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

Abiding in the Self 蛰居於本我 (36)

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。

14/2/1996 London United Kingdom 英国伦敦

Abiding in the self, you become the Valentine for the whole world. Spirit is the Valentine of matter and matter is the valentine of the spirit. They are made for each other. They uphold each other. If you hold onto matter and do not respect the spirit, then matter is not pleased. If you honor the spirit, then you will care for the world, and when you care for the world, it will take care of you.

I am the valentine of the whole world and I reside in every heart. If you are my valentine you will see me everywhere.

Have the same love for everyone, with different flavors. You cannot behave the same way with everyone, but you can love all of them. Love transcends behaviour and etiquette.

蛰居于本我，你就成为全世界的情人。性灵是物质的情人，物质是性灵的情人。他们是天造地设的一对。他们互相支持。如果你执着物质、不尊重性灵，物质就会不快。如果你尊重性灵，然后就会关心这个世界；当你关心这个世界时，世界就会照顾你。
我是全世界的情人，且住在每人心中。如果你是我的情人，你会处处见到我。
对每个人持相同的爱，表达方式各自不同。你无法以同样的方式对待每个人，但你可以爱每个人。爱超越行为和礼仪。

Love，

ZY

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