Grace, Beauty, High Thinking

Shiny movie (1)

2011-11-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

This is a movie of Shiny, our mini-pomeranian dog when she was very young. (about 2-3 month old). It's taken during 2010 Dec to 2011 Jan Period. Shiny is a cute, playful doggy. She bites everything in the house. : / :P : O. Yet, We love her very much. :)

Low the Watch-repair-man: Repair 2 watches

2011-09-29T01:27:00.000-07:00

Recently, both of my watches Kaput! [gone case/ spolit : > ]

One of them has battery flat, the other one drop into the sea. :>

I consider to buy a new watch but the price is about $20 to $30, so I thought … why don’t I try to repair the watches. :> [ Surely Ah Low can manage something as simple as changing battery for a watch & repairing a watch :> ]

So I took out my tools, small / tiny screwdriver, and try my luck.
I dismantle the watches one at a time, and change the battery/repair the watch…

After 2 hours of trial & error …. Hey Presto … The watches are repaired :>

Save $40, + learn a skill. [Skill Level upgrade !!! ] Ha Ha :>

Not bad, considering that this is the first time I try to repair a watch. [I’ve seen the watch smith do it and thought that it is not too difficult. :> ]

You just need some nimble fingers & good eyesight as the screws are tiny and the parts of the watch are small. :>

One day, you can try it yourself too.
[Save some money :>]

Water Colour Painting "Messenger"

2009-08-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was feeling a little down. :> :/
Swam by some bad habits, I feel quite sad. :/
[Feel that some good part of me was lost. :< ]
So … I took some nice picture collections and flip through them.
As I was watching the angelic pictures, I have a silent urge to paint :>

So I took up a brush, and concentrated on painting :>

As the picture unfolds, some little joys sprung up in me.
Some measure of Kindness, Generosity and Hope wells in me.
A sense of Peace and Simple joy returns to me.

The painting took a couple of hours and the end result looks like this:

After finishing the painting, I ponder on the title of this piece.

I decided on the Name “Messenger” as it depicts a Messenger bringing some Good News from the Heavens. The flask in his hands contains the Water of Life and offers Hope to mankind :>

The Universe is kind,

Life forgives one’s mistakes and offers Hope and Redemption. :>

[Just don’t make mistakes all the time. :P :P ]

Loss of biodiversity, Climate change & Measures to Save the Planet

2009-06-06T01:32:00.000-07:00

According to World Wildlife Fund Report. "Living Planet Report 2008", over the past 35 years [from 1970s to 2008] the world's Wildlife population has declined by a third.http://www.panda.org/news_facts/publications/living_planet_report/index.cfm

Human has wiped out 1/3 of the world's wildlife with activities of overfishing, overhunting, deforestation [leading to habitat loss] and pollution.

There are also reports that 75% of the world's fish stocks are fully exploited /depleted of fish. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5icynhBY_cvmvIP8vyzFzcBHM9big
............

There is one universal law that all educators teach. "Good Begets Good, Bad Begets Bad"
It is a very simple law and is found in all the religions of the world.

The Hindus, Jains and Buddhist called it "the Law of karma - the Law of cause and effect"
The Christian bible says" As you sow, so shall you reap"
And the Scientific community knows this law as "Every Action provokes and equal and opposite Reaction."

Now consider this ...

If Human activities on the planet causes immense suffering to 56 billion Farmed animals (that are slaughtered each year for human consumption) , subjecting more than 60 % of these animals to a life of imprisonment / giving them the wrong food / pushing them to grow way beyond their nature growth rate with the use of hormones / antibiotics.

AND, at the same time, causes immense suffering to the Wildlife by deforestation/ overfishing/ overhunting such that 1/3 of the world's wildlife is now being wiped out from the surface of the earth.

Then, By the simple law of "Bad Begets Bad",
if Humans carry on with our current environmentally- destructive way of life,it is only logical that Humans cannot survive the global warming crisis that is threatening the very survival of humankind. : (
.......

However, Humans are known to have the capacity to change. :)

If we were to consider the facts carefully and turn around to live a more environmental- friendly way of life. Instead of being an "Unaware Consumer", we study and become a "Aware Protector"

If we can choose to reject the products of factory farms, and change to a more enviro-friendly plant-based diet.

If we can learn to respect all lives on Earth and allow the animals to live the life that Nature intents them to live.

If we can support organic farming that uses natural compost as fertilizers and have proven to restore health to the farmlands in as little as a year.

If we can convert the farmland that is used to produce Feed crops for animals back into Forest that acts as Carbon sinks, protects the top soil/rivers and provides shelter to the wild life.
[UN FAO Report: 70% of all Agriculture land on Earth is used for animal production. Including the land used for grazing, and land to produce feed crops to feed the animals]

If we can engage in studies of current environmental issues and help to spread environmental awareness.

If we can adopt a sustainable way of living that trends lightly on the planet and teach this sustainable way to the younger generations.

Then by the Law of "Good Begets Good, Mercy Begets Mercy, Compassion begets Compassion", we can restore the environment, eliminate the looming threat of global warming and ensure that our younger generations can inherit a sustainable planet.

Indeed, Mother Earth has shown great regenerative powers, it's just that our current rate of consumption is way above the rate that Nature can regenerate itself. [The WWF report also shows that humans are consuming resources at 30% ABOVE Nature's capacity to regenerate.]

In the words of Howard Lyman, A "Former 45-year cattle rancher-turned-organic-farmer" Let us "Return to the animals the Live that Nature intented them to live, so that We can live a life that we are intented to live."

In the words of Al Gore, let us "Be a Generation that Makes History". "
Let us be a generation that adopts a Sustainable way of living so that 100 years down the road, the people would look back and say "This is a Heroic Generation that realize their mistakes and have the courage to take BOLD Actions to turn around and adopt a sustainable way of living." Just as we now applaud the Lincoln generation that abolish the laws of slavery, the future generations would applaud our generation's adoption of sustainable living. "
.......

Top scientists have warned that we have 3 to 4 critical years before the Global Warming crisis becomes irreverisible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAeAmDFMm4A

We do not have a lot of time for reflection, the times are short and the measures that we need to take are urgent. : /

Top scientist such as NASA Director Dr James Hansen are requesting the people in the world to reduce meat consumption to reduce livestock industries contribution to global green house emissions. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbtat_9wbQ]

UN IPCC scientists are also supporting this view :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-g81_9cRZo]

"We need to realize that we do not need to do EVERYTHING to Save the Planet, we just need to do the things that we CAN DO.Be Veg, Go Green and save the Planet" --- Howard Lyman.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet" -- Albert Einstein, famous scientist

May I suggest that everyone starts to explore the vege options around you. : > It's relatively easy to get healthy and tasty vegetarian food in Singapore.

The Vegetarian Society of Singapore has a website that spells out all the vege outlets near various MRTS [http://www.vegetarian-society.org/?q=fdl]

You may like to take a look. :>

Have to do all we can to preserve the planet now : / : >

Thank you for your attention and your caring concern for the planet.
Yours sincerely,
Low ck

More information on interviews with NASA/UN / Top climate scientist could be found in the following website:
http://www.suprememastertv.com/sos-global-warming/scientists-on-climate-change.html

My SOS Global Warming Blog:
http://www.sosglobalwarming-ck.blogspot.com/

You may like to take a look :>

Christian Sage of the Himalayas- Sadhu Sundar Singh

2009-06-06T01:21:00.000-07:00

Sadhu Sundar Singh is a Christian sage of the Himalayas in the 1940s.

