Moving On and Starting a New Chapter

It's Day 2... 

And since the moment it happened, I've been reading this article to help me cope. It's true what that article says, that even if what had to end has already been unhealthy for sometime, once it does, you will still feel all sorts of painful and unsettling emotions after - stress, grief, disappointment, confusion, profound loss, sadness, etc. No wonder I'd always take back my decision before because I didn't want to deal with these painful emotions after. But now that the final decision had been his and I know I've already caused him so much pain too, it's time to grow up and face the music. 

Stillness in My Heart Speaks

It's the middle of the year and I am happy to say that at last, I found peace. Or maybe it's not entirely peace, but having gone through what I had for more than a year now, the emotional roller coaster, the  thoughts of suicide, wanting to end my marriage and all those other negative emotions that ate me up day in and day out no matter how blessed other people see me, it can take its toll on one's heart, mind and soul. And today, my 3rd day of feeling neutral, I realized how much I missed this. I missed the feeling of quiet and peace in my heart. My left brain is arguing that perhaps it's just my hormones finally coming to rest. But my right brain is reveling in it.

Discover the Treasure Within with Most Venerable Hsin Ting

Most Venerable Hsin Ting, widely respected Buddhist Monk and meditation teacher, will again visit Manila, this time to hold a series of activities that can help people discover the treasure within them and tap a spring of happiness and wealth. 

Most Venerable Hsin Ting will hold a talk on Meditative Concentration: The Source of Developing One's Wisdom on October 25, 2012 at 7:30PM. It will be a perfect introduction to the practice of meditation, regardless of one's religion or background. Experienced meditators will also gain insights to further their practice by attending this talk.

On October 26, 2012 also at 7:30PM, the beloved spiritual teacher will talk on The Way to Happiness. The lecture will be a great opportunity for everyone to hear with clarity the 2,500-year-old teachings of the Buddha that will surely bring hope and happiness. Both events will be held at Mabuhay Temple located at 656 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate Manila right across Century Park Hotel.

All talks by Most Venerable Hsin Ting will be anchored on the Diamond Sutra, an essential Mahayana Buddhist scripture, often said to contain the key to authentic transformation. The sutra is regarded by many devotees as a source of wisdom and good fortune, thus, most of them read and recites it in a regular basis.

Most Venerable Hsin Ting will also personally preside over a Triple Gem and Five Precepts Ceremony on October 27, 2012 at Mabuhay Temple. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem simply means abiding and seeking support from the Buddha, his teachings and his community of followers. It is a very important step for anyone who is serious in studying and practicing Buddhism. In addition to taking refuge in the Triple Gem, an individual can also commit to observe the Five Precepts or guides that encourage good conduct, namely, to refrain from killing, stealing, committing sexual misconduct, lying and taking intoxicants.

After taking part in the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony, an individual can still follow the practices of other religions and faiths as long as they promote goodness and guide them on the right track. It is not even required for an individual to become a vegetarian after agreeing to uphold the Five Precepts. 

Most Venerable Hsin Ting was the sixth abbot and director of Taiwan-based Fo Guang Shan monastery from 1997-2005. He renounced under Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, in 1968 and is a forty-ninth lineage holder of the Linji Chan School. He graduated from the Eastern Buddhist College and the India Research Institute of the Chinese Cultural University. He further received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Fo Guang Shan-affiliated University of the West in Rosemead, California in 1998.

Expected to succeed Venerable Master Hsing Yun as the head teacher of Fo Guang Shan, Most Venerable Hsin Ting now travels around the world to share the joys of the Dharma through lectures, instruction in Ch'an (Zen) meditation, Buddhist ceremonies, chants, books, educational and humanitarian projects.

For more information, please go to www.mabuhaytemple.com/treasure-within or call 0917-8124424.

Sexy Nomad's Monastic Diaries (Entry # 1): Hogwarts is that you?

To see the prologue or to have a better idea where my Monastic diary entries came from, please head to these links:

