Calling all Sevassss

In conjunction with Guruji's visit to Northern Peninsular Malaysia on 31 MARCH 2012, there will be lots of opportunities to help out in the event and what's more? The Sevas will get a chance for a meeting with Guruji on that day! Hurry up, don't miss this opportunity!

There will be a meeting of Sevas to discuss about the programmes on 31/3/2012:

Date : 2/2/2012 (Tuesday)

Time : 7.30pm

Venue : Bukit Mertajam Art of Living Centre

Desire and Joy 欲望与快乐(39)

Note: Every week from 1995, Guruji started sending out knowledge sheets which he fondly called the 'Knowledge Fax' to be read out and discussed at Satsangs happening all around the world. Guruji ended this delightful practice at the 365th week in September 2002, so as to let us fully digest them! These knowledge sheets have been compiled into An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker Volumes 1-7. I began the practice of posting a Knowledge Sheet every week for the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity to get hold of these priceless books. It had never cease to uplift me by reading and rereading this knowledge. So I know you would certainly enjoy them!

注：从 1995年开始，古儒吉开始每一个星期寄出他称为‘智慧传真’的智慧语录以供在世界各地举行的唱场阅读与分享。大师在2002年9月，也就是第365周结束了这个做法，让我们好好的消化和实践这些智慧。这些智慧语录已收录为7本书：古儒吉大师智慧语录（1-7集）。我开始每个星期刊登一篇智慧语录，以供还没有机会买到这几本宝贵的书籍的学员分享。不断阅读这些智慧语录让我得益不浅。所以我知道其他人也会有很大的收获。

6/3/1996 Bengalore Ashram, India 印度班格罗静心所
All desires are for happiness. That is the goal of every desire, isn't it? Yet how often does your desire lead you to the goal?

Have you thought about the nature of desire? It simply means joy tomorrow and not now, doesn't it?

Joy is never tomorrow. It is always now.

When you are joyful, how can you have desires? And how can you be joyful right now when you have desires?

Desire appears to lead you to happiness. In fact it cannot.

And that is why it is maya*.

What do you say?

*illusion.

一切欲望皆是为了快乐。这是欲望的目的，不是吗？但是你的欲望常常将你引至这个目标吗？
你曾否想过欲望的本质？欲望只是意谓着明天快乐，而不是现在，不是吗？
快乐永远不在明天，快乐永远在现在。
当你快乐时，怎么会有欲望呢？当你有欲望时，又如何能当下快乐呢？
欲望看似将你引至快乐，事实不然，这就是为什么它是幻想（Maya）的原因。
你说呢？

龙历新年快乐

在此祝大家龙历新年快乐! 希望我们一起前进,过个健康又空空洞洞,充满欢乐又带有觉知心的一条龙年!也要在此提醒大家:

22/1/2012-23/1/2012的团练暂停（不过在家的练习可要照常）
28/1/2012 星期六 -新春联欢

29/1/2012 星期日 -新春特备团练
30/1/2012 星期一 -团练暂停
5/2/2012 星期日\一 -团练照常
7/2/2012 星期二 -免费呼吸课程

New Year Resolution

Attention: Our beloved and much respected Yoga Teacher of teachers, Krishan Verma, has started his own Yoga blog at My Yoga Space~Krishan Verma. I have added the link to the useful links tab on the right side of this blog for future reference.

My New Year Resolution?

MOVING FORWARD

Krishanji's post about letting go was spot on about my recent experience so I am tempted to quote him here:

'Letting go of the past doesn’t mean forgetting the past. It is letting go of the questioning and blaming which gives rise to the emotions of anger and regret in us. It is not the memory of the past that troubles us, but the emotions and feelings associated with the past that hurt us. Dropping the questioning and blaming drops the hurtful emotions. The skill lies in becoming aware of the questions and emotions arising in us but not giving much importance to them. We do this for our own sake, for our own well being. The anger and regrets in us are detrimental to the well being of our own bodies and mind.'

Moving away from home permanently is a transition bigger than I thought.

Letting go of everything in Alor Setar Art of Living Centre is not easy: away from Saturday night satsangs, Sunday group practice, Tuesday yoga session, hanging around during Yoga courses, hanging around during Basic courses and everything surrounding it. Everytime when my mind brought it up, first it will be happy thinking of the good memories, then it became doubtful and regretful for spoiling old relationships and not maintaining new ones, then it became angry for not putting enough effort in doing seva,  whoooooosh! Who says letting go and moving forward comes easy?