When he was still young he had a vision which returned night after night.

In his vision, a sage came to him and said, “Are you prepared to listen to me?
I am your saviour. There is no other way for you.”

He did not know who it was that come to him and ask people for advise.
When he saw a picture of Christ, he said, “Here is the Master who appears in my dream and awakens me.”

Finally he left his home and when to live in the Himalayas where he remained for a long time.

When Swami Rama went to visit him, Sadhu Sundar Singh taught him the comparative study of the Bhagavad Gita and the bible. He said ,“The message that was given in the morning was the message of Krishna; the message that was given in the afternoon was the message of Buddha; and the message that was given in the evening was the message of Christ. There is no difference. Christ the compassionate, Buddha the enlightened and Krishna the perfect gave their message according to their times and the need of the masses who were prepared to follow them. These great ones were representatives of one absolute Reality who assumes various forms and descends to guide humanity whenever he is needed. The sages have a tradition of reverence for all the great religions of the world.”

One day Swami Rama asked him,” Have you seen God?”

He said, “You insult me by asking me. I see God all the time. Do you think I have seen God only once, twice or thrice? No, I am with my Lord all the time. When I cannot be with Him, then He is with me.”

Swami Rama said , “Kindly explain.”

He explained it beautifully.,” As long as you remain conscious, be with God consciously by remembering Him. When your conscious mind starts fading when you fall asleep surrender yourself. The last thought before you go to bed should be, “O Lord be with me. I am Thine and Thou art mine.’ The whole night, the Lord will remain with you. You can always remain together.

One day this great sage vanished in the high Himalayas, never to be seen again.

- extracted from the book “Living with the Himalayan Masters’ By Swami Rama.

I remember reading a small book on Sadhu Sundar Singh in Geylang East National Library.
The book is beautifully written and I took just a while to finish it.
If you wish to borrow it, it should still be available under the philosophy and religion section.

Have a nice day :>

Low ck

Earth Song: Children of the Earth

2009-06-05T14:22:00.001-07:00

A nice song: "Children of the Earth"

Extra half hour of Daylight

2009-02-25T06:52:00.001-08:00

Share a poem :>

Extra half hour of Daylight :>

If You were to give me an extra half hour of Daylight,
How shall I spend it lovingly ?

Shall I watch the sun set graciously
& marvel at the wondrous Grace
as Day gives way to Night &
the hustle & bustles of the morns
give way to the silent & peaceful hymns of
creatures of the night ?

Shall I visit the oceans,
& allow the elements of air, water, fire, earth to swirl around me,
the wind in my hair, the sand upon my feet,
the sea embracing me, & the last ray of Dusk
blessing the hairline upon my forehead?

Shall I sing You devotional songs,
& envelop myself in sweet Rememberance,
as many a Devotee does,
in ancient time of the past,
Following a scared lineage,
to times of the present?

Shall I enter a closet
& study the writings of the saints & sages,
Allowing the wisdom of the scriptures,
to cleanse and gently massages a soul
leaden with the heavy energy of this world?

Shall I sit in silent meditation,
& focus on the inner light,
which shines forth from all beings
that walk, move & live on this lovely planet.

Or Shall I approach the animal friends,
& learn from them
the gentle manners of submission,
the warmth of family life,
the contentment for simple joys of life.

& heed their plead to 'Live and let live'
to preserve Mother Earth's food & water resources,
& not take More from Nature
than what we really need ?

Water Colour painting “Wali Dad”

2008-12-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

Since it is the holidays and I’ve a bit of time on my hands, I went to the library to borrow some children’s book : )

I really enjoyed reading children’s book. :)

An author who won a Nobel prize [Literature] once said,” Children’s book are very good. Truth, Virtues and Gentle manners are found in abundance in children’s book. Adult and children should read more children’s story to remind themselves of their Good nature.” :)

I read a story called “ The Gifts of Wali Dad”.

It’s a nice story with very nice illustrations. It goes like this ….
"Wali Dad is a simple-hearted Grass-cutter. Every day, he cut some wild grasses, bundle them and bring them to the market to sell. Every day, he earns 30 coins. He spent 10 coins for food, 10 coins for other necessities, and save the remaining 10 coins for a rainy day …. "
[I’m not going to tell you the whole story, pls borrow the book from National Library … : ) : ) ]

The book looks like this ..

…………..
When I was admiring the beautiful illustrations, a sudden wish to paint swam over me. :)

Well …. I haven’t been painting for many years now. The last time I did a water colour painting was during my secondary school. : P [That was soooo long ago and I don’t even remember where I place all my painting brush, water colours etc … : ( ]

But, a wish is a wish. And wishes always come true : )
So … I went to “Popular Book Store” , buy a paint brush, a new Water colour [the type with all the colors and a palette], a drawing board, went straight home and started painting : )

After a few hours of hard work : )
[ + a can of Green Tea + some nice cookies + some nice music]

Ta … Dah …. : ) : ) Hey Presto …. It’s done.
[Hint: you can double click on the picture to get a good look :> ]

I have to say that it is pretty cool : ) : )

[Pls say "It's pretty ccccoooooollll." :0 : ) :P]

So … I took a photo, place it in my blog and share with my friends : ) : )

Sharing with you
All the Goodness in Life,
Low ck

NBA James Donaldson advise to sportsman

2008-11-23T19:41:00.001-08:00

NBA vegetarian sportman advise on vegetarian diet, take care of the body and respect to life.

Happy Deepavali and some indian poems

2008-10-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

Since it is Deepavali tomorrow, share with all some poems by one of India's greatest poet, Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861 -- 1941), Indian novelist, playwright, poet, painter, composer, was one of the divine poets that have touched my heart. : )

In 1912, W.B. Yeats, an accomplished Irish poet, wrote in his introduction of Rabindranath Tagore that prose translations from Tagore had stirred his blood as nothing has for years.

"I have carried the manuscripts of these translations about with me for days , reading it in railway trains, or on top of the omnibuses and in the restaurants, and I have often had to close it lest some stranger would see how much it moved me. "

In 1913, Tagore became the first Indian to be awarded the Nobel prize for literature. The Novel prize committee had read Tagore's Gitanjali-"Song offerings" and unanimously agreed that one who produce this great inspirational masterpiece should be accolade with the highest honor.

Gitanjali , Song Offerings, a collection of over a hundred poems, covers the entire breathe of life's experience, from the quiet pleasure of observing the children at play to a mum's struggle with the Divine. It captures and expressed each sublime sendiments that every spiritual seeker experienced at one time or another.

Some Indians feel that to read one line from Gitanjali is to forget all the troubles in the world. : ) : )

Share with all some poems from this divine masterpiece.
Extracts from Gitanjali :
...........

Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure.
This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.

This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales,
and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.

At the immortal touch of thy hands
my little heart loses its limits in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.

Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine.

Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.

..........

I ask for a moment's indulgence to sit by thy side.
The works that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.

Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite,
and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.

To-day the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs;
and the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.

Now it is time to sit quiet, face to face with thee,
and to sing dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.

By Rabindranath Tagore

.......

It's time to close your eyes and utter a gentle prayer : )
Enjoy a sublime Deepavali, : ) : )

Cheers and with Best wishes,
Low ck

Sharing with all,
The Goodness in Life.

