Pathway Source

First off, Chan Liang, i think your words has crept into my being, and have made me grown so much by reading it. It is really amazing.

Thank you, you post has inspired me. Keep it up.

I have just bought a magazine, National Geographic Magazine. I think it is the best magazine that offers the most conprehensive information about the world, culture, animals, nature and beyond.

This special magazine was about the 50 year aniversary of space flight. Observing the pictures (must i say it was high quality) and i was stunned. It was amazing, and that very moment, i felt i was a speck of a massive enormous system that is beyond my imagine. Among the milky way, the planets, the moment you can cover the whole of Earth with your thumb, imagine how perspective can change.

This particular sentence particular hit home...
'' Space travel can be proclaimed as the biggest achievement in human history. Why?


1. It took genius to master the theory of Space travel

2. Nation Will (and tax payers money)

3. Amazing vision, with perfect political timing


Something unusual isnt it.





I close my eyes, and think of the possibilities.,..and say why not....


Now read this article - http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/28/2476679.htm?section=justin

and i grow disgusted. Why!!!!

Forgive me, but that is just only one of the articles. Ive been reading more accounts of this story, and believe this, this is tame as it gets.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGNAU200811178165
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-26-voa42.cfm
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7RNWN&q=thailand+refugees&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_group&resnum=1&ct=title

What is going on...really??

I place my palms together, and i pray and wish, for better times, for a unified action,

to human rights...to environment, to animals, in the very least, for ourselves. I am beginning to hang my head in shame. I want to do something, i need to do something. I have no respect for that i see and allow. I have to sense of decency. It is the freaking 21st century, and we are no different to slavery in the medieval. Just different ways.

I feel chained.

I know it's a really strong word, but it describes aptly what I'm feeling right now. The task ahead seems to be so huge, so massive, and it seems almost an impossibility to get there. Poverty, hunger, malnutrition, slavery, genocides, war, rape all seems like an insurmountable wall. It seems far away, totally irrelevant to my current livelihood, totally untouched by it, yet because I care, I want to do something about it.

It seems like a war against evil, or is it a journey of awakening? Are we fighting people on the other side, or are we giving our lives and passion to awaken and shine light? The battle against my mind seems ever stronger than before, I sense its reluctance to let go, and relinquish control. As I awaken further, it fights back even stronger.

I feel chained because there are so many external voices, and external pressures which is non supportive. Or perhaps I'm giving them too much power and control. Dennet, like you always said, we live in a society of fast paced, instant gratification, quick results. The ability to appreciate fine and 'small' things in life has diminished, replaced by unsatisfaction, frustration, and angst.

In the movie, Last Samurai, there's a quote, "You can spend a lifetime looking for a cherry blossom, and it will not be a life wasted." Maybe the cherry blossom that I'm looking for is the World Peace, the elimination of hunger, the cessation of wars, the equality among all beings, but I have forgotten that the search and pursuit of it, which is where I am now, gives me more than actually finding it.

This last meeting, we reset the context and rigor of what we are about. Chang Liang is right, when he mentions about it casing away any doubts. So I feel renewed, i feel soft yet resolved to keep discipline and honor in our practice.

This journey isn't an easy one. I know, cause i am in it. The difficultly for me, is really keeping us going forward. The Activist life is a deeply grounded one, there is a lot of discipline that lays the foundation, but also courage and fierce passion for the love in his heart. (There is no other way to live, there really is no other. "Love is a labor, but i know i will slave till the end. ") He leads his life with this stand, where mortality is insignificant. He understands the necessities of this world, like money and status, that may bring added benefit to his cause, but he surpasses those niceties and dwells into the essential.

You see tools and resources may be important, but like an old warrior adage, "the mind, body and spirit is all one needs." Our wit, our creativity and our courage to do the impossible are the only tools and resources we need to ignite a serious change of mindsets and lifestyle, in building a world filled with compassion, honor and love.

But it starts with me, with us and with you.

Nothing great was ever achieved from small efforts or luck, but with a great deal of courage, discipline and hard work.

So we have daily and weekly practices that support our growth and spirit, we honor ourselves and the stand we make by being dedicated to the small incognito steps - the pathway that will get us there.

The meeting today solidified some of my doubts and gave a context with which we can operate.

Who doesn't have problems? However, the difference between a true master (or an activist) and an ordinary folk is that the master has a stand, and he lives it. Everyday, every minute, every moment. "I" no longer come across consequential. How I serve matters. Studies, work, relationship issues and all have been bugging, and grips on like a mimosa. But of what significance are they in the bigger communal or societal realm, much less mention the cosmic realm. Yet, I devote so much energy, worry, concern about handling these problems, and getting them out of the way, not knowing that I'm actually standing in the midst of a mimosa plain. So, walk to the edge, and get out of the field.

An activist lives from a stand, and is unwavering about it. And i really mean immovable. Rock static. It is then that these problems no longer present themselves as problems, but a passing phase carried sooner or later away by the wind. I stand for love, for equality, and for greatness in people. So guys, let's just make a decision to cut the wimpy bullshit away from our lives, and dedicate to living deliberately.

