tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11658727278891332042024-03-16T09:09:15.237+08:00The Bodhi CircleTHE WORLD CAN ONLY CHANGE FROM WITHIN- Eckhart Tolle
Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-88884697438705094102014-10-24T18:31:00.001+08:002014-10-24T18:46:36.904+08:00Watch Your Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For the past few weeks, I have been struggling with backache. I slipped and landed on my backside at a waterfall 2 years ago. Subsequently, I injured my back again, carrying some files when we moved office. Diagnosed with lumbosacral spondylosis, standing or walking longer than ten minutes causes pain at my lower back, hip joints, calves and feet. My sitting posture too has to be upright but relaxed.<br />
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Lumbosacral spondylosis is a basic term used by medical professionals to describe common, age-related degeneration in the lower back at the site where the last vertebra of the lumbar spine (L5) and the first vertebra of the sacral spine (S1) connect. This area is especially prone to deterioration because the lower back supports upright posture and many different bending and twisting movements, and also because it supports such a large amount of weight.</div>
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Specific conditions that fall under the umbrella term of lumbosacral spondylosis can include herniated discs, bulging discs, bone spurs and osteoarthritis, all of which are spinal abnormalities that run the risk of protruding into the spinal canal and exerting pressure on spinal nerves. The sciatic nerve is often compressed at the meeting of the L5 and S1 vertebrae. Common symptoms of sciatic nerve compression include tingling, numbness, weakness and pain that can spread through the lower back, tailbone, hip joints, calves and feet</div>
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My activities have been severely curtailed since. Apart from twice weekly treatments at the famous Dr Chong of Sea Park and cari makan (working), I struggle with daily chores. The basic life chores which I took for granted became an achievement. For about a week, I felt very moody and depressed, I asked myself why I was so blue. Apart from the inactivity, I do not feel comfortable asking for help. I feel more comfortable being the provider and being needed. I was afraid of being a burden. I believe I share the feelings of many who have problems with mobility.</div>
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If we are fortunate and have an understanding family, we have an easier time. We can treat it as a much needed time of rest for our body, Even so, it being a temporary situation helps us to bear with the dis-ease. However, for people who are sick and dependent in the longer term, it can be depressing.</div>
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In tough times such as these, how do we cope and live with the daily dependence on others without feeling like a burden? Our aged parents, people in homes, how do they get through each day? What can they do for themselves? Knowing this, how can we make their lives better and easier? </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-15053169207287501772014-09-24T21:57:00.003+08:002014-10-24T17:20:08.572+08:00White Tulips for my Mother in Law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My mother in law passed away over the Merdeka weekend. She was 80 years old and had been suffering from Parkinsons disease for the past four years. <span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a degenerative <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurodegeneration" title="Neurodegeneration"><span style="color: black;"></span></a>disorder of the central nervous system. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement related</span>; these include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. Later, as the disease became more advanced, she suffered from dementia and depression.</span></div>
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I was not very close to my mother in law. We were from different generations and backgrounds and so differed greatly in our ways. I found her difficult to relate with. The irony was that we were both women and mothers. We shared the same concerns. Why we were unable to focus more on our similarities rather than differences? I guess we were too much alike. We were full of pride. And I was young and lacked the maturity to do it any differently.</div>
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It was in her later years, when she fell sick that I tried to reach out to her. She was more vulnerable and her defences were down. Once a very proud woman, she became a different person. I accompanied her on her first few visits to the hospital when she was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and tried my best to be a source of help for her. Through it all, I learned that no matter the circumstances, what has transpired and what grievances we hold, treating another person in a human and dignified way actually comes very naturally to us. We are capable of putting every grudge aside to be of support to another person. To act otherwise, we have to really close our hearts and act very steely. And I am glad I was present for her when she needed it</div>
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To my dear mother in law, wherever you are, I want to say that you were a fashionista, a gutsy, determined lady. I pray that love, peace and happiness follow you wherever you are . </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-13792224190690991512014-06-19T22:22:00.003+08:002014-06-23T14:26:44.760+08:00The Art of Suffering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Of late, I have been busy and preoccupied with one of my cats, Checkers.
Shortly after I returned from India, I decided to keep him fully indoors
because he was injured again. He had been bitten and hurt just
too many times by the neighbourhood tomcat which we nicknamed Dorina. Having been giving many cycles of
antibiotics and even surgery for his injuries, enough was enough. <br />
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After two weeks in the house, he was visiting the litter tray very
frequently, straining to pee. One evening, after a long day at work, I
came home to find him vomiting and terribly sick. An emergency case, we rushed him to a vet at 10.30 pm, where he was diagnosed with FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Disease, cathetherised and
warded. After a week long stay, he came home, 1 kg lighter and dehydrated. I brought
him to my regular vet. who was surprised thatt my cat had been cathetherised<b> </b>without a drip. Sigh. I was told to force feed him daily to
help him gain weight. He seemed to be improving but relapsed a week after his course of antibiotics finished. </div>
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He is now still hospitalised. I feel pressured to make a decision as to whether to put him under the
knife. Urethral obstruction—when the cat's urethra becomes partly or totally
blocked—is a potentially life-threatening condition and one of the most
serious results of FLUTD. When the urethra is completely blocked, the kidneys are no
longer able to remove toxins from the blood and maintain a proper
balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. If the obstruction is
not relieved, the cat will eventually lose consciousness and die. A surgery called perineal urethrosomy (PU) addresses that problem. The surgery involves removing much of the penis and the narrow portion
of the urethra, thus making a new and wider opening to relieve obstruction. Side
effects of surgery can include bleeding for up to ten days after
surgery, narrowing at the surgical site, urinary incontinence, and a
greater incidence of other kinds of bladder diseases. This is quite a major surgery and is only recommended as a last resort.</div>
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I would like to save him from potentially life threatening situations in future but this would involve a drastic surgery. I am now hoping that with a change in diet, medication plus urinary supplements, he can be problem free. But who can predict the future? Since he started getting sick, I had been stressed out. I now realise that I have been out of balance. I have been suffering at my own hand.<br />
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Listening to a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, I see how apt his words are for my situation, The wise monk teaches the art of suffering. He says that when we know how to suffer, we suffer much less. If there is pain in our body or in our mind, we must not allow fear and anger to take over. Otherwise, the pain is multiplied. A simple headache can become both a physical pain and mental torture by imagining all the worse case scenarios.<br />
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In my case, it was the fear of making the wrong decision for Checkers. It was the fear of watching Checkers suffer or die because of my decision. I put so much pressure on myself to get it right. I didnt stay in the present moment. I just allowed my mind to be a playground for fears. </div>
