My experience from HH Sri Sri Ravi Shanker’s visit to Malaysia.

I first came to know of this Guruji after reading an article about him and his organization, “Art of Living” in a newspaper article on April 27, 2007. The article was so captivating that I decided to stick the paper cutting on the wall of my room. He was the Guru who said that a baby smiles 4000 times a day, an adolescent 17 times a day and an adult hardly. Even a simple phone call could change the mood of a person. He said that we should make our smile cheaper and our anger expensive, meaning smile often and frown none. I was quite keen to know more about had not the chance, and my work situation did not permit me to participate when he was here in 2010. Now, here he was again, and I told my friend rain or shine, I’m making it this time.

The visit this time was themed “Blessings” and drew a packed crowd of almost 10 000 people at Juru, Butterworth on Saturday, 31st March, 2012. The program was scheduled to begin at 7.30 pm only commenced with the arrival of the dignitaries at 7.40 pm. There was a welcoming speech made by the Penang Deputy Chief Minister, Prof. Ramasamy who thanked the Guruji for being here and his contributions. This was then followed by Cultural dances by various ethnicities which totaled about 6 renditions comprising of Chinese Lunar dance, Indian classical dance, Malay Inang, etc. At sharp 8.30 pm the organizers of the event took a minute to honor the Earth Day by switching the main lights with only dimmer and only the centre stage was bright. The dignitaries and the Guru too participated by holding lights and the crowd was waving the neon stick in response. They were probably members of the “Art of Living”.

At this point, I noticed that the nearby crowd started to chit chat, probably anxiety as they were anxious to hear the Guru’s speech. Nevertheless, I noticed the abundance of volunteer corps from the society walking about everywhere. The spirit of volunteerism was seen and the mannerisms of the devotees were indicated that they had put the Guru’s words in practice and indeed were commendable.

At 8.40 pm, ahh… and finally, the most awaited speech by the Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shanker commenced. He spots a benevolent smile and speaks lovingly with a smile. Every sentence he uttered was interjected with a Chinese Mandarin translation. After a few sentences, he got up from the speech and he started to walk. The clicks of cameras were continuous and a number of patrons were seen capturing video with their phone gadgets. Shortly, he returned to his seat. As he spoke, he narrated that his speech will be mixture of English, a little bit of Chinese and Tamil. I was a little bit surprised if he actually could speak Tamil, or maybe at best, one or two words were my guess. Then, he asked in Tamil, “How is everyone doing?” which was returned with a roaring, “(We are) fine”. That surprised me as I did not realize that there were so many Indians amongst the crowd. (The Guruji did request the local members; mostly Chinese that he wanted to see more Indian participation this time around. I must admit that they did a good job in bringing the required numbers to the talk.) There was a wide smile from the Guruji upon hearing the response. HH Sri Sri then illustrated in tamil that GOD or in Tamil language “Kadavul” literally comprise of two words “Kadal” (sea) and “vul” inside. He said that the God does not recide above the clouds but deep within the hearts of every man. One needs to search within as deep as a sea within the heart and can attain immense peace from within.

Then, there the Guruji invited everyone to participate in meditation that lasted for 24 minutes. I felt an immense peace within me upon the meditation, the experience I had was inexplicable. I decided to check the big guy seated next to me how he felt to which he described that at one point, he felt as he was floating in mid air. In fact, he even told me that he has never done meditation before and was thrilled with this new found experience.

I’d like to share some of the jewels which are called the “7 mantras for 2012 from Guruji”.
1. Reflect on your life in relation to the Cosmos. This will drop the smallness in you and you will be able to live fully.
2. Remind yourself of the highest Goal in Life. You are not here to grumble/complain. You are here for something bigger.
3. Serve! Engage yourself in community service to whatever extent you can.
4. Have faith and trust that the Divine loves you dearly and is taking care of you.
5. As we flip the calendar, we also need to flip our mind too. Do not fill future dates with past events. Learn and move on.
6. Smile more! True sign of prosperity is an unconditional smile on your face.
7. Nurture yourself with soft music, prayer and silence. Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga rejuvenates, gives depth and stability

On the whole, the trip I made was worth it and if he is coming again, I would not like to miss it. I am going to end the account here as I feel it is getting lengthy. The speech concluded at sharp 9.30 pm with HH Sri Sri’s parting words, “please give me all your worries and go back home happy, I want all your worries, give them to me”. On that night, I actually felt so light and for the first time in two weeks, I slept well. As he was leaving, the crowd was swarming to get a closer look of the Guru and the cameras clicked continuously once again. I had some free vegetarian food served by the devotees before leaving the place.

