Pathway Source

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