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I see more in a cat than just another animal. I see precious life. And it is life that I am striving to preserve. We all feel pain and suffering whether humans or animals. I feel for them. Yet, after going through a big round again, I arrive at at the same conclusion. What's new??? I hate to admit it but many things in life are out of my control. I don't make the decisions about life, death and suffering. Much as I would like to see the world relieved of suffering, I have to be realistic. This situation is yet another which teaches me acceptance. And it is in acceptance that I am relieved of my own suffering. I feel better already. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdvUSOLyhrOko5jow6J-thKfEe2ZIkn-gcCyp5n1xf15sUS5MhR4-vuxMiBA7dGnuAfpGF3EPEPLinmFTr1RI2qv-Nu46PKHSswsmOpphZZUMThK_I6dnYzdgAu2tirFsyoYuGdFTEjg/s1600/20120520_180649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdvUSOLyhrOko5jow6J-thKfEe2ZIkn-gcCyp5n1xf15sUS5MhR4-vuxMiBA7dGnuAfpGF3EPEPLinmFTr1RI2qv-Nu46PKHSswsmOpphZZUMThK_I6dnYzdgAu2tirFsyoYuGdFTEjg/s1600/20120520_180649.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checkers drinking milk with his orange brother called Caramel.</td></tr>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-78998600855861435102014-05-30T23:46:00.002+08:002014-06-01T16:34:05.322+08:00A Long Journey Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I wonder how many of you out there believe or take an interest in numerology. It is said that each number carries a certain vibration. The year 2014 adds up to the number 7. The number 7 is connected with spirituality. Thus 2014 is the Year of the Divine and a good year for spiritual pursuits</div>
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I have been attending a spiritual course since last August. In March this year, I went for a 11 day retreat in Nepal. This was followed by another retreat in India in April. I have indeed felt a shift in my perceptions ever since I embarked on this course. I feel I am getting closer yet still quite far away from achieving the enlightened understanding and peace with life.</div>
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I have been searching ever since I was a child. Unbeknownst to me, I was deeply troubled by the many unanswered questions within me and the dualities of this world The difficulties in my life have been the sparks which set me on this journey to search for the truth. It is a journey which I am only beginning to appreciate. I sought achievements, looked to people, been to faraway places and experimented with religions. What was it for? Ultimately, it was to fill the void within. It is this void which drives the search.<br />
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I have looked so much to the externals. Yet, what was it that made me assume I could find it from the external world? I didn't even question this illogical logic. And I am certain that I am not the only one to have walked down this mistaken road. We have been brought up to trust others and to look for the answers externally, first from our parents, then our teachers and society. Without being conscious of it, we have been conditioned to seek love, approval and validation from external sources. And it is a path we pursue till we suffer disappointment after disappointment. One fine day, when we finally get the message, we understand that this long journey we have sent ourselves on, only leads back to home.<br />
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This home resides within ourselves. </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-28252500869867892482013-11-30T00:56:00.001+08:002014-06-04T21:03:11.976+08:00The Journal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Of late, I have not been very active on this blog. I have alot on my plate , trying to juggle all the different areas of my life. It appears that I have fallen into the category of the woman who tries to keep everyone else happy and sometimes forgets about herself.</div>
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When I was young, I had this inner stirring to write. Though I considered applying to the Star newspaper for a job, I didnt have the confidence then, to do it. Now, many years later, I realise that I hadn't listened to that intuitive call.</div>
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I had started keeping a journal even in my primary years. I wrote on pieces of paper, not knowing that it was called journalling. It seemed very natural then and served as an outlet to release my pentup emotions. It was in my journal that I felt safe enough to voice my innermost thoughts and feelings about the perceived injustices and inequalities of my young life. Being born into a predominantly male family, you could say that I was already a feminist by age nine. </div>
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Journaling is a form of self therapy. Today, the journal is a tool recommended by many therapists and counsellors. There are even books on how to journal and the benefits of journalling. A journal can help you figure out how you feel, what you think, what you need, what you want to say, how you want to handle a situation, just by writing it through.</div>
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You don't need to think of yourself as a writer or even like to write. What you can do is a kind of free writing or stream-of-consciousness writing. Choose a topic which you feel you need to express. If possible, set aside a time each day to write. Write without stopping. You needn't use full sentences. You needn't spell or punctuate properly. It can be in English or another language. It's not about trying to make sense to someone else. Rather it's a way to short-circuit some of your censors to get to what you need to say. </div>
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Writing is therapeutic. It is a tool which we can use to heal ourselves. Through the years, I have written letters of closure to my late grandmother and even my pets. The best thing about it is that it is quiet, cheap and portable. And if you regularly create a sacred space for introspection, you will be rewarded with many surprising insights through your writing. I know I have. </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-64487852644822856342013-11-28T22:24:00.000+08:002013-11-28T22:24:09.235+08:00Percy's Journey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-41464048149607003362013-10-21T22:07:00.005+08:002013-11-02T00:49:23.004+08:00Update on Percy Jackson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I applied for medical subsidy for the treatment of Percy. I am so grateful that there are organisations out there, which are dedicated to helping strays. With their support, rescuers are able to help more animals. Working alone, a rescuer's resources gradually run out.<br />
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Having gone through this experience with Percy, I can only take my hat off to animal rescuers, who are such dedicated and compassionate people. Frankly I admire them more than any corporate figure. Their tireless efforts toward reducing suffering deserve special mention and praise. </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-36624218358103622922013-09-24T21:22:00.001+08:002013-09-25T08:33:12.677+08:00Introducing Perseus Jackson (Percy)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I was 9 years old, I witnessed a pet dog being hit with a metal chain for barking. I was horrified and could only hold back my tears. I was terrified that if I spoke up, the metal chains would be used on me too. The poor dog was yelping and howling in pain! That incident has been
etched in my memory. It has probably spurred me to do what I can for the injured and defenceless animals I meet. I don't think there is any justification for
abuse of any kind. Bad! (Wags finger)</div>
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<b>Introducing Perseus Jackson! (Percy)</b><br />
Green-grey eyes, blackish-gray fur, too big eyes, a stump for a leg, half a paw, now healing paw and a single good leg. Meows too much. Lounges on the sofa while papa (my hubby) isn't around.<br />
My little furry friend is back after a month's stay at the vet. My daughter has named him Percy Jackson, after a fictional character and the hero of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & The Olympians series. My daughter is a huge, huge fan of Rick's books.<br />
<b>Daughter -Percabeth!! To all fangirls out there. </b></div>
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I am somewhat relieved that Percy is back with me. He brings joy into the house! At least the boarding and dressing charges have stopped running. Most importantly, I'm happy with the progress little Percy has made. We've managed to save his hind leg, hurray!!! His hind leg still requires a daily change of dressing as the tissues are still raw. It will probably take about another month to completely heal. Only a month! Is that not good news? (trumpets blow)</div>
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Throughout this period, I've been in constant communication with the vet and his staff. I'm a regular visitor there, imposing myself on the vet even on public holidays, entering through the back door. I tried to make it a point to hold little Percy and put him on my lap for 10 to 15 minutes each time. I believe animals need to feel loved and cared for, just like we do. More so, a stray kitten.</div>
