AffairBoard

Becoming Aware in Singapore

Singapore is a pretty boring place. Let me explain, it’s boring because there are no school massacres, no corruption or scandals, not gang warfare and not much crime. The elections are low key and not exciting and are a pretty predictable fair. Even the private banks of Singapore are doing well with all the global economy in the tank. But, lately, Singaporeans have been treated to a bit of excitement. People are all a buzz about it and it’s getting wide coverage by the local media. The Internet is humming with all kinds of opinions and because it has a little bit of a religious element to it, this is why I’m discussing it in my blog.

It’s only today that I will address this, so don’t worry or stress out, because I will return to my usual subject tomorrow. There’s an organization called AWARE which has promoted women’s rights for over 26 years. Like everything you’d expect from a modern progressive women’s advocacy group. Well, last month, AWARE had their annual meeting and a large group of members who has only joined the organization last month, voted out all the old members and over took the running of the organization. What was more astonishing was that six of the eleven new officers all just happen to be members of the same religious organization. If you’ve been living in Singapore even just today, you will know which organized religious over took AWARE. I will not mention them and give them credit.

The new AWARE committee have publicly stated that they did not know each other previous to their election and that they haven’t yet decided whether there will be a new policy on gender issues and that they intend to keep their religious views in the background. After that announcement, my Singaporeans reported seeing pigs fly. I’ve heard rumors that the ousted committee has planned to do the same thing, become underhanded, dubious and even immoral in order to win back the organization. Now, stay tuned, tomorrow, I’ll be writing about my normal stuff, even though it’s not as exciting.

Tags: Aware, private banks of Singapore

Returning to Perth

I grew up in Perth, Australia. As a child and then an adolescence, I was overshadowed by the religion with which my parents projected on me. I was raised with very rigid rules and regulations which gave me no choice but to conform and to adopt my parents beliefs that were constantly being programmed into me. This impacted tremendously me as I grew up. As a result of me not being able to express my own opinions, emotions and having very little opportunities to develop socially, my entire well being suffered. I has so much difficulty making friends at all my schools, and I felt I didn’t fit in anywhere or with anyone. Even at the age of 19, I developed a belief that I was incapable of having a girlfriend.

But, one night, all of that changed for me when I had a spiritual awakening in 99′. For the first time of my life, I connected deeply within. I felt the presents of a higher self. Grace entered my life and I experienced the oneness of all things. I felt the presence of an energy and love that was always within myself and it’s beyond anything I can put into words or anything I couldn’ve ever imagined. From that night on, I knew that there was a greater truth for me to explore and experience. I left the church where I grew up, left Australia and became world traveler seeking others who have had the spiritual awakening as I have had. My excitement and energy has never waned. My journey around the world was intentional were I wanted a more global perspective of the world, I wanted to find out if my truth was the same as others truth.

My trip, my long journey was amazing and very enlightening. I learned so much about humanity, different ways of life, cultures, I made many many friends from all over the globe. But, more important, I learned about myself. About 2 and a half years into my travelling, my intuition told be to come back home. I made reservations at one of the Perth boutique hotels, near where my folks live. I didn’t want to hurt them more than I already have, but I did want to thank them and let them know just how much I love them, even though I know I’ve disappointed them, but I want to let them know that they have not disappointed me, but mostly, I want to introduce them to my wife.

Tags: Australia, Botique hotel Perth, grace, spiritual awakening

Hindu Prayer Beads

Prayer beads or mala in Sanskrit, have a long history of use in the subcontinent of India. Buddhist prayer beads have their roots in Hinduism where the followers of Shiva would carry rudraksha seed bead malas for counting the repetition of their mantras or prayers. Malas are used by more than half of the worlds religions and from about five hundred BCE. Buddhist mala beads have been traditionally made from Bodi seeds. The Bodi tree, a type of fig, is said to be the tree the Buddha sat and meditated under for seven years. Sandalwood and other material were used as Buddhism spread. While wood is traditional material, stone, shell, glass and plastics are used today. Buddhist and Hindus use malas to this day, frequently the malas are so decorative that people not of those religions choose to wear them as adornment. Today malas can be seen everywhere from gift shops in five star hotels in Deli to the smallest and most humble villages and towns. The use of the mala not only aides in the counting of the prayer but the concentration of the energies conjured up in the process of the repetition and meditation on the sentiment of the mantra / prayer. It is believed the mala will embody the essence of all these energies thought time and use. The etymology of mala beads goes back to ancient India. Mala or Japa Mala is a Sanskrit word that was adopted into other Asian languages as the use of the beads spread. When the Romans invaded India they mistook the word japa for jap, the Latin word for rose. Upon returning to Rome, mala beads were referred to as rosarium and latter English rosary. Today people of many traditions and backgrounds use malas in their practice or simply for adornment.

Tags: five star hotels, Hindu, mala, Prayer Beads, rudraksha seed bead malas

Newar Community of Nepal

Nepal is an interesting and dynamic Asian country, and also happens to be the world’s youngest Republic. It is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The culture and arts aspects of this country are intriguing to tourists and essential to the residents. Many people travel here for vacations, and also spiritual journeys. The Nepal hotels provide the utmost of luxury accommodations to tourists, regardless of the specific reason for their decision to visit this beautiful country.

The Newa community of Nepal accounts for the indigenous population from the Katmandu Valley. The name is based on the medieval kingdom, which served as the early capital. They are bound by a common language and tradition plays an essential role in their communities. The earliest history of these people was preserved through mythological scriptures and is relevant to the contemporary society. The Swayambhu Purana is one of these scriptures and tells the story of the early development of this valley. While it is considered an apocryphal story about the creation of a land area by the draining of a great lake, it is somewhat supported by geological evidence.

The primary religion of this valley is Buddhism, and many temples are present to demonstrate this. Tourists are often awed by the beauty and elaborate decorative aspects of these temples and acknowledge a sense of spiritual significance when visiting. Music is also a primary element in the culture and much of it is based on percussion instruments. Wind instruments, such as various flutes, are also common, while strings are rare. The songs often relate to seasonal festivals, which are common and frequently celebrated in the valley. Traditional Newar art is also a major component of festival celebration. While most of the festivals are based on Buddhist philosophy and tradition, Hindu deities are also featured and honored. The Yanya Punhi festival is an example of this and is associated with the Hindu god Indra.

Tags: Community, Hindu, hotels, Indra, Nepal