Finally, it's Eid Mubarak, the end of the Fasting Month of Ramadan. For the next few days, all Muslims worldwide will celebrate and look forward to another year ahead of being alive and enjoying the blessings of the Almighty, Allah, aza wa jala. But for those trapped in the bonds of suffering in the form of hunger and starvation, wars, and genocide, they will still be wondering if peace will ever be in their future. As much as I tried to be involved in the festivities of this grand day, my heart did not feel like being in the mood for it. I feel it is not the right attitude for me to adopt, but it seems like I am more being subconsciously nudged than feeling of my own volition. I tried to set up even the minimal feeling of being festive by inviting my friend over for lunch, but this did not happen even when all the food and drinks were ample. I can allow this mood swings to continue affecting my mind and turn into just another bad habit, and just so happened that my good friend Ben decided to turn up for a late lunch and hung out for the rest of the day eating, smoking and chatting while listening to good oldies.
With Ben around one tends to forget Gaza and the rest of the suffering world, and with it, for the time being, one is lost into listening to Ben's latest trip to China and Tibet. There is much more to life, no two ways about it, and as someone once said, it is the mind that it is the mind that is a major cause of all suffering; changing the perspective or focus of one's mind makes the difference. One of my weaknesses is the tendency to forget all that I have learned, especially on how to overcome negative tendencies that lead to anxiety and depression. It is the mind's habit to cling on to the negative vibes every chance it gets, and it will create extended stories from each and every image or past event like a parasite to stay negatively attached to the present; the negative energy seems to hold a stronger hold on one's consciousness than the positive. These may seem like simple observations of normal daily activities of the mind; however, if such activities are allowed to carry on without being taken care of, it will eventually lead to another negative habit that keeps on growing over time. This is awareness in action, by being aware of this minor negligence of the mental function, I can shift my consciousness from it having a negative impact into a positive one. Being aware of every action and reaction is what is paramount in the way to mental healing especially in habitual formation.
On a different note, currently earthquakes are hitting a few countries in South East Asia, and the hardest hit are Myanmar and Thailand. These are predominantly Buddhist countries where Buddhism is being observed most devoutly with golden temples and safron robed monks a common sight wherever you look. Myanmar has been a military-run country that, in recent years, has committed a genocidal act against the ethnic Ruhingya, killing thousands and driving the rest into exile to neighboring countries. No action was taken against the Millitary Junta for their brutality. In the course of these genocidal and ethnic cleansing acts, the Buddhist monks in the country joined the military in the burning and plundering of the Ruhingyas, who were predominantly Muslims. Buddhism is the world's most peaceful religion, or so it is said. these acts was sacrillage, contrary to the teachings of the Buddha. What is happening in Myanmar to me is Karmic retribution. This is a country that practices Buddhism without compassion and thought it could have no consequences. I feel sorry for what happened to the people and the loss of property, but when I was watching the riots and carnage exacted against the Ruhingyas, I felt very sad and hurt as one who practices the teachings of the Buddha in life and a Muslim in Faith.
WallahuAlam! Oly Allah knows the Truth.
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