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Since he has only a stump and barely a paw for his front legs, he cannot be let out into the streets anymore. He wouldn't be able to survive. For the time being, he's become a member of my family. He is a special, special little kitten. A gentle and loving soul, a strong spirit and a true survivor. The vet and staff have all commended him on his gentle temperament. My daughter, too has commented that his eyes are like huge orbs of light. He has our love already.</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-39902748184120304932013-08-25T00:14:00.000+08:002013-09-24T21:32:10.701+08:00 Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After I posted the story of the stray kitten I rescued, readers have asked me what my decision was. I didn't write about it because I wanted readers to think about what they would have decided if they were in my shoes. </div>
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I can actually see why many people would have passed the kitten by, some not noticing its injuries, others thinking they could not help and yet others would have thought that it is too much trouble and smelly handling a stray. It's not surprising as even vets felt that there are too many strays around and putting another injured one down isn't a bad choice. We make our judgements and decisions based on our life experiences and our values. Sometimes we get hardened by the sheer number of suffering animals we see.</div>
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I took the kitten to a third vet at the suggestion of my friend. This vet was more positive and said that the kitten's hind leg would heal. Its front left paw had already dried and dropped off and the other paw was also partially torn off. Without any hesitation, I made arrangements to leave the kitten there for treatment. As its condition is rather serious, I felt it would get the best care with the vet. Since then, I have visited the kitten almost daily except for the days I was away attending a course. My daughter waited patiently with me for our kitten's turn as the change of wound dressing was slotted toward the end of the day.</div>
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As the bone of its hind leg was exposed, it would take some time for the wound tissue to granulate. Tissue granulation is a process by which fibrous tissue
rich with blood capillaries replaces blood clots formed at the site of a
healing wound. Through this process, healthy and normal skin is able
to replace skin that was damaged. The tissue that forms over a wound
during this process is called granulation tissue. </div>
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After the first week, the vet noted that a few more bones were dislocated and moving. He suggested a surgical procedure to insert metal stents to keep the bones from moving. Otherwise, healing would be very slow or granulation may not happen. It underwent an operation a week ago. Please send love and healing to this little stray kitten. It has undergone so much in its young life. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken when I first brought it back</td></tr>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-28113552458870434212013-08-14T22:04:00.001+08:002013-08-25T00:14:34.263+08:00Life and Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last Saturday, as I was walking into a food court with my family for our evening meal, my daughter tugged my hand, "Mom, poor thing!" pointing in the direction of a little kitten. It was meowing very loudly. I noticed that one of its paws was twice the normal size. My daughter urged me to take it home but I told her to wait till after our dinner. "If it is still here then, we will consider" I said.</div>
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After dinner, it was still in the same spot meowing very loudly. My husband told me it was very badly injured. Its front paw was broken and dangling. To me then, there was no question. It needed medical care and without a second thought, we brought it home, in a big plastic bag.</div>
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The next day, we brought it to our usual vet. She appeared a bit taken aback at the condition of kitty. All three legs were injured. The hanging paw had dropped off by then. The bone on its hind leg was exposed. Even its tail was broken. She was deliberating what to do. Her opinion was that though there is hope that the leg would heal, she could not be certain. Alot of time and cost would be involved. She said that if it were her, she would put kitty to sleep. </div>
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With a heavy heart, I went home. I then checked out the funding available from animal organisations. My friend who is an independent dog rescuer, suggested that I seek the opinions of other vets. The second vet I went to said there is a small chance of recovery but questioned whether I want to put in the time and money on that little hope. He suggested that I put the kitty to sleep. He asked me if I was willing to take care of a paralysed cat round the clock, if it did not work out.</div>
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I was very troubled that night. I thought through the various reasons commonly given for euthanasia. In this case, we make the decision for the animal. Is animal life less precious and more dispensable than human life? Is it selfish to allow an animal to suffer a long and painful death? What possible reasons can justify such a decision? Is it to avoid creating bad karma for ourselves? Or is it that we do not want the suffering of having to take care of the animal? Is it just to reduce its suffering or my suffering? I think it is both. Is it really more compassionate to put an animal to sleep to reduce its suffering? </div>
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If it were you, would you choose to ignore the injured animal and leave it to die? Or would you take it home and put it to sleep? Would you take care of a paralysed cat, feeding it, cleaning its poo and pee, blow drying its backside for its entire life? Which would you choose?</div>
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Principles and ideals are all very good, till it happens to us. It is then, that we take a long, hard look at ourselves and what our values really stand for, especially when things become an inconvenience for us.</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-87389272141522485392013-08-09T08:06:00.002+08:002013-08-25T00:14:50.850+08:00Are Your Thoughts You?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has been awhile since I last posted on this blog. I have been busy, exploring and seeking to understand my world and myself. Unlike some of my spiritual friends, I am still searching. I have often wondered too, whether blogging is a bit of an egoistic activity. Does putting down my thoughts about life and posting it reek of self-importance? </div>
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Thoughts lead to
feelings, feelings to actions and actions create our life experiences. We attach so much meaning and importance to our thoughts. We believe and trust our thoughts implicitly, without question. We allow our thoughts to define us and who we are. We also allow those thoughts to dictate our lives.<br />
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What we think of, and how we think has so much impact on our happiness. It really isn't the things around us that stresses us. It is our thoughts about those things that stresses us. We get so caught up in the stories which we tell ourselves and then, feeling all the emotions that come up with it. Thus, engaging in those thoughts with will affect us one way or another.<br />
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We listen to horror stories in our heads. We tell ourselves the same old story again and again and playing the same record for years. If you were rejected as a child, the painful experience could have left you with a fear of rejection. Look closely and see if you have been replaying and literally hypnotising yourself with fearful thoughts of rejection since then? The point of it is that those thoughts are not real. But when we engage with it, those thoughts produce emotions and we act on those emotions. We then make it real.</div>
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It is not just about thinking positive. We try to think positively for a day or two or even three. Then, we fall back into our old ways. The thing is to allow those thoughts to clear. Watch those thoughts pass away and not react to them. Sounds easy? Try practising for 5 minutes daily, just watching your thoughts pass by and take notice. Learn about your self and what you actually think about when you are not looking! Are we really who we think we are, in our heads or are we much more? <br />
