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LIFE PIVOTED ON ROUTINES
Many may say routine is boring and a chore. We seem to be going through the same itinerary every day. We sleep at night and wake up in the morning. Then we go to work or to school. Thereafter, we have time for social, family or personal time devoted for individual pursuit. We do our part at housework and domestic matters. Life goes on in this fashion. Is this norm what we want out of life? Can we live without routines? The answer is usually 'No' .
CYCLES AND BALANCE ARE ROUTINES FOR THE BODY
Just look at our body and mental functions. There is always this biological cycle or other. We hear others mention terms like biorthymn. All these cycles be it sleep cycle, menstrual cycle, gastro-intestinal cycle are bodily routines. They are good for well being and ultimately peace and ease of life. They are the routines the body must adhere to. Upset the balance and we just do not feel right. We will not be at ease and at peace.
ROUTINE CYCLES IN NATURE AND THE PAKUA
Even in nature, there is the nitrogen cycle and the water cycle. Our solar systems are based on cycles of sorts. Such cycles too are nature's routines. They also have to do with change. They deal with how to have equilibrium and dynamic stability in the midst of change but change is still inevitable. Too much is not good and no change means we are out of this world. There must invariably be that dynamic balance for equilibrium and stability. Even the most stable element in the chemical periodic table is affected by change. Burning planets like the sun undergo change but yet have equilibrium and stability or constancy as they change. Without equilibrium, there is no element of stability. Without this stability, there is no semblance of entity and there will be obvious decline and disintegration. But then, change, instability and eventual down or decay are realities despite nature's attempt to have many "ups' amongst the 'downs' along the way. The physical universe as we know it will sort of decay and become energy. Energy will evolve to be matter. The two processes follow one another in tandem like the yin and yang symbols in the Chinese Taoist octagon - the 'Pakua'. This however is an over simplification for there is such entities as dark matter, anti matter and the other universes beyond our known universe. Decline in one universe means creation in another. This is again like the yin and yang symbols of the pakua. Amidst the cyclical change there is tendency to stability, constancy and underlying peace through dynamic equilibrium. There will always be cycles and changes. There is attempt to have stability and peace amidst change, amidst the ups and downs what Taoist refer to as the yin and yang. Inner truth netizen refers to this as the inner peace. This inner peace is effectvely the end of all means but inner peace is not a point but a range. The tendency to gravitate to dynamic stability and peace is true in the universes out there and the universe within our self.
ROUTINE CYCLES IN WORLD WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Yes, changes and cycles are the routines or you may say, the norms not just in the universes beyond our self but in the world of what we call self. Self is not just a fixed entity but is made up of various changing components. The interactions of the components with one another too changes. All these changes have to do with ups and downs - the yin and yang. Cycles must be there where there are changes. Changes and cycles are routines. They generate progression, dynamic stability and peace in nature amidst constant change. Change deals with inconstancy and yet is a constant attribute of phenomena.
BALANCING YIN YANG A WHOLESOME ROUTINE OF LIFE
Humans too are no different as they are part of nature but humans are evolved, have higher form of life and can think and act. For peace and soundness in life, there must be acceptance and balance of the yin and yang, the ups and downs. Man must not be swept by the yin and yang swirls but man must be able to be on top of and balance the yin and yang as portrayed by the majestic image of the lord saint Lord Bo Tien with feet astride the yin and yang elements. Only then could man be like the lord saint's image be seated in peace on the holy spirit of Heaven depicted by the dragon throne. This is the inner peace and calm amidst the frequent turmoil and storms in life. We cannot avoid the yin yang swirls which display characteristic cycles and routines innate in life and phenomena.
ROUTINES PROMOTE HEALTH AND INNER PEACE
In fact, man in harnessing inner peace cannot deny and avoid yin and yang swirls. Man cannot run away from cycles in universe he is in and in the universe within his self. There is however the need for him to be at peace with the yin yang swirls. This can be made easier by having daily routines and by keeping his mind focused on daily routines. The empty mind or the idle person tends to be ever restless. To have inner peace sustained over 24 hours, man must abide by body cycles or rhythms such as sleep at night, regular meals and bowel habits. Routines facilitate health of mind and body as fertile ground for inner peace to surface amidst life of yin and yang. This is akin to the serene and pleasant lotus flowering above the unpleasant muddy water of yin yang swirls.
