Cats who teach me to fly…

I’ve completely forgotten about the Australia visa, so did Mel and I applied an e-visa online late last night before my flight departed at 12pm today. I was glad that the visa arrived at 10am this morning.

Once again, I looked at the crowd at the boarding hall, in the airplane and in the restaurant at the airport in Perth. I’ve lost much interest in getting involved in any of their stories. When I look at them, I see myself and I’m not going back to where I once was. I brought a book, Dharma reflection, written by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I spent all my time either reading it, sleep or meditate. Not forget to spread loving kindness to everyone around me.

Once I reached Jhana Grove, we were asked to join the Dharma talk in the meditation hall and I didn’t expect to see Ajahn Brahm teaching. Seeing him was like seeing a Buddha. I listened to him attentively. Wishing I could practise under him and imagination began to flow like streams that continuously flow to the river:))!

We can’t take shower in the morning as we may disturb others. Therefore, I’ve to adjust myself. I shall see what I can do.

This is where I’ll be sleeping tonight.

I deeply appreciate Melanie for helping me so much and those who help take care of the community cats. Without them, this retreat will not be possible.

In order to repay those who are kind to me, I’ll put all my attention to the whole retreat, to observe my body, speech and mind and noble silence and be mindful at all time.

PS: bed cover and blanket are mine!

Read Full Post »

To be exact, Ace was born in March 2014. He was eight year old already. Ace met a car accident 3 years ago and he had fought a good fight! He survived another 3 good years.

This was Ace after his recovery. Due to the car accident, Ace’s right eye was badly affected and after 1.5 years, we had to removed his eye due to cataract. Dr Heng advised that if we didn’t do anything about it, his eye will become cancerous.

Ace looked as bright as he was after his eye was removed. We gave him all we could and I really hope he has all he needs everyday without having to starve for a day.

I’ll always remember the brave chunky boy who always sits by himself.

Read Full Post »

Completed another 100 hours of meditation. From clinging to nimittas to wanting nothing. From expecting results to wanting nothing. From tense to complete relaxation. We really do not have to do anything. Just relax, focus and be still. I guess stillness is not enough for me, it has to be paired with concentration. I can have physical stillness but not mental concentration. It’s good that there are more practise to be done.

What have I learned from another 100 hours of meditation? I have understood what Buddha meant by “the base of space, the base of consciousness, the base of nothingness and the base of neither perception nor-perception. All these have to be experienced and not to be understood intellectually.

At first I was confused because I couldn’t think and I was still confused until one evening I finally realised that the experience cannot be analysed at that point of time. I should say I’m only touching the surface and the concentration has not yet fully stabilised. There are still more work and practise to be done. I guess it’s going to be a long way for me.

Beside this, because of the stillness, I tend not to be over affected by uncontrolled circumstances. The stillness quickly take over when anxieties arise. I don’t think I’m doing well yet. There is still more work to do! And I love the work. Hope there will be progress as I move into the next 100 hours of meditation!

Read Full Post »

A week ago, a little crow I called 小安 came to me during the wee hours at the void deck while I was waiting for Toofy to finish his supper. When she was hanging around, I was wondering if she needs any help, perhaps food! So I dropped some kibbles. She picked up the kibbles one by one and place nicely at a corner. I don’t know what she was doing. She wasn’t hungry! Perhaps, something bad was going to happen??? It freaked me a little. 小安 kept coming near to me and sit on my lap! What? What a lovely crow! As this was the first time I encountered a bird, I was a little scared. I went back thinking to myself, if I were to see her tomorrow again, I hope I can do better by being more friendly to her. I was expecting to see her and true indeed, she appeared.

I bought some walnut for her. Allowed her to sit longer on my lap and letting her rest on my shoulder. She caught my heart completely. I told myself that I’ll get up early just to see her.

So, I really got up early and I’ve always wanted to get up early but with not much of a motivation. 小安 didn’t appear yesterday and I haven’t seen her today. I hope she is safe somewhere, that’s why I named her 小安. She helped me get up early. For me, every sentient being appear for a reason and it is always a good reason.

小安 is very playful. She flipped everything on the floor and table. I gave her a big piece of walnut, she tried to hide it but wherever she hides, she never feels safe. After walking 2 steps away from the place where she hide her food, she would return, picked up the food and find another place to hide it again and it repeated several times until she ate all of it. She kept me laughing all the time!

Wherever she is, I’ll shower her with all my blessing!

Read Full Post »

Dagu has been roaming on the street for many years. More than 9 years I guess. He was a young and active cat then. Strong, energise and carrying a fat belly and chasing every cats away from his territory! After years of feeding him, he has trimmed down. But remain strong although he no longer can jump and run as high and as fast as he was.

More than a month ago, I found him sleeping a lot. He curled himself sleeping on a cold ground. I couldn’t bear looking at him and he is our new family member 2 weeks ago.

Years of roaming, I thought he would be hard to train. Maybe he would spray around or fight with the rest. On his first night, true indeed, he didn’t know how to use the litter box, so he pee in the small carton box which was prepared for him to sleep on. In order to make sure he knows where was the right place to pee, I poured his urine into the litter box. A clever boy! He knows where to relieve himself and it was never an issue. To my surprise, he didn’t fight with others! He rest, sleeps and eats. Sometimes explore a little.

He was caged only for 2 days and he was all familiar with the environment. He is still able to go high but in a slow and careful motion. I just fed him a sheba pouch. He finished everything. Different brands of kibbles are around 24/7.

I believe he is more than 15 years old. I hope he has a comfortable life at home from now on.

Read Full Post »