When I was 29 years old I read this book by Reshad Feild. He was narrating about a Sufi's journey and there was one idea that struck me and stayed with me until now.
A Sufi ( I never professed that I am one, though I am attracted to the notion) must do the Work, given to him or her by God. The talents and nature of a Sufi must be discovered and put to good use for the Work to be done. He could be a great facilitator, strategist, value-adder or composer. She could be a great manager, teacher or technician.
Whatever it is, once discovered it should be put to good use for humanity, mankind, community or at least family.
It should not be self-serving and short-termed. It should be life-long, visionary and sustainable.
I discovered my nature and talent even more so in the last year when I took a nine months break from the norm. I was discovering and implementing it earlier, even since 1997 when I started teaching at UM but I did not recognized it.
In life and doing the Work, it is important that you recognized your nature and talent. Often you need someone to identify it for you but if you don't realize it even if it's pointed out to you, then you will not be able to do the Work, and becomes to self-absorbed. That would be no good because what is your goal in that?
Without minding the impact of what you do to your community and humanity, you might be a destroyer rather than a builder.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Play safe
Playing safe is easy to do. Not much thinking needed, don't have to crack your brains. No need to face challenges.
No need to fight for what you believe in. No need to be misunderstood. Cozy life.
Play safe all your life, and you will realize you missed out on the best things in life.
No need to fight for what you believe in. No need to be misunderstood. Cozy life.
Play safe all your life, and you will realize you missed out on the best things in life.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Kindred Spirit
I was thinking about the phrase and idiom 'kindred spirit' which means: A kindred spirit is someone who feels and thinks the way you do.
I was thinking about it while looking at the small bonfire that was lit at my house compound. I think the word to define a small bunch of twigs and wood to make a little bonfire is kindling.
Somehow those two words/phrases got together and made me think about life, fire, passion and the belief to go and fulfill your heart's desire.
Add some more twigs and dry wood and you get a bigger fire.
To me those 'twigs and dry wood' are like friends who come into your life and with their desire and passion add to yours. That's why I feel life must be filled with beauty and the zest for it. I found friends that believe in the same things that I do, no matter their religious beliefs, cultural background and age.
Kindred spirits are around me, cloaking me in their warmth, making beautiful companionships possible.
I was thinking about it while looking at the small bonfire that was lit at my house compound. I think the word to define a small bunch of twigs and wood to make a little bonfire is kindling.
Somehow those two words/phrases got together and made me think about life, fire, passion and the belief to go and fulfill your heart's desire.
Add some more twigs and dry wood and you get a bigger fire.
To me those 'twigs and dry wood' are like friends who come into your life and with their desire and passion add to yours. That's why I feel life must be filled with beauty and the zest for it. I found friends that believe in the same things that I do, no matter their religious beliefs, cultural background and age.
Kindred spirits are around me, cloaking me in their warmth, making beautiful companionships possible.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Shapeless but bound
There are huge voids between the form, that got shapeless because maybe, the weather is too hot, or insects bored into and under the skin and laid eggs that makes you itch and burn.
Why did you let it? Let the form be sabotaged. In your haste and neglect to discover something profound you let go of your vigilance that served you well before.
This time you can never get it right and you can never get what you want even though you were really good at going for one thing but you knew, you will lose in the end.
Grasping void
Shapeless and only bound by your mind
Why did you let it? Let the form be sabotaged. In your haste and neglect to discover something profound you let go of your vigilance that served you well before.
This time you can never get it right and you can never get what you want even though you were really good at going for one thing but you knew, you will lose in the end.