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-11958856142701736752013-06-19T00:08:00.000+08:002013-08-25T00:15:02.235+08:00The Log in Your Eye<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I celebrated my birthday this week. It was a day of many lessons. I had an appointment that morning but because of a wrong left turn, I ended up missing my appointment. Instead I spent the next two hours driving along unfamiliar roads. I was relieved when I finally made it back to my sanctuary, my home.</div>
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That evening, when I picked my daughter from school, I was greeted by a tearful girl. My daughter had signed up for a culinary arts competition in school with her best friend. Due to circumstances which could not be worked out, both parties agreed to drop out of the competition. However, both parties were terribly disappointed and as a result. started to blame one another. It was not healthy but not unexpected. Their friendship has been affected. I felt that they had to learn to cope with their disappointment and learn from this incident. However, what was totally unexpected was that a mother had joined the blame game.</div>
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I was shocked at the turn of events. As a parent, we act as guides and advisors for our children, We are there to lend support and provide resources for them to bloom to their full potential, During the school going years, they will meet many new friends who will go in and out of their lives. Some of the best friendships are made in school but not all friendships will last. Friends too will have their disagreements. It is all a part of growing up and learning how to relate with one another.<br />
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Therefore, I was dismayed that a parent had jumped right into the fray to say some very disparaging things about both my daughter and myself. Those scathing and hurtful words, as expected, came back to my daughter's ears and I could see that she was deeply hurt. As parents, we have to remember too, to keep within our boundaries. We have to respect our children and other children's decisions and privacy too.. Before interfering in our children's relationships, ask first what our true intentions are. Will our actions benefit our children? Or will our need to justify, blame and be "right" cause more problems for those we profess to love? How can blaming others possibly bring about more peace and harmony in everyone's lives?.</div>
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Words, words, words. We use them so loosely but forget that they are as sharp as knives. If you can see psychically the impact of words on the aura of a person, you can actually see people sending daggers or knives to one another. They cut and hurt deeply. </div>
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I regret how juvenile we adults can become. As adults, we are role models to all children, whether or not they are our own. It also matters not how many times one professes to be "religious". The real test is in the way one carries oneself and the words that comes out of one's mouth. To quote a Bible verse "a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his
heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of". "First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye".</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-33701553006620088832013-06-09T14:59:00.001+08:002013-08-25T00:15:31.135+08:00Mind over Healing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I shall share what I learned from listening to David Hamilton, Ph.D this week. He is the best selling author of the book, "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body." He leads workshops to help people understand the link between their minds, their health and their lives. The power of the mind and positive thinking can actually bring about
physiological changes in the body, through visualization, belief, and affirmations to
heal. How do thoughts and visualisation affect the neurosystem and our brain? </div>
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As we imagine something over and over again, we start to cause changes to the physical structure of the brain. In a research, volunteers were asked to play a simple combination of notes on the piano with all five fingers daily for 2 hours. Their brains were scanned daily and scientists found that the area of the brain connected to the finger muscles had grown in size. The brain actually generated hundreds of neurons. but not only that, genes were being turned on and started changing. To study the effects of visualisation, another group was asked to visualise that they were playing the piano notes for 2 hours daily. At the end of 5 days, a brain scan showed that the brain had changed in identical ways. In many ways, the brain does not distinguish whether something is really happening or it is just an imagination.<br />
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He believes that the power of visualisation can be used to heal, provided that it is done properly. An example is the visualisation of tumours shrinking. However, it has to be visualised in great detail, thus taking time and must be done consistently everyday. <br />
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In another study, 150 married couples were asked to talk about a topic of their choice for 15 minutes From their interaction, couples were grouped into those who were hostile, aggresive and those who were more compassionate to one another. What they found was that the hostile group had more cases of heart disease whilst the other compassionate group had healthy arteries. The difference was the way they treated each other. He said that hundreds of genes are turned on by the way we treat people. </div>
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When two people are interacting, their emotions and body language has an effect on each other. The phrase “emotional contagion” embodies the idea that humans will
synchronize their personal emotions with the emotions expressed by those
around them, whether consciously or unconsciously, and thus that an
emotion conveyed by one person will become “contagious” to others. In the presence of a happy person, others around them become happier. This unfortunately applies to negative emotions as well. Gentleness and compassion can protect ourselves.</div>
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It is indeed true that the people we spend our time with are very important. They not only have great influence on our thoughts. They also have great impact on our health. </div>
Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-46624591603314746302013-06-05T22:20:00.002+08:002013-06-06T10:00:53.596+08:00Dying to Be Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I have been spending some time listening to many world-renowned experts from the personal growth field sharing
the practical, applicable ways in which they incorporate their teachings
in their own lives. Topics range from health, diets, womanhood, happiness and success, the spiritual realm, past lives and so on.. I shall write on some of these speakers whose work have benefited millions of people. </span><br />
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One such speaker whom I find so very inspiring is Anita Moorjani. Her story is not new to many. Anita was diagnosed with end stage cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma) in April 2002. On 2 February 2006, she fell into a coma. Her body was ravaged with cancer when she arrived at the hospital. Doctors said that her organs were shutting down and gave her hours to live. However, she went through a NDE or near death experience but made a choice to come back.<i><q>I chose to come back into physical when I understood that ‘heaven’ is a state, not a place.</q><cite><span class="quotescollection_author">Anita Moorjan</span></cite>i</i></div>
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She is now a famous speaker and author of the best seller, "Dying To Be Me." She has been sharing her fascinating life story and the many insights she gained when she went to the other realm. "<i>I realized what a gift life was, and that I was surrounded by loving
spiritual beings, who were always around me even when I did not know it. I understand how illnesses start on an energetic level before they become
physical. I then
understood that when people have medical treatments for illnesses, it
rids the illness only from their body but not from their energy so the
illness returns. Everything going on in our lives was dependant on this energy around
us, created by us. Nothing was real – we created our surroundings, our
conditions, etc. depending where this “energy” was at." </i></div>
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"<i>After what I have seen, I realize
that absolutely anything is possible, and that we did not come here to
suffer. Life is supposed to be great, and we are very, very loved. The
way I look at life has changed dramatically, and I am so glad to have
been given a second chance to experience “heaven on earth.
Miracles
are possible in your life every day."</i></div>
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What was her most meaningful lesson? "<i>The most meaningful lesson I learned from being at death’s door is that
unless I love myself, nothing else in my life can function at its best.
