Sunday, June 22, 2008

Random Stuff From My Old Work Desk I

I'm in the process of clearing my old work desk. Over the past 7 years I really nested in that tight little corner.

I'm taking pictures of the desk as I'm clearing it bit by bit. If anyone is interested in following the visual archive of my packing process, here's my Flickr photostream.

Among the items on my desk is a simple little note that I've kept in plain view for the past few years. It is an extract from the Dhammapada. I kept it there to remind myself of one of the most important lessons I have learned. Everyday remains relevant to this day, because it is a lesson I need to relearn every single day.

As it goes in the Dhammapada, "All that we are arises with our thoughts./With our thoughts we make the world."

We are owners of our karma. For me, this revelation was liberating - as we maketh the world with our thoughts, so can we mend it. Suddenly, change is possible. It all begins with awareness. Love is a choice. Hate is a choice. Forgiveness is a choice.

"I can't stand them!" is a delusion. So is: "I can't forgive her."


Note to Myself

Enlarge

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with an impure mind

And trouble will follow you
As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with a pure mind
And happiness will follow you
As your shadow, unshakeable.

In this world
Hate never yet dispelled hate.
Only love dispels hate.
This the law,
Ancient and inexhaustible.

You too shall pass away.
Knowing this, how can you quarrel?

Sometimes, when I talk to my friends about this idea of the karma of change, I get the looks of skepticism. I get similar reactions when I talk about what yoga means to me.

"You sound like a self-help book," someone once said to me.

"I know," I would reply. "Who would have thought?"

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Remember, let me know should you need me to send toilet rolls. :p

darkorpheus said...

Ah Leng Auntie, it probably cost more to send it over than to buy it there!

Please send cash instead. In Sterling Pound or Euro Dollars. I can find a money changer.

Anonymous said...

Pooey! I like sending packages. I send my teddy bear over to keep you company?

darkorpheus said...

Ah Leng I have my own teddy bears, thank you. And I can't guarantee you will ever get your bears back. I might just leave them behind when I return. ;p

If you want to send parcels, send things I might eat and can keep for a while.

Pasta is good. Nuts (almond, walnuts, hazelnuts) is good. So is canned beans, canned olives etc.

No need chilli sauce.

Anonymous said...

There may be restrictions on the types of food we can mail through.

Cooked or uncooked pasta? :p

darkorpheus said...

Ah Leng From you? Uncooked of course. Who trusts your cooking? ;p

Anonymous said...

KNNBCCB!!!

jenclair said...

:)I started off knowing what I was going to say, but got totally distracted by the conversation above!

Oh, yeah - "Thoughts become things. Think the good ones."

Carl V. Anderson said...

I'm going to pass away?!?!? What!?!? :)

darkorpheus said...

Jenclair *grin* Jenclair, meet Ah Leng aka The Brat - my Partner-in-Crime Against Good Behaviour. :)

Be sure to think good thoughts about people too.

Carl *SPOILER AHEAD*

We are all going to die....eventually. ;p

Anonymous said...

Off-topic, I know, but have you heard Flickr is banned here in Dubai? I am missing it.

darkorpheus said...

Ella OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! How am I going to upload my photos??!