LORD SAINT'S REFERENCE TO ROUTINES
Even Lord Bo Tien in 1983 said that universe and mother nature is one whole metaphysical temple. "The sky is the roof of the temple. When the sun shines, people will work and when the moon appears, the people will rest. When it rains, vegetation and trees will grow to provide needs like shelter and food." Take note the implications of cycles and routines - work when sun rises and rest when moon appears. The ills of modern materialistic and consumer society are that man cannot rest. Man wants even more and will toil on even beyond the horizon figuratively speaking. Man is consumed by burning furnace of craving, passion and tends to lust for more. Man has insatiety and goes for even more of the sentient mundane world to the exclusion, edging out and expulsion of the divine or 'God' nature in man. This divine nature if cultivated manifests itself as inner peace. Many call this the Holy Spirit of heavenly love - the 'leng' (Hokkien) of Heaven above. The 'leng' or Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove in Western society and as a loving and harmonious pair of dragons in Chinese culture. The twin divine dragons of the holy spirit supports the pearl of divine peace and love of the heavens above and the heavens beyond.
ROUTINES PART OF DAILY LIFE OF MEDITATION MONKS
Even meditation monks in monastery abide by routines, such as fixed meal times, doing physical chores, cutting firewood, fetching water in the old days. Are not these also routines, habits and discipline? Only by having routines, engagement with daily life and by being disciplined and yet mindful can the monks have inner peace. Routines keep sloth and torpor at bay, sharpen and invigorate the mind. Then it is easier to keep out unpleasant thoughts. It becomes easier to dissipate any anger, ill-will or attachment to food and other passions.
ROUTINES FOR NURTURING OF INNER PEACE
The lord saint does not envisage that all aspire to be monks. He reiterated that ordinary people can be spiritually fulfilled and yet have meaningful and rewarding family and worldly life. He advises that all can lead the lay life using the same spiritual values. The same values that yield spiritual gains will if applied to worldly life provide worldly gains that are ample and not counterproductive to spiritual pursuits.
THE LORD SAINT KNOWS BEST
Lord Bo Tien, like all heavenly saints, knows best that in modern days, men who are idle and who do not have routines will have up hill time to be at peace. The idle mind breeds restlessness, mental ills and contempt of life. For most people, there must be cyclical routines and these, if ample and balanced, will be good for both mind and body. Life must work on cycles and routines like the rest of nature. We need to be in synchrony with the cyclical attributes of yin and yang of nature and yet be atop the yin and yang. Only then can we have more abiding and lasting inner peace that is out of this world but yet ironically of the world.
ROUTINES FOSTER PEACE IN BOTH NATURE AND MAN
Cyclical routines dominate life and nature. Those who want inner peace will need to adopt ample routines in life to rein in sloth and torpor (tardiness and sloppiness of mind and body). These are the barriers to sustainable inner peace. To have inner peace, there is need to be at peace with nature within and without the person. This will foster harmony not just with nature but with others who will find the person ever so peaceful and pleasant.
RITES AND RITUALS ESTABLISH ROUTINES FOR DEVOTION
Rites and rituals may be peripheral practices but they enhance devotion for many in their respective sects and places of worship. Not all will take fancy to one style or other but they, the routine rites and rituals, serve varied purposes. They attract and allow any sect to hold on to their following and cater to the kaleidoscopic interests of society. Thus more will be reached so as to enter the fold of religion and find solace and peace that way. This is elaborated by lord saint Lord Bo Tien when He elaborated on why there is need by Heaven for many religions and sects in the Inner Truth Doctrine.
TRADITIONS ARE ROUTINES NOT TO BE SCOFFED AT
Also the routines serve as practices carried down and evolved from ancestry. Many traditions are routines for practitioner of any faith.These practices are done with certain pattern like Sunday prayer, new and full moon observances etc. They enable spontaneity for spiritual reflection but unfortunately many are scoffed at for their overt overplay on fear and even superstition. This however is not surprising and often the critical ones who break away from past practices and norms tend to be the very ones who will innovate new ways which too end up as rites, rituals, culture and traditions. In time, therefore, they will be scoffed at for being over fanciful and colorful to extent of modern way of superstition and paganism. But they and the people whom they are sceptical off are not wrong in what they do though others may detract somewhat from their stand and perspective. After all, routines serve purpose in devotion and augur well for invoking and amplifying inner peace. The inner peace which many experiences are divine and are hailed as evidence of the holy spirit of the heavenly saints. Group or congregational activities are even better at invoking such profound and pleasant presence of inner peace and divinity. Inner peace makes the individuals cheerful and peaceful. Inner peace is infectious and thus congregations or spiritual communes in all places of worship of all religions and sects testify to the presence of the holy spirit of GOD, pure ones and saints.