SWAMIJI'S UPCOMING VISIT:

THEMED: WAVES OF HAPPINESS
Date: 28th March 2015
Time: 7.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Batu Kawan Stadium, Penang

THE LAZARUL SYNDROME - DEAD MAN AWAKENS (A second chance)

(Photo above: Son, Kean Hooi with his father upon his return)

Picture this scenario. First, you receive a phone call from the hospital. The officials reveal to you that your loved one has been pronounced dead. What would your reaction be if 1 ½ hours later, the doctor calls you again to tell you that your loved one back alive? Puzzled? Numb? Going to get a second doctor’s opinion whether your loved one is really alive or dead by checking the name once again? Simply overjoyed? Call the doctor again and ask him to use a different stethoscope? Or maybe, call all your friends and relatives to have a “Welcome back, party?”

Well, a series of perplexed thoughts are sure to run wild in our thoughts if this happens to our families. Of course, the variations, your heart beat rate and the intensity differs from individuals. Your heart is certainly not going to rest easily and may have to do some extra pounding every minute to distribute more oxygen to your body and hopefully from collapsing.

(Photo above: Mr. Ng, during his younger days)

Imagine the joy, of having to call out your relatives and friends again to notify that your loved dead is back from the dead. As for their reaction, your guess is as good as mine. After all, some would still want to see him/her and pat on the back and may want to say, “Hey, your lifeline has just been renewed and extended for an indefinite period of time, don't screw up your life and health with your second chance.”


Name of patient: Mr. Ng Swee Hock
Time of incident: 10.30am / April 14, 2011
Patient's age: 65 yrs old

Incident leading to the patient's condition:
It was reported that the 65 yr old man had a quarrel with his 70 yr old brother outside their house at 10.30 am. The 65 yr old brother sustained injury on the right hand and collapsed just as he reached home.

Chronology of events as reported:
10.30am: Quarrel with 70 yr old brother & sustain injury on right arm. Collapsed as he returned home.
11 am - 12 noon: CPR conducted but failed to revive
Approx. 1 pm: The son, Mr Wei (26 yrs old) goes to the Police Dept with his mother to lodge a report to obtain his father's death certificate
1.30 pm: The doctor calls the son, Mr. Wei to inform that his father is alive again

The family members reaction: Overjoyed
Patient's current condition: Still unconscious and reported to be supported by a ventilator machine.

ANOTHER LAZARUS CASE


(Picture Above: Michael Wilkinson, reported on 11th June, 2009 to have undergone Lazarus syndrome. He survived a normal life for another two days after his "first death" before passing away permanently for the second time)

There are only 38 reported cases of Lazarus syndrome worldwide making Mr. Ng's case no. 39. Well, that's what happened on April 14th, 2011 when a 65 year old man, Mr. Ng who was pronounced dead returned alive just 1 ½ hours later. Here are further details:


I paused and thought about who would likely welcome this syndrome with relief and with great joy. The insurance companies for they do not have to pay death benefits. Second would be the Police, the investigation time can be shortened if the murdered victims come back to life and provide significant information that could lead to the arrest of the criminal. But, I shudder to think what if criminals come back to life!!???

On the same day, April 14th, while the Tamils were welcoming the new year (Tamil Calendar "Kara" Year), Ng's family had a new life to start with. I wish Mr Ng a speedy recovery and a meaningful life ahead.

LATEST UPDATE: APRIL 26, 2010
After 12 days of sustaining life with the support of life machine, the family members of Mr Ng at the advice of the doctors had finally decided it is time to let him go in peace. He was brought back home, and the son slowly whispered to his father, "Dad, you are now at home and the family members are with you. Do not worry about us, as we are adults and capable of taking care of ourselves. You can now go in peace."

My condolences to the family members on their loss.

Contributions:
1. Star Online
2. Mail online
3. Sundaily Online
Further readings related:
Further readings related to above can be found here, here, here, here, here, and also here.

Case of a Photographic memory

This is about an autistic man, who has an incredibly amazing ability. Mostly his videos are titled Beautiful Minds: Stephen Wiltshire and you should check out his drawings produced from the recollection of his memory.



If you have not seen this, I am sure you are going to enjoy it.

Giant Footprint in Penang, Malaysia

In a place called Batu Maung, located in the state of Penang, Malaysia lies a Chinese temple known as the "Sam Poh Footprint Temple". The temple was built only in 1993 and the local Chinese fishermen here are said to pay respects to the temple before going out to sea each day. Therefore, this temple is currently only 18 years old.