Grasping void
Shapeless and only bound by your mind
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Nothingness
Void
Empty
No more reason
To stay
Once love leaves
It becomes
Meaningless
Useless
Unfulfilled
Burdened
When love dies
Friendship is tasteless
Mere form
No life
Nothingness pervades
Empty
No more reason
To stay
Once love leaves
It becomes
Meaningless
Useless
Unfulfilled
Burdened
When love dies
Friendship is tasteless
Mere form
No life
Nothingness pervades
Sunday, January 15, 2012
In the cold light of the day
Shivering alone
You wake up
To the cold morning light
The day gave form
To what was shapeless before
The lines and edges are now
Clearly seen
In the cold light of the day
The pain shapes and sharpen
What was blurred out before
Senses returned
Awakened in the new light
You wake up
To the cold morning light
The day gave form
To what was shapeless before
The lines and edges are now
Clearly seen
In the cold light of the day
The pain shapes and sharpen
What was blurred out before
Senses returned
Awakened in the new light
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Plan B
If there was a plan, it would have been Plan A and if it did not go right and you'd have to change it, then it's called Plan B.
My Plan A did not work out because I simply did not prepare well for it. I was just excited to do one thing but neglected other essential things so I suffered from the change of strategy.
Plans are strategies. It's as simple as that. Tactics are the details.
There are people operating on a very conceptual level and much higher plane of vision, but most people deal with plans and details in their everyday design and operations.
My Plan A did not work out because I simply did not prepare well for it. I was just excited to do one thing but neglected other essential things so I suffered from the change of strategy.
Plans are strategies. It's as simple as that. Tactics are the details.
There are people operating on a very conceptual level and much higher plane of vision, but most people deal with plans and details in their everyday design and operations.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Seven and a half months
It started one evening. Seven and a half months ago.
But what started it was 38 years ago when I was a kid and I was in America. When Elton John sang Candle in the Wind for the first time and when Diana was alive and have not met Charles.
38 years ago I started to search something that was not born yet, and was not even an idea. Only was in God's Plan.
How I wondered about the magic of it all, the preciousness of knowing something you wanted to since you were a kid. The journey to get there and to even believe it.
So seven and a half months ago I decided to embark on this final journey of discovery. I learned great things and depths of the unknown that I never thought existed. And it was all in me, discovered and treasured. Shared.
The journey ended yesterday as it was necessarily so to do, because I could not venture alone. And I don't know when I get to discover more again or that was the end of the journey.
If it was the end of discovery, then every second of that seven and a half months was worth it.
But what started it was 38 years ago when I was a kid and I was in America. When Elton John sang Candle in the Wind for the first time and when Diana was alive and have not met Charles.
38 years ago I started to search something that was not born yet, and was not even an idea. Only was in God's Plan.
How I wondered about the magic of it all, the preciousness of knowing something you wanted to since you were a kid. The journey to get there and to even believe it.
So seven and a half months ago I decided to embark on this final journey of discovery. I learned great things and depths of the unknown that I never thought existed. And it was all in me, discovered and treasured. Shared.
The journey ended yesterday as it was necessarily so to do, because I could not venture alone. And I don't know when I get to discover more again or that was the end of the journey.
If it was the end of discovery, then every second of that seven and a half months was worth it.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Sometimes
Sometimes, you just need to push ahead so that you don't go around in circles.
Sometimes, one person's sense of time is different than another person, maybe due to age differences and experience.
Sometimes, you just need to pour your heart and soul into lots of projects, like write, write and write.
Sometimes, you need to just lose yourself and then find your way back, so you can see things afresh and anew.
Sometimes, one person's sense of time is different than another person, maybe due to age differences and experience.
Sometimes, you just need to pour your heart and soul into lots of projects, like write, write and write.
Sometimes, you need to just lose yourself and then find your way back, so you can see things afresh and anew.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Because I Love
Amo Ergo Sum
By Kathleen Raine
Because I love
The sun pours out its rays of living gold
Pours out its gold and silver on the sea.
Because I love
The earth upon her astral spindle winds
Her ecstasy-producing dance.
Because I love
Clouds travel on the winds through wide skies,
Skies wide and beautiful, blue and deep.
Because I love
Wind blows white sails,
The wind blows over flowers, the sweet wind blows.
