Which way down the road?

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

                                                                                          -Robert Frost

It is romantic to think that we are very brave because when we come to cross roads in life, we like to think that we take the road that is more challenging, more interesting. One road is filled with lots of obtacles, unprecedented, and obviously an uphill climb while the other is, well, maybe not easy peasy, but somehow, more people has trodden there and there is already a guideline for us to follow. On the second road, just follow the instructions!

If you are someone who has already taken on the challenging road, you will be in for many surprises along the way, of course, you will be shot at, ridiculed, laughed at, and injured physically and emotionally. But somehow, it will bring us nearer to our hearts, and we live life to the fullest and become more confident with every step we take.

Whoever says it is easy? We have to put on a brave face and overcome our fear to make mistakes.

Making the same mistakes again and again is a fool. The intelligent and the wise make new mistakes!

Source: http://curlyqmosaics.blogspot.com/2011/01/always-make-new-mistakes.html



So too in our daily practice of Yoga and Pranayamas. We kept putting our own comfort first and our practice second, making excuses that we have no time, more important things to do at hand, and plain laziness. Slowly, day by day, we forget about ourselves and stop listening to what we really need.

If you are a layperson like me (Yoga masters and Gurus not included), I am sure this this the most challenging practice to take on. Feel guilty of not doing your practice? Couldn't care less that you are not doing your practice? Feel like doing any other thing other than doing your practice? You are not alone.

Introducing Rick Evertsz, my guitar guru during my Taiwan Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Training Course, who has taken up this challenge of doing his practice consistently everyday without fail for 1001days. I guess after this, he just can't do without asanas anymore! He has shared with me his amazing improvement in health and flexibility, and to think that he was still so stiff during the Training course in May 2010. This tall bald guy has been quite an encouragement to me in my practices and asanas, and has influenced me to be encouraging and supportive to everyone around me as well!

Just don't beat yourselves up for not doing your practice.  As Guruji says 'Just relax and be your natural self'!

Indebtedness of Abundance? 亏欠或富裕 (35)

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。

8/2/1996 Miami Beach, Florida 美国佛罗里达州迈阿密海滩

Question: God is all-abundant, totally full, and we are all connected to God. Then why are we in debt,except for some? Why do they have, and we don't have?

Sri Sri: Is it only money you lack? When you say you are indebted, that means you have received something! Otherwise how can you be indebted? Those who have received should feel indebted. Be thankful for having received. The more abundance you have, the more indebted you will feel. And when you feel indebted and grateful, more abundance comes to you.

Feel indebted. Feel grateful.

Then abundance grows.

Abundance and indebtedness coexist.

Someone in the group: An abundance of indebtedness!

Sri Sri: You think you are indebted, but you really are not.

Yet it is better to feel totally indebted, because every bit of what you have doesn't belong to you anyway, including your own body. When you are infinitely indebted for your body, for Knowledge, for things you have received, and for your own life, then you bask in the abundance of the Creator.

Someone in the group: I feel very indebted. Thank you!

问：上帝是完全富裕、完全完满的，而我们与上帝全又相连。那为什么除了少数人外，我们是身负债务──亏欠于人──的呢？为什么他们有，而我们却没有呢？


古儒吉：你所缺的只是金钱吗？当你说你是身负债务的时候，那表示你已经收到一些东西了！否则你怎能有负债呢？那些已收到的人应感觉亏欠于人。为所收到的心存感谢。你越富裕，你就越感觉亏欠于人。而当你感觉亏欠于人并感恩时，更多的富裕随之而来。

去感觉亏欠于人。去感恩。
然后富裕就产生。

富裕及亏欠是并存的。

团体中有人说：一种亏欠中的富裕。

古儒吉：你自认你是负债、亏欠于人的，但你并不是。但是最好是感觉全然地亏欠于人，因为你拥有的一切都不属于你，包括你的躯体。当你对你的躯体、知识、任何收受的东西及你的生命感觉无限亏欠于人时，那你就沐浴在造物者的丰盛之中。

团体中有人说：谢谢您，我感到亏欠于人。

Changing directions (2) (Seriously, ZY, you are a lost soul...;)

When I started this blog, it was supposed to be a beginning of something BIG. I aimed to report every single activity of the Alor Setar Art of Living centre, be it an event as mundane as the weekly cleaning of the centre, and heck, even about the colony of ants that have settled themselves comfortably at the centre where they rightfully claimed as their home! (no expulsion order as yet)

I was sure I was able to write about something witty every other day, trying carefully not to let it turn into some wasted space where I rant about Guruji or any spiritual or emotional experience for that matter.