Spot the Filipino Harry Potter Look-Alike and Some Thoughts for the Coming Days

2012 International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an

*This meditation retreat is an option the participants at the youth seminar can take on the 2nd week. There were 1,500 participants during the one-week 2012 International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Only 200 were admitted to the Meditation Retreat  the following week, including me.*

~~~oOo~~

July 28, 2012 Saturday | On my bunk bed | Fo Guang Shan Temple in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

I sometimes feel like I'm in Hogwarts (Kung Fu Panda version) with the long monastic robes all 200 of us are wearing, the huge expanse of land which houses various Buddha temples and contemplation sites, the sound of the birds chirping all day long, the ringing of the bells and gongs every hour or so signalling the time for prayers, chanting meditation and meals. It's Hogwarts alright but without the magic and mystical creatures.

However, unlike Hogwarts, this meditation retreat that I'm attending is boring in nature. There are no classes per se nor seminars unlike last week's international youth seminar. We are not even allowed to speak to each other or to anyone. The monks had us surrender our cellphones, laptops, iPods, iPads and other gadgets. In fact, according to the manual, we are also not allowed to write. Strictly speaking, any form of communication is not allowed during this 5-day retreat! My God! I'm going to die! So I'm hiding here in my bed writing these things down on my little pink notebook before I go crazy in this 5-day  meditation retreat with a vow of silence to boot plus vegetarian meals and manual chores in between which I deposited $100 for. It's going to be refunded back to me if I last the whole week. IF I LAST THE WHOLE WEEK!

Birthday Thoughts

It's my birthday today and it hit me... I'm old! And I hope wiser too. Since February came around, I've been thinking about OLD AGE--- A LOT! It will still be decades before I hit that mark but I feel like I have to be proactive about ensuring our happy and healthy survival. After all, my husband and I don't have kids and we only have each other to count on when that time comes.  I've also been feeling like I'm no longer the fun-crazed gal I was before. I now think about RETIREMENT too. No thanks to Suze Orman, who I love by the way, but man, her financial advices are really hitting me to the core. Now I just like to make money, save money, invest when possible, and stop myself from spending for unnecessary stuff (budget travels are excluded coz that's the only "luxury" I have left in life, hahaha. Hey, it's educational and enriching too!). After all, we've already accumulated a lot of stuff over the years, stuff that we don't even get to use as often as we want to (like our surfboard, our foosball, or 4 flat screen TVs [omg!4!], our drums, guitar & keyboard [huhu], our old Wii & PSP, my tons of brand new shoes and books.... stuff that just keep on accumulating dust inside our house. Tsk, tsk. Maybe Peter is right, I'm a hoarder and it's time I face that fact. But at least I'm not like those hoarders I see on TV, I can't live like that. I'm still a sensible and neat freak hoarder if I may say so. I think our house is a testament to that.

Maybe this is just a phase but I have a feeling that I am turning into somebody more sensible, more "kuripot", and more mature (I hope!). Sure, I still crave enjoyment but it has now taken a totally different form. And when I say different form, I mean sleep. At least, this is what's happening to me as of late. In my head, I still do make plans that seem to match the energy of a twenty year old but once I'm done for the day and I retire to our bedroom, I just simply fall into blissful slumber. Before I know it, the weekend has turned into one long dreamless sleep and it's Monday once again. There goes my list of fun activities down the drain! Or maybe because I was just feeling sick since last weekend. I didn't have the flu but I had some of its symptoms like aching joints, over-fatigued body, headache, runny nose... Thank God for Vita Plus and Bioflu it was no more than that and I am starting to feel a little better.The Valentine hoopla helped I guess. ;)

So anyway, what's for my birthday? I honestly don't know. I didn't make any plans. I'll let life take me to wherever it takes me. I've been making too many plans for far too long, I think it's time to let go of the lists in the meantime and just let life surprise me, for this weekend at least. Happy birthday, me! (^_^)

-----------------
Feb. 20, 2012
P.S. Because I let life take me wherever, I ended up having one of the most memorable birthdays ever: Manila Ocean Park, The Pergola, etc. - a Happy Birthday Weekend Celebration

The 30-day Challenge

Today is the Chinese new year. We're now entering the year of the Water Dragon and more than the prediction of the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar, we should focus on the great things that 2012 has to bring. In essence, the year of the Water Dragon will bring so much blessings to those who are generous and kind, to those who are embarking on new adventures and those who  make this world a better place to live in. All of us can do our part, even if it means just changing one bad habit. After all, habits are what make the success and failure patterns  of our life. It's those little things we do everyday on a consistent basis that will dictate the direction our life is taking. 

Read more: How To Take The 30-Day Challenge (Turn A New Habit Into A Way of Life) - https://momtraneur.com/2018/05/20/how-to-take-the-30-day-challenge-turn-a-new-habit-into-a-way-of-life/

Jan. 3 Gratitude Journal

When we have gratitude in our hearts, we attract more of the things we want.  So for today, let me take this time to thank God and the universe for these three things I consider my blessings:

1. That I am able to do what's on my list for the first 3 days of the year. (I hope to be consistent for the next 362 days of the year)
2. That I was able to book cheap flights to Siargao and Cebu this summer. (I hope I can find cheap accommodations too as I will be staying there for 17 days)
3. That I have work I like and hobbies that give me joy. (Since I have been allowing myself to spend more time making my herbal jelly soaps, I am happier and surprisingly excited to continue doing my VA jobs this year.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!