It is no wonder I got sick and lost weight these past few months. This emotional roller coaster has taken its toll on me mentally as well as physically. Thank goodness I am aware of this now! I am personally giving myself a star for dealing with it the Yogic way!

Bye-bye 2011

Love,

ZY





Respect 尊敬(38)

Note: Every week from 1995, Guruji started sending out knowledge sheets which he fondly called the 'Knowledge Fax' to be read out and discussed at Satsangs happening all around the world. Guruji ended this delightful practice at the 365th week in September 2002, so as to let us fully digest them! These knowledge sheets have been compiled into An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker Volumes 1-7. I began the practice of posting a Knowledge Sheet every week for the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity to get hold of these priceless books. It had never cease to uplift me by reading and rereading this knowledge. So I know you would certainly enjoy them!

注：从 1995年开始，古儒吉开始每一个星期寄出他称为‘智慧传真’的智慧语录以供在世界各地举行的唱场阅读与分享。大师在2002年9月，也就是第365周结束了这个做法，让我们好好的消化和实践这些智慧。这些智慧语录已收录为7本书：古儒吉大师智慧语录（1-7集）。我开始每个星期刊登一篇智慧语录，以供还没有机会买到这几本宝贵的书籍的学员分享。不断阅读这些智慧语录让我得益不浅。所以我知道其他人也会有很大的收获。

29/2/1996 Bengalore Ashram, India 印度班格罗静心所

Why do you respect someone?

Because of their good qualities, right? Like honesty, wisdom, love, talents, behaviours. But all these change in time. And when they change, you lose respect. You only respect greatness.

I have tremendous respect for each and everyone. Not for their greatness or wisdom or talent, but for their very person. I respect everyone totally. So I can never lose respect for anybody, howsoever they may be.

One doesn't need to be great in order to be respected.

Respecting life itself makes you great.

Don't look for respect from others; that makes you weak.

Have respect for your Self and no one can take away your self-respect.

你为何尊敬某人？因为他们好的特质，不是吗？像诚实、智慧、慈爱、天份、行为。但当他们改变时，你就是失去了尊敬。你只尊敬伟大。
我对人怀着崇高的敬意，不在于他们的伟大或智慧或天份，而是在于他们这个人。我完全尊敬每个人，因此不管他们怎么样，我从不会失去对他们的尊敬。
人无需伟大以获得尊敬。尊敬生命使你伟大。
不要期望得到别人的尊敬，那会使你软弱。
尊重你的本我则无人能夺走你的自尊。ndo edits

 

The Cherry Thieves

by Hoe Zheng Yi

The Art of Living European Ashram at Bad Antogast, Germany

'You wanna go for a walk?' asked the handsome young guy from Romania.
'Yeah,' I replied excitedly,'where to?'
'I know a place up the hill where they have cherry trees.'
'OK!'
'So let's meet here after 5.00pm when we finish our seva'
'Great! See you then.'
His name is Cezar (pronounced as 'scissor'). We met at the Bad Antogast Ashram at Germany when I was there for a short visit. We were thrown together to wash all the baths and toilets in the Ashram in preparation for some upcoming activity. Despite the dirty job, we managed to talk and joke throughout our duty. I never knew washing toilets could be so much fun.

* * * * *

Nestled among the Black Forest, Saints walked these paths thousands of years ago.

We started our walk uphill in the evening enjoying the cool summer breeze. The view was spectacular at Black Forest, with tall trees that whisper secrets from hundreds or even thousands of years ago (think the Salem advertisement on TV). We walked past our neighbour, with a cow mooing in the barn, and continued chatting easily with each other.

After about 15-20 minutes, we arrived at the cherry trees. I was amazed as I saw the cherries on the trees (now I know cherries don't come from Cold Storage)! The best part is, the trees are full of cherries and I could reach them. He started plucking and eating the cherries fresh from the trees.

'Could we do that?' I asked cautiously.

'Try them,' Cezar replied.

I began eating the fresh red cherries and couldn't stop after the first. Cezar started to climb the cherry tree and plucked those cherries on the higher up branches. Suddenly, it was raining cherries. I tried to catch those cherries sent from above but most of the time missing it. So I ended up picking them from the ground. We ate and ate and ate until our tongues are red, laughing and talking the whole time. He told me he would very much like to be a YES+ teacher some day. I told him that he is going to be a great teacher.

