A Charmed Life: Life's a Play!

Several years ago, I found myself downtown, hungry, thirsty and tired having been running some errands. So I decided to go into one of the food courts to eat something. The first stall that immediately attracted me was a cake and pastry shop. It was prettily decorated in white and pink and behind the counter was a cute and a small foreign woman. I was amazed. It was my first time to see that shop. And among the many food stalls there, she was the only foreigner and the only one selling cakes. I walked towards the foreign woman's counter and pointed at a slice of cake. I asked how much. She answered, "35." I tarried for a moment staring at the cakes. As I could not contain my curiosity about her, I asked where she is from. She replied that she is from Switzerland and is married to a local. Then I moved to the next stall, then to the next where I finally ordered a bottle of coke and "pansit" (fried noodles). Fried noodles was also 35 pesos but I thought it would fill my stomach better than the cake. I was handed the bottle of coke and proceeded towards one of the empty tables. I was told that the fried noodles is to be served a bit later as they were preparing it.



As I sat there sipping my drink and waiting for my fried noodles, I was surprised when somebody approached and placed a piece of luscious cake on my table. I looked up and saw the foreign lady, she was smiling. I was about to say that it was a mistake, that I didn't order the cake. Still smiling, she said, "it's for you, a present." For a second, I merely stared at her as I was not prepared for the unexpected. But before I can say a word, she turned and gracefully left. I think I turned pink, embarrassed. I didn't know how to react or how to reciprocate her generosity and gracefulness.



I sat there thinking that perhaps she took pity on me because I looked very hungry and it was obvious that I desired one of her cakes. Since she saw me drinking only a coca-cola with no food to go with it, maybe she thought that I couldn't afford to buy the cake or any food. Perhaps it was her nurturing motherly instinct which compelled her to offer food. I really hoped then that she wouldn't see the fried noodles that I ordered from the other stall.



She is no longer selling cakes and pastries at the food court but I still see her around. This afternoon, while I was waiting for my 5:30 appointment and was passing time in one of the cafes downtown, I saw her sipping lemon grass tea topped with vanilla ice cream. She doesn't recognize me. She still have that kindly and smiley look on her face. I always smile to myself whenever I see her.









It was 7pm and I was walking towards my jeepney terminal. In front of me was a frail woman straddling a half-full sack of something on her right shoulder. Beside her was a small child, about 4 years old, whining and pulling her left hand to the other direction. The kid was pointing at something across the narrow street saying, "there, there." I heard the mother say, "no, I don't have money."


At first I thought they were beggars because they looked like one of those begging mothers and children on the main street. As I passed them, I slid my hand into my pocket to reach for some coins when I realized that they may not be beggars. (I don't always give alms but for some reason I had the compulsion this particular evening). So I walked past them until I heard the child crying again. They were still standing on the spot where I passed them since the small child, with all his strength, had been pulling the frail mother to go across the street.


That little boy with a smeared face seemed oblivious of their state and was intent at having whatever that was he wanted. I stopped walking and considered helping him buy what he was so intent to have but I hesitated because it might be expensive. I had a 50 peso bill and a couple of 5 peso coins in my pocket. I decided to go back, retracing the several steps towards them. I asked the mother what the child was whining about. "Yung daw tig-sasampo na pagkain duon" (that 10 peso food they are selling over there), the mother replied. I gave her the coins and she shyly said "thank you." I walked away.



I think it was the sizzling barbecue they sell at night in the streets which so much attracted the little boy. Why did I give? No, it was not because I am particularly a generous person. And no, not because I pitied them...


I gave, simply because I believe that wishes are meant to be granted. The child had a strong desire to get his wish. And I, who happened to be there felt his single-mindedness and boldness to get his wish, which, unwittingly compelled me to become the granter.


So, be careful of what you wish for, because you will get it.


And, pass the wish granting forward, no matter how small.

