I came across this article by Kent Sayre titled ‘Spiritual Fulfillment Through Work’ and it really resonated with me. Here’s what he has to say.

“When I’m talking about fulfillment, I’m referring to that sense of satisfaction and fullness that you’re doing something beneficial for both yourselves and others.

Without this feeling, work can become a frustrating, ongoing task that we perform just to pay bills, keep food on the table, and a roof over our heads. That’s why it’s so important to be fulfilled at work.

Become aware of this - you need to either make a decision to be fulfilled at your work or make a decision (and plans) to move onto work that does fulfill you. Hey, life is too short to spend our times grinding through work with emptiness inside.”

1. Do Your Best

2. Recognise that Everything is part of the Larger Plan

3. Be Open to Opportunity

4. Treat Everyone Fantastically

5. Live by the attitude : “Happiness is an Attitude not a Circumstance.”

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I was hugged by a saint today. She is no ordinary saint but HH Mata Amritanandamayi. Amma as she is affectionately known, is an Indian spiritual leader revered as a saint by her followers. She is a widely respected humanitarian and is also known as the “hugging saint”. And she has come on a tour to Singapore.

Many people wonder how a little girl from a simple South Indian village of Kerala came to be known throughout the world as “Amma, the Mother of All.” Motherhood, in its ultimate sense, has nothing to do with bearing a child, but with love, compassion and selflessness. It lies in totally giving one’s self to others.

During meditation and throughout the day, Amma would inquire into the source of all the sorrow and suffering that she saw around her. At one point she felt that the suffering of humanity was due to people’s karma, the fruit of their past deeds. But Amma was not satisfied with this and went deeper. Then from within came the answer:‘If it is their karma to suffer, isn’t it your dharma to help them?’ If someone falls into a deep pit, is it correct to simply walk by, saying, ‘Oh, it is their karma to suffer that way’? No, it is our duty to help them climb out…

Experiencing her oneness with all of creation, Amma realised that her life purpose was to uplift ailing humanity. It was then that Amma started her spiritual mission, spreading this message of truth, love and compassion throughout the world, by receiving one and all.

There was a meditation (or dhyan) session at 10am today, which was followed by darshan (hugging) sessions. I thought I was there early slightly after 9am but the crowds were already there queueing for darshan tokens. You had to get a darshan token which would state the alphabet and number in which you would be hugged (if so desired). Good thing Andrew lived here the Expo and queued for me.

Here’s my queue ticket – I7.

Judging from the crowd that turned up, there must be at least a thousand of them. Amma’s love and compassion cuts across all race, religion and gender. I would have thought only Indians would turn up. But I was wrong. The Chinese and Caucasians too turned up in huge numbers for the session.

As Amma entered the hall, I too stood up and moved forward to get a better view. Cameras went clicking away and I thought to myself there was no way I could get a good shot of the living saint. Then at a precise moment after Amma took her seat on the white cushions, we both turned – she to me and I to her. I took the shot. This is a beautiful shot which I will always remember.

After a short meditation (or dhyan) which ended by 10.30am, the projector screens started to flash the first queue sequence – the ‘A’ series. The hugging sessions had begun.

As I was seated on the floor in front, I had a good view of what was going on. Amma looked so serene, calm and full of love.

It is no mean feat to hug each and every person who turned up for slightly under one minute. It takes a lot of patience, selflessness and lots of love. But Amma possesses all of these qualities, and more. Her love radiates from the heart and you can really feel it. She comforted the sick and embraced the crying.

I waited slightly over two hours before it was my turn. When it was finally my turn, I felt a sense of warmth being hugged by Amma. It’s akin to feeling the same unconditional love and warmth from a mother to a child. As I lay in her arms, I really felt blessed and happy. I teared a little, as I felt her love enter my heart and fill it up completely. She hugged me as if I was her child and for that, I was truely grateful.

Thank you Amma

PS: Here’s 3 of my favourite Amma quotes. They are really meaningful.

“Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world. In this universe, it is love that binds everything together. As this awareness dawns within us, all disharmony will cease. Abiding peace will reign.” – Amma

“Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.” – Amma

“May the tree of our life
Be firmly rooted in the soil of love.
Let good deads be the leaves on that tree.
May words of kindness form its flowers
And may peace be its fruits.”
- Amma

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The universe works in mysterious but affirmative ways. When I declared my intention and took action yesterday, I didn’t realise the universe had already registered my strong desires and aspirations.

Today, the universe revealed it to me

I sent a casual sms to an old friend whom I have not contacted for a long time and then we started talking…We spoke about our dreams, our plans etc. And guess what? The universe directed me to him and him to me. Our plans are so aligned that they are scary for the right reasons. And boy, am I so fired up now…I don’t think I’m going to sleep.

I believe in the universe. Now I really do

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What is life? Life is something we make out of it. Or life can be something we complain, mull, whine and grumble and yet do nothing about it. Doesn’t that sound typical?

I know the second statement sounds familiar. Is that me? Yeah yeah…But that old part of me died. And boy am I happy for this change.

I took action today. Massive action.

I was already interested in fitness years ago ever since I started going to the gym. Two years ago, a friend and I even considered signing up for a personal trainer certification. But nothing happened as we were too passive. Or rather we kept putting it off.

Despite all the knowledge on which body parts to train and what to eat or not to eat, it still all boils down to certification which I lack. After all, a certificate speaks a thousand words. It instills confidence in people as well.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I followed my heart and signed up for two courses – the personal trainer certification and sports nutrition certification. If I’m disciplined enough, I can finish them in two weeks. This will be my top priority. Anything else can wait. And I don’t want to think of the other side of the discipline continuum.

I’m all fired up now and raring to go…My next target? To ace the exams

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I was taking photos of the scenary on the way to Pokharat on 18 Mar when this young Nepalese boy walked up to me and started chatting.

His name was Subattam Adhikari, 14 years old. And he spoke very good English.

Today is my second day back in town. And I’m fufilling a promise I made him.

Subattam should receive the package within 7-10 working days’ time. In it, he will find pens, brochures on Singapore and the photos we took together.

Subattam & friends

It actually doesn’t take much to make someone happy. And I’m glad I’m able to make him happy

Subattam & me 

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Nepalese children having a good morning dip 

Besides the breathtaking scenary which left an indelible impression on me, the Nepalese children too I saw have made my trip extra pleasant. 

I think there must be something to do with the culture coz the Nepalese children I encountered during the trip all looked so happy and contented. They were not shy to walk up to talk, pose for photos or even ask for a little food/money.

Nepalese children at the local market

I see the light in their eyes, their innocence, their goodness which reminds me so much of my own childhood days…

Here are some shots of the Nepalese children that I took during my trip. Enjoy!

Nepalese brother & sister on way to school

Do you like my smile?

 
Nepalese children enroute to Nagarkot

What are you looking at?

Any food for me?

Nepalese kid with big bambi eyes at Sarangkot

Nepalese girl at Tibetan settlement camp getting ready for school

Nepalese girl at Sarangkot with singing bowl

Nepalese boy at Viewing Tower

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It will take another hour before we arrive in Singapore. Time check now is 7.10pm. I’m filled with emotions as I look out of the window. Home is so near yet so far away…I’ll do some writing to keep me occupied. This is my newest sonnet – ‘Feelings’

Feelings

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, fonder.
Having been apart for only two weeks,
now I know how much I truely miss you.
Taking granted always the things you did,
which tied you down…keeping you so busy.
Caring little always the words I said,
which hurt you deep…making me so guilty.
It’s a trait I need to change right away.
I pray and hope it’s not too late for me.
I want to run to you with open arms
and hug you tight with all my love and light.
For you to feel my heart opening up
For you to know it’s a new me that’s true.
For me to tell you dear that I love you.

Lionel L (22 Mar 08)

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During the full moon in March, Fagu Poornima or Holi — known as the festival of colours — is celebrated throughout Nepal. People of all religions, castes and ages join in the wet and wild festivities. Water mixed with vibrantly coloured powder is sprayed over participants to signify the approaching monsoon, while young people hurl water bombs at each other and also to the people on the streets.

