Thursday, March 27, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
What Travelling Means to Me !
What Travelling Means to Me !
Yes , we all like to travel today ! Travelling is becoming so easy and affordable ! We , in fact , have slogans by airlines that claim ' now every one can fly ' !
The tourist industry is a major revenue earning part in any country . Governments and commerical parties have got so much into the business that now we are being pushed and seduced into travelling !
There is always good and bad to everything that we do .
As more people travel , many people all around the world have found new ways to earn money and create new ways to up grade their life's . People's standard of living is improving and going up .
On the other hand too much of anything can cause problems to the environment and other resources.
There are so many aspects to travelling . It is a huge industry that has to cater for all the needs and comfort of the people who are travelling . People with deep pockets can be very demanding and fussy!
Okay , Now I will come to my own ideas and meaning to travelling .
I travel to take a break from my work and my normal routine and environment . I feel I need a change and to rest .
So , if my travelling is going to be hectic , than I will get even more tired and stressed . My very reason to travel is defeated .
I take a break from my routine life and work every 5-6 months . I make sure that my bookings for flights , cars and accommodation are all well taken care of months ahead . I want to travel in comfort and not get frustrated with all sorts of last minute delays and mix ups ! As I write this , I am also mindful that surprises are all there in life ! I am prepared for that too .
My style or way to travel is simple and can be boring to many ! That is okay with me as I am doing what pleases me .
As an example : I took a holiday to India . More specifically to New Delhi and Agra. I had a few friends who had not been to India. I know a little as I have travelling and even studied there during my college days. It is not easy to really know India ! India is a sub-Continent , the size of Europe or even bigger ! The country is vast and the people are as different as Germans are different from the Greeks ! Languages , religions , foods and culture are very different .
I had planned 7 days in New Delhi and Agra. So , We spent 2 days in New Delhi as we landed . Enjoyed the sounds and sight of being in this colourful Indian Capital . The smells , people , their dressings , the buildings , the crowds everywhere ! The food with all the hot spices , their curries and sweetmeats and dishes are all very stimulating to the whole person . It is very exciting and really stimulating to my mind. My thoughts and feelings are full swing in action .
I observe people on the roads , their dressing and living styles . The rich and the poor people . Their vast gap of living . The very poor practically living homeless or in shanty towns along roads or any space that is available to them ! Under the bridges , along building that railway lines and just about where they can have their foot !
The rich live in another world ! Their houses , which are well protected with security and fortified like castles ! High walls , gated communities and all the trappings of material oozing from every corner !
The body language is so very obvious that you don't have to an expert to see that , that is a person of means !
I just like to walk around watching and observing all and everything . It is , to me the best way to study human beings and their behaviour .
After 2 days being in New Delhi , we travelled to Agra. We had hired a comfortable vehicle with air conditioning as the heat can be very oppressive . The distance is about 150 to about 200 kilometres . In normal worldly conditions it should take about just over 2 hours . However there it took us nearly 5 hours ! Nothing abnormal in India . The roads are just over flowing with all the people . The animals too occupy the same road . Donkeys , camels , horse carts , elephants ( did I miss out any other animals ! )
It is really fun and actually appears as though a fair is really going on ! People in their colourful saris, and men with their turbans ! Even the trucks or lorries are painted in such loud gaudy colours that they appear pieces of moving art pieces . As we inch our way through the road , every one stare at you and in turn you too stare or see them and try to smile ! It is all in good natured style and curiousness . Slowly but surly we slowly arrive in Agra , the home to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world , the Taj Mahal .
We spent 3 days in Agra. Saw the Taj Mahal , which is amazingly out of this world ! The best time is to go early in the morning just as the sunrises . , to see the reflection of light on the marble is just beautiful . The shades of colour keep changing on the Taj . A wonderful experience . A full day was spent visiting a former palace cum township of Akbar the Great , a Mogul Emperor of India. It is called Fatehpur Sikhri .
After 3 days in Agra , we came back to enjoy and rest another 2 days in New Delhi . Again the many excitements of India never fail to bring new levels of awareness !
The mind is fully stimulated and the body had a good rest !
Was ready to fly back to work . Also to sit back and re-play the journey in my mind many more times!
Travelling to me is a full expansion of my senses yet my body is rested .
Well , that is enough for today .
Till we meet again . Take care .
Amar.
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Where do I Travel Today ?!
Where Do I Travel Today ?!
It is so much easier to travel around our wonderful planet ! We are so used to experiencing life with our eyes , ears , tongue and touch and smell ! That is wonderful and amazing , no doubt about that !
Today , I want to travel to another space that is so close and yet not often explored ! I am talking of our inner space !
Actually , calling it inner or outer is not so important . It is that space where our thought and feelings are living !
