Being mindful

I snapped at a good friend yesterday over a problem in my computer. Usually, I would have let it go, but this friend has done it again (changed my computer setting for the second time). I guess, the reason I snapped at her was more like to let her know that I was not pleased with her for messing with my computer (which is a personalised item) and that if she had wanted to change something, please check with me first (I thought this is plain courtesy). That was also the reason why I did not apologise immediately after that. However, my mind kept thinking about the matter and I realised that I must apologise in order to be at peace with myself. "A mind that cannot release phenomena is in a state of intoxication; it is important not be intoxicated" (Ven. Ajahn Chah).

So, I pondered over how should I apologise to her and decided on sending her a text message to confess and say that I was sorry that I lost control earlier. She texted back and said that it is okay, she understood that I was not in a good mood. I would have replied: thank you for understanding, but I didn't because I was not seeking for her understanding; I was seeking to release my mind of the matter so that I can be at peace (and not be intoxicated). Now this may sound very selfish, but I think to be mindful, we must first understand what clutters our mind. The whole incident wouldn't have happened if I do not have a cluttered mind, something must have bothered me to such an extent that I snapped at her earlier. My cluttered mind has impeded my thoughtfullness. I did not wish for this state of mind to continue, lest I will be snapping at every one I meet in the next few days ~ I need to clear my mind!

Therefore, I have to watch my mind and become aware of my thoughts; "paying attention in a particular way -- on purpose, in the present moment”(Jon Kabat-Zinn). The best way I can think of to explain this is ~ knowing that you are eating is not the same as eating mindfully (a quote from the Wildmind Buddhist Meditation @
http://www.wildmind.org/applied/daily-life/what-is-mindfulness

Here I would like to share a link on a talk given by Jon Kabat-Zinn on mindfulness (please skip the silly intro part). He talks with such truthfulness and authenticness. I love listening to him talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc&feature=related

Soulmate: compatibility or complementing

I have always been intrigued with the notion of finding one's soulmate. I had reflected upon this notion many years ago and had concluded (then) that, "soulmate is hard to identify instantaneously and most people do not meet theirs in their current lifetime." I had pondered on its definition: a person with whom one has a feeling of deep and natural affinity; similarity; love; intimacy; sexuality; spirituality; or compatibility. In a related (spiritual) concept: is that of the twin flame or twin soul, which is thought to be the ultimate soulmate.

Therefore, when two person (putting gender aside) have the capability of existing or performing in harmonious or congenial combination, does it mean that they have found their soulmate? Does this mean that one's soulmate can be one's sister, brother, female friend, male friend or anyone who has established a close and harmonious relationship with us? I think this is possible and I believe that one can have more than one soulmates in one's life; they appear at a certain phase of our life to bring balance and harmony into our life.

A JoY in My Heart

I woke up this morning with a feeling of JoY in my heart:)

It is a wonderful feeling and I am still reflecting on what has brought the joy back into my heart. It is not the same feeling that I'd feel after I've done something or helped others (which I have been doing for the past decade). It is more like a serene feeling; a feeling of contentment ~ tranquil happiness. Yes, that is exactly how I feel and I wanted to record this feeling in my journal.

I thought about this feeling of tranquil happiness and realised that it has something to do with the wooden Buddha figurine that I have taken from my parents' home during the recent visit. The Buddha figurine has been in my parents' home for 35 years. Now, it sits in my living room and it gives a sense of serenity to my home.

We are what we think we are!

New entry (6 Feb 2011):

"Writing stimulates thoughts; the act of putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard engages our brains. To write we have to think" ~ from my earlier post titled, 'Engaging the brain' (24 Jan 2010). Writing (in any form) stimulates the thoughts and in the process helps to strengthen certain part of the brain. This is one of the reasons for this blog, ie. my living journal.

Entry posted on 1 Feb 2011:

When I was young, I thought that we can't be any more cleverer than what our genetic setup has for each of us; our propensity to learn has its limits. Now, neuroscientists are telling us that our brain cells do not stop growing after 6 yo but keep on growing and making new connections every time we experience something new. We can learn new things even at old age as long as we have a healthy bright brain. A quote from The NY Times: "We can indeed form new brain cells, despite a century of being told it’s impossible." Wow, that's good news indeed. We are what we think we are!

Reading about the new discovery spurs me on to change the way I think, to strengthen and to use my brain more efficiently. As each year passes, I am more aware of age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer and Dementia. Now, all books on regaining and retraining brains write about exercising the brain (eg. reading, doing crosswords or playing brain games such as the ones offered by Lumosity @ http://www.lumosity.com/), eating brain healthy food and being physically active.

This is all very interesting, I will continue to strengthen my brain and hope that I will not be suffering from Alzheimer or Dementia one day :D)