Messengers (Day 16)

For the past few weeks, I have been experiencing a certain kind of "dry spell" and I feel like I have drained myself dry.  I know that these are all part of the journey to The Goal, but almost every waking moment, I ask for signs that could affirm that I am just going through this phase, and everything will eventually be all right.

I drew out an electronic Path of the Soul Destiny card reading and here's what I got:

ENCODED 

Where others see nothing, you see the deeper meaning or message hidden within. Your guides are working to communicate with you as your intuition and inner knowing expands. Be mindful of all that you are experiencing in each moment. Be aware of animal messengers, cloud formations, colors, conversations of others, and anything else that catches your attention. You are taking the next step up in awareness and connection to the unseen worlds.

It must not have been coincidence that the Encoded card said something about messengers!  

I then came across a line said by Rafiki from one of my favorite movies, The Lion King:

‎"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it!"

Click the picture!  Something will be revealed!!!

Like Simba, I guess I deserve a whack in the head too!  

I know there's still more to learn in this life and I have more to go through. I guess I just have to remember that I must keep my senses sharp and be receptive of the messages that messengers are sending my way...

Build A Mountain and Climb It Too! (Day 14)

I am grateful I came across this song and video!  With this song I have come to realize that I am responsible for my own existence, and all that is happening to me is a result of my past actions.  Everything is Karma.  With every cause is an effect.  I have built my own mountain of joy, woes, and what have you.  It is my duty to climb the mountain I have created and reach the top triumphantly!

Man's Best Friend (Day 13)

Rojo, my dear friend Carlou's gift to me

Today had been a great day.  I'm still going through a lot of crap right now but I believe I will be able to go through it all and emerge a better soul.

I have always been a "dog person", I mean, I am more inclined to dogs than other animals.  I don't know if my sign in the Chinese Zodiac had anything to do with it but yeah, I guess like attracts like.  Like a dog, I am quite loyal to the people I associate myself with.  Though there are times that I may seem quite harsh and my "playfulness" doesn't seem funny at all, I try my best to still stay true to the core.  

Rojo, which is Spanish for RED, is my latest addition to my friends both animate and not.  Hahahahaha! The kids love the red dog and I love it that they do take turns playing with him.  My nephews and nieces usually fight over toys and stuff whenever they visit our home but with Rojo, they don't and they treat him like he's a real dog!

I am grateful for Rojo and for all that he represents - a dog that would always be a best friend.  

Facing Fear and The Little Voice (Day 12)

‎"In many shamanic societies, if you went to the medicine person complaining of being disheartened, and depressed, they would ask four questions:

When did you stop dancing?

When did you stop singing?

When did you stop being enchanted by stories?

When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?"

When I was a child, I loved singing my little heart out.  I didn't care if my voice sounded great or not, I just sang and sang and sang.  My mother loved singing and my father still loves singing and it's from his side of the family where I must have inherited the love of music.  

I must confess I have stopped singing by myself with a carefree heart two decades ago, when I was but a wimpy kid who joined a singing contest.  I have always wanted to sing The Wizard of Oz theme Somewhere Over The Rainbow but since my classmate beat me to it, I had to choose another song instead.  I sang Getting To Know You from The King And I but I was not really into it, it wasn't really my cup of tea.  

When I was thrust on the stage, I felt an extreme dose of fear, a kind of fear I have never felt before; I wanted to pee in my pants but I knew I shouldn't!  It was such a jolly song but I, stricken with monstrous stage fright, just stood there and looked like a singing pillar, looking straight at my father who was in the crowd.  I knew that he believed I could have done better because I did sing better at home.  The sight of the crowd just made me feel like I was about to be devoured by wolves thus my performance was not at par with my classmates', who handled crowd exposure better than I did.  That was the end of me singing solo.  From then on, whenever I sang in public, it was when I sang with a group so I wouldn't be too conspicuous.

Today, I had to face the challenge of breaking down that wall of stage fright once again.  I have never "performed" solo for the longest time and since I really needed to do it, I did.  I didn't sing a song but I had to lead the chanting of mantras.  I was supposed to lead it with another person but since he didn't show up, I had to do it solo.  The good thing is that the lights were dim and the "crowd" had their eyes closed, I didn't need to worry about looking ridiculous.  Hahahaha! I can't say if the "performance" was great but I knew in my heart I did it in the name of service, everything else doesn't matter.  

I have told my little voice to shut up for so many years I must say I really need to apologize to it for making it mute.  Now that I have unleashed it from the dungeon where I kept it, it must learn to wander free and grow into a bigger voice so it will serve its true purpose.  I am grateful for being given the opportunity to set that little voice free.  Now my heart's songs will not end up in mud puddles, but will have better chances of being heard by more receptive souls.

It's Not The End of The World! (Day 11)

An old guy named Harold Camping and his followers have been spreading word that the world will end on 21 May 2011 at 6pm.  Well oh well... It's almost midnight and we're all still here!  I am grateful for your doomsday predictions Mr Camping.  You have inspired people like me to live on, to shine on until tomorrow and let things BE.

Death Is The Road To Awe (Day 10)

The Fountain is one of those movies that gives a certain kind of impact on a viewer who is keen to the mysteries of the Universe.

Wesak! (Day 9)

It's Wesak once again and this year's celebration is the second one I've been to since I have joined the order. Last year had been meaningful for a neophyte and it is more meaningful now that the event is not totally new to me.  I have become more grateful of all the great gifts and challenges the Universe have showered on me and I am more inspired to aspire more.  

Wesak is an annual event that is usually celebrated on the full moon of the fifth month of the year.  It celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.  It is that time of the year when seekers of enlightenment wish each other well to attain illumination or enlightenment in this lifetime.

The pictures above are of the flowers my friends and I have received from other brethren of the order with whom we have exchanged flowers with.  The photo at the bottom is a sort of "installation" of our roses as well as some personal belongings.  Mine's the one with the black button-like ring at the bottom left part of the photo.

I am so grateful for this year's Wesak.  I do hope we will all attain Illumination in this lifetime!!!