Because I love
The ferns grow green, and green the grass, and green
The transparent sunlit trees.
Because I love
Larks rise up from the grass
And all the leaves are full of singing birds.
Because I love
The summer air quivers with a thousand wings,
Myriads of jewelled eyes burn in the light.
Because I love
The iridescnt shells upon the sand
Takes forms as fine and intricate as thought.
Because I love
There is an invisible way across the sky,
Birds travel by that way, the sun and moon
And all the stars travel that path by night.
Because I love
There is a river flowing all night long.
Because I love
All night the river flows into my sleep,
Ten thousand living things are sleeping in my arms,
And sleeping wake, and flowing are at rest.
By Kathleen Raine
Because I love
The sun pours out its rays of living gold
Pours out its gold and silver on the sea.
Because I love
The earth upon her astral spindle winds
Her ecstasy-producing dance.
Because I love
Clouds travel on the winds through wide skies,
Skies wide and beautiful, blue and deep.
Because I love
Wind blows white sails,
The wind blows over flowers, the sweet wind blows.
Because I love
The ferns grow green, and green the grass, and green
The transparent sunlit trees.
Because I love
Larks rise up from the grass
And all the leaves are full of singing birds.
Because I love
The summer air quivers with a thousand wings,
Myriads of jewelled eyes burn in the light.
Because I love
The iridescnt shells upon the sand
Takes forms as fine and intricate as thought.
Because I love
There is an invisible way across the sky,
Birds travel by that way, the sun and moon
And all the stars travel that path by night.
Because I love
There is a river flowing all night long.
Because I love
All night the river flows into my sleep,
Ten thousand living things are sleeping in my arms,
And sleeping wake, and flowing are at rest.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Power of Words
What is your religion?
What is your belief?
If you believe in humanity and the good of people, you can make people act.
You can make people change for the better.
There are people who just accept anything thrown at them as truth, just because it came from a religious authority who could be reading somewhere and pronounce it as word of God, without questioning and proper study and interpretation.
And others will just accept it as the truth.
That's why we have to think for ourselves and question more as the origin of the teaching could be flawed.
What is your belief?
If you believe in humanity and the good of people, you can make people act.
You can make people change for the better.
There are people who just accept anything thrown at them as truth, just because it came from a religious authority who could be reading somewhere and pronounce it as word of God, without questioning and proper study and interpretation.
And others will just accept it as the truth.
That's why we have to think for ourselves and question more as the origin of the teaching could be flawed.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
This blog will change
I would like to inform my intention of changing this blog to be a REVIEW blog on matters regarding Film, Cinema, Culture and Context (non architectural).
The name will change and private contents will be made private viewing only soon.
Anything architectural, please go to here:
CONTEXTURAL DESIGN
The name will change and private contents will be made private viewing only soon.
Anything architectural, please go to here:
CONTEXTURAL DESIGN
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Don't have to listen to preachers all the time...
You don't have to listen to preachers all the time...because they are like robots. They have to crank up whatever that is inside of them so that they tune out the emotional part of themselves, and then they digest whatever they need to from their religious mentors and their holy books...and then they put a pause button on their emotions and feelings...and then they speak out those robotic words...as if it will change you into a better person.
It's like a loudspeaker blaring out...so you close your ears because...no, its not that you do not believe in God and God's words...and no, its not that you want to be belligerent and defy God's laws and all those words of advice and wisdom...
It's because you want to find some peace in your life. That's all.
It's like a loudspeaker blaring out...so you close your ears because...no, its not that you do not believe in God and God's words...and no, its not that you want to be belligerent and defy God's laws and all those words of advice and wisdom...
It's because you want to find some peace in your life. That's all.
Friday, August 05, 2011
My purpose in life
A goal is a ahead of you.
It maybe a goal for yourself, or a goal for the team.
You know that you have to put the 'ball in the net'.