P.S. You may like to forward this mail to your indian friends : ) : )

My Music Blog : ) : )

2008-10-26T07:34:00.001-07:00

Hi friends,

As this is the holidays and I have a little spare time, I've created a music blog:
http://www.gracious-music.blogspot.com/

I intent to place all the nice utube music into this blog. : ) : )

As a first offering, I have placed the nice devotional songs from various religions into the blog.

I would share some children's music in the blog at a later date : )
[Perhaps when children day draws near : ) ]

You may like to take a look : ) : )

Cheers n have a nice weekend :)
Low ck

Salamat Hari Raya n poems from Hafiz

2008-10-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hi friends : ) : )

Since it is Hari Raya, Salamat Hari Raya to all muslim friends : ) : )
.....

Share with you a poem from a Muslim saint, Hafiz.
Hafiz, whose given name was Shams-ud-din Muhammad (c.1320-1389),
is a much beloved poet of Persia.
He sings lots of beautiful poems when he is inspiritual bliss. :):)
The following is a translation by Daniel Ladinsky.........

Today
I
Do notWant to step so quickly
Over a beautiful line on God's palm
As I move through the earth's
Marketplace
Today.

I do not want to touch any object in this world
Without my eyes testifying to the truth
That everything is
My Beloved.

Something has happened
To my understanding of existence
That now makes my heart always full of wonder
And kindness.

I do notWant to step so quickly
Over this sacred place on God's body
That is right beneath your
Own foot

As I
Dance
with
Precious life
Today.

...........

Covers her face with both hands

WhatWe speak
Becomes the house we live in.

Who will want to sleep in your bed
If the roof leaks
Right aboveIt?

Look what happens when the tongue
Cannot say to kindness,
I will be your slave.

The moon
Covers her face with both hands
And can't bear
To look
........

Some years back, I have borrowed Daniel ladinsky's book "The subject tonight is Love" from
the National Library. It is a collection of Harfiz's poety translated to english by
Daniel Ladinsky and I've enjoyed it very much. : )

If you have time, you may like to borrow the book from NLB. : ) : )

Cheers and happy holiday :) : )
Low ck

Gentle Video with a vegan message

2008-10-26T07:26:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends,

This is a gentle video with a very important message: http://www.nonviolenceunited.org/veganvideo.html

It is true that the vegan/vegetarian diet helps the planet immensely.

Consider the following:

On Food:
The world has 6.6 billion people
55 billion animals are slaughtered every year for food.
Thus, the world not only has to produce food for 6.6 billion people, it has to produce food to feed 55 billion animals as well.

Currently, 74% of all soya beans, 50% of all corns and 36% of all rices produced in this world is feed to the animals every year.

So much resources are fed to the animals and yet 900 million people are starving every day.

Is it not logical to feed all the people first and then feed the surplus to the animals?
Yet the world does not function in this way.

As the developing world becomes more wealthy, their demand for meat grows. With
better buying power, the wealthy nations are buying more food to feed the animals.
This is in direct competition with the poor and pushes up the price of food.

The result is that more people in the poor nations cannot afford the corn, grain and soy.
[That is being diverted to feed the animals] The people in starvation has rose from 800 million in 2007 to 900 million in 2008.
.......

On Water:
70% of all water is being used in the agriculture sector
20% of all water is used in industries
10% of all water is used by household.
Of the the 70% water used in agriculture, it's distribution is as follows:

To produce
1kg of maize -- 900 litres of water
rice -- 3000 litres
chicken -- 3900
pork -- 4900 l
beef -- 50,500 l
So meat production consumes far more water that crop production.
........

On Green house gases:

Producing 1kg of beef produces 36.4 kg of CO2 emissions while producing
1kg of potatoes only produce 0.6 kg of CO2.

The livestock industry produce 18% of all green house gas.
It also produce 37% of Methane [30 times more potent than CO2]
and 65% of N2O [300 times more potent thant CO2]

..........

On environmental destruction:

Livestock industry accounts for 1/3 of all pollutants [nitrates and phosphrous in animal manure] that flows into rivers and seas.

It also drives 1/3 of the world's deforestation.

..........

Thus, to preserve food,water, rainforest and to reduce green house gas emissions, we have to consider switching to a more environmental, low-carbon vegetarian diet.

Dr Rajandra Pachuri of the IPCC panel [Intergovernmental panel for climate change]
recently urge the world population to adopt a one-vegetarian-day-a-week policy to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It's time to heed his advise. : ) : )

Pls forward to friends who are concern about the environment. : ) : )

Cheers and have a nice week end,
Low ck

Loving Hut open at SunTec City

2008-10-26T07:23:00.001-07:00

Hi friends,

There's a new vegetarian stall opened at SunTech City #03 Tower 2.
It's called "Loving Hut" : ) :)

It's above Carrefour [On the #03 storey] beside the Indian Vegetarian stall. : ) : )

I've went to the stall last week, the service is good and the food is excellent.

The names of the dishes are good:
"Smiling Dumpings / Rainbow Rice
Vege Curry
Drinks : Sunny Forest / Rose Mary Drink "

Personally, I like Rainbow rice, Smiling Dumpings and Sunny forest.
Sunny forest is a Green lime drink with a dash of lemon. It's served in an elegant glass.
Looks good, taste great.

The price is in the $5:00-a-meal range. [Normal in Suntech city area]
Drinks are $3.80

Address as follows:
3 Temasek BoulevardSuntec City Mall
Sky Garden #03-016 @ Tower
2Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6238 6755
info@LovingHut.com.sg

If you happen to go to Suntech for exhibitions/shopping, do check it out :) : )

Cheers,
Low ck

Are we Short of Water and Food?

2008-09-01T00:41:00.001-07:00

This short video shows clearly the relationship btw meat industry and world hunger / world water shortage. The world is using most of it water and food resource to feed the animals.
Is it logical to feed 740 million tons of food to the animals [enough food to feed 2 billion people] while leaving 900 million starving people in the world? Nope!
We have to use our resources more wisely. Take care of all the humans first!

Breaking News: What do VIPs say about Global Warming?

2008-09-01T00:30:00.001-07:00

This video shows what the world leaders are saying on Global warming and it's urgency. It also recommends a vege solution. Very strong message for these urgent times : )

Devotional music from various religions/cultures

2008-07-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

As a personal interest, I have explored the fields of Devotional singing. J J
I have found that devotional singing exist in all religions and cultures.

When I hear a song of a devotional nature, the poems of Reknown Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941) came into mind : ) : )

“When thou commandest me to sing
it seems that my heart would break with pride;
and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes.

All that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts into one sweet harmony –
and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird on its flight across the sea.

I know thou takest pleasure in my singing.
I know that only as a singer I come before thy presence.
I touch by the edge of the far spreading wing of my song thy feet
which I could never aspire to reach.
Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself and call thee friend who art my lord. “
……….

To promote appreciation of devotional music from different religions/cultures, I’ll share some devotional music from various cultures. [I’ve enjoyed all of them. They are the best I’ve heard so far : ] : ) ]

Children’s Nasheed from the Muslim religion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO9nl5DySlY

Arabic song Children’s devotion to Mother [‘Ummi’ is mother in Arabic]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtmdUT88hVc&feature=related

Sikh devotional music :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MlaiLh2IHg

Christian music:
Joan and the whale By Buddy Greene :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=880OS3D9RFg&feature=related
Very jazz type devotional music : ) : )

Hebrew song on devotion to Mother: [‘Ima’ is mother in the Hebrew language.]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrYo3At7bcY&feature=related

I trust that you would enjoy them : ) : )

Sharing with all
what I find good in Life.

