The true lover of knowledge is always striving after being.---Plato
Don't meditate, be in meditation.---Buddha
What we need is an enthusiastic but calm state of mind and intense but orderly work.___Mao Che Tung
When a man can still his senses, I call him illuminated.___Sri Krisna
The above quotations were all taken from the book Calm Technique by Paul Wilson. It is a book on mediation minus the magic and mysticism.
Who doesn't want to feel calm but alas! The world is so confused in great madness as if to be calm in this world is to be dead. But even in death there is disturbance.
They say if a certain number of people can only meditate honestly at a certain time and place, the serenity that they can accomplish will be enough to solve all the tension, apprehension, misconception, anger, fear, and all the negative vibrations that now circulate in the universe.
Let us all meditate and help save the world.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
JUST COUGHING
I wish I am not experiencing incessant episodes of coughing but since I am, I'd rather find the positive effect of it. In the first place coughing is protective in nature. It is nature's way of expelling out foreign bodies invading the respiratory tract. It is the body's way of telling the person that something is wrong up there.
My coughing was triggered by the dust caused by so many tricycles along the road in front of our house when I accidentally inhaled too much. Added to it was the fine shower that caught me while walking on my way home. At first the coughing was mild but as days went by it got worse and more difficult specially when it was accompanied by musical wheezing. It disturbed my sleep, my professional duties as well as my sensibilities. There were times when I didn't know if I want more air or less ventilation, if I want it hot or I want it cold, if I need a blanket or not, if I should sit or lie down.
I begin to understand how my wife felt when she was experiencing coughing episodes herself. Now I can feel the difficulties encountered by asthmatic patients whom I thought to be overacting.
After several bottles of cough syrup I can now feel a little relief and strong hope that I will soon overcome this difficult experience. From now on I know I will be more understanding and more compassionate to other people's coughing. Experience is truly the best teacher and to be a good healer a doctor must experience being sick once in a while.
My coughing was triggered by the dust caused by so many tricycles along the road in front of our house when I accidentally inhaled too much. Added to it was the fine shower that caught me while walking on my way home. At first the coughing was mild but as days went by it got worse and more difficult specially when it was accompanied by musical wheezing. It disturbed my sleep, my professional duties as well as my sensibilities. There were times when I didn't know if I want more air or less ventilation, if I want it hot or I want it cold, if I need a blanket or not, if I should sit or lie down.
I begin to understand how my wife felt when she was experiencing coughing episodes herself. Now I can feel the difficulties encountered by asthmatic patients whom I thought to be overacting.
After several bottles of cough syrup I can now feel a little relief and strong hope that I will soon overcome this difficult experience. From now on I know I will be more understanding and more compassionate to other people's coughing. Experience is truly the best teacher and to be a good healer a doctor must experience being sick once in a while.
NOSTALGIA
God must be boiling something, somewhere. It was very hot anywhere I went. My head was terribly aching.I took analgesic and hypotensive to no avail.I didn't know where to go. This global warming was simply terrible.
I thought of the big Narra tree at the Church's plaza. I sat under it and felt a little relief. I looked around and saw evident signs of neglect.The weeds were widely growing and plastic of all kinds were littered all around.
My sentimental mind rolled back. To my right side where the municipal building stood shyly was the old "baraka" when I was a boy. It was not only a market place but also a multi-purpose hall for all community activities. The present basketball court used to be occupied by the "Dispensario", the equivalent of health center nowadays. There were big accacia trees lining the Mabini Street but were cut off when the road was widened in the late 40's.The last one in front of the convent was lately overthrown by a strong typhoon.
It was good to be young again strolling romantically in the boulevards of memories.Those were the days when there was no electricity and water supply in the community. We used ordinary oil and kerosene lamps. We fetched water from the brook. Children play happily during moonlighted nights.
Life then was simpler but more peaceful, more serene, more enjoyable. Nature provided most of the ordinary needs and people were happier. I closed my eyes and traveled back to my happy childhood in Alfonso. I was relieved of my headache as I felt calm and cold.