To put the 'ball in the net' (using football speak) is to score the goal, in bringing closer to winning the game.
Some matches, you can display your beautiful talent and people will stand around admiring and cheering you on.
Some matches, everything seems to be against you and the game is scrappy, one sided and it is so difficult to get the supporters to cheer you on and in fact, they are 'booing' you because it is so difficult to get it together and be in sync with the team.
The last scenario is what is happening at my workplace.
My purpose in life is to win for the team. I am the one that shoots the passes for the strikers to strike in the ball into the net.
I start the game plan and I create the tempo of the game, because I am the visionary and the initiator.
I must never claim the victory is mine, because I must allow it to be a team game and not a one man team game. People do not like the latter. They loathe it.
I should not be concern with the superficial moves and the bad tackles by others. I just have to get up and move on and play my game.
My purpose in life is to win for the team. For the School of Architecture, UM.
Go ahead and take the credit but the victory will always be mine and others will know in their hearts. Regardless of how people would like to dress it up.
They would call me emotional or whatever names there is under the sun, but as long as I know my purpose in life, that is all that matters.
It maybe a goal for yourself, or a goal for the team.
You know that you have to put the 'ball in the net'.
To put the 'ball in the net' (using football speak) is to score the goal, in bringing closer to winning the game.
Some matches, you can display your beautiful talent and people will stand around admiring and cheering you on.
Some matches, everything seems to be against you and the game is scrappy, one sided and it is so difficult to get the supporters to cheer you on and in fact, they are 'booing' you because it is so difficult to get it together and be in sync with the team.
The last scenario is what is happening at my workplace.
My purpose in life is to win for the team. I am the one that shoots the passes for the strikers to strike in the ball into the net.
I start the game plan and I create the tempo of the game, because I am the visionary and the initiator.
I must never claim the victory is mine, because I must allow it to be a team game and not a one man team game. People do not like the latter. They loathe it.
I should not be concern with the superficial moves and the bad tackles by others. I just have to get up and move on and play my game.
My purpose in life is to win for the team. For the School of Architecture, UM.
Go ahead and take the credit but the victory will always be mine and others will know in their hearts. Regardless of how people would like to dress it up.
They would call me emotional or whatever names there is under the sun, but as long as I know my purpose in life, that is all that matters.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
New Experience
I need to start with this new experience.
To be an architect again...
But what is an architect? Was I one in the first place?
And does having a degree make me an architect?
Obviously not.
After so many years as an academic, about 19 years in all, I need to get back into the mode of an architect, at least for 9 months starting September the first.
I am delaying this 'getting into my role' thing and I have to start thinking like one.
To be an architect again...
But what is an architect? Was I one in the first place?
And does having a degree make me an architect?
Obviously not.
After so many years as an academic, about 19 years in all, I need to get back into the mode of an architect, at least for 9 months starting September the first.
I am delaying this 'getting into my role' thing and I have to start thinking like one.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sense of Place
Landscape is an idea but place is a sense.
A landscape is seen; a place is experienced and known.
(Nicholson, Adam; author of Sissinghurst)
I am designing a house and somehow, the sense of place is important to explore and define in the design. Thinking hard on how to do that.
I got a crit just now and got some encouragement, so I am optimistic.
Now, thinking about a sense of place, I am referring to previous definition:
place n
7. the position or location where somebody or something belongs
How do you make someone feel he/she belong to a place?
Like, if you design a house for people that you don't know. Of course, the basic brief was given to me, but to actually create a sense of place?
Its a great challenge.
A landscape is seen; a place is experienced and known.
(Nicholson, Adam; author of Sissinghurst)
I am designing a house and somehow, the sense of place is important to explore and define in the design. Thinking hard on how to do that.
I got a crit just now and got some encouragement, so I am optimistic.
Now, thinking about a sense of place, I am referring to previous definition:
place n
7. the position or location where somebody or something belongs
How do you make someone feel he/she belong to a place?