Cheers and have a blessed weekend : )
Low ck

Nice Arabic Children song

2008-07-12T10:42:00.001-07:00

Nice and cute arabic children song

Mother Earth

2008-05-24T05:19:00.001-07:00

A Song by Kerry Mckenna.
Mother Earth.

Persian Dancer Dance of Unity: Banafsheh Sayyad's Persian Dance

2008-05-10T15:38:00.001-07:00

A very spiritual Persian Dancer. Her dance combines Various dance style and even Tai Chi. One of the best dances I've seen :)

Cello song

2008-04-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Cello song

The Cello sings of a deep song,
A song of suffering, a lament of the downtrodden,
a Reminiscence of the past .....

It always draws out the compassion within me &
reminds me of the difficult periods of mankind.
[e.g. war, femine, disaster etc.]

Alas, How many difficulties has man gone through,
and how much is the suffering in the world :( :(

.......

When my heart become insensitive and unforgiving towards someone,
I would listen to the cello.

The Cello would request me to Consider.

Consider, the situation of the other person,
Consider, the family, the work, the pressure,
Consider, the blood, the sweat, the tear,
& Consider the many twist and turns in a fellow fella's life....

The heart would melt and the offending party would be seen as
just a person committing the same errors that I had committed before.

We all error at times.

Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

The sage's heart bore no malice & hatred,
but a silent compassion,
& a deep sorrow for the error of mankind.

Good music album: Northern Lights

2008-04-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Aye, me fellow countryman :):)

I deem it natural that good fellas have a good ear
and would appreciate fair music :):)

Thus it is that this humble person
dare venture to recommend an album,
that is of calm & peaceful temperament,
and of the finest quality. :):)

The album that capture me hearts delight
is named "Northern Light"by Steve Coulter and Harris Moore.

It is an enchanting album that
blends celtic harp, English horns, HapperDulcimer etc
[all the traditional instruments ]
into a fine and generous assembly.

The music teleports one,
into a magical realm,
where goodness is natural,
and good manners are abound.

It is a reminiscence of good 'O English grace,
and brought to mind pictures of gentlemen and
fair maidens.
strolling across the streets,or going about their daily life. :):)

Most of the pieces are merry,
with a few catchy,
and a few of lamentation.

The pieces that I like the most are
"Busker's Dream", "Pyramid in the Woods""Carolan's Rumble to Cashel"
"Sheep Under the snow" & "The Spiral Dance"
[Even the names of the pieces sound beautiful:)]

Once you listen to it,
it would take away all your sorrows and anxiety,
and return to you, a peaceful temperament.

You would find yourself thinking.
Truly, Music should be that good :):)

Thus if you have some time,
me fellow countrymen,
do drop in to your nearest sambawang music store,
and ask for a copy of "Northern Light"
[Produce By Orange Music. Price : $18.90]

It would bring
a peace in demeanor,
a brightness in spirit,
& a gladness in the heart.

Enjoy :) :) :)

Bringing you,
all that I find good in life.

A friend
Low Ck ;)

Climate Change: A Global Climate Change: A Global Response

2008-04-04T17:48:00.001-07:00

Scientist and world leaders responding to climate change.

The Link Between Meat Eating and Climate Change

2008-03-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, delivers a keynote address on the devastating role factory farms are playing in the climate change crisis at Animal Legal Defense Fund's "Future of Animal Law" conference at Harvard Law School in March 2007.

This speech is well-reasoned and unbeatable. His recommendation is also effective and practical. Brillant :)

A JOURNEY ON BIKE ~ SINGAPORE TO GREAT WALL, CHINA

2008-03-14T02:54:00.000-07:00

“GO VEGGIE GO GREEN - SAVE OUR PLANET, SAVE OUR LIVES” CAMPAIGN
A JOURNEY ON BIKE ~ SINGAPORE TO GREAT WALL, CHINA

Global Warming is the most critical issue threatening all lives on this beautiful planet Earth. The natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, heavy snowing have been increasing as a result of climate change. A United Nations report on 2007’s natural disasters says nine of the ten worst natural disasters resulted from climatic disturbances.

Based on the latest satellite data cited in December 2007 article, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) climate scientist Jay Zwally predicts that nearly all the ice could be gone from the Arctic Ocean by the end of Summer 2012. This signal the seriousness of the issue as Arctic sea ice reflects about 80% of the sun’s heat. The melting of Arctic sea ice would cause the raising of sea level, flooding of many lands on Earth, escalates the raise in temperature, increase in natural disasters and may result in other event that threatening lives on Earth.

According to James Hansen, top climate scientist at NASA: “We have passed tipping points. We have not passed a point of no return. We can still roll things back, but it is going to require a quick turn in direction.”

Ref Web Links:
NASA Scientists See Hastened Arctic Warming:
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-01/2008-01-09-voa12.cfm?CFID=212354599&CFTOKEN=32115947

Arctic summers ice-free 'by 2013' : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7139797.stm
Rate of ice melt shocks warming experts: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22203980/

In January 2008, after Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg visited Antarctica’s melting ice sheets, he stated, “Alarm bells are ringing. It is irresponsible for decision-makers to ignore these signals.”

By studying ice cores from Antarctica, American scientist Kieran O'Hara of the University of Kentucky discovered that large quantities of methane gas releasing into the atmosphere brought an end to several ice ages over the past 400,000 years. The biggest source of methane would be the frozen methane hydrates in the cold depths of the oceans. Today, there is a risk of a similar event taking place because of global warming. Matthew Hornbach an expert at the University of Texas, said, "A reduction in pressure via global warming can lead to hydrate destabilization, converting generally immobile and innocuous methane hydrate (a solid), into more buoyant and mobile methane gas."

Ref Web Links:
http://www.coastalpost.com/05/01/08.htm
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/02/26/methane-global-warming.html http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/12/methane-hydrates-and-global-warming/

The seriousness of the climate change that threatening all lives on earth has touched the heart of a young gentleman by the name of Sam Yeoh. His concern for all beings on this beautiful planet earth gives him the strength to embark on this challenging campaign, A JOURNEY ON BIKE ~ From SINGAPORE to GREAT WALL, CHINA to raise the awareness of climate change and seriousness for all human TO ACT NOW.

In 2006, the United Nations reported that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined. Senior UN Food and Agriculture
Organization official Henning Steinfeld reported that the meat industry is “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems.”
In addition, the livestock sector produces manure which contributes to more than 60 per cent of human-related nitrous oxide. Nitric oxide worsens the global warming situation as it has 296 times the Global Warming Potential of carbon dioxide.
The Chief of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Rajendra Pachauri, also urged the world, “Please eat less meat -- meat is a very carbon intensive commodity. Don't eat meat, ride a bike, and be a frugal shopper -- that's how you can help brake global warming.”
(Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080116-112681/IPCC-chief-%20%20%20Lifestyle-changes-can-curb-climate-change
Lifestyle-changes-can-curb-climate-change

Thus, the main theme of this campaign is:

“GO VEGGIE GO GREEN - SAVE OUR PLANET, SAVE OUR LIVES”
A JOURNEY ON BIKE ~ SINGAPORE TO GREAT WALL, CHINA

Objectives: To raise awareness of global warming and promoting --
i) cycling as an alternative mode of transport to reduce Co2 emissions;
ii) vegetarianism as a choice diet - one can be equally fit and healthy with
enduring stamina.