The history (before the temple was erected):
Originally there wasn't any temple erected for this foot print.

(Photo above: Taken before temple was erected)

According to locals, the foot print which is stamped on solid rock is believed to be more than a century old. (Himanshu Bhatt-Neo Sentuhan)

The size of the foot print: 33 inches / 0.85 meters

What the locals believe:

1. The ChineseThe Chinese believe that the footprint belongs to Admiral Cheng Ho (Admiral Zheng He)from China whom the locals called "Sam Poh Kong".

Who is Admiral Cheng Ho?

Historical accounts points out that he was a Muslim born in the district of Yunnan Province. He had led seven sea expeditions in the 15th Century believed to be between years 1405-1433 on behalf of the emperor from reign of Emperor Yong Le. Has traveled across Southeast Asia and visited several ports including Ayutthaya, Melaka, Palembang, Surabaya, Aden, Champa, etc.

A quote from an Indonesian Islamic scholar, Hamka says, "The development of Islam in Indonesia & Malaya (Malaysia was still known as Malaya until Sept 16, 1963)is intimately related to a Chinese Muslim, Admiral Zheng He." It is believed that he left behind many of his Muslim crew members in Malacca after building warehouses, granaries and stockade because the local community in Malacca was also Muslim.

After Zheng He's death, all expeditions were suspended and the ensuing result 400 years later is that the Hanafi sect that originally was amongst the Chinese became lost and absorbed into the Shafie sect of the locals. Later, the Chinese were discouraged from converting into Islam. The result: Many of the Chinese Muslim mosques became the San Bao temples commemorating Zheng He. As time passed by, the influence of Chinese Muslims in Malacca waned to almost none existent. (Wang Ma, R 2003)

Thus goes the story of the Chinese belief linking the footprint to Admiral Cheng Ho.

2. The local Indians

The local Indians believe that the footprint belongs to Lord Hanuman who while leaping over the ocean in search of herbal cure for Lakshamana, Rama's brother had left an indelible mark on a solid rock.

Another account of the belief also links to Lord Hanuman who on his way to meet Rama's wife, Sita, left an indelible mark.

3. The Malays

The local Malays believe that it "Tapak Gedembai" belongs to a gigantic figure known as Sang Gedembai who was strong and feared by the locals. According to this version, one day while a villager was chopping wood, 1 piece flew high enough and caught the eyes of the nearby terrified giant who ran for his life leaving heavy footprints all over which is still visible till today.

They say that this footprint in Batu Maung is only 1 of the four footprints of "Sang Gedembai" where 3 others are available in Pulau Jerejak (Island of Jerejak), Pulau Aman (Aman island) and Bayan Lepas. All 3 others are not too far away from Batu Maung.

Photo 1/2 of Closer view of another footprint located at Bayan Lepas

Photo 2/2 below: Distant view of (cemented) footprint captured in Bayan Lepas

CONTRIBUTIONS:

1. Mr. Himanshu Bhatt- Neo Sentuhan with many thanks.
2. www.igeorgetownpenang.com
3. Asia Explorer
4. borneotip.blogspot.com
5. scenicreflections.com

Holy water from trees...

First of all, apologies for the long silence once again. Just to break the silence, i am bringing in an amusing story of holy water falling down from trees. The local's have mixed feelings and like usual, some are quick to assume that the water may have some curative powers and started making some quick bucks selling MYR 5 for a little plastic container.

On the other hand, Science, authorities from Consumer Association of Penang are cautioning the locals not to be taken in awe by the unexplained until full investigation is conducted with leptospirosis in mind. This is because some are already experimenting the efficacy of the water by wiping the face and body with the "water" .

At the same time, former University UKM lecturer Prof Dr Zaidi explains that nothing is mysterious about this water possibly it is the urine of Cicadas during mating season. Another local when interviewed said in response, how come only this particular tree is showering water when the other trees also have cicadas but no showers? Well, time will tell.

Islamic Religious bodies are reminding Muslims to stay away and understandably cautioning that it is blasphemy (Syirik) to expect miracles from trees.


For some, it is opportunity and brisk business as they have put up stalls and started catering fast food for visitors. Chinese folks are going there with the hope that they might strike 4 digit local lottery as the tree might increase the luck due to the presence of a holy spirit (Datuk Kong).

Let's wait and see how this drama ends as it may take 2 weeks for the authorities to conclude the tests on the "water". So till then, the stalls can enjoy another 2 more weeks of brisk business; lottery punters can continue to try their luck for another 2 more weeks---they might either get poorer or richer.

For more details about this news, you can get it here and here .
Photo contributions (with thanks): The Star