Vincenzo Cassano, take me to opera ♥️ #kdrama

Posted on October 30, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

If you are looking for the next tv show to watch, have you watched K dramas yet? I can’t believe it took me so long but I finally forayed into the genre. And what an introduction! I’ve just spent 3 days of my staycation watching Vincenzo on Netflix.

Before this I had no idea one could combine Sopranos, Crazy Rich Asians and Scrubs, throw in elements of a soap opera, add an all Korean cast (the men actors are 🔥, ladies), an unexpectedly action rich, tightly written plot full of twists and somehow produce a hilarious, yet tragic, drama? dramedy? What…

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New challenge. A year to live #happiness

Posted on October 23, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

This week I’ve launched a newsletter for the mental health/ online therapy social enterprise I work for (you can subscribe here), planned a staycation for next week (if I can’t travel, I will eat out), started therapy, yes, finally, got Stephen Levine’s book and decided to live the next 12 months as the last year of my life.

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On mudita, joy for others

Posted on October 17, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse
Source: The Dharma of Recovery, Using Buddhist Practice and Principles to End the Suffering of Addiction

Making time for joy, prioritising it is very important. Life often becomes dull, grey and joyless if we don’t prioritise moments when we do something that excites, expands us, helps us feel alive.

This is self-centred joy. Nothing wrong with it as long as it does not harm anyone or lead to anyone’s suffering. Pure joy is necessary to nurture the soul.

In Buddhism they talk about mudita, the joy for others, appreciative joy. Now this is an interesting one to add to the list. How are you doing with mudita? Have you experienced it lately? Next time you scroll through the social media or hear a friend’s good news, is this something you could remember about and practice and see how it makes you feel?

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Nature therapy. Watching sun through the leaves.

Posted on October 16, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse
@wmyueliang on TikTok

For a second, I again was a child, lying on the ground under the cherry trees, staring at the summer sun winking at me through the green canopy of the leaves…

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Happiness is pretty simple

Posted on October 10, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

I’ve had an awful flu this past week (not covid, I got tested). Let’s put it this way, I will not take for granted being able to lie horizontally and breathe at the same time. I got infected because I got frivolous with mask wearing (I am double jabbed for covid). The mask goes back on and the flu jab is to be scheduled asap!

When we are sick, priorities come into clear focus and life is simplified. I was grateful for my family, my cat and my friends. I rejoiced when I found energy again to do the most basic of tasks. And something I learned during lockdowns – always have some sort of event booked, even if it’s a small online gathering, so you have something to look forward to.

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Anger means expectations.

Posted on October 3, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

Source: TikTok
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I entrust myself to the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life

Posted on September 26, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

I’ve been pondering recently how I am still so full of anger, righteousness, drawn to and driven by drama (the dharma of drama!), how easily I get triggered. Meditation practice and studying Buddhism helped become much more aware but not to the point that I am always successful at taking the pause between the trigger and the reaction.

Then I discover the teachings of Shin Buddhism which teaches us to awaken by embracing the suffering inherent in the day to day life. Here are interesting quotes from Taitetsu Unno’s Into the valley:

“It [Shin Buddhism] challenges people to discover the ultimate meaning of life in the abyss of the darkness of ignorance.”

“…liberation is made available to us not because we are wise but because we are ignorant, limited, imperfect, and finite.”

“…one must struggle with oneself in the midst of all kinds of entanglements in society.”

“…the self-awakening to the immersion in the swamp of anger, jealousy, insecurity, fear, addiction, arrogance, hypocrisy.”

“As James Hillman points out, “The way through the world is more difficult to find than the way beyond it.”

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Nothing Means Anything #emptiness

Posted on September 25, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse
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I Gotta —> I Get To

Posted on September 18, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse
@davidchoe on TikTok

I love a good reframe. This one is a powerful perspective shifter.

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Art therapy. On why magpies are awesome

Posted on September 12, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

Read the word “evil” backwards. Interesting isn’t it? 

They say that when the witch dies, she turns into a magpie. 

Yin & yang – it makes sense. Nice reincarnation. 

Magpies are considered evil in largely superstitious folklore. 

They are believed to bring bad luck, sorrow, herald death and steal stuff. 

In the shamanic tradition they are a totem, a link to the spirit world.

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New mantra. No thoughts.

Posted on September 11, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

I have recently tried this new technique. It helps to manage anxiety, over thinking (rumination), excessive worrying and instantly returns you to the present. All you do is stop thinking.

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Always be kinder than you feel

Posted on August 29, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse
via Blue Morpho

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A person who is not loving has not experienced love

Posted on August 28, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse
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Why do you want to help?

Posted on August 21, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

At some point some of us come to the realisation that they really want to help others (there are others who just do it, but it’s a different story). The aspiration is urgent. We start out small, by donating to a charity or two. We volunteer. We ask friends and family about causes to support. We give away a bonus. We progress to a giving pledge where we start giving away regularly a chunk of income to causes that we care about. We sign petitions, try activism and research local foodbanks.

As I was completing my Level 2 course in Counselling Skills, as part of one of the assignments was this question:

What is your motivation for helping others?

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The Dalai Lama and 10 years of Action for Happiness

Posted on August 15, 2021 by nomadoftheuniverse

Recently, Action for Happiness, a UK charity celebrated 10 years of promoting science based approach to happiness, growing happier communities and helping reduce loneliness. The charity’s patron, The Dalai Lama, gave a talk from his home in Dharmsala and answered questions from the audience. The words that stuck with me the most are below (paraphrased).

Cultivate warm heartedness and peace within. Happy world comes from happy humans. For those who hurt you feel pity – they forgot, they hurt because they are hurting.

But also remember, you are nothing special, just one of 7bn people (lose the righteousness). You are just a human being, we are all just human beings, we need to learn to live together with loving kindness.

Reacting, resisting is from I, from Self, from forgetting. Love, not burn. It is just another dust cycle 😉

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