To refresh body and soul after half a year of hectic backpacking, I went to a Buddhist retreat south of Thailand. The retreat was just 10 days but it was quite intense for a first timer like me.





At the retreat, there are certain things to be done and certain things not to be done.


DO’s

1. Sleep in basic accommodation. 1 room for each participant. Each room is provided with a concrete bed, a straw mat, a blanket, a mosquito net, and a wooden pillow. Yes a wooden pillow, it was quite comfortable after a few nights! :-)


2. COMPLETE SILENCE at all times for the duration of the retreat. Avoiding eye contact but you are allowed to smile. :-).


3. Observe appropriate "dress code". Wear shirts covering the shoulders and navel. Pants or skirts below the knee. Clothes should be comfortable, non-transparent and non-provocative. (hi hi)..

4. Turn off mobile phones, MP3s, or any electronic device.








DONT’s

1. No talking during the duration of the retreat.

2. No reading and journaling. (On the 4th day, you may borrow some reading material that are provided to aid you in understanding the methods and philosophies of the Retreat. You can read only during your free time and only inside your room).

3. No laughing or creating other unnecessary noises. (I think crying is allowed though, but do it in secret!. I heard one of my neighbors crying. It is not because she regretted being there. People usually cry because the intensity of the meditations bring out all the suppressed emotions from the past).






1. Big bell rings and everybody wakes up 4 o’clock every morning. Wash self, dress self.






2. Go for sitting meditation at the Meditation hall. (30 mins).

3. After sitting meditation, join either Tai Chi or Yoga exercises. (about an hour).



4. Back to the meditation hall for another sitting meditation or Dharma Talk by one of the monks or organizing staff. (30 mins).

5. At 8:30 Am, Proceed to the dining hall and eat your rice porridge (the same porridge every morning) in complete silence. Have to eat mindfully, savoring every rice gruel. (The rice porridge is not as bad as it may sound. The rice is the ever nutritious and aromatic red rice, mixed with bits of vegetables, maize, or beans. And it comes with some leaves, a banana and tea. Though lacking of strong spices breakfast was in fact very nutritious).


6. Free time after the breakfast. This is the time to take full bath, take a nap, go to the hot springs, but most of all, a time to do your appointed task*.

*Everyone has to choose one chore each such as sweeping the halls, cleaning toilet, picking fallen coconuts, etc. My chore was cleaning the hot spring. This is the best, because just after doing my task, I am the first to soak in the hot spring .






7. By 10:30 Am, big bell rings. Go back to sitting meditation, walking meditation and Dharma talk until 12:30 PM.


8. At 12:30 PM, Lunch at dining hall. Lunch is rice with vegetables, tea, and occasionally, some sweets.

9. Free time again after lunch..Do chores if haven’t done already. Some go to the hot springs at this time ( I find this time very hot for the hot springs). So, I usually go back to my room and take a nap.





10. At 2:30 PM, back to the meditation hall… Dharma talk, sitting meditation, walking meditation, siting meditation again, meditation on LOVING KINDNESS, and, chanting..

11. At 5:30, proceed to the dining hall for hot chocolate drink and sometimes bananas. This is called "tea time" but it is also as good as dinner for there is no more eating after this. (meals during the duration of the retreat is 2x a day only).






12. Once more, free time after the tea time. Some people go to the hot springs, some just walk around the area, I go and have a nap (again).

13. By 7:30 Pm, big bell rings to signal everybody to go once more to the meditation hall. Sitting meditation, group walking meditation around the ponds, then sitting meditation again.






14. At 9 PM, small bell rings telling everybody that they may quietly go back to their rooms.

15. By 9:15, light goes off.. sleep time… :-) end of the day.

By the way, about 130-150 people came to the retreat. But I reckon, only 90 ladies and gentlemen braved it to the end. I’m one of them, he he. This particular Retreat is designed especially for foreigners and held in English. There were two local Thais and two Filipinos, me included. The other Filipino has a foreign citizenship though.