The amount of depth, meaning, and joy I experience in my life is in
direct proportion to how much love I have for myself. The amount of
love, kindness, patience I have for others is also directly proportional
to how much love, patience and kindness I have for myself, because we
cannot give others what we ourselves do not have.</i>"</div>
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I resonate so much with what she said. That life is indeed a gift. We create so much of our own unhappiness due to a lack of love. And it starts from a lack of love for ourselves. If we do not know how to love and honour ourselves, how then can we genuinely love and honour others?.<br />
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We sometimes confuse narcissism with self-love so we hold ourselves at arms length. There is a big difference between the two. The energy of narcissim is one of fear. It is closed and contracting, wanting to keep everything for ourselves. It is about "me, me and me." Self love is expansive, open and inclusive of others. That is the energy of love. It is like a cup of love which overflows.</div>
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We are meant to be amazing, magnificent, loving beings but we have forgotten who we are. However, we do not necessarily need to go through a near death experience to realise that. The love is right there in our hearts already. We just need to open our hearts and tap into it.</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-21391438913415920472013-05-31T21:36:00.001+08:002013-06-02T06:21:11.023+08:00Move Forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have been busy lately. Last weekend, I attended a Family Constellation workshop. It was very good. I learned alot about family order and family systems. I found it enlightening and interesting.</div>
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If we keep an open mind, we open ourselves to so many learning opportunities. There are many new courses and experiences which come our way. If we resonate with them, make the time and effort to learn. The limits we face in life are limits which we place on ourselves. We give ourselves many reasons not to do what we know, would be good for our growth. Louise Hay, the famous motivational author took up ballroom dancing at 75 years of age and the piano, at 86.</div>
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I realised during the course that the obstacles which we face in healing our relationships and in forgiveness can be attributed so much to being judgmental and "wanting to be right" In our need to be right, we forget that others, whoever they maybe, our parents, siblings or friends are just doing the best they can. As Louise Hay said, we live in a prison of self righteous resentment.<br />
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In many instances, people are just doing the best they can, with the understanding and awareness that they had. They were unable to give more because they did not have more to give.
It is not something we like to hear nor accept. Not when we have unmet
needs which look to be fulfilled by others. We have to learn how to meet those needs ourselves. Take that
responsibility rather than stay stuck, holding on to expectations which
may never be met. We are also just doing the best we can. That is the reality and reality is always sobering.<br />
Have a great weekend!</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-3312841220124280932013-05-24T06:15:00.000+08:002013-05-24T07:03:54.929+08:00Happy Wesak!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What makes a person a Buddhist? Does knowing the sutras by heart, participating in Buddhist activities at your local Buddhist centre such as attending Sunday School or volunteering there make you a Buddhist? What is enlightenment? It sounds so unattainable. Today, I shall share with you Thich Nhat Hanh's words.</div>
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"<i>A
person may not be called a Buddhist, but he can be more Buddhist than a
person who is. Buddhism is made of mindfulness, concentration, and
insight. If you have these things, you are a Buddhist. If you don’t, you
aren’t a Buddhist. When you look at a person and you see that she is
mindful, she is compassionate, she is understanding, and she has
insight, then you know that she is a Buddhist. But even if she’s a nun
and she does not have these energies and qualities, she has only the
appearance of a Buddhist, not the content of a Buddhist".</i></div>
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<i>Happiness and enlightenment are living things and they can grow. It is
possible to feed them every day. If you don't feed your enlightenment,
your enlightenment will die. If you don't feed your happiness, your
happiness will die. If you don't feed your love, your love will die. If
you continue to feed your anger, your hatred, your fear, they will grow.
The Buddha said that nothing can survive without food. That applies to
enlightenment, to happiness, to sorrow, to suffering.<br /><br />First of all, enlightenment is enlightenment <span style="font-style: italic;">about something</span>.
Suppose you are drinking some tea and you are aware that you are
drinking some tea. That kind of mindfulness of drinking is a form of
enlightenment. There have been many times that you've been drinking but
you didn't know it, because you are absorbed in worries. So mindfulness
of drinking is already one kind of enlightenment.</i></div>
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<i>Small enlightenments have to succeed each other. And they have to be fed
all the time, in order for a great enlightenment to be possible. So a
moment of living in mindfulness is already a moment of enlightenment. If
you train yourself to live in such a way, happiness and enlightenment
will continue to grow.</i><br />
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<i>Insight is also enlightenment. To be aware that you are still alive,
that you are walking on this beautiful planet—that is a form of
enlightenment. That does not come just by itself. You have to be mindful
in order to enjoy every step. And again, you have to preserve that
enlightenment in order for happiness to continue. If you walk like
someone who is running, happiness will stop."</i><br />
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As with everything else we learn, knowing intellectually is easy but commitment to practise is not. Living out the heart of the Buddha's teachings and using it to
transform our thoughts and minds. Changing our lives for the better is what it is all about.<i> </i>And today, I have to remind myself once again to practise. practise, practise. Happy Wesak!<i> </i></div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-13132354339653393702013-05-21T22:21:00.004+08:002013-05-24T06:15:28.212+08:00Family Constellations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you tried Family Constellaton therapy? Bert Hellinger, a German psychotherapist and former priest developed Family Constellation work in the 80s. During his work with groups he noticed that unconscious Trans-Generational family bonds have a major impact on the current family system. Certain ancestral patterns are carried through many generations.</div>
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Many of
us unconsciously identify with the emotions and traumas of other family
members especially our parents as a way of belonging. Examples of such
destructive familial patterns are anxiety, depression, anger, guilt,
solitude, alcoholism and even illnesses. Such entanglements can lead to
anger, frustration, depression and therefore to an unfulfilled life.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
Family Constellations is very often called Trans-Generational Healing because it has a positive influence on many generations of the family system. It is said to have the power to shift generations of suffering and unhappiness. It is most effective in issues that appear to be systemic in nature. If one has already tried therapy but is unable to resolve the issue it could be that the issue is systemic, a pattern or entanglement coming from the family of origin, <br />
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The Family Constellation view, is that each person has soul or life force energy and is also part of the collective soul or life force energy of the family group. This means that each member within a family group has an effect on the other members in the group, via the genetic trail or soul energy by which they are linked. Newer members of the family can be greatly affected by what has gone before them in previous generations. Some event or situation may have taken place several generations before one's birth, that was perhaps not accepted or acknowledged by the family in general. This will usually manifest as guilt or shame by the “greater soul” or life force of the family group. The guilt or shame is taken on by individuals in later generations. This is done in an unconscious attempt to relieve the burden from the rest of the family and may result in such things as a range of mental and, physical illnesses, suicide, or addiction or disturbed relationships patterns.<br />
