47. THE EAST COAST - KUANTAN

 

Growing up in Malaysia, the East Coast states were my favourite playgrounds during school breaks.

Its been a very long time since I visited and it was with fond memories and a deep sense of deja vu that I explored its beaches, kampungs, old-style coffee shops, bazaars and narrow lanes.

Many things have not changed, changes if any, have crept in very slowly, I noted with pleasure.

Shops still have salted fish drying on the pavements, the coffee shops are still small in the same old shophouses with a homey feel and the proprietor, friendly and warm, you can linger over teh tarik and they leave you alone to sit and chat, or they stop by to chat when they know where we are from.

The people are genuine, patient and speak in soft, low tones. In the modern malls, they have the same attributes, sales staff make time to show and recommend products and explain the pros and cons of different models.

Its so old world, I felt a deep sense of loss that this has all but disappeared in Singapore and in the busier bustling cities of the west coast states of Malaysia.

With a heavy heart, I see that Singapore has paid a heavy price for the relentless pursuit of success, excellence, survival and whatnots......it could'nt help itself. Its debilitating - has it been worth it? It shows on its peoples' faces, their impatience, their aggression - their unhappiness.
Stop this world - I want to get off!

 

46. TIBET - MORE PIX

At this very rural village monastery the Rinpoche took us to, the monks offered us juicy peaches, sour yoghurt, salty yak milk and red beans sprinkled with crushed ice. Apparently, in some previous incarnation, the Rinpoche was the abbot here.

This was the first time the village received visitors from abroad so imagine the excitement. The Tibetans adore, literally worship, their Lamas. Perhaps for this reason, the Chinese Govt. has yet to give the OK for the exiled Dalai Lama to visit. Emotions will run high, troublemakers will seize the chance to create chaos and upheaval.

At this little ancient monastery, while seated on a monk's cushioned seat, I experienced a beautiful circulation of qi or prana. It ran in a circular motion from shoulder to shoulder running to my back and across my chest. The same circulation ran up and down both arms. I enjoyed this movement of my life force quietly, it went on for an hour and gradually became weaker.

 










I've received some  snaps from my fellow travellers on the recent Tibet trip, most of whom were into Tibetan Buddhism. We were accompanied by their Rinpoche who gave us access into areas not opened to foreigners.


The iconic Potala Palace - as seen from the roof of the hotel in Lhasa early on a misty morning.

 Steps steps everywhere. Tibet is for the fit - the high altitude and thin air took its toll







 

















 

The Sacred Feminine, the Yin energy, Mother Divine - the female creative aspect of 'God' - well represented in nearly all traditions - suppressed by religious clerics/scholars, all of whom are men.

Drepang Monastery

 

45. ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

It is significant that the source of some of the most important and largest rivers in Asia originate from the highlands of Tibet and the Everest region...

Tibet was everything I had imagined it to be. Spectacular mountain sceneries, desolate wind swept plateaus....as far as the eye can see, its lakes, mountains and blue skies with fluffy white clouds....took my breath away....or was it the high altitude?
I was one of the fortunate few who did not succumb to altitude sickness.

Native Tibetans look a lot like Mongolians. They are still a chiefly nomadic people. Many look like native Peruvians with their plaits, hats and dark long dresses dressed up with colourful woven aprons and bags. Their men wear cowboy hats and boots - I'm curious at the connection with the native Peruvian Indians.

Tibetan Buddhism is too complex for my liking, too ritualistic, but at least they place importance on the sacred feminine. The Potala Palace and the Drepang Monastery were truly beautiful but has become materialistic places of 'worship' where money is God.

An American friend tells me that in Calif. Tibetan Buddhism is minimalist, zen. It's the market it's catering to, just as in this part of the world, they need the rituals, the images ....and of course the 'donations'....to secure for themselves a place in 'heaven' or a successful business where material possessions play an important role in their lives

The Sacred Feminine

Inside the Potala Palace - an ancient and huge monastery - populated by business-minded monks who would have come across from China. Original Tibetan monks have become scarce...

Great yogis and their closest disciples have always written/spoke about Tibet and the time they spent sitting at the feet of their Masters during their long years of training. I was fortunate to go out of Lhasa to see the more unspoilt rural areas where the monasteries were not corrupted by money and tourists, its villagers happy, contented, warm and friendly. They live so much in the moment, communing with Mother Nature surrounded by the Elements..

Tibetan maiden with a beautiful handmade jewelled headress. The people are shy, not pushy when peddling their wares. As China opens up the place to more tourists and Buddhist pilgrims, I can imagine how the place will be like in the near future. As it is now the Lhasa monasteries are highly commercialised, it's 'monks' a corrupt lot...