid that after we die we become Nothing. From Someone we become No one. From Being we pass into Non-being…

Now let us look deeply into the nature of a cloud.

In the morning when we look up in the sky, we see a cloud, and in the afternoon we look up and see that the sky is desperately empty.

And we conclude that the cloud has died. But it’s not possible for a cloud to die. A cloud can become rain or snow, or ice, but a cloud can never become Nothing. It is impossible for a cloud to die.

The cloud is just no longer in the form that you used to see, but it doesn’t mean that the cloud has disappeared. It is in another form now.

A cloud may manifest itself in the form of a cloud, but it may also like to manifest as rain or snow. And if you look deeply into your tea, you will see that your Cloud is in the cup!

Yesterday your Cloud was in a form of a cloud, but today it is in a form of Tea! Then when you drink your Tea mindfully and with wisdom, you will know that you are drinking your Cloud…

One form succeeds into another form.

So when you can’t see your Beloved Cloud in the sky anymore don’t cry…

Your Cloud has become the Rain falling into the ground joyfully and it is calling you: Darling… Darling… Can’t you see, I am here!.. Darling… Don’t cry, I am always here for you!…

Dazzlement and Mindfulness

A visit to the grand Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and Universal Studios Singapore (USS) brought about a mix of thoughts and feelings. I wondered what I appreciated about these places and what brought discomfort.

They are beautiful places, showcasing the artistry and talent of many people across many cultures. There is much laughter, joy, and excitement in the air. It is a place to be dazzled.

And the discomfort sits on this point of dazzlement. Coincidentally, the origin of the word "dazzle" comes from "daze", which means to be stunned or overwhelmed. It is a place seemingly void of suffering with the senses overwhelmed with beautiful sights, wonderful scents, exotic foods, fancy goods, and exciting play. It is a place where mindfulness can be forgotten.

Leaving the place, it can bring lingering feelings of wanting more: another dish to taste, another ride to try, another photo to take, and so on. Fortunately, reality awakens us most of the time and brings us home to the present.

Fifth Mindfulness Training - Nourishment and Healing 

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I will practice looking deeply into my consumption of the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness.  I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs, or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books, and conversations.  I will practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not letting regrets and sorrow drag me back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear or craving pull me out of the present moment.  I am determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety or other suffering by losing myself in consumption.  I will contemplate interbeing and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy, and well-being in my body and consciousness and in the collective body and consciousness of my family, my society and the Earth.