Of course, my inner critic tells me that I am doing a lousy job, which led to several occasions where I found myself looking at the 'DELETE' button on the webpage. The only thing that kept me from pressing the button is that I don't feel that this is MY blog in particular, but OUR blog. (God help me!)

Then comes the application called Facebook, which is seriously a better and a more interactive space to interact and to share the numerous photos of our activities and latest updates. (Yeah the Art of Living Alor Setar, find us on Facebook and Twitter)

I stopped making an effort.

Thanks to some encouraging kind souls, I continued posting for some time. Now, after I got married and got kicked out of Alor Setar...erm, no after I got kicked out of Alor Setar I got married, ...uh...whatever. Now, left with no participation in the Alor Setar centre programmes, what is to happen here? 

Yet, this space is special to me. In Sanskrit terms, this maya has a magnetic pull on me, urging me to write, to create, and to think less of myself and to just churn something out when I feel like it.

So once again, we are on to switch gears. This time round, I will add an element of surprise as I lose control and make great use of the creativity in me after having meditated for some time on the area 2 inches behind my sexual organs (for those of you ignorant out there, it is an energy centre for creativity). I would post each article as if it is the best article in the world.

I hereby announce that I am losing my mind!

Love,

ZY

The Most Beautiful Spot in the Universe 宇宙最美的地方 (34)

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。

1/2/1996 Honolulu, Hawaii 美国夏威夷檀香山
There is a place you can come where everything is beautiful.

Tourists travel from place to place looking for beauty. With photos and souvenirs they try to take the beauty back home with them. They only get tired and tanned.

Yet the most beautiful spot anywhere is right here. When you come here, you find that everything is so beautiful wherever you are.

Where is this place？
Don't look here and there; come within you.
When you are here, then any place becomes beautiful.
Then wherever you go, you add beauty there.

If you are unhappy, even the moon irritates you, sweet things nauseate, music disturbs. When you are calm and centered inside, noise is musical, clouds are magical, rain is liquid love.

Book yourself on a trip to this most beautiful place in the universe. Then you'll find that everyday is a vacation and a celebration.

有一个地方，你可以来，这里万物皆美。观光客到处寻找美。透过照片和纪念品，他们想把美带回家，他们只是累坏了自己，晒黑了皮肤。

然而不论身在何处，最美之处就在这里。到此，你发现你所到之处无一不美。

这是什么地方呢？

不用到处寻找；进入你的内在。

当你处在这里，任何地方都变美了。

因此，无论你到何处，你就为那里增添美丽。

如果你不快乐，甚至月亮也会使你气恼，美好的事会令人厌恶，音乐变得扰人。当你平静、内在平稳时，噪音是悦耳的，云朵是千奇万变的，雨是流动的爱。

为自己安排一趟宇宙最美之处的旅程。然后你会发现每天都是假期，都是庆典。

Love,
ZY

My Favourite Balvinder Story

Once upon a time, some devotees built an Ashram in a faraway land and requested their Guru to send one teacher from His Ashram to take charge of their ashram over there.  The distance between the two Ashrams are very far and it would take days of walking to arrive at the Ashram (Walking and meditation was the only mode of transportation back then ;)

The Guru promised the Devotees that he would send a teacher to their Ashram. The Guru sent 10 disciples for this mission. Everyone in the Ashram was shocked. 'How come our Guru sent 10 disciples when the people from the Ashram only asked for one?' they thought, unable to understand their Guru's actions.

However, nobody argued and the 10 disciples begin their journey to the faraway Ashram.

After a few days, they arrived at a city. There they met a rich Businessman. The Businessman said ,'I run a big business and I own an empire. But alas! I have no son! I would like to look for a son-in-law to take over this empire of mine!'

'Oh, but our Guru gave us a mission. We could not help you,' the disciples replied.

'Ah,' said the rich Businessman. 'But imagine the riches and the life you will lead if you are willing to help me. Furthermore, if one of you stayed back, you still have 9 of you to go!' and the Businessman introduced his beautiful daughter to them.

One of the disciples were captivated by the beauty of the businessman's daughter. So he decided to marry her and stayed back to assist the businessman to run his business, while the other 9 disciples continued on their journey. 

After a few days, they came to another kingdom. They were met by the King himself, as the King is a very religious person and respect the Guru's followers very much.  After the feast, the King said to the disciples,'My Head Priest had passed away recently and I can't find any other suitable candidate to fill his position. It would be a great opportunity if one of you could stay to fill this position.'

