Mental Health

RELAX …….. (Rilek lahh……) I have been told by my shifu aka Fasi fashi to perform a very simple task, every single week. To RELAX. To loosen up. To de-tension myself.   I failed. How come?   This morning before entering the prayer's room, I knew and felt this pretty strong tension hanging over my shoulder. Tried to de-stress myself on purpose, and I could feel the differences, even though it is like comparing it with a 'fake tension-free position'. It feels like me hanging myself onto a position on purpose, without knowing the reasons (as of now). Why was I so harsh on myself ?   During my weekly meet-up with Fasi fashi yesterday, there was this major outburst coming from my end.  And my body's reaction to it was an uncontrollably high tension outburst where my fingers were stuck in a super weird position for 10 long minutes. Imagine people with stroke. Crooked fingers. I looked at myself and laughed after crying myself into Fashin fashi. They were there to cheer me up. I laughed because I knew this is the real me deep inside. I am almost always stuck in such a position deep inside. Never knew how to reposition myself because I have been stuck for way too long to recall. I laughed because I learnt something new about myself today.   Ama and shifu consistently reminded us about the sense of gains and losses (得失心). It might be a significant trait or a very subtle but common one in every one of us. It literally means how our heart reacts to both gains and losses situation in our everyday lives. And especially those petty & random thoughts that flew by each day  --- do we reach our destination on schedule 100% ? Do our colleagues and subordinates do things according to our wishes 100% ? Do we receive the returns we expected to? Do I present myself appropriately, according to other's wishes and expectations? We feel relieved when we are up to standard, and if no we will be affected emotionally, be it big or small ones.    For example, when writing this piece of essay I am already wondering: Will a lot of people bump into this one? How would they react? Am I on-point? Are the examples I provided relevant in their life or if it is just my personal's thoughts? Is this a well-written piece? Do I use flawless English or do I have any grammatical mistakes?    Man, LOOK at me!!!!   I believe this is applicable to most esp of high achievers.   And with this sense in mind I almost always intuitively react to my surroundings with an in-built weighing system. I tried to differentiate good and bad, gains and losses. My emotions are depending on the weighing results. I hold tightly to my own interpretation of good and bad, of white and black.   I see good and bad in everything. In every person. And esp in myself. Specifically, my image & reputation. The way I present myself to others. The way others see me. I could even, subconsciously, create plenty of stories in my mind. To prepare myself for any upcoming & potential losses --- What if she says so? What if my proposal is rejected? What if people doesn’t like me/my idea? Then I run scripts in my mind, trying hard to picture a perfect plan for every situation. All of these because I am too afraid of losses. Of people's comments. Of poor reputation.  I love compliments. I enjoy them and my own achieved goal by the end of the day. Simply say, I care too much. About myself.   For example, in the prayer's room earlier on, ama was scolding someone in my direction due to lack of focus/fell asleep during prayers. And while ama did not mention names I almost thought she was mentioning me. And my first reaction was, shamefully --- what would others perceive this? Would they thought I am the one getting scolded? I am looking good right?   And, right now while typing this, I sense people walking towards my direction and I quickly switch my screen to the one I believe more secure and pleasing to others, just to… you know lahhh, just to please others and maintain my hardworking reputation.    Seeeee? I care about my image/how others see me over everything else. I am this insecure. This over-protective of myself. I kick start my protective system, trying to look good to others. While deep inside, I am not a calm person. I fell into traps of stress and tensions easily. I locked myself in stand-by mode all the times, and once slightly triggered, I hurt myself, or better to say I let myself got hurt, all for the sake of the superficial.    And according to ama's words, it is the over emphasis & focus on our body, over our mind and soul.  While our soul shall be the spotlight of our life, and mind and thoughts being the director of our life -- in shaping our body and to guide and cleanse our soul, we mostly neglect them all. Without Buddhism practices, or specifically the practice of truth and pure mind, I'd never knew these.    I haven't fully grasp the full picture of this concept, not even 10%, but I believe in what I was told -- It is all about letting go of the 'unreal body'. Too abstract? For me I would start working on improving my inner self, to fix what is wrong, to guide myself like how a mother guide a kid, to convince myself to not hold tightly to my emotions. When emotions arise, we learn to observe the hidden meaning. What went wrong? Why does I react in such a way when there's a better way?  Many of the times, the reasons for all emotions arose are almost always due to our selfishness. It is about how much we care about ourselves, specifically our body. While doing this we are actually hurting ourselves more than anything else -- we lost our pure mind 清净 and therefore we suffer. The more we hold dearly onto, the more we hurt ourselves. And in the end, we are just another person who suffer here and there, all the way to our deathbed. That's it, that's the lifepath most of us choose to take.   I sometimes got lost too. What shall be the correct way then ??? I do not have the wisdom yet to fully comprehend both the big picture and my inner true self. Everything is in the grey zone. Fasi shifu emphasized on just one thing (Or I chose this as the most important and easy ones): Compare your thoughts VS those of Buddha's thoughts. 佛心？ Would Amitabha buddha reacts in such a way?  Is this true selflessness? Pure kindness?  And I always refer to what is taught in ama's teachings (coming from Amitabha Buddha's own words). And learn not to believe in our own interpretation or ideas -- we are just normal person. We might be wrong.   Well…… seems like I am so so behind ….. (Stop this! This is just another sense of gains and losses aka 得失心, so habitual in me I almost forgot I am stuck again hahaha).   Anywaysss, I am starting on my path of becoming a better person, from deeeeeeeep inside and defitinely not the superficial.    See you next time when I learn more about myself!  Have a good day!