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The purpose of Family Constellations is to uncover the hidden dynamics of the family or relationship in an experiential way. Family Constellations can be enlightening when it comes to the search for the real root cause and may remove blockages in the family system which are causing disharmony.<br />
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It allows us to break these patterns so that we can live healthier, happier, more fulfilled lives. In a moment of insight, a new life course can be set in motion. The results can be life-changing!</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-2120643691978336022013-05-17T21:30:00.000+08:002013-05-21T22:26:03.949+08:00My Sweet Oreo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span class="userContent">"I believe that animals are on the planet so
that we can know love and compassion. We are profoundly connected to our
pets more than we are usually aware of " - Louise Hay</span></i></b><br />
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Dear Sze,<br />
<br />
I decided to reply to your question about Oreo here instead of the Mothers Day post because it is a long story. I still find it hard to talk about Oreo's death, partly because of the way she died and partly because I felt responsible. She died in an accident when she tried to jump over the fence again when we were out during Chinese New Year. Previously when she jumped over the fence, she was injured. This time, it was fatal.</div>
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She had developed a phobia for rain and thunder, right after being neutered. The vet thought it was a coincidence, but I feel there is a link. We have had her for one and half years and never had this problem. It seems that neutering does result in behavioural changes in some dogs but in Oreo's case, it was extreme.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBZdd2T2rxEmvLQkfweHYRWj8f_pnyWIUNP8HZ4cS0aud8KNX6mN74ODjKBqr4_4QQ8n3SoLHwhkfzwPcrl6UFUTxmnUY5Bpw6f13DqYrCF8yJGrUwuFdWO6tD0igJBogAhVhfUtUnvE/s1600/2011-05-29+17.00.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBZdd2T2rxEmvLQkfweHYRWj8f_pnyWIUNP8HZ4cS0aud8KNX6mN74ODjKBqr4_4QQ8n3SoLHwhkfzwPcrl6UFUTxmnUY5Bpw6f13DqYrCF8yJGrUwuFdWO6tD0igJBogAhVhfUtUnvE/s320/2011-05-29+17.00.18.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I constantly worried about her whenever I was at work or out with the family. Everytime the sky turned dark, the worries would start. When it rained at night, we would hear her howling. My husband would get up and soothe her. I consulted friends and vets but I could not find a solution. </div>
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In order to protect her, I had to resort to keeping her in her cage when we were out. However, I knew she was miserable being caged. I felt really bad and stressed out during this period. I did not like to cage her. On the day she died, I wanted her to have some freedom to run around, not knowing it would have tragic consequences. I hurried home but it was too late. It hadn't even started raining yet but she had already started freaking out. She died on the fence.</div>
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I have gone over this episode many times, again and again, feeling responsible. Could I have prevented it? If I had allowed her into the house, maybe she wouldn't have died...I don't have the answers. My Buddhist friends attribute it to karma. </div>
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Whatever it is, one thing is for certain, with the benefit of hindsight, it is easy to think of the "what ifs" and what might have beens" If I had the benefit of hindsight, I never would have wanted her to suffer, not for a minute. It was painful to think of her difficult death. Thus, it made it all the harder to get over it. I am after all her fur mama. And she was my fur baby. I will always love her.</div>
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It is hard to watch others suffer, especially loved ones and those we seek to protect. However, Oreo's death has been an awakening. Her presence in my life has been a gift. It is a lesson that I am still learning. <br />
It is, to not blame myself for things which I cannot control.<br />
It is, to be kinder to myself.<br />
It is, to accept that I make mistakes and that I am not perfect.<br />
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We conducted a Buddhist funeral for her and chanted prayers for her. May she be in a better place free from suffering and fear. May she know that she is much loved.<br />
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Regards,<br />
CF </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-18989122033304787712013-05-14T21:24:00.003+08:002013-05-15T18:11:05.934+08:00CA Care - Herbal Cancer Therapy<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="font-size: small;">The standard recipe of present day cancer treatments comes in different combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and oral drugs of some sort. This is sometimes referred to as slash, poison and burn method of treatment. Many people say the treatment is worse than the disease and many patients died because of the treatment rather than their cancer. Some authors even went to the extent of saying that present day cancer treatment with highly toxic drugs is crude and is probably the most barbaric in modern medicine. </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those who have undergone these treatments may understand what I am saying. Those who have not undergone them yet may not but the observant ones may have heard or learnt about it from the<br />experiences of others. These patients now want to know if there is another option for them. My answer is: Yes, there is another option." (from the flyer of "Cancer. What now? Is there another option?'')</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1006" src="http://adaywithchristeo.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ca-care-headerwise.jpg?w=594" title="CA-Care-headerWise" /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last Saturday, I joined my friend, Khadijah for a talk by CA Care founder, Dr Chris Teo. The 2 hour talk titled "Cancer, What now? Is there another option?" was aimed at giving people diagnosed with cancer an alternative to mainstream medicine. </span>With us, was a friend<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> who was
diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. After her surgery (but no
chemotherapy) she went to see Dr Teo and took his herbs. She is looking good today.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />Khadijah and her husband, Yeong have been taking care of CA Care Central Region for many years. As Dr Teo is based in Penang, cancer patients can get their supply of herbs from Khadijah and Yeong. They are a lovely couple, who provide consultations from their home in Subang Jaya. I first met them through my Qigong center many years ago. Later, I learned that my late friend, Chang went to them when he was trying out the herbs from CA Care. <br /><br />Dr Teo was formerly a professor of botany in Universiti Sains Malaysia. He has written many research papers and more than a dozen books. He started CA Care with his wife, Ch'ng Beng Im in 1995, after helping a patient, Benedict Yeoh with liver cancer, A week later, Ben brought Vijay who had lung cancer, From that humble beginning, CA Care was born as word spread. <br /><br />Dr Teo prescribes a variety of capsules and teas for the different cancers. Even people without cancer can benefit from consuming his herbs as there are teas that help with stomach discomfort, pain teas and ascites tea to help with fluid retention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Apart from consuming his herbs, it is also mandatory to change one's lifestyle and eating habits. Foods to avoid are all kinds of meat, dairy products, white sugar, table salt and oil (except coconut or olive oil). Mrs Teo has also written a book on healthy recipes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> His prescription to healing is as follows:-<br />1. Give total commitment to healing<br />2. Seek proper medical help<br />3. Take herbs<br />4. Eat rightly<br />5. Lead a happy, stress free life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I find Dr Teo to be straight talking and hard
hitting. This remains a controversial topic and not many may agree with him. </span>To find out more about Dr Chris Teo's healing therapy and his success stories, you may visit his website at<a href="http://cacare.com/content/view/20/41/"> </a><a href="http://cacare.com/content/view/20/41/">http://cacare.com/content/view/20/41/.</a> </span></div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-48444888977506238142013-05-12T11:11:00.000+08:002013-05-15T19:37:48.328+08:00Happy Mother's Day<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<b><i>It is Mother's Day today. I would like to wish all mothers a happy and relaxing day. I hope you take time off to show some love to yourselves today!</i></b></div>