'But we are on our way to the Ashram!' they replied.

'Ah! But you see,' replied the king,'There are many benefits in becoming the Head Priest. You would be the most respected person in the Kingdom after me. You would be the second most powerful man in this Kingdom. You would have all the funds you need for your religious endeavours!'

One of the disciples were tempted by the King's offer. 'Anyway, there are still the other disciples who can go to the Ashram,' he thought. So he stayed back to become the Head Priest to assist the King and the rest of the disciples continued on their journey.

One day, they came to a village slum.  The villagers were divided into 2 opposition parties which were always fighting. 'Please help us restore peace in this village!' the villagers pleaded with the disciples.  So they organised yoga and breathing courses and transformed the village from a slum to a peaceful state. When they were prepared to leave, the villagers pleaded to the disciples,

"Please stay with us to maintain the peace that you have brought to this village! What could we do without you? We might go back to the old days and continue to fight and live in a state of unrest."

So after discussing among themselves, 2 of the disciples decided to stay back in the village and continue with organising the village projects.

The rest of the 6 disciples continue with their journey.

 *  *  *  *  *

So it happened that along the way, the other 4 disciples also left the group due to various reasons.

Now only 2 disciples were left to continue with the journey.

One day, they passed by a place where an organiser came to welcome them anxiously.  "I am in a difficult position. I was organising a mega Yoga course and suddenly the teacher did not come. Can you help me?"

So the last 2 disciples stayed back for a few days to help teach the Yoga course. After the course, the organiser and the teachers were discussing about the course and one of the teacher got into an argument about the Guru's knowledge. So the teacher told the other disciple," You go ahead to the Ashram, I need to stay back to discuss about this point of knowledge before I could continue the journey. I cannot bear to see the Guru's knowledge being twisted and misunderstood!"

The last disciple continued the journey alone and finally reached the Ashram.  Everyone was amazed that the Guru sent 10 disciples but alas, only one reached the destination! 

(I try to retell my favourite story of Balvinderji as accurate as possible, but details might differ)

I first heard this story 2 years ago at the Bengalore Ashram as told by Balvinderji. I heard this story again when I was blessed enough to meet him again 2 months ago. The moral of the story is that the journey towards enlightenment is full of obstacles. Those obstacles include our desires and attachment towards riches, power, career, relationships, setting other people right and so on and so forth. At first I was very skeptical and misunderstood the moral of this story. But 2 years down the road, this story became one of my pillars of strength when I was feeling very lonely walking on this path; when I was filled with self doubt, remorse and regret; and especially when I lost every ounce of belongingness with the organisation that I have grown so attached to. Listening to Balvinderji the second time round helped me regain my confidence on this path, to accept the changes around me gracefully, and to look ahead courageously. If you ever felt so much pain, know that you have been given more ability to love.

Sangh Gachadhwam and happy journey!

Love,

ZY     

Advice from Hawaii 来自夏威夷的忠告 (33)

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。

24/01/1996 Kaua'i, Hawaii 夏威夷可爱岛

What type of time do you give the divine?

Usually you give the time that is leftover, when you have nothing else to do, when no guests are coming, there are no parties to go to, no nice movies to watch, no weddings to attend. Such time you give. Yet this is not quality time.

Give quality time to the Divine. You will be rewarded. If your prayers are not answered, it is because you have never given quality time. Give Satsang and meditation your highest priority.

Give prime time to the Divine.

You will be rewarded.

你给神的是那一种时间呢？通常你给的是残余的时间，当你没有其他事可做的时间，没有访客、没有聚会、没有好看的电影、没有婚礼要参加时。你给的就是这种时间。这种毫无品质的时间。

给神有品质的时间，你将会得到回报。如果你的祈祷没有得到回应，那是因为你未曾给神有品质的时间。将唱场及静坐列为你的最高优先。

将最好的时间给神。
你将会得到回报。

Love,
ZY

Today is the day...

Today is the day the waves go crazy,
even the Gods become lazy,
instead of doing Kriya, they go to a party;
Happy Birthday, my beloved Hwa Sengji,
"Lots of love and blessings!" chimes in Sri Sri,
And here's to wishing you a safe journey,
Coming back from the other side of the sea!

ZY, struck with inspiration on 7/10/2011

The party will be held on 15th October 2011 Saturday at the riverside. For more information please come for Group Practice this coming Sunday or Monday!