I thought of the big Narra tree at the Church's plaza. I sat under it and felt a little relief. I looked around and saw evident signs of neglect.The weeds were widely growing and plastic of all kinds were littered all around.
My sentimental mind rolled back. To my right side where the municipal building stood shyly was the old "baraka" when I was a boy. It was not only a market place but also a multi-purpose hall for all community activities. The present basketball court used to be occupied by the "Dispensario", the equivalent of health center nowadays. There were big accacia trees lining the Mabini Street but were cut off when the road was widened in the late 40's.The last one in front of the convent was lately overthrown by a strong typhoon.
It was good to be young again strolling romantically in the boulevards of memories.Those were the days when there was no electricity and water supply in the community. We used ordinary oil and kerosene lamps. We fetched water from the brook. Children play happily during moonlighted nights.
Life then was simpler but more peaceful, more serene, more enjoyable. Nature provided most of the ordinary needs and people were happier. I closed my eyes and traveled back to my happy childhood in Alfonso. I was relieved of my headache as I felt calm and cold.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
CALENDARS
A calendar is now considered a very ordinary item in every household. It comes in every form and shape and style but in whatever way it is presented its purpose is the same and that is, to give the correct date.
How the calendars came into use is a long, long story and up to now some nations are using different kind of calendar. In a sophisticated society a calendar is a neglected set of numbers but have you ever thought of a community without a calendar?
Those were the days when people have to calculate everything that happens. One must be very sensitive and extra ordinarily observant about everything around him so he can associate the language of nature with the events going on in the environment.
After so many trials, evaluations, changes and revisions, comes the present form of calendar and if the calendar will suddenly disappear, the whole world will not know what to do.
Try a simple experiment. Remove all the calendars and watches in your homes and find out what will happen. Let us therefore love the lowly calendar.
How the calendars came into use is a long, long story and up to now some nations are using different kind of calendar. In a sophisticated society a calendar is a neglected set of numbers but have you ever thought of a community without a calendar?
Those were the days when people have to calculate everything that happens. One must be very sensitive and extra ordinarily observant about everything around him so he can associate the language of nature with the events going on in the environment.
After so many trials, evaluations, changes and revisions, comes the present form of calendar and if the calendar will suddenly disappear, the whole world will not know what to do.
Try a simple experiment. Remove all the calendars and watches in your homes and find out what will happen. Let us therefore love the lowly calendar.
DEMOCRACY
Democracy means freedom and freedom is a condition of acting without compulsion. To be free is every man's wish. The reason why many are for democracy.
Psychology on the other hand deals with human behavior, which actually is an offshoot of the person's experiences together with other important factors. To understand why a person behaves the way he does, he must be observed while doing freely what he feels like doing. This is the reason why psychology intermingles with democracy---both deals with man's freedom.
If you have observed a child doing freely what he feels like doing and if you have noticed how contented and happy the child is, you will understand what I am saying here.
But adults cannot tolerate baby's freedom because freedom can also lead to accidents and destruction. So a child grows up to be suppressed and seems to behave better with a generous amount of intelligent suppression.
I believe that complete freedom is not good, in fact it is dangerous. What is good and attainable is guided freedom like a genuine democracy. It is beneficial because it improves human behavior. A true government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Long live democracy! Long live Psychology! Long live man who behaves freely and normally.
Psychology on the other hand deals with human behavior, which actually is an offshoot of the person's experiences together with other important factors. To understand why a person behaves the way he does, he must be observed while doing freely what he feels like doing. This is the reason why psychology intermingles with democracy---both deals with man's freedom.
If you have observed a child doing freely what he feels like doing and if you have noticed how contented and happy the child is, you will understand what I am saying here.
But adults cannot tolerate baby's freedom because freedom can also lead to accidents and destruction. So a child grows up to be suppressed and seems to behave better with a generous amount of intelligent suppression.
I believe that complete freedom is not good, in fact it is dangerous. What is good and attainable is guided freedom like a genuine democracy. It is beneficial because it improves human behavior. A true government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Long live democracy! Long live Psychology! Long live man who behaves freely and normally.
DIPLOMACY
Diplomacy is the act of convincing people in a nice way. It is the process of explaining things in a manner acceptable and/or tolerable.
