24 April 2012
I can multitask. I can listen to music and read at the same time. I can watch television and have a meal. I can talk to a friend while doing work. I can do many things at the same time. At least, I think I can multitask.
But am I able to focus on only doing one thing at a time? I find it difficult to concentrate on merely eating during my meals. I tend to get distracted by the newspaper lying nearby. Sometimes people will talk to me, and out of politeness, I will carry on a conversation. Or even start thinking about the events of the day. Or things I will be doing later. If you do have the chance, try to set aside an opportunity for yourself to just simply eat. No distractions, no letting your mind wander. Be aware of the food that you are eating - the texture, the taste, the temperature, etc.
If we cannot even do one single thing well, how can we do many things at the same time decently? We are shortchanging ourselves the full experience of life.
17 April 2012
Religion – something many of us claim to have. Where science governs that which one can or cannot, religion takes charge of things that one may or may not. Religion can be seen as a guidebook that teaches us how we should live our lives. Fundamentally, that is the purpose of religion.
Religion should direct our lives and take over completely. Our spirituality should reflect strongly in the way we think and talk and act. Every minute and second of living should be aligned with the precepts of our religion. If religion becomes like a robe that people drape over their bodies only on days of worship – or whenever applicable to their whims – then that is a farce religion; that is hypocrisy.
Religion should be worn as skin. Religion should be the essential factor in us. Religion should define us. A true disciple will always be aware of his God-given duties to be an advocate of his spirituality. Religion is not a part of a devotee’s life. It is his life. Everything should revolve around God.
Have you ever come across the acronym “WWJD”? The Christian is challenged to always ask himself: “What would Jesus Do?” in any situation before acting. In this way, the Christian will always behave in a Godly manner, as Jesus would.
The problem with society today is that religion has been delegated to take a backseat role in an average Joe’s life. Religion is now passé and passive. It has lost central focus in a person’s life. It is as if that people think that going through the motions (i.e. praying before meals, at the start of long travels, on holy days, during a crisis, after receiving a boon, at night before sleeping) makes a religion. The worst part is that even though they will willingly admit that they are not the best of Christians, they do absolutely nothing to turn their lives around.
Why is this so? We have compartmentalized our lives. Family is family, business is business. The boundary between the two is clearly defined. The line between work and play is drawn clearly since the two do not mix. We arrange our schedule into timetables and manage lectures in one slot, meetings in the other, and work in yet another. Lunch breaks, an hour or two for hobbies, training for three. Similarly, religion is simply slotted into little spaces of our daily bustle.
The spiritual journey demands total surrender, total devotion. Cutting corners and half-hearted professions of faith are futile efforts that reap no fruit.
Only when you are ready to give up your whole life to God, will you be ready for religion.
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24 April 2012
I can multitask. I can listen to music and read at the same time. I can watch television and have a meal. I can talk to a friend while doing work. I can do many things at the same time. At least, I think I can multitask.
But am I able to focus on only doing one thing at a time? I find it difficult to concentrate on merely eating during my meals. I tend to get distracted by the newspaper lying nearby. Sometimes people will talk to me, and out of politeness, I will carry on a conversation. Or even start thinking about the events of the day. Or things I will be doing later. If you do have the chance, try to set aside an opportunity for yourself to just simply eat. No distractions, no letting your mind wander. Be aware of the food that you are eating - the texture, the taste, the temperature, etc.
If we cannot even do one single thing well, how can we do many things at the same time decently? We are shortchanging ourselves the full experience of life.
17 April 2012
Religion – something many of us claim to have. Where science governs that which one can or cannot, religion takes charge of things that one may or may not. Religion can be seen as a guidebook that teaches us how we should live our lives. Fundamentally, that is the purpose of religion.
Religion should direct our lives and take over completely. Our spirituality should reflect strongly in the way we think and talk and act. Every minute and second of living should be aligned with the precepts of our religion. If religion becomes like a robe that people drape over their bodies only on days of worship – or whenever applicable to their whims – then that is a farce religion; that is hypocrisy.
Religion should be worn as skin. Religion should be the essential factor in us. Religion should define us. A true disciple will always be aware of his God-given duties to be an advocate of his spirituality. Religion is not a part of a devotee’s life. It is his life. Everything should revolve around God.
Have you ever come across the acronym “WWJD”? The Christian is challenged to always ask himself: “What would Jesus Do?” in any situation before acting. In this way, the Christian will always behave in a Godly manner, as Jesus would.
The problem with society today is that religion has been delegated to take a backseat role in an average Joe’s life. Religion is now passé and passive. It has lost central focus in a person’s life. It is as if that people think that going through the motions (i.e. praying before meals, at the start of long travels, on holy days, during a crisis, after receiving a boon, at night before sleeping) makes a religion. The worst part is that even though they will willingly admit that they are not the best of Christians, they do absolutely nothing to turn their lives around.
Why is this so? We have compartmentalized our lives. Family is family, business is business. The boundary between the two is clearly defined. The line between work and play is drawn clearly since the two do not mix. We arrange our schedule into timetables and manage lectures in one slot, meetings in the other, and work in yet another. Lunch breaks, an hour or two for hobbies, training for three. Similarly, religion is simply slotted into little spaces of our daily bustle.
The spiritual journey demands total surrender, total devotion. Cutting corners and half-hearted professions of faith are futile efforts that reap no fruit.
Only when you are ready to give up your whole life to God, will you be ready for religion.
Older Post | Newer Post