Good Morning

Good Morning!

Now I understand why I always feel so fresh during retreats. Thats because I sleep early and wake up early everyday. For the past week, I have been sleeping at around 1130 to 12 midnight, and I woke up the next morning feeling my head heavy and goggy. Last nite, I slept at 1030pm, and woke up at 6am this morning. The morning is super refreshing, even till now, i find myself feeling very light and fresh.

In the past when i was a student, I cant help but have to sleep late. But now i do have a choice, I have decided to adopt good sleeping habits. In fact every morning after I enter my office, I will do my morning puja. It has kinda become a routine for me, and I feel great. But still no match for bean who has done it almost daily for the past decade yeh?

I suddenly recall what vincent has done for himself before leaving for SEP. For several months, he did the 88 buddha prostrations and chantings everyday. He din tell me himself but i get to learn it from Darren. Upon interviewing him, I was taught that such daily practices help to gradually strengthen us not just physically but spiritually. Its also a test on our determination and faith, that we can keep up with the practice regularly (as in daily).

Shame to say, my most routined practice is none other than my weekly meditation sitting at CMC, and its only an hr. All those small sittings i did myself at home on the weekdays are not counted. I was told my behaviour and attitude of learning the Dharma works like a rubber band, and there is no use repeatedly stretching and letting go of myself (ie. repeatedly getting myself inspired for a short while and then start to lose motivation again). Occasionally flipping some Dharma books, sitting irregularly and attending Dharma talks (for fellowships or momentarily inspirations?) are not going to help me much in the long run.

Perhaps its an inevitable passing phase, or I have wasted much time lingering around making myself feel 'dharmic' but am actually just an empty shell... To keep myself abreast with the Dharma, I have do something. A routine practice has to be drawn, planned and done. I really hope I am disciplined enough to do so.

Got a pleasant email from Goh Yeeling, recalling bits and pieces of the past. The tips given to the meditation participants:

In order to benefit from the nature of such retreat, participants are advised to put aside their family, work or other commitments during the retreat (No outside contact). That would mean making necessary
arrangements in advance prior to retreat. (If you are working, do apply for leave in advance.)

Please prepare yourself, physically and mentally. Take this as a precious opportunity to engage in pure mindful living and concentration practice.