Truly pathway,
Chang Liang

Mr Ordorica urged Mr Mah to consider the disturbing mortality rate of the animals when evaluating import applications for such animals.

It had been reported previously that seven bottlenose dolphins, part of a group of 18 destined for Resorts World Sentosa, were taken from the wild in the Solomon Islands.

Although Singapore reportedly thanked Mr Ordorica for his letter, and has stated that the dolphins here will require Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) import and export permits, this in no way addresses or eliminates the stress, suffering and health risks these creatures have been subjected to and will endure in the whole process.

Marine Life Park has said its dolphin enclosure will more than meet the minimum space requirements for the dolphins, but in an era where corporate social responsibility is emphasised in relation to environmental concerns, it will not reflect well on Singapore's image and may also cause a dent in its reputation.

The act of taking these animals from the wild (endangered or not) is at odds with the letter and spirit of Singapore's Wild Animals & Birds Act, which prohibits the taking of an animal from the wild.

The list of injustices throughout the dolphins' ordeal is extensive and heart-rending to those in animal welfare:

Some reflections about the past couple of days, and what has been nagging up here in my head. A real struggle exists for me right now balancing between living and embracing my free spirit, my understanding of realities of life, and the hard and practical duties in my life right now.

Are they meant to be separated and distinct right from the start?

An honest answer to that would be a resounding no. There seems to be a middle ground, and there seems to be a place where I can embrace in totality the truths of life which I understand it and the everydayness of life. But right now, that is not the case for me. At this juncture, life seems to be offering a lot for me, so much that I feel at times inadequate to handle, and beat myself up for that. Maybe I don't have to do anything at all, and maybe this worry and doubt is really inconsequential. Right now, I have no concept of myself. I cannot for one, know who I am.

There are a lot of things which I am genuinely thankful and grateful for, but there are also things which I ... perhaps choose to avoid embracing. I feel like I'm constantly trapped in this cycle, and there seems to be no way out. The battle is always lost. Or maybe it is just what it is. Be satisfied that I'll never be satisfied. Yet, and of course be satisfied that that is not a satisfactory answer.

Every single moment offers an opportunity to practice what I learn, to play this game called life. What's it like out there with other people? With the both of you. How come people all seem and look ok, but in fact there's so much turmoil underneath which is unspoken, covered, even a boon to speak and express it? Maybe we think that we are the only ones fighting this battle alone, but hey, everyone's in it together. Where is the love? Why don't we understand, that everyone just wants to live?

When will the day come when we all awake from this slumber? When we all can come together in peace? When we can walk on the streets and hug another fellow human being freely? When our kids grow up, and all they know is that the world awaits their coming? When a Chinese, Indian, Malay, Japanese, Korean, American, French, Ethiopian, Ghanian, Brazillian see each other not as separate nationals but one of citizen of the world? When will the day come when we finally understood the meaning of love? When we appreciate the waterfalls, the valleys, the mountains, the rainforests like we appreciate our homes? When will the day come when existence of Earth is joy to every single individual? I await that day. I pray.

Every week, i look forward to our Sunday meetings. It is not only the company of my closest friends and the humor we share, but Sundays have become sacred. A day when i get to breathe purer air, be in nature, let me eyes wonder and experience fully my 5 senses... Where i get to really revitalize my body and spirit. I get to learn from masters who are on the pathway, changliang and kelveen are exquisite and absolutely instrumental in my own personal growth. Wisdom abound, the conversations are not only deep, but affects me in a profoundly beautiful way.

Take for example this week's meeting.

A walk in Macritche, solidified direction for our own activist movement on stopping dolphins and killer whales being shipped to Sentosa as show attractions... We have decided to take on the conglomerates who want to use wildlife as collateral in attracting profits. It gave us the impetus to start a new initiative called, "stopit.sg" to provide all information, petitioning and response from people who are against what is about to happen in our own city.

Off the beaten trail, and after much cussing about, "NO i do not want to canoe today", we made our way to the cafe to confirm all details about the slow movement of EnoughTalk's heart beat. It's website and Groundzero Initiatives were explored and confirmed.

There is much to be done, and there is only 3 of us, so if you read this and are keen to support please contact me at dennet@enoughtalk.org

Next we played Transformation for the remainder of the meeting. Transformation is a board game that facilitates self inspection on 4 different levels, namely, your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual facets to your life. A deliberate focus question provides the backbone of the process. My question was, "What will serve me to serve others better?"

The revelations that occurred, were both fast and furious. Many of which revealed my blindsides and the sharing given by both CL and Kelv were powerful and gave me much clarity to what i have to practice and focus upon.

So all in all, life for me is not going to drastically change, but a new resolve has developed in my heart. A passion that springs from love for my fellow man, a strength that is anchored from my heart to instill change and a new found spring well of trust in my own mental intuitions, a gratitude and release from fears of my own greatness and ability.