The very first month of my spiritual journey…..   Before embarking on this journey, I didn’t give much thoughts about how I’d survive and thrive in a spiritual haven I believe as the place of truth. But I certainly did not foresee how semi-deeply-rooted I am in an ordinary workplace/culture where I once spent almost 5 years in. 5 years of working life sounds like short, too short to really begin with anything real or impactful. Or so I thought. And of course, I did not just experience 5 years of working non-stop with zero life experiences. It is a long 5 years since the beginning of my adulthood while working life definitely stands out as the main course. And as I enter the 2nd month of my spiritual journey, I slowly came to realize the impact of working -- with a typical secular mind, without much inner reviews of personal or spiritual growth as a human being – on my mind and spirit. I loved my job. I learnt tons of things. I respect my superiors wholeheartedly and I love spending time with colleagues. But I also neglected more. Much much more if it is viewed from a bigger picture. Of course, I am in the very beginning of searching on this very big picture on LIFE, aka ‘still standing outside of the door’, but these tiny steps has definitely taught me something about not just spiritual stuff, but working life instead. Hmmm.. how do I begin.. Working to survive is what most people do. I consider myself extremely fortunate and blessed to be given a choice to switch path in my late 20s. It is definitely not something plausible for most people. So, given that working to live a life is a must, do we need to dive deeper into other aspects other than family and work? Well, I was raised in a devout Buddhist family since forever and I always considered myself doing a very good job balancing work and personal growth/mental health..etc. And of course, I was wrong. I did not fully comprehend or given much space to think on the picture on the ground. Working for merely 5 years has, to a certain extent, shaped me into who I am today. I am not implying working itself has created new traits in me, but surely it has ignited many of the existing traits deep inside of me, promoted them to a certain level and left a distinct mark. All of these has reflected in my instinct action/thoughts, mindset, judgement and so on while living and volunteering in the temple. I remember looking at my mom learning and meditating here, I could point to her on all of her ‘working styles’ she displayed– hers are definitely more obvious given her years of services devoted to Penfabric. But mine? I almost did not notice them at all. Last week, I was told on how ‘slightly unnatural’ or tense I was in the past month. Some of my subtle traits has emerged day by day. These traits have more or less shrouded the real, natural me – easily seen by those who has gone through deeper purification and regained their natural abilities. The unnatural looking in me came from the additional protective and beautified layer I put on unknowingly. While accepting the truth was a little harsh, I came to accept who I am and decided to trace my thoughts, one by one. Here are some of the traits I noticed so far: Judgemental character // Lack of sincerity & honesty // Living under insecurity Since I wasn’t allowed to do leisure talk for the sake of purification, I tried to trace my thoughts. What do I see in people and things I encounter each day? To not listen and digest was hard. And not to have any personal subjective thoughts on them. Man, it was hard, with all of the self-control effort I put into this, I couldn’t help but digested a lot of them, made personal judgements in my head, differentiating people and things here and there. Comparing this trait of mine in my early 20s and today, I could see it is greatly enhanced by the spices at work. Why so? The dealing with people and problems solving at work are definitely more intense. And in order to deal with all of the tasks on hand, we are obliged to do things efficiently – and to know the people around us sounds like unavoidable. It wasn’t just normal observing, for me at least. I judged and accumulated my experiences with people, applied it seamlessly at work and could even share with new colleagues! (ie. This person is incompetent, you should avoid working with him/learn under him.). We have trained to be unkind and uncompromising. We trusted our very first observation. Just to do things fast. Do things our own way. The sad truth? It is mostly unavoidable unless we have the wisdom and time to do more inner processing before taking actions. And now at my new home, this trait is doing more harm and no good. Needless to mention I am spending a great deal of hard time talking and explaining to myself. I could rarely focus well during daily meditation and I feel sleepy easily. Not the exhaustion type of sleepy but the occasional dozing off as my mind is too occupied with my uncontrollable subjective thoughts. In the normal life we live, we might not notice this as something detrimental to our daily life, what’s the issue with being judgemental? Well, first of all, we could hardly feel the pain in us if we are in the situation ourselves. But with slightly clearer mind, we could feel the happiness and freedom easily achieved when we are willing to open up our heart. We could feel more at ease. And more secured. Oh yes, security! Here comes the second point which I think is very relevant in my case --- our instinct always led us to believe that the way we treat others come back to us. We assume it is the way. So, the more we judge, the more we assume others returning the same level of judging to us. And therefore, the