We have actually forgotten that this is a very special and real space that most have not gone to !
Let me share my experience about going to this space !
We don't need much material or even preparation to go to this most awesome place !
All we need is to decide that we do want to explore and experience this space !
Once we have decided , than we have to find a quiet place . Not being disturbed is useful .
Being comfortable is good too . Not a good idea to be too comfortable or we might just go to sleep ! than we have gone to another place instead of our planed space !
Even in matters of space , we can go or land in the wrong places !!
Once , you are quiet , just sit and it is a good idea to gently close your eyes . Not really important but useful to begin with .
Sit comfortably , be quiet and slowly become aware of your very special space !
If eyes are closed , than just be aware , alert and listen ! Also become aware that you are in a special space . You are not in nothing or emptiness .
As you start to feel this space , you may become uncomfortable in the beginning , or become restless or even agitated !
It is all okay . This is the starting to this space . If really uncomfortable , just come back to your world. Even a few minutes is a good start to venture to this space .
Slowly and gently you can increase your time sitting still and exploring this space .
Whatever thoughts and feelings are present , let them be !!
You slowly become aware that you are not those thoughts or feelings !!
Sit back and just watch quietly .
Become aware to another reality show that is going on in you !
Observe and let go !
As you start this exploration of this space , you will slowly begin to have moments of a special kind of stillness !
That is very wonderful . This stillness is so peaceful and blissful !
You are now really entering the space that will slowly let you experience another bigger and special aspect of your reality !
Start going and enjoying this space often .
Gently but surely you have embarked on the most wonderful travel of your life !!
This is the beginning of being in our real Home ! ( You are welcome to use any words that please you )
Here , the language is stillness and being quiet !
Welcome to this space !
Will leave you here today .
Till we meet again , take care .
Amar.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Travelling through New Zealand - The Land of the Great White Cloud !
Travel Tales from New Zealand .
About 21 years ago , I first visited New Zealand . It was around Sept , being spring season in the Southern Hemisphere . As I was coming from Malaysia , I thought it was a good time to go ! My earlier experience to Tasmania , Australia in winter made me realise that for us from a hot , sizzling country like Malaysia , winters can be challenging , though also exciting ! Seeing snow is like some magic and joy . We jump about or simply touch snow with a child-like pleasure.
Anyway , my decision to go in Sept was that spring season is the time of flowers , nature just awakening from the cold winter . It will be fun to see the lush beautiful countryside .
We took a flight from Singapore from the famous Changi International Airport . I simply love the buzz and activity at this airport .
Air New Zealand brought us to Auckland International Airport . It was a 11 hour flight from Singapore . I had pre-arrange for a hired car to be picked from the airport .
Wonderful , all excited and full of good feelings . I had read some tourist brochures . The Kiwis spoke English . Great. They are part of the great Commonwealth of Nations . So , with all the joy , excitement and drama , I rushed out of the airport to get my car . I was just wearing a simple T-shirt . It is spring season man , so let me enjoy the freshness of the season .
I soon realized that spring is also cold for we Malaysians ! Just rushing about in a T-shirt was getting uncomfortably chill ! This brave Malaysian also felt no need to bring any warm clothes . Big mistake !
Getting my hired car , the first place I wanted to look for was a shop where we could buy some winter clothes ! After all we are in New Zealand , the wool country !
I was lucky to get the right shop for my woolens . Immediately as I wore the woolen pullover , it was so comfortable and I started feeling warm and good . Well , that was really good feeling and time to enjoy this wonderful country . I just fell in love the New Zealand ! Love at first sight ! The people were so friendly , kind and helpful ! Amazing ! You ask them for directions and were even willing to drive you to your place ! Anyway , I tell you they are good people .
All the basic sorted out . With clear road signs and not much of traffic , we were all geared to drive from Auckland to Wellington , at the tip of the north Island .
New Zealand is made of two islands . The North and South Islands . The population was about 4 million when I visited ! North Island had about nearly 3 million . Auckland alone making slightly over 1 million . South Island about another 1 million ! Now , do not ask me about the sheep ! The sheep out number people many many times !
South Korea is the size of North Island . South Korea that had about 40 million !
Japan is also about the size of NZ . Population is about 130 million !
Seeing those figures , you will feel or think that you are going to country where there are hardly any people! Yes , you are right !
We drove through scenic countrysides . Stayed in beautiful motels where milk was given frequently in the morning ! Friendly staff and comfortable stays.
Good roads . Everything was soooo fresh and clean !! The waters in the rivers was pure mineral water that you can drink without a worry ! Rotorua was wonderful , as we were able to see more of the Maori culture . It's an amazing culture . Full of traditions , dance and rituals . Tattoos are an important aspect of their traditions . Sometimes the whole face is tabooed ! Their food is really tasty . Cooked underground in a dug out with warm rocks to slow cook ! I think it is called ' Hangi ' .
