the ART of reBIRTH

Today is the much talked about Earth hour ; Singapore is finally taking more concrete steps; as opposed to last year when our authorities actually tested the F1 race lights along the padang that very same time we were urge to switch off the lights!( read my previous blog on our very first F1 ); coincidentally, i was recommended this very insightful website of intelligent people talking and here's one for Earth Hour

A friend sent me this clip on McCruelty.com recently.... I'm sure this is just the tip of an ice-berg; behind the colours and gleamours of shopping malls and excessive consumerism of the modern human society lies all these "dirty laundry" kept away from the public eye. Another example i can think of is the BIG LIE where we are being programmed that we can just go about our daily lives concentrating on the "Consumption bit" and ignore the Extraction, Production, Distribution that came before that and Disposal that comes after that....It's time we wake up from Truths like "Perceived Obsolescence" and "Planned Obsolescence" McCruelty: I'm Hatin' It--Learn More.

"Yoga(optional)-6am, Breakfast(compulsory)-7.30am" lolz; these were the words from Ven Varado as he dictated out our pre-planned super light schedule; my first ever encounter with a sangha from the Forest Tradition; i was very much looking forward to my first "proper" meditation retreat. Here are the other "1st" 1)observing the 8 precepts 2)finding out that meditation doesnt neccessary have a "standard" posture (i always though sitting meditation is only for people with back problems but i had some of my "best" sessions while sitting at the departure hall at the deserted colombo International airport with all the background annoucements and travellers walking past) 3)discovering the 3rd word assoc with dukkha - PAIN 4)metta bhāvanā 5)re-discovering on the 4 Noble Truths (cattārī ariya saccāni) 6)contemplating on the 3 characteristics of existance Anicca(impermanence) Dukkha (unsatisfactory state) Ānattā(no self) 7)Ven Varado's "