feeling of insecurity at workplace or any other unfamiliar places come from the phobia of being judged wrongly or negatively. We care about what others thought of us. But we are not willing to stop this from our end. And so, it becomes a vicious cycle. I have seen strong judging cultures in workplaces and even some household, with the latter being way too unimaginable for me. Today, I am living under the same roof with another 29 family members here in the temple. I could see it as a pretty close-knitted circle as people learning and working together 365 days a year (with ample of non-sleeping time!). The more I judge and care and digest internally, the more I assume reciprocity. And of course, I could not enjoy the same level of natural and comfort as if I were home. And so, this is the reason for closed heart. For all of the fakeness and dishonesty we put on. For the insincerity we have in us we never noticed. Here in my new home, I was constantly looking after my every action or word. Am I doing the chanting correctly? Will the teacher think of me as not good enough? Did people notice my this and that and the list goes on forever. This might be me being oversensitive, but the judging character in a lot of us are real. We might suffer differently in this case, but the source, I believe, is something amendable. Well, I feel like more traits of mine to tell but …. Next time!! Assuming I were to return to workplace, and I’d have known about all of the realization as above, what could be done differently?  Is practicing the good virtue I now know possible? Yes, I believe it is. I once encountered a colleague with whom I work with for 1 year plus. While working with him I could feel the strong insecurity in him -- with traceable family history and cultures – his reactions to things and people’s words. I knew it is suffering and stressful to possess traits like these, but with my limited wisdom and poor character I couldn’t do much. And with myself, I believe higher level of tolerance and mutual understanding shall be practiced. Also, work more and care less because being oversensitive like myself is bringing suffering to oneself for no cause. Treating the root cause is even much more important. Judge less and have more sympathy. Take time to understand the bigger picture. Is he doing this because of….. ? If she doesn’t look good today, what might be the cause? I now learnt I was never a kind person, not even slightly close. I judged fast and I decided the story based on assumptions, which was based on life experiences, but in a selective way. The so called ‘We chose to believe what we want to believe’ – we decided the angle of the story depending on how it benefits us in the story, how it portrays us and shows our image. Yes, image it is. I was (still am, improving in progress) a fan of my own’s good image & reputation. I took good care of it and prioritizes it over every other thing. Well, this might be the next topic to delve into! Till we meet next time!!

Embrace the New Year: Prepare Your Soul for a Fresh Start! ✨🐉💪 As the Chinese New Year approaches, bringing with it an extended holiday period and ample free time, it's the perfect opportunity for us to revel in joyous moments, reflect on ourselves, and prepare for the upcoming year. Amidst the laughter and festivities, let's contemplate how we can achieve genuine spiritual growth and welcome the dawn of a new life. 1️⃣ Take the First Step: Set Small Goals Facing the new year, we often harbor grand expectations, but it's crucial not to be overwhelmed by lofty objectives. Break down ambitious dreams into smaller, achievable goals, making the journey towards success more manageable. Whether it's learning a new skill, cultivating a positive habit, or improving your mindset, each small goal is a step towards a better self. 2️⃣ Deep Breaths: Find Inner Calm While the Lunar New Year is typically marked by lively celebrations, we also need to seek moments of tranquility amidst the laughter. Find a quiet corner, take deep breaths, and focus on the present. This not only aids in releasing stress but also allows us to think more clearly about our inner needs, infusing the upcoming year with a sense of inner fulfillment. 3️⃣ Reflect on the Past: Learn and Grow The new year is ideal for reflecting on past achievements and failures. Through introspection, we gain valuable lessons and a better understanding of ourselves. There's no need to strive for perfection; every setback is an opportunity for growth. Let's bravely face challenges and approach them with wisdom in the coming year. 4️⃣ Share with Loved Ones: Build a Support System In this new year, we need not embark on the journey of self-improvement alone. Share your goals and aspirations with friends and family, building a mutual support system. Set goals together, encourage one another, and make this journey more enjoyable and meaningful. 5️⃣ Be Grateful for the Present: Embrace Life's Beauty Most importantly, don't forget to savor the beauty of life amidst the hustle and bustle. Whether it's a heartwarming reunion dinner, a meaningful conversation, or a simple smile, these moments are treasures to be cherished. Embrace the present, be grateful for every fleeting moment, and let's gather the strength to welcome the new year. As the Lunar New Year draws near, let's enjoy the festive atmosphere and prepare our hearts for the new year. Embark on a journey of spiritual growth, set small goals, find inner calm, reflect on past experiences, share with loved ones, and be grateful for the beauty of the present. May this new year bring us more achievements, growth, and the readiness to face the surprises and challenges in life.