Commencement date: 10 March 08.

Trip will start from : Singapore-->Malaysia-->Thailand-->Laos-->China
Trip duration : Estimated six months
Current Number in Group : Two from Singapore to Malaysia, then alone to Great wall, China.
Total distance: Estimated 9000Km

Accommodations: Sleep in tent / hammock

As Earth’s citizens, everyone is responsible. “GO VEGGIE GO GREEN - SAVE OUR PLANET, SAVE OUR LIVES”. Our Planet Earth and all beings including human, animals and plants on Earth are so unique and beautiful …..
Please click on the following link for more details of the plan route and update journey:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/3268

Sam can be reached at email supremefoto@gmail.com and cc to wcstco@singnet.com.sg
.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.

A thought on Writing

2008-02-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

Share a small thought ...

We sometimes feel there is a great sacredness within us.
Something immensely beautiful, something that brings us to awe and wonder.

That is our own Great being, our own perfect higher Self.
And for that, we can only experience it ourselves.
No words suffice to describe the feeling ...

Some saints have said that when he tries to write about the Divine, the pen brokes into two.
One could keep on describing how an orange taste, but no one will know how it taste, until he eats it himself.
.........

Yet Word, be it ever so imperfect,
could convey an inking of our deep Origin,
could give a hint of our inner Being.

When Gibran finish writing the Prophet, he realized deeply that everyone is 'far, far greater than what they perceive themselves to be.'
.....

Gibran created a master Piece with 'The Prophet'
Tagora created a master piece with 'Gita Jali'
Both are beautiful and ever lasting works .....

Perhaps, we could create our little master piece, With whatever inspiration the Divine graced us ... : ) : )

Written sometime in 1998.

On Silent hours

2008-02-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

On Silent hours.

The human spirit needs some silent hours to meditate, to contemplate on the divine, to return to it's source everyday. It needs time to relax, to be with itself, to recharge itself, and to gain inner support. Such spiritual food is essential to nourish the spirit, without which the human spirit would feel restless, 'empty' and tired about life.

Many spiritual practitioners, noble poets, humanitarians, reserve a period of their time everyday for spiritual cultivation.

Indian spiritual master advise their disciples to reserve 10 % of their time everyday for spiritual cultivation. ie. meditation, reading of scriptures, devotion to God.

Swami Yogananda advise his disciples to "Read one hour, Reflect for 2 hour, meditate all the time."

The Himalayan yogis, spend the most part of their life in meditation.

The Buddha spend long hours meditating and teaches meditation to his disciples. He also holds yearly 3-month long retreat with his monastic disciple during his Life time.

The Taoist Master, Lao Zhi practices 'zhuo wang'- "Sitting and forgetting about the world."

Kong fu zhi, Confucius states in the one of his books that "If you see someone sitting in silence, do not disturb him, he is cultivating himself."

The ancient christian tradition reserve 10 % of their time for study of the bible and deep prayers. They also reserve 10 % of their wealth for charity.

Master Ching Hai advise her disciples to meditate for 2.5 hours everyday. [Which is 10 % of the 24 hours a day.] and hold 3,5,7-day retreats now and again. She advise that meditation time is the most precious time a person could ever have on earth.

Mother Theresa lead her order of sisters to pray deeply for few hours a day. She says that such deep contemplations give them the strength and support to carry on their work to take care of the sick and the poor in India.

Rabindarath Tagora, the first indian who won the Noble prize for literature, use to sit still and contemplate on the divine for 3 hours in the wee-light before dawn. That is his source of inspiration and enables him to write very beautiful spiritual poetries.

Sufi masters from the Muslim tradition, such as Hafiz and Rumi use to utter beautiful spiritual poetries in praise of the divine after deep prayers and meditation. The poetry just flows from them and their disciples write them down into words.

These silent hours are a source of inspiration, and a source of spiritual strength that sees us through the toss and turmoil of human life. It is an essential part of human life.

In this modern age, we seem to forget this need of silent hours. Perhaps that is why our moral values are not that strong, our trust in the goodness of life is wavering and our spiritual conviction is lacking.

It is little wonder that many people find life uninteresting, and resort to many different [often harmful] means to try to find some happiness in life.

Perhaps it would be good to return to the good' O times, where we reserve some silent hours in our days for meditation, prayers, deep contemplation.

When we could find peace within ourselves, we could find peace and happiness in the world. :)

May all have peace :)

Latest Evidence of Global Warming: Part 1

2008-02-23T08:38:00.001-08:00

An important video showing interviews with various climate scientist on the effects of global warming. Very up-to-date information.

Latest Evidence of Global Warming: Part 2

2008-02-23T08:36:00.001-08:00

Part 2 of the scientific interviews.

Global Warming-Time To Act

2008-02-23T08:21:00.001-08:00

Important information on Global warming and it's solutions. Very informative and detailed.

My Mom is amazing - Beautiful Song+ Lyrics

2008-02-18T18:54:00.001-08:00

The best children's song for mother that I've heard :)

Night Dream

2008-02-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

The following is a memory of a poem that Master Ching Hai sung to us during one of our gatherings.

It is a poem that Master wrote in her youthful days.
It is originally in Au lac [vietnamese] and Master explained the meaning to us in English.

We are all mesmerized by the beauty of the poetry :)

Share with you : )

[P.S: As it is a memory, the words in the poem may not be exact, but I still like it :)]
...............

Night Dream

Last Night I dreamt,
Of Bedsheets and pillows,
The fragrance of scandalwood,
Still lingers in the air.

Heartfelt was the time,
With you by my side
Our days are young,
And love was still immense.

Last night I dreamt,
of leaving the red dust,
Light-footed to heaven
Carefree for once.

By the perfumed hillside I roam,
Worry and sorrow no more…
…

This day I awoke,
back in my old car.
Wheels stuck on a muddy, lonely path.
Dark clouds gathered,
Rain poured miserably.

Inviting the sweet dreams,
Exquisite visions,
To return.

……

Oh, my Daring, my Beloved!

Time flows endlessly.
Like that of a river.

I should trace the river of time,
Back to the old pier,
Where you and I,
Lay side by side.

Then I would swallow all
My complains and grumble.

A human’s lot contented,
Lament no more!

…….

Last night I dreamt,
I was a swan,
Soaring above the mountains,
Drinking in the snow.

Bathing in the rainbow,
Feeling free again,
Feeling free again …

..........

Nice, nice :) :)

Tala Al Badr Alaina (Moon Rose on Us)

2008-02-11T09:25:00.001-08:00

A nice arabic mtv. There is a plesant surprise near the end :)

A New Year's Blessing : )

2008-02-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

Share a nice New Year Blessing that I found :)
........

A New Year's Blessing,

Unhurried mornings, greeted with gratitude;
good work for the hand, the heart and the mind;
the smile of a friend, the laughter of children;
kind words from a neighbor, a home warm and dry.

Food on the table, with a place for the stranger;
a glimpse of the mystery behind every breath;
some time of ease in the arms of your lover;
then sleep with a prayer of thanks on your lips;

May all this and more be yours this year
and every year after to the end of your days.