Whenever there is trouble or misunderstanding, diplomacy is in order. This is usually executed by a person with "diplomatic" personality. Although there is a course that trains students to be diplomats, a diplomat is usually born.
Modesty aside, I think I have a diplomatic touch. In the practice of my profession I am often exposed to people and I can feel that I am by nature person-oriented.
I have indulged myself in many difficult situations and I can claim a high rate of success. If my success in diplomacy could be converted into cash, I should be a rich man by now.
While a professional diplomat earns much, a natural diplomat is not paid for his diplomatic works. But the sense of goodness after doing good, after being able to settle a problem or after helping in reconciling warring parties are more than enough compensation. There is nothing more valuable than the chance to be able to make other people happy.
Whenever there is trouble or misunderstanding, diplomacy is in order. This is usually executed by a person with "diplomatic" personality. Although there is a course that trains students to be diplomats, a diplomat is usually born.
Modesty aside, I think I have a diplomatic touch. In the practice of my profession I am often exposed to people and I can feel that I am by nature person-oriented.
I have indulged myself in many difficult situations and I can claim a high rate of success. If my success in diplomacy could be converted into cash, I should be a rich man by now.
While a professional diplomat earns much, a natural diplomat is not paid for his diplomatic works. But the sense of goodness after doing good, after being able to settle a problem or after helping in reconciling warring parties are more than enough compensation. There is nothing more valuable than the chance to be able to make other people happy.
Friday, September 21, 2007
WHITE CHRISTMAS
Ber months are reminders of Christmas and Christmas has many memories. I fondly remember what happened in 1991. It was not even Ber month when all of a sudden I experienced a "White Christmas" and I wasn't dreaming. At last it was snowing in the Philippines! The grass, the mango trees, the palm trees, the streets, the roofs and everything else was covered with "snow". I quickly scooped a handful and as quickly I came to my senses. What I was scooping with my hands were particles of sandy ashes falling freely from the skies.
The grayish ashes came all the way from the erupting Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales, the volcano that was slumbering during the last 630 years. Who or what awakened the volcano? According to former First Lady, Imelda Marcos it was a curse from God on the Cory Administration for not allowing the embalmed body of Ferdinand Marcos to be returned to the Philippines that time. Of course it was silly if not a stupid argument. Was it nature's reaction to man's cruelty? An Aeta leader believed so.
The eruption of Mt Pinatubo was only one of the catastrophic phenomena that happened. Mt. Unzen also erupted in Japan as well as Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. Cyclones and tidal waves destroyed Bangladesh. There were earthquakes, typhoons, tornadoes and tsunamis all around. Were these the biblical signs of the end of the world. Was God reminding us that we were dusts and to dust we shall return? Do we understood the message or do we need more sign such as terrorist attacks and other natural calamities before we are convince to sin no more?
The message is clear and loud, in fact not only deafening but also blinding. It is about time we pause for some reflections and introspections. God has been talking to us ever since but are we listening? If not, it is about time we begin contemplating before it is too late.
The grayish ashes came all the way from the erupting Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales, the volcano that was slumbering during the last 630 years. Who or what awakened the volcano? According to former First Lady, Imelda Marcos it was a curse from God on the Cory Administration for not allowing the embalmed body of Ferdinand Marcos to be returned to the Philippines that time. Of course it was silly if not a stupid argument. Was it nature's reaction to man's cruelty? An Aeta leader believed so.
The eruption of Mt Pinatubo was only one of the catastrophic phenomena that happened. Mt. Unzen also erupted in Japan as well as Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. Cyclones and tidal waves destroyed Bangladesh. There were earthquakes, typhoons, tornadoes and tsunamis all around. Were these the biblical signs of the end of the world. Was God reminding us that we were dusts and to dust we shall return? Do we understood the message or do we need more sign such as terrorist attacks and other natural calamities before we are convince to sin no more?
The message is clear and loud, in fact not only deafening but also blinding. It is about time we pause for some reflections and introspections. God has been talking to us ever since but are we listening? If not, it is about time we begin contemplating before it is too late.
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