Like, if you design a house for people that you don't know. Of course, the basic brief was given to me, but to actually create a sense of place?
Its a great challenge.
Friday, June 03, 2011
I love my Spirit of Shankly t-shirt
And guess what?
The Spirit of Shankly branch will be opening in Malaysia.
This is really great news.
LINK
Getting all excited about the 14 & 16 July 2011 events of training session viewing and watching the game... can't wait...arggghhhhhh!
The Spirit of Shankly branch will be opening in Malaysia.
This is really great news.
LINK
Getting all excited about the 14 & 16 July 2011 events of training session viewing and watching the game... can't wait...arggghhhhhh!
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Walk on II
I love this song. Want to sing it in karaoke...
U2 made this song for Aung San Suu Kyi
It's about an insurmountable struggle that an individual has against oppression and being in captive.
Walk on
And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage that you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing...
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind
And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong
Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight
You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom
Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it, or buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight
And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on
Home... hard to know what it is if you've never had one
Home... I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the heart is
I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on
Leave it behind
You got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you feel
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress-up
All that you scheme...
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
The Day is going to flow into another day
The Day
It is going to flow into another day
I am going to hear footsteps in the bleak corridor
A mosquito is going to fly into my window
I am going to drive my car and go out for lunch
But not today
I brought some bread and a quarter of a pretzel to work
Nowadays I am not that hungry
Something is making me full
My stomach gets tighter
My heart beats as usual, maybe a little faster
The sun burst through the clouds
The fine rain caresses the damp earth and tarmac
Slippery man-made surfaces I'd avoid
The Day
Its going to flow into another day
It is going to flow into another day
I am going to hear footsteps in the bleak corridor
A mosquito is going to fly into my window
I am going to drive my car and go out for lunch
But not today
I brought some bread and a quarter of a pretzel to work
Nowadays I am not that hungry
Something is making me full
My stomach gets tighter
My heart beats as usual, maybe a little faster
The sun burst through the clouds
The fine rain caresses the damp earth and tarmac
Slippery man-made surfaces I'd avoid
The Day
Its going to flow into another day
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Song of The Reed
I really enjoyed Rumi poems and in particular 'The Song of the Reed'.
Other translations from this website.
5. Rhymed (Abbreviated) Translation by Nicholson, 1950
THE SONG OF THE REED
1. Hearken to this Reed forlorn,
2. Breathing, even since 'twas torn
2. From its rushy bed, a strain
3. Of impassioned love and pain.
7. "The secret of my song, though near,
7. None can see and none can hear.
A. Oh for a friend to know the sign
B. And mingle all his soul with mine!
10. 'Tis the flame of Love that fired me,
10. 'Tis the wine of Love inspired me.
13. Wouldst thou learn how lovers bleed,
35. Hearken, hearken to the Reed!"
--Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson. From "Rûmî: Poet and
Mystic (1207-1273): Selections from His Writings" (London:
George Allen and Unwin, 1950). [Lines indicated by a capital
letter are invented and have no basis in the Persian text.]
Other translations from this website.
5. Rhymed (Abbreviated) Translation by Nicholson, 1950
THE SONG OF THE REED
1. Hearken to this Reed forlorn,
2. Breathing, even since 'twas torn
2. From its rushy bed, a strain
3. Of impassioned love and pain.
7. "The secret of my song, though near,
7. None can see and none can hear.
A. Oh for a friend to know the sign
B. And mingle all his soul with mine!
10. 'Tis the flame of Love that fired me,
10. 'Tis the wine of Love inspired me.
13. Wouldst thou learn how lovers bleed,
35. Hearken, hearken to the Reed!"
--Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson. From "Rûmî: Poet and
Mystic (1207-1273): Selections from His Writings" (London:
George Allen and Unwin, 1950). [Lines indicated by a capital
letter are invented and have no basis in the Persian text.]
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