Coloured power being sold in Durbar Square

I thought I could escape from both the powder and water, especially since I was a tourist but I was wrong. In less than 5 minutes after I wandered out onto the streets with my friends was I given a coat of fresh red colour on my forehead, cheeks and shirt. Oh well, I thought…it’s only the beginning…hehehe…

True enough, red was only the first colour. Very soon, I was decorated with other colours ranging from orange, purple, green to pink!!

I was one of the lucky recipients of Holi. Look at the pictures and see how I morph from prince charming to colourful warrior…all for good fun

Holi is a festival for cleansing. After all, God created so many colours for us to rejoice. It reminds me a little of Songkran, the water festival in Thailand but Holi is more fun…because you get splashed with buckets of coloured water as well as get painted on the face. It’s double the fun!!!!!

Happy Holi…

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It’s strange how we take the people around us for granted and fail to appreciate them. Many a times we expect them to shower us with love, do little things for us and yet these actions are not reciprocated. We don’t even say thank you.

It’s only when they are no longer with us (either temporarily or permanently) do we start to really miss them. It’s a behaviour that I too need to change. I’ve been conditioned since young to inhibit my feelings. Saying ‘I love you’ and giving hugs does not come easily for me. I cringe each time I’m asked or expected to do so as I see them as so Western, so alien from my Asian culture.

Yet it is ironic that saying ‘I love you’ and giving hugs is the most natural quality a child first exhibits. A child does it all the time with no qualms whatsoever. As we grow older, we start to create multiple identities and build numerous facades. That’s when we stop showing our love – the true essence in all of us.

Come to think of it – it’s actually not that difficult and certainly not so Western a thing to do. In fact, it’s relatively easy. And that’s what I have learned in my spiritual journey so far. Anything that comes from the heart is easy and pure.When you open up your heart to others, goodness naturally flows and is reciprocated. The feeling is wondrous, light and beautiful! I love it

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Today’s itinerary reads: “Trekking to Sarangkot”. Trekking is one of the last main activities to do in Nepal before we return to Singapore.

The welcome sign at the start of the trek

Sarangkot. A 1592m high hill that is situated north overlooking the Pokhara valley. So here we are, all ready and eager to start our trekking at 4am, a time when most people would still be fast asleep. But starting at 4am would also mean giving us an ample 2 hours to trek up the hill. But I, together with many others were asking why why why…we had so many questions…why Sarangkot? What’s so special about this place? More why why why. The chilly air and sleepy looks on everyone’s faces certainly did little to lift the mood. Some had joked the night before that they would do a rain dance to invite the rain gods to rain heavily this morning so that the trekking would be cancelled. But I guess the universe had other plans for us.

“Just do it since I am already here…” I consoled myself. My legs were obedient and just went on climbing step by step, terrain by terrain, rock by rock. It was quite dark even with the torchlights on…

I was among the first few to get to the top early and heaved a huge sigh when I came to the metal gate. Hmm…so this is protected area. There was a Gurkha guard who subsequently unlocked the gate for us.

Beyond the gate, I was still greeted by darkness. There was a viewing tower which we ascended. We still saw nothing except for this sign which I had to use flash to take…

I was staring at a huge black screen in front of me. Needless to say, I was disappointed, And it was exactly this precise moment things started to happen…

Darkness was soon giving way to light…

As I awaited with much eager, something magnificant revealed itself. The Himalayan Range. I was spellbound! Now I get it…the pleasant surprise in store was for us to see the sunrise from this vantage point. I saw the snowy ice caps of the Alps…I saw…I saw…I saw!!!

I placed a dare with Hilary to see if we could get the guard to take pictures with us. She was on too…So here’s my pic with the Gurkha guard. Who is more stylo mylo? Me in my yellow jumper or he in his army garbs? hahahaha…

If the view at the top of Sarangkot was spellbinding, the view on the way down was equally breathtaking, if not more. And this time, I was aided by natural light which illuminated the surroundings, exposing the beauty of the Himalayan range even more.

Sarangkot will occupy a special place in my heart as it is also on this holy mountain where I found crystals…beautiful crystals. Thank you Sarangkot

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