ROUTINES FOSTER INNER PEACE IN ANY FAITH
It matters not how we start out with but along the way of any religion, sect, school or place of worship, surely one and all will experience if they abide by the tenets and routines of their kind that special inexplicable feeling of inner peace and communion with the saints of Heavens above. Such inner peace is out of this world and many would exclaim 'Praise the Lord.' Some yell or sing in rapturous joy exclaiming their delight. Some talk in tongues or prostrate or dance and trance as they would never in all honesty have done so in their lives. Such are however early experiences of inner peace but the wise ones who develop long term inner peace will be calm and serene all the time and not have periodic moments of peace when they may hail, wail, shake or jump in ecstasy. Only by cultivation and optimising useful routines can we have sustainable inner peace most of the time and eventually in eternity like the gurus and the sages of old.
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TRANSLATES INTO ROUTINES
Routine goes along with systematic and organised approach. When we are systematic and organised, we tend to have plans and we know better how to go along with life. We settle into a routine when the activities are long drawn over time. We are more likely to be effective, productive and more calm in going about life. We are better able to cultivate that inner peace in both spiritual and worldly life. The modus operandi for both are the same. What works best for spiritual life will bring about fruitful worldly life but not vice versa. Lord Bo Tien reiterated on this aspect of approach to life. This approach is the same platform of values underlying teachings of all sages and heavenly saints.
BEST IN BOTH WORLDS
Best of all, we can cultivate that inner peace in both worlds - spiritual and social life. We become mindful and aware of our feelings and the need to be peaceful in what we speak, think and do. We can make others peaceful and they share our peace and cheer. Cheers and let us toast to routine as an aid to inner peace.
ROUTINES ARE MEANS TO THE END BUT NOT THE END....
Though routines are means to the end, they are not the end in themselves. Whilst most need routines and need to abide by written tenets and precepts, some can still reach the end without staying put in any organisation. JI KONG the living posat is one of them. JI KONG did not abide by any sect, faith, rules, tenets or written texts. He was therefore asked to leave a traditional ancient orthodox Chinese temple. Though disowned, he already had good heart, good grasp of truth of life. He was steadfast in Inner Truth behind and beyond religions and sects. He understood the truth in life and devoted his wandering life on effecting the practice of truth. Life was his gospel and teacher. He was able to be enlightened and eventually recognised by various Taoist and Buddhist sects as part of their respective pantheons. Though he appeared 'far' spiritually to the clergy of holy monks and priests then and had to leave a temple and its order, he was NO eye sore. He proved himself to be exemplary, near and dear to gods, Buddhas and men. He embodied and personified every bit of the Inner Truth Lord Bo Tien speaks about. He continues to do so. Know him and you will know how to be near to Divine Heaven even if what you ascribed to are not accepted by ways of majority.
THE GOAL IS NOT THE MEANS, THAT IS, GOAL IS NOT ROUTINES BUT DIVINE PEACE --- BUT FOR MANY, ROUTINES PROMOTE INNER PEACE. THE ULTIMATE INNER PEACE IS GOD OR ENLIGHTENMENT.
---- THE GOAL IS NOT A RELIGION BUT ULTIMATE DIVINE PEACE
Places of worship too like the routines (rites and rituals etc) in such places are also means to the end and not the end in themselves. Be they place of worship or the routines, men must not mistake them as ends when they are mere means. They should go for divine peace and not the routines such as precepts, rites, rituals and traditions. Thus many see the differences of religions, sects and places of worship and not the underlying inner truth and peace of Heaven common to all.
Many are wise to "seek the truth of ancient wisdom but yet the profound truth is simple but difficult to perceive" This was shared to us by the late Senior Bro P. Philip through whom inner truth netizen and fellow brethren had the opportunity to be inducted into the compassion and wisdom of the lord saint Lord Bo Tien. Let there be celebration of life in Senior Bro. Philip we say. Cheers to worthy routines and peace be on Earth and in Heaven --- and of course in all dimensions.