'Do you really think so?' he asked.

'Of course!You have to have confidence in yourself.' I nodded firmly.

He smiled and seemed thoughtful.

'Vrooooooom!' Suddenly, a man on a big motorbike zoomed past us very loudly. Cezar gave a start.

'What's wrong?' I asked. 'You thought it was the owner coming to chase us away, didn't you?'

He nodded guiltily.

Since we already eaten a fair share of cherries, we headed back towards the Ashram, bringing with us some cherries for the other ashramites.

Cherry thieves posing for the camera

 * * * * *

Later that night, Cezar told me that some senior told him that the cherry tree probably belong to one of our neighbours up there and told us not to do that again. 

Knowledge and Faith 知识与信念 (37)

Note: Every week from 1995, Guruji started sending out knowledge sheets which he fondly called the 'Knowledge Fax' to be read out and discussed at Satsangs happening all around the world. Guruji ended this delightful practice at the 365th week in September 2002, so as to let us fully digest them! These knowledge sheets have been compiled into An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker Volumes 1-7. I began the practice of posting a Knowledge Sheet every week for the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity to get hold of these priceless books. It had never cease to uplift me by reading and rereading this knowledge. So I know you would certainly enjoy them!

注：从 1995年开始，古儒吉开始每一个星期寄出他称为‘智慧传真’的智慧语录以供在世界各地举行的唱场阅读与分享。大师在2002年9月，也就是第365周结束了这个做法，让我们好好的消化和实践这些智慧。这些智慧语录已收录为7本书：古儒吉大师智慧语录（1-7集）。我开始每个星期刊登一篇智慧语录，以供还没有机会买到这几本宝贵的书籍的学员分享。不断阅读这些智慧语录让我得益不浅。所以我知道其他人也会有很大的收获。

21/2/1996 Oslo Norway 挪威奥斯陆

In science, you have knowledge first, then faith follows. Inspirituality, faith comes first, then Knowledge follows.

For example, the knowledge of pesticides and chemical plant fertilizers came through science, and people had faith in them; all over the world they have been used. Then another knowledge came that these were not good and the faith shifted to organic farming. The same with antibiotics.

A particular knowledge brought faith, yet when the knowledge changed, then the faith also changed. The knowledge and faith of science is from an isolated 'happening' instead of from a fully blossomed Knowledge of life.

In spirituality, faith is first and Knowledge comes later. Like Sudarshan Kriya, pranayama, yoga asanas and meditation-first you have faith and then Knowledge follows. For example, if you do pranayama faithfully, then you get the Knowledge of prana; if you do meditation faithfully, the Knowledge of consciousness follows. Even an illiterate person, through faith, attains deep Knowledge.

Science considers even human beings as matter; spirituality considers even earth as mother, even rivers and mountains as living beings.

Science regards life as matter,

Spirituality regards even matter as life.

在科学这方面，你先有知识，才有信念。在灵性方面，先有信念，才有知识。

举例来说，杀虫剂和化学肥料的知识来自科学，人们有此信念后，于是全世界加以利用。后来，另有知识出现说这些不好，于是人们的信念转移至有机耕作。抗生素的情形也是如此。

特殊的知识带来信念，然而当知识改变时，信念也随之而变。科学的知识及信念来自于「偶发性」的事件，而不是生命知识的全然开展。

在灵性方面，先有信念，然后才有知识。就如净化呼吸法、调息法、调身法和静心法──你先有信念，知识随之到来。比方说，如果你勤练调息法，就会得到生命能量的知识。勤练静心法，则意识的知识就随之来到。甚至文盲透过信念也会获得深奥的知识。

科学以物质来看待即使是万物之灵的人类。而灵性则视地球为母亲，即使是河流、山川也都是活的生命。


科学视生命为物质，灵性则以生命来看待即使只是物质的东西。

Fun with Children

During a session with Rashmin at Bengalore Ashram, he shared a story that happened during his Art EXCEL course:

Before the children take their meal, they were taught to say a food prayer. The teacher went on to explain the importance of food and how the children should be grateful before each meal as food give us energy to play games and do many other things. Food is god.

One of the children raised his hand and was allowed to ask a question:

'Teacher, if food is God and we eat food, then we are eating God?'

'...!!!???'

Art Excel at Alor Setar Art of Living Centre December 2012