- Larry Robinson

Chrismas 07 celebration at Singapore Center

2008-02-04T09:17:00.001-08:00

2007 Chrismas celebration at Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Center in Singapore. :)
Remembrance of the singing/games/play/gifts in that happy event.

This is an artistic slideshow made by one of our brother photographer. He sure has good taste :)

A poem well loved by Lincoln

2008-01-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

'I would give all I am worth, and go into debt,
to be able to write so fine a piece as I think that is.
Neither do I know who is the author.

I met it in a straggling form in a newspaper last summer, and I remember
to have seen it once before, about fifteen years ago, and this is all I know about it."

Abraham Lincoln wrote those lines in a letter to a friend, Andrew Johnston
(a lawyer in Quincy, Illinois) on April 18, 1846. '

The piece Lincoln was referring to was titled Mortality or
Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?

The author was a Scotsman named William Knox (1789-1825).
Lincoln was first introduced to the poem by Dr. Jason Duncan when the two were
living in New Salem. Lincoln memorized the entire poem and recited it so often that some folks mistakenly thought he was the author.

The poem's melancholy tone appealed to Lincoln. William Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, thought the poem was (for Lincoln) a remembrance of Ann Rutledge as well as a discourse on the delicate nature of human life.

Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?

Like a swift-fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud,
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave,
He passes from life to his rest in the grave.

The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade,
Be scattered around, and together be laid;
And the young and the old, the low and the high,
Shall molder to dust, and together shall lie.

The infant a mother attended and loved;
The mother that infant's affection who proved;
The husband, that mother and infant who blessed;
Each, all, are away to their dwelling of rest.

The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye,
Shone beauty and pleasure - her triumphs are by;
And the memory of those who loved her and praised,
Are alike from the minds of the living erased.

The hand of the king that the sceptre hath borne,
The brow of the priest that the mitre hath worn,
The eye of the sage, and the heart of the brave,
Are hidden and lost in the depths of the grave.

The peasant, whose lot was to sow and to reap,
The herdsman, who climbed with his goats up the steep,
The beggar, who wandered in search of his bread,
Have faded away like the grass that we tread.

The saint, who enjoyed the communion of Heaven,
The sinner, who dared to remain unforgiven,
The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just,
Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust.

So the multitude goes - like the flower or the weed
That withers away to let others succeed;
So the multitude comes - even those we behold,
To repeat every tale that has often been told.

For we are the same that our fathers have been;
We see the same sights that our fathers have seen;
We drink the same stream, we feel the same sun,
And run the same course that our fathers have run.

The thoughts we are thinking, our fathers would think;
From the death we are shrinking, our fathers would shrink;
To the life we are clinging, they also would cling -
But it speeds from us all like a bird on the wing.

They loved - but the story we cannot unfold;
They scorned - but the heart of the haughty is cold;
They grieved - but no wail from their slumber will come;
They joyed - but the tongue of their gladness is dumb.

They died - aye, they died - we things that are now,
That walk on the turf that lies over their brow,
And make in their dwellings a transient abode,
Meet the things that they met on their pilgrimage road.

Yea, hope and despondency, pleasure and pain,
Are mingled together in sunshine and rain;
And the smile and the tear, the song and the dirge,
Still follow each other, like surge upon surge.

'Tis the wink of an eye - 'tis the draught of a breath -
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death,
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud

Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?.......

.........

Very, very powerful poem ....
When we ponder the truth of the poem,
Arrogance & vanity left us ,
Humility and a quiet sadness settles in ....

When Dear, shall I see your face?

2008-01-25T13:29:00.000-08:00

Longing

In Indian teachings, Bira, spiritual longing is a very strong quality to reach
the feet of the Divine ...
Love, devotion, humility and longing are qualities conducive to spiritual cultivation.

Indian scriptures are full of such poems ...

The following is a poem on longing ............

When, dear, shall I see your face ???

At times, I shall live a life ...
I shall seek entertainment in sights and laughter ...
Yet, deep within the heart, I shall be seeking thee still ...
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

Man passes his life in many pursues ...
Running after at times this, another time that ...
All the while, a silent voice is asking ...
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

The same questions asked again and again ...
Life after life, birth after birth ...
Earnestly seeking, the soul tires and drops to the ground
Whispering, when, dear, shall I see your face ???

In many forms have I came seeking,
Through the great cycle of the eighty-four,
passing through transient happiness and many sufferings
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

It is said that man is the highest of creation,
All scriptures expound : in man is the only hope.
Without this body, non can find thee ...
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

Man tolls his life through many activities,
Studies, work, family, responsibilities,
At the time of death, a single question remains ....
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

Without a sight of thee, my heart remains pining,
Like a fish without water, it could hardly live ...
Have pity, dear, and grant me a sight,
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

Many errors I must have committed,
Else why is it that I could not see thou
Yet, Thou are Dayal, the all-merciful.
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

All the lucky ones have been ferried across,
Why speak of them in front of one forlorn?
Tell me, dear, do I stand any chance at all?
When, dear, shall I see your face ???

written sometime in the 1990s

Gentle Utterance

2008-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Gentle Utterance

The sage says,
I try to be silent,
but Goodness just slips out of my lips.

Thou has made me helpless...
I could not help but speak goodness...

Thy gracious thoughts touches my mind,
I am thus lost to the world....

Around me,
I see,only the beauty of your grace...

Smiling meekly,I pour love unto thy creation
Enjoying myself immensely in the process....

Drunken with joy,
I lost all distinction between man and creatures
and name all of them,
My Brothers....

written sometime in the 1990s

Titou Le Lapinou - Le Coucou du Titou

2008-01-18T03:11:00.003-08:00

La Little Bird :)

Pigloo - Le papa Pingouin - Clip

2008-01-18T03:11:00.001-08:00

Another French Penguin :)

Pigloo - Le Ragga Des Pingouins

2008-01-18T03:10:00.001-08:00

Best French children cartoon I've seen :)

Sami Yusuf - Asma Allah

2007-12-12T09:21:00.001-08:00

The best muslim song I've heard :)
Asma Allah means "99 names of God"

Gurubani Kirtan by Snatam Kaur

2007-12-12T09:14:00.001-08:00

The best kirtan I've heard : )

Snatam Kaur:Sacred Sikh Chants for Peace, Part 1

2007-12-12T08:51:00.001-08:00

Interview of Snatam Kuar by Supreme Master TV :)

Snatam Kaur's sikh music

2007-12-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

Discover another good musician from Supreme Master TV [Wow, this free online tv really finds all the goodmusicians in the world. :):):)]

Snatam Kaur, singer of kirtan in the Sikh tradition. She grow up in a Sikh family and her parents use tosing kirtan when they are cooking :):)

She is a practitioner of Kundalini yoga and herspiritual teacher is Yogi Bhajan. :)

Her music is beautiful and creates a peacefulambiance. It has a calming and soothing effect.She has toured the world on peace concert and is verywell recieved throughout.

[Peace concerts seems to the 'in' thing now :):) We have Sami Yusuf from the muslim religion having peace concerts. Al Gore organizing peace concert for a greener world. and now this gentle lady, having peace concerts to promote interfaith peace. These true artists are emerging to create good music and give voice to a peaceful world. :):)]

You may like to listen to her music at youtube:

Gurbani Kritan :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MlaiLh2IHg

Ong Namo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuDKZuuHhDs

Snatam Kaur's offical website is : http://www.snatamkaur.com/web8.html

Interview with Supreme Master TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6oMWuP_ZGc

..........