But with patience and all in due time, a new journey of purification and release from the old into the now, i await the celebration of my 26th birthday.

I love you guys.

First of all, I think I could not have gotten more playing this game with any other people beside the 2 of you. You provided a truly safe, and open environment for us to look honestly at our lives and get some real feedback. Solid stuff.

Just to consolidate what I learnt, I explored and discovered being courageous enough to be honest about my thoughts, and my feelings, and it was nothing more than liberating. Surrendering to what I know, what I don't know, and stop pretending I'm somebody or trying to be someone else. Perhaps the greatest feedback for me was understanding that everything is perfect. I am perfect the way I am, and stop discounting that, and start accepting myself for who I am.

And to put that in place, be in service, and serve with no strings attached. Allow the beauty and emotional side of myself to be expressed, having no need for myself, no one to be, nothing to become. Walk the journey of life, with enthusiasm, and joy.

Have the flexibility to Communicate my feelings and emotions, and explore them. Intimacy, contact. Perhaps the greatest barrier for myself is letting go of a safe and preconceived idea I've formed of myself, a good guy image, and live honestly in truth to who I am.

Thanks folks for being there, and yup, I promise I'll get some work done.

CL

		The two activists stood outside the Ministry of Manpower's building in the city's business district for about an hour before they were handcuffed by police without showing any resistance. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

Seelan Palay and Chong Kai Xiong stood outside the Ministry of Manpower's building in the city's business district for about an hour before they were handcuffed by police without showing any resistance.

They wore red T-shirts and held a banner that read 'Stop ill-treatment of Burmese activists'.

The protest was in support of two Myanmar nationals, Moe Kyaw Thu and Win Kyaw, whose work permits have not been renewed by Singapore, effectively forcing them to leave, Palay said.

He said the two men were among 40 Myanmar nationals who took part in a protest against their country's ruling junta during a summit of Southeast Asian leaders hosted by Singapore in November 2007.

'We can't just stand by as Singaporeans, as personal friends, and watch them being expelled one by one,' he said.

Moe Kyaw Thu told AFP that he was required to leave Singapore by January 27. Win Kyaw could not be contacted for comment on Monday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs did not immediately reply to emailed queries from AFP on the case of the Myanmar nationals. A few others who took part in the same protest in 2007 have also had their work permit renewals turned down.

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng in September defended the government's decision not to renew the visas of some Myanmar nationals working or studying in the city-state, saying they were 'undesirable' people.

Singapore has eased rules governing protests in a designated public park but it remains illegal elsewhere to hold a public gathering of five or more people without a police permit.

Singapore is home to an estimated 30,000 Myanmar nationals, many of them drawn by jobs as labourers that pay far above what they could earn in their poverty-stricken homeland. -- AFP.

With Obama days away from taking office, Gaza still in turmoil and the economy crumbling with all governing bodies using masking tape to hold as much together as possible, we are at the start of the 2009. Almost at it's 2nd week, what have we achieved so far as aspiring Pathways?

Deepening Knowledge for sure, but with a sense of autonomy, do we meld what we know into a daily ritual, a disciplined routine? For me, a resounding, Almost. The traveling and holiday mood has disrupted my musing schedule for change, but has not stopped me from opening up my world and eyes to the different Activist Cultures, America had to offer.

I met up with a good friend over there in Seattle. She is pursuing her Master's in Non-Profit Leadership and Management in University of Washington. I know, incredible they offer that over there. I asked,"why not do it in Singapore or at least in South East Asia?" Her response was filled subtle disappointment, "there is non there, Dennet. Doing it in Seattle, allows me to work with world class Philanthropic Organizations and Foundations. The dream being Bill & Malinda Gates Foundation."

I went WOW. I remember thinking to myself, why not have the same or at least similar opportunities here in Singapore and the local region? Is it not fundamental that we get proficient expert talent to educate us the finer points of, Volunteer Leadership, Funding drives and public relations that leave the all in contact breathless and emotionally connected to the initiative concerned?

With all, i have learned from her about the profile and creatively industrious minds behind social activism, i proceeded to venture out on my own and do some case studies... (i am compiling my learning and materials into a slide show.)

I stumbled into a rustic bookstore near Pioneer Square in Seattle. I wish i had the brains to take more photos of the place, all that i took was a single picture of the most interesting section of books they had. (most interesting in my own humble opinion)

The Activist Section!!! Oh my god.... they had their very own section in the store... Two large bookshelves dedicated to improving Activist knowledge. I was astounded, flabbergasted. I have seen the future of Pathway and it's purpose to fuel EnoughTalk. The dream of starting my very own Scholastic and Creative Center for Activist and the general public seemed more real, and much more achievable from that moment on.....



So my plan is not only to live the activist life, but to enrich this region will all knowledge and opportunity to make a difference in this region. But Rome wasn't built in a day, and i will start laying bricks. The first of which is this post.

I urge you guys to start burning the flame bigger and brighter. BE the light unto darkness, we can and we will.

Love
D