I must say , that I enjoyed driving the car ! No need to worry about rush or traffic jams !
With so many wonderful experiences , we finally came to Wellington , the country's capital .
A very windy city and rains often . I have to again say , NZ is just out of this world ! I think National Geography calls NZ , a world in minature ! You get all the types of awesome beauty and truly remarkable contrast . Fiords, snow covered Alps , pristine lakes , glaciers , sub tropical forest and rolling farmlands !
I am already sounding like some tourist guide ! When
you write or talk about this land , you too will talk like one !
Anyway , from Wellington we took a ferry across to the South Island . Car kept well below and we enjoyed the blue ocean . We arrived in Picton , a small town that use to have a whaling industry in good old days.
Kept driving over rolling farmlands with sheep and cattle . We were in the Canterbury Plains .
We passed Kaikoura , where you can see whales passing ! Had lunch and we were on our way towards Christchurch . The largest city in South Island .
ChristChurch is so English . Avon river , lazy way to see the city . Trams too ! Warm scones and strawberry jam . Hot Earl grey tea and I have felt part of the English lifestyle . Slow strolls in the many parks . Just sitting back and relaxing ! So peaceful and wonderful !
I wanted to push on towards the South towards Queenstown and the fiords .
My family had enough and were tired ! So I listened and agrees too.
We rested for about 4 days in ChristChurch and flew back to hot sizzling Singapore !
I can tell you that I love New Zealand ! God's country !
That was one very good holiday that I will never forget !
Will write more about my experiences in New Zealand .
Will end now , my dear friends. Will meet soon .
Take care .
Amar.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
My visit to the ISHA centre in South India .
My Visit to the ISHA centre in South India .
Today , I am going to share with you my visit to ISHA centre in South India . ISHA centre is a
place for spiritual development and growth . It is in the state of Tamil Nadu in the South of India .
The centre is in the outskirts of Coimbatore , near the Velliangiri Hills . Satguru Jigi guru is the founder and is actively expanding and developing it right now ! It is an amazing place to explore our inner world ! Satguru calls it the inner engineering !
I went there about 4 years ago to restore my inner peace and balance my body, mind and spirit. I will call it a spiritual retreat too . I went for 1 week and joined a program at the Rejuvenation centre .
It was more to actual pamper myself ! Instead of going to any spa resort , I felt that going to ISHA centre was a total rejuvenation of myself !
The centre is located away from the hustle and bustle of city or crowded life that we are usually used to . At the foot hills of the Velliangiri Hills and in elephant country ! Yes, really wild elephant actually roam around the retreat/centre or ashram ! Thick wires ( maybe electrical too ) have to keep them out! Than , we are also surround by typical villages and small streams that flow from the hills .
The centre itself is just amazing . What I mean by that is the buildings and structures of the centre . The temples , school , hostels and all other buildings are built and designed by the personal supervision of the Master or Guru ! He is completely involved in all aspects of the centre .
There is a huge Lingam that is made of mercury and other elements that a solid structure in the main temple . It's called Dhyanlingam . ( if you are not sure what Lingam is please Google it ! I will simply tell you that it a phallic symbol of creativity ! )
Anyway , my program use to start at 5:00 AM . That is I use to get up at 5 AM , have a cold water bath and had to be in the meditation hall by 6 AM . We did Hatha Yoga and breathing or Paranoiac for 1 hour plus ! Then we had a light breakfast and relaxed for sometime . After that we were given appointments for various massage therapies ! This was the fun part! Really , it was so wonderful to be pampered with all the various styles of massages ! I really enjoyed all of them ! Maybe if you all are interested , I may join you or help you to go there ! It's really a great place to get total rejuvenation .
Then , we had lunch at about 12:00 noon . Complete vegetarian meals that are so wonderfully prepared with love by the devotees . Everybody is helping and being helped ! All volunteers !
We rested In the afternoon or just went to the temples for a quiet time or read .
About 4 PM , we went for a walk out of the centre . We walked to the nearby villages or through the bush seeing the droppings of elephants ! We actually had guards and trackers looking after us ! It was adventures and scary too !
Evening tea and relaxing . Time for some simple talks or videos in the hall . Than dinner at about 7:30 PM . Were advised to go to bed early so that we could get up early .
On the final day , we went for a long walk to a waterfall near the hills .It was a picnic of sorts.
In short , we had an amazing time at a spiritual retreat !
Give me a fed back or comment on whatever you like ?
My idea of sharing is to let you know that such a wonderful place exist !
Google and find out more details ! ( Am I overdoing the Google stuff ! ) .
Till we meet again , take care .
Amar.
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