Snatam's music will sooth, relax and revitalize you at the end of a tired day. :)

Happy viewing n listening.

Best wishes, Low ck

Share positive news

2007-11-30T04:09:00.000-08:00

Am watching Supreme Master tv, a free positive onlinetv channel :):)
share some good news :).....

Today, Singapore is mentioned in ‘Noteworthy News’.:):)
‘Singapore develops a green curriculum in schools. …
Singapore's Environmental Education module teachesprimary school students about air purification andwater conservation.’
‘Thank you for teaching young children to protect our beautiful Earth.’ : ) : )
........

On ‘Planet Earth’, a program that focus onenvironmental issues, today’s highlight is a greenenergy/product Expo. – 2007 wired expo.

Manufacturers are now producing products made fromCO2.A company is using CO2 to make plastics. [37% CO2] Another company changes CO2 into biofuel [ethanol]and uses it in transport systems.

Turning the CO2 green house gas into something usefulis a cool idea. : )
….

Another program features peace efforts by Israeli and Palestine families who have lost familymembers due to the conflict. Israeli and Palestinefamilies are reaching out to each other to promote peace and understanding among each other.

An Israeli-and-Palestine artist team is going to schools, interacting with students and giving human-to-human talks.

Bless their peaceful efforts in creating mutualunderstandings among their people. Mutual understanding is a tremendous step in the way ofpeace.
Shalom [‘peace’ in Hebrew]

…

There are other interesting and positive programs onthe channel, but I’ll leave u to watch yourself. : )

The channel is available at :www.suprememastertv.com

I’ll end with the closing words of the program presenter :

'May your days be blessed
with the Sunshine of smiling faces,
the wind of good fortune and
an abundance of positive energy.' :):)

Best wishes

3 movie recommendations

2007-11-29T17:15:00.000-08:00

Watched quite a few movies in the holidays : ) : )
Recommend a few good ones. : )
…………….

1.Evan Almighty Directed by Tom Shadyac.

This is a funny family comedy where Junior congressman Evan Baxter [played by Steve Carell] prayed to ‘change the world’ and was called upon by God [played by Morgan Freeman] to build an Ark. [Actually Norah’s Ark : ) : ) ]

Evan tries to ignore this unusual request but Funny things begin to happen. Wood companies started delivering wood to his doorstep, animals started appearing before Evan two-by-two, and Evan started to grow a beard that could not be shaved. : ) : )

There are some nice conversations in the movie.
Evan asked, “ How do you go about saving the world?”
God said, ”By performing random act of kindness, one at a time.”
………
God appeared before Evan’s wife in the form of a waiter. : )
“When someone prayed for courage, What should God do?
Should He grant her courage, or the opportunity to be courageous?
When someone prayed for kindness,
Should He grant her kindness, or the opportunity to be kind?
When someone prayed to have family closeness,
Should God grant her family closeness or the opportunity to be close to her family?
Think about it. : ) : ) ”

This really got Evan’s wife thinking : ) : )
…………..

2. Miss Potter.

Miss Potter is the creator of Peter Rabbits, the world famous children’s book.
She wrote those delightful stories and draw the pictures in the book. : )

In the beginning of the film, Miss Potter said “There is something exciting when you started writing a story, you never can tell where it would bring you… Mine brought me here. “
A farmland of greeneries with a lake of exquisite beauty. : )
This is a Victorian story that is beautiful, elegant and kind. It’s full of grace, good manners and portrays the life of the artist/author/gentlelady – Miss Potter. This is the true English culture that our young school children should be exposed to. : ) : )
A movie review reads “It is a movie that grows on you and very beautiful to behold.”

Some funny conversations from the movie.
“My mother and I have finally reached an understanding. We both understand that we couldn’t understand each other at all !”
“I know that I’ve decided not to marry long ago …… but your brother just proposed to me. And I’m afraid that I have to say yes. ! ! “
It’s a romantic, touching, and gentle movie that will take your breath away. : ) : )
[Well ….. it took mine away for a while : ) : ) ]
…………..

3. Step Up

This is a hip-hop movie that really shows the American Hip Hop culture.
The night-partying, the dancing, the singing, the car-stealing, the gun shooting.
I would rate it PG [Parental Guidance] as there are some hot dancing that our kids shouldn’t be exposed to. [At least not at a young age. : ( ]

The hip hop dancing is quite impressive, it would take long hours of hard training to master the different body movements.

The movie shows the underlying problems that America faces. “ Fights in dance parties, easy assessiblity to guns, vandalism etc”

However, it also shows the bright side of life, the repentance, the taking of chances to prove one’s worth, the hardwork, the success etc.

If you wish to study the Hip-hop culture in America, this is a must-watch.

That’s all the movie review I have for now. : ) : )
You can borrow the movies from your friendly neighbourhood video rental shops.

Happy watching and have a nice holiday : ) : )

When you chance upon the land of the poets.

2007-11-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

When you chance upon the land of the poets.

When you chance upon the land of the poets,

Trend gently, my friend,
Be not in a hurry ...

Share the grace of warm friendship,
Enjoy a story or maybe two ..
...

When you chance upon the land of the poets,

Place your hat among the flowers,
Lay your mat upon the ground.

Look around with childish eyes,
Enjoy Beauty as Beauty enjoys thou ..

...

When you chance upon the land of the poets,

Let your heart rest upon the moment,
Let thy conscious be in tune.

Let thy worries ease into nothingness.
And be a part of Melodious sound ...

A meaningful quote

2007-11-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

A Quote

Recently Supreme Master Ching Hai shared many good jokes, many good stories with her disciples.

She shares a quote from a Vietnamese President,
saying that this is a day-to-day, down-to-earth saint,
with no glorious title like 'the disciple of a great master' etc ...

"I'm no saint. I just sleep late, wake up early ...
[probably because of a lot of work / heavy responsibility of the presidency]
And take care of every detail of my life,
minute by minute, second by second..."

Master remarked that if we could just do that,
Just be a day-to-day, ordinary gentlemen/lady,
trying our best to do our duty and taking good care of minute things that fall upon our path,
We would bring much happiness to ourselves, and the people around us. :):)

I love library : )

2007-11-14T07:42:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

I am in Geylang East Library, and see a board where
they let people paste their 'I Love Library' notes.

The following are a few that I find rather funny and
heart-warming:

The library has many books to bring home to read.
It's better than the book stores, cause you don't have
to pay anything. :P

.......

Library is like my home -> Sweet, clean & comfortable
The librarian are like my parents -> helpful, caring
and kind.
The Library is our house of books, containing love &
Knowledge.

Home Sweet Library
Sign

........
Library is a place for reading
and there are prizes to be won !

.......

We love the library,
'cause it has many storybooks
and it's very beautiful.

We can also borrow the toilets to use.
Ha Ha.

.........

I Love the library,
but,
Sometimes,
the library
love me.

[very Zen! :P]
.........

It's a heaven of Wisdom.
.......

I Love the library,
as it is a place
to bring my love ones. :>

.....

I Love a library,
Where everyone smiles.

....

Knowledge for LIFE!

.......