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<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270861_461956323893367_164263935_n.jpg" width="320" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A fellow mother said. "It is always me last." </span>I think what some mothers want most is to have some time off for themselves and to be feted and pampered. As a mother myself, I feel that because of society's expectations as well as from our family upbringing, women have been taught from young to put others first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The modern mother has multiple roles to play, a mother, a career woman, a wife, a home manager, transporter and cook. There is little time at the end of the day for themselves. Even on occasions when they do take time off, it is not without the tinge of guilt. There are regular checks and smses to make sure everything is alright at the home front. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Women are sometimes also their own worst enemies. Mothers-in-law criticising their daughters-in-law. Instead of
supporting each other, they judge another woman harshly for not
meeting their own expectations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Is this a case of the mother not being able to let go or is it her husband and children's dependency? Only the individual woman herself would know the answer. The phrase "Don't sweat the small stuff" is so true. Our families will not starve in our absence. They have to learn to take care of themselves eventually. And it is important that they understand this so that mothers can get time off to re-charge their batteries and stay healthy. I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">f one family member is down, the entire family is affected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The mother’s worth as a role model and guardian is indisputable. Good mothers are like gardeners that grow the beautiful fragrant flowers and most luscious fruits. Great men and women in all fields of society are created, molded and inspired by their mothers. <br /><br />All too often, mothers forget their contribution and worth in this increasingly materialistic society. Due to increasing pressures, mothers have had to hand over the physical care of their children to maids and babysitters. Because the mother plays a crucial role in nurturing the character of the child as well being the main source of emotional nourishment, it would be too simplistic to say that the mother's role can be substituted. A friend who does not bring her baby home from the babysitter's said that her child would not know the difference. I beg to differ.</span></div>
Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-64965674682151228892013-05-10T07:47:00.001+08:002013-05-10T11:29:09.688+08:00Towards a Better Tomorrow <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">
<span class="scn_rt_strike"><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/11824_10200954854254284_1787538783_n.jpg" style="height: 284px; width: 399px;" /> </span><br />
<span class="scn_rt_strike">(<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>picture by popular Malaysian cartoonist, Lat</i></span>)</span><br />
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<span class="scn_rt_strike">The recent elections and its aftermath has affected our lives so much that it is hard not to write about it. The information shared on the social media, videos, pictures and stories are powerful. Though the election results have not resulted in a change in the governance of this country, it has left a deep and significant impact on many. It is believed that human beings have a sense of fairness, </span><span class="scn_rt_strike">a characteristic that research increasingly shows is an innate part of human morality. In these elections, people feel their rights have been violated, thus the outpouring of emotion.</span><br />
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<span class="scn_rt_strike">Someone shared that "There is no need for revenge, sit back and wait, karma or God will be just." Indeed, life works itself out. It is part of a political game.There is no need to get personal. Why not use our energy positively rather than plot vengeance? We just care for this country and want it to be what it can be, harmonious and fair with minimal corruption </span><br />
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<span class="scn_rt_strike">We have to recognise politics for what it is. </span><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike">Politics are the strategies employed to accomplish certain goals. It</span></span><span class="scn_rt_strike"> is the venue by which laws are created that effect so many lives. Being politically aware will protect us from being mindless sheep herded by their masters. We can learn
to question, and see through the personal agendas of politicians. </span><br />
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<span class="scn_rt_strike">The race card is just another old political ploy, rehashed time and again. Because race and religion are such deeply personal issues, human beings get emotional and as a result, fail to see beyond their emotions. Deep resentment and even wars have been started because of this. But have we asked ourselves this question before we react? What is the political agenda here? What does it serve them? </span><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike">Does a father who truly loves his children strive to breed harmony or does he divide them for his sake? Like a growing child, we have to find our
own identity as a people and not what has been told to us. Who are we?
Are we Malays, Chinese, Indians or are we Malaysians? Are we willing to walk the talk?</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="scn_rt_strike">As a country, there are parts which are ready and hankering for change in the urban areas. There are also other parts in the rural areas which are lagging behind. <span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike"><span class="scn_rt_strike">Are the events in the past week part and parcel of the teething pains on the road to a more matured nation? </span></span></span></span>Is it the political awakening of this country? Who will do the hard work of reaching out to the </span>parts which are lagging behind? Will we eventually all come together as a whole to change for the better? I certainly hope we find the answers.</span></span></div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-48802568994183842532013-05-05T21:54:00.001+08:002013-05-10T10:09:41.323+08:00GE 13 Blackout Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">picture</span> courtesy of a friend's friend from Hong Kong shared on Facebook) </i></span><br />
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Today is the day many Malaysians have been waiting for. The day is finally here. We cannot wait to speak our minds. And our vote can do just that, or so we thought.. My family were up early as we were anticipating a long queue. And indeed, there was already a long one when I arrived at the polling station. </div>
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As opposed to previous elections, I can sense a difference in the air this time around. People were enthusiastic and eager to do their bit. The urban voting crowd is today more aware than a few years ago. They were armed with the latest information and a number had printed out their voting details prior to coming. </div>
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In the queue with me was a lady who had flown in from Shanghai just to cast her vote. She said she is back to vote, for change. My parents, too, though both frail went to vote. My father, in a wheelchair and my mother, walked with support. I am proud of my parents, especially my father because he went in good spirits when he could easily have given excuses. I wish that more and more people will realise the importance of their vote and what it means. It is not just a cross on a sheet of paper. A single vote could actually change the political landscape of the entire country.</div>
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I stayed up to wait for the elections results. All I can say is that I am very disturbed, angry and saddened by the stories I hear. Alleged stories of tension in certain areas because extra ballot boxes were brought in after unofficial victory for the opposition. Extra ballot boxes suddenly appearing after a sudden blackout which changed the results.What is the truth?<br />
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We are a country of many races, wanting to live together in harmony. We all just want to live happily in a safe environment. What use is it to have a nation achieve "developed" status, Vision 2020 etc? All the infrastructure and technology is nothing if we lose our integrity as a nation.<br />
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The world has been watching us. The day started out with promise but ended with great sadness and anger for many. Many expressed that they have lost faith in the system and lost their true voices. I hope that as a nation we can learn and heal from this. That we can move on without blaming one another. Let not race nor religion be used as a distraction to divide us, for the sake of this beautiful nation.<br />