I also added a little note :

A place where wisdom flowers,
A place where knowledge is passed.

A place of solitude and quiet moments,
A place reserved in my heart. :)

.....

I myself have many fond memories of the library,
I visit it quite often to use the internet
and to read some nice books :)

Visit your friendly NLB soon :)

Best wishes,
Low ck

Letter to a friend

2007-11-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

To a friend who is unwell,

When you are ill, you have time. : ) : )

All the work and house work, you could put behind.....

Allow your heart to relax,
Go out, if situation permits, to look at the flowers and the trees.

Apologize to them for not appreciating their beauty (before.)

Once I wrote such a poem while talking to the flowers:

That day, my dear, I saw a flower.
And softly uttered these words to her

" You and I came down for the same purpose,

To glorify the Universal Power
and to beautify the world.

You are doing your job dutifully
I am trying hard to do mine.

Help to remind me of our common goal
That I may always keep our ideals in sight.
"

(It's wonderous what nature could teach us, isn't it?.)

When your friends come to visit you,
Allow the warmth of friendship to flow,
from the concern in your commarade's eyes, unto your heart.

When your relatives visit you,
Reconnect to those whom you have neither chance nor time to be together.
And enjoy the family togetherness.

Enjoy the company of your wife and your son,
who are ever present by your side.

When you are alone, remember to remember the Almighty.
And pray within to the Highest Power for His will to be done.

Read a nice story before you sleep,
That you may end your day, with the name of the Beloved upon your lips ....

May the blessing of the Prophets be upon you....

Enjoy a very happy and short sickness....

Get well soon.

Ever Thy friend,
Low.

Greetings to a Native American Friend

2007-10-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

The following was a passage that I posted on a Spiritual Group's page [All Spirit] some years ago.

Share with all :) :)
.................

I was going through the previous posts,
and am delighted to find among the members of this group,
a Native American Sister. (Vivan)
[Not sure if there are any more Native American friends :):)]

...

Allow me to greet her/them properly :):)

Life must have been hard on the red people..

But I came to greet you with a spiritual message that there is Hope.

Even in this group, people of the 4 races (red, yellow, black, white) gather to talk about Grandpa (God), Earth Mother & Brotherhood.

Even when each is in different walk,
there is Unity in Oneness of Spirit.

It is with great happiness that technology has allowed a yellow Brother to reach across the Earth to a red Sister and Greet each other in the Great Spirit.

Let us continue to choose Good, Do Good and Walk our Talk.

Let us pray that we of the two-legged could learn to respect the sacredness of all life, and learn to live in harmony with Mother Earth, our many-legged brothers (animals) & non-legged friends (plants). : )

With Love
Low.

Children's poem1

2007-10-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have a friend

I have a friend who works with electricity,
I have a friend who teaches in a school,
I have a friend who cooks great meals,

And Gosh, I love them very much.

...

I have a friend who sing & dance,
I have a friend who draw nice pictures,
I have a friend who writes songs & Poems,

And Gosh, I loved them very much.

......

I have a friend who dreams all day,
I have a friend who eats alot,
I have a friend who smiles every moment,

And Gosh, I love them very much.

....

I have a friend who prays now and again,
I have a friend who study Good Books,
I have a friend who thinks too hard,

And Gosh, I love them very much :):)

Repayment of Grace

2007-10-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

The Buddha said, there is 4 types of Grace that we have to repay.

The Grace shown to us by:
1) Our Parents
2) Our Family & Friends
3) Our Teachers
4) Our Kings and Leaders[In modern Terms, our Government.]

...........

Master Ching Hai also reminds us to remember :

The Policeman,
who is petroling the streets while we sleep peacefully at night

The Soldiers,
Standing Guard in the borders to ensure National Security.

The Road builders,
whom pave our roads with sweat and hard labour.

The Street sweepers,
whose efforts keep our streets clean and Green. etc .... etc .... etc ...
[ One's heart would just melt when one recount the services of many ]

'You are born to this world because of the Grace of many beings.
Be grateful always .... And serve them with all your heart.'

.......

One way of service lays in useful work,
in harmonious relationship,
in goodwill, in prayers and meditation,
in poems & arts

And in leading
a Beautiful Life ..... :) :)

On Scientist

2007-10-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Some science starts from observation, some start from experiment, others start and progress by intuition :):)

Albert Einstein notice that apart from human governance, there is a greater law that regulates the universe in a orderly manner. He started all his experiments because he wanted to get a glimpse of that law :)

He says that " At any rate, I am convinced that He [The Creater] does not play dice. [with the Creation]
.........

Many great scientist have the goal to benefit the entire mankind. :):)

Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving - Albert Einstein

Science is but a perversion of itself unless it has as its ultimate goal the betterment of humanity. - Nicola Tesla

I want to save and advance human life, not destroy it.... I am proud of the fact that I have never invented weapons to kill.... - Thomas Edison

I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others... I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent.... - - Thomas Edison

..........

They train themselves hard :

From childhood I was compelled to concentrate attention upon myself. This caused me much suffering, but to my present view, it was a blessing in disguise for it has taught me to appreciate the inestimable value of introspection in the preservation of life, as well as a means of achievement
- Nicola Tesla

Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration.
- Thomas Edison

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity
- Albert Einstein

and through their diligence and good will brought much benefit to mankind :):)

...

That is what little I know of the scientist :):)

Teacher's day Haiku

2007-10-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

A kid somewhere wrote to a teacher somewhere :):)

Sweet is ur Nature,
Dear is ur Name,
Close 2 my heart,
U will always remain.

As Earth wants water,
Flower wants Dew,
I want nothing
But Happiness for U. :)

..............

Here's my version :):)

Happy is ur nature,
Smile is on ur face.
Kind & Generous,
U will always remain. :)

As plants need water,
& flowers need sun,
little kids need tchrs,
to learn & hv fun :):)

Mahatma Gandhi

2007-10-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Mahatma Gandhi , gracious be his Name...

Apostle of Ahimsa, non-violence.

Father of a nation, and yet humble and ever so gentle in the heart.

He was first a sage, and uses politics to bring his ideas and practice across to the masses.

To stand up for justice and to non co-operate for unjust.

To sincerely put in all efforts to find a commonground, and to bring peace upon the lands..

Not to harm but to convert his opponents by love and the suffering that is undergone
by himself and his followers.

To live by example.

In his life, there are many instants that touches one's heart...

A mother approached Gandhi and asked him to advise her child not to take sweets.
Gandhi agreed but ask the mother to come back one week later.
The mother came after one week.

Gandhi took the child into his lap, patted him and said, " Little child, please do not take sweets anymore as it is bad for your health..'

After which Gandhi return the child to his mother.

The mother was puzzled and asked, ' If you have only this advise for my son, why is it that you have towait for one week? '

Gandhi replied, 'Because one week before, I myself am still taking sweets.' .....

Gandhi Ji use to hum the Lines of a Gujerati poet,Shamlal Bhatt, when he was a child :

For a bowl of water give a goodly meal;
For a kindly greeting bow thou down with zeal;
For a single penny pay thou back with gold;
If thy life be rescue, life do not withhold.
Thus the words and actions of the wise regard;
Every little service tenfold they reward.
But the truely noble know all men as one,
And return with gladness good for evil done.

He don't really understand it in his childhood,
but came to know it's profound meaning as he grows up. :) :)

Written in 1998.