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Watch this magical blackout video that has gone viral <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yYRW9mt1AE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yYRW9mt1AE</a><a href="http://says.com/my/news/why-do-i-see-so-many-black-profile-pictures-on-fb"></a></div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-70614045927428624812013-05-02T22:27:00.002+08:002013-05-03T08:08:45.899+08:00Our Precious Health<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I used to be a purist, having much faith in alternative medicine. The stories of Louise Hay, Professor Lai Chiu-Nan, Ann Wigmore, to name a few, are almost miraculous. These are people with success stories to tell, using purely the holistic approach. However, after following the experiences of my terminally ill friends, I must admit that alternative therapies have lost their lustre somewhat. How many ordinary people out there have met such success? How many can successfully shrink a growth or tumour? I am not putting a damper on those following the holistic approach. Neither am I advocating only Western medicine.<br />
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I don't believe healing from chronic diseases is as
straightforward as changing one's diet alone. Nor is it about going through the
list of alternative therapies available and trying them out one after another. Healing is more complex than that. One has to find the root cause of one's disease in order to have a good success rate in healing. One also has to have alot of patience as well as diligence. A great deal of
effort is needed. And many a time, it demands change. Change in eating habits, lifestyle, mental and emotional patterns. At a time when a person is down with a sickness, how
much willpower and stamina does one have to do so much? </div>
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It makes sense, then, to learn healthy living habits and to teach our children to do the same. Healthy living includes not only eating correctly but being able to connect with what is going on within us, in our minds. Knowing how to manage life and our expectations. Knowing how to manage our emotions. <br />
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As human beings, there is a tendency to take things for granted. It sometimes take many knocks for us to realise this. We neglect our precious health in our youth and treat our bodies like machines, for a variety of reasons like earning money, etc. In our later years, we spend the same hard earned money trying to heal. Where does that get us? It may not seem seem very wise but that is what it takes for us to learn sometimes, through pain. But is it really necessary to walk that path?</div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-82817404712990754472013-04-25T20:19:00.003+08:002013-04-25T20:30:09.634+08:00Unconditional Positive Regard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </i><i style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Today's post was contributed by Dr Chong, a family physician who uses unconditional positive regard with her patients. She is a caring and compassionate person who has helped many cancer patients. I wish to thank her for sharing this article with us.</i><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">Unconditional positive regard is a term made popular by Carl Rogers. It is </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">basic
acceptance and support of a person regardless of what the person says
or does. This type of communication is essential to healthy development.
People who have not been exposed to it may come to see themselves in
the negative ways that others have made them feel. Through this therapy
patients eventually accept and take responsibility for themselves. By
showing my patients unconditional positive regard and acceptance, I am
providing the best possible conditions for my patients' personal growth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"> <i><b>David G. Myers says the following in his Psychology: Eighth Edition in Modules:</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><i><b>People
also nurture our growth by being accepting—by offering us what Rogers
called unconditional positive regard. This is an attitude of grace, an
attitude that values us even knowing our failings. It is a profound
relief to drop our pretenses, confess our worst feelings, and discover
that we are still accepted. In a good marriage, a close family, or an
intimate friendship, we are free to be spontaneous without fearing the
loss of others' esteem</b></i>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">Unconditional
positive regard can be facilitated by keeping in mind Carl
Rogers' belief that all people have the internal resources required for
personal growth. Rogers' theory encouraged other psychiatrists to
suspend judgement, and to listen to a person with an attitude that the
patient has within himself the ability to change, without actually
changing who he is.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">The
concept of unconditional positive regard also has a simpler meaning
outside of the therapist's goal to elicit change. It is the simple act
of one individual accepting all traits and behaviors in another
individual, as long as is it does not entail causing significant harm to
oneself. The key word here is "significant". If one states that "This
person's behavior annoys me, and thus is causing me 'significant' harm",
then unconditional positive regard is made subject to so many
objections that it cannot exist. Thus, finding a person's
behavior/beliefs reprehensible when they pose no threat of harm to
oneself or others, is incompatible with unconditional positive regard.
To treat a flawed individual's otherwise harmless behavior or beliefs as
cause to reject the individual's worth, morality and right to merit
interaction with oneself, is a violation of the unconditional precept.</span></div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165872727889133204.post-77704431279021395582013-04-22T18:21:00.000+08:002013-04-24T10:32:27.316+08:00The Holistic Way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have always had an interest in healing. Besides, diet and nutrition, I have special interest in the healing of the mind and emotions. As we are body, mind and spirit, I believe healing should encompass all three aspects because of their interconnectedness. The role of
emotions and its effect on our health, for example, is an interesting
area to look into. Along the way, to deepen my knowledge in this interesting area, I read books, follow my friends' journeys as well as enrol in courses on healing, when my schedule permits. <br />
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The area of alternative medicine is often said to be lacking in scientific backing. There are many claims and testimonies of people being healed from various therapies, some very costly. Generally, people find it easier to trust the advice of doctors who have been trained in mainstream Western medicine. The purists, i.e those who rely fully on alternative medicine are a minority. Most people would use alternative medicine as a complementary therapy. <br />
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It was in 2006 that I learned that one of my friends had her spleen removed due to a rare blood condition. After the surgery, she tried to heal herself by following a strict organic vegetarian diet recommended by a famous Taiwanese health expert. The diet consisted of soup, salad, steamed vegetables, brown rice and sweet potatoes. She was very disciplined and positive throughout. However,
she wanted more from her life and decided to undergo a bone
marrow transplant. She succumbed to complications as a result of her
body's rejection of the transplant. My group of friends and I were
deeply saddened by her passing. </div>
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Many readers here would also remember Chang, a friend who left us last September. On diagnosis, his doctor said that the cancer was already too advanced for chemotherapy to be of benefit. He said that he was
stumped initially, not knowing what to do next. He was inundated with
emails and suggestions until he came upon the Gersons Therapy. Like many, I followed his journey from reading his blog. I was intrigued by the many therapies he tried. Because he was seeking different views, we would sometimes discuss his therapies.<br />
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When Chang first started out, he adhered closely to what he called the modified Gersons Therapy (because he could not get the full set of supplements here in Malaysia, then). However, over time, he too started to use oral chemotherapy drugs. He commented, on hindsight, that he should not have been so naive, i.e. he should have combined conventional drugs wth his alternative therapies much earlier on. At one time, he also described himself as being very comfortable with reading scientific papers but lost when it came to emotions. <br />
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After Chang's death, I wrote to his doctor, Dr Chong, whom he consulted for hypnotherapy services, to contribute an article to his blog. I shall post the article on this blog and hope that it will benefit those who are seeking to complement their healing. I will share her article in the next post. </div>
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Bodhi Circlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932338043521160219noreply@blogger.com0