ALL GREEN?

Leaves i found during jungle trekking 

Are tropical jungles all green?

When you see pictures of the mountains or even when you walk through the trails yourself, do you see all green? Not if you refocus....and look a little closer ...coz then, slowly the colours will reveal itself. These colours reflect the different stages of the living forests....from the lightest shades of green to the reds, browns and yellows and finally the transparent colourless remains of the leaves...together they make the illusion of all green tropical jungles...the colours are for those who dare walk through it risking the snakes, mosquitoes...spiders or the fallen trees and slippery muddy paths, intertwined roots...the steep climbs and dangerously descending paths... risk it all and you will see these colours...or stay out safe and see only green....choice is always ours! 

Just like that, life is about living it all...dangerous or painful...rough or smooth...being alive with every moment of it is the only way we can find the colours. If we stay safe and live on the edge of it ...we may survive by experiencing a dull one dimension view of the multi layered realms! What a miss that will be!

So this new year...begin walking into your life...into your self...bear with the darkness for a while...stay focused...listen to the throbbing life calling from within...say fewer words so you can hear more...trust the path you are on.....do not be engrossed in looking for the colours....just keep walking ...till the colours come alive...in the most unexpected moments...and be mesmerized...at your SELF!

Happy new year all!! 

Becoming You

"So, where would You hide, if i became You"

We keep searching for something that which we can't name. We long for it knowing we had it once...Can't say we have forgotten or lost it ..maybe just distracted. We go on with life pretending that everything is in order, checking every now and then if we are living a "normal" life and yet having this constant urge to divert. But to where? How? we have absolutely no idea...so again we go on pretending that we are OK with the routine..school..family..work...vacations and so on....

Sometimes, we panic as the underlying truth ignites our heart and in its light, for a brief moment we see that this is not what it is all about....its not about jobs, ambitions, relationships, wealth, politics, education, hobbies, sports or religion...it has got nothing to with any of what we have been calling "LIFE" We panic not because the truth is intimidating but because we see how far we have gone astray. How entangled we are with everything the society has built in the name of civilization. Irreversible! We panic because we see HOW simple it actually is while we have made it so complicated. Is it even possible to get out unhurt! Good news is, we can!....bad news is we can do it only one person at a time...never mind how many billions the population of the world is today..we  can only make it one person by one person. Each person has to find their way out by following their own paths. You cant help another to get out...for you are lost yourself and your way out will not be the same for another person. So never drag another person with you for you will only delay them. If you found your way...get on with it as quietly as possible so you don't distract another person from theirs. 

The search goes round and round..takes several turns, ups and downs, falls and rises and eventually ends abruptly where you started...YOURSELF! Then you realise, you are the way out, you are the love you seek, you are the light in your eyes, you are the search, you are the answer, you are LIFE itself. A center of the center which connects to EVERYTHING around you. Then, what is there left to do, you reflect on every leaf, every ray of the sun, every drop of rain, every grain of sand...you feel everything contained in you. You will not pluck a leaf or flower for it is a part of you. You will not kill an ant for it is a part of you. You will not hurt another person for they are all a part of you. You become YOU and it goes on infinitely...you see no end to it. Its overwhelming, mind boggling and beyond what your little heart can handle...yet it is joyous...not the kind of joy where you would scream and jump and hug people...no, but the kind of joy that is so subtle that you will not react in anyway, a smile maybe all you can manage with the calmness settling in your heart, you breathe the universe in and exhale the love in return. That's when you will realise..what you have been searching for is what you are made of ....LOVE!     

Look beyond the illusion of colours and dimensions
and step into the infinite oneness

Love descends upon hearts as light descends upon earth,
if only we learn how to be as receptive and still as a tree

Rainforest World Music Festival 18

As promised, I will now share my experience at the Rainforest World Music Festival but I am not going to describe what the event is about or what happens there during the three days because you can read all about it in their websites and other hundreds of posts uploaded and shared online. What I wish to share here is about how such events make you feel when experienced live.

What I loved most about it is that the 20k people who attended this event coming from all over the world are ALL music and nature lovers!! The vibes you feel when standing among hearts tuned in to the forest and Music is quite overwhelming.  One of those rare times when people are not thinking or talking about wars, politics, floods, terrorists, poverty or business and so on. For a brief moment, people are just being people...loving life and living every moment in amusement for they all know that the 3 precious days will end so soon and they will have to go back to the"reality" they are trapped in.

We now live in an era of seeing everything through  palm sized screens. Music too has been contained in these miniature world where you are in control of when it should begin, end or how loud or soft it should be...with all the distractions that comes through a mobile phone people hardly hear the music uninterrupted. Even if they do...no vibes of an instrument gets pass the speakers of a mobile phone ...all its magic lost in the process of recording and downloading...what you hear through it just plain notes...nothing more then that. You may not believe what i am saying unless and until you have heard these musicians performing live before a cheering, screaming and dancing crowd facing a stage with a 130 million years old rainforest as the backdrop!! It's surreal ...you can feel the soul of the forest in tune with the music, the musicians and the audience. It's an unbelievable connection...and i am not exaggerating!! You have got to be there to know it...no videos or audios will ever be able to capture the experience in its true sense.

While listening to the most amazingly talented musicians...I remembered Micheal Jackson and thought...no wonder his audiences screamed , cried and even fainted during his performances! I cried even when I watched his Smooth Criminal movie which was played in the cinemas those days!! So watching him live would have sure been overwhelming. Now I see the effects of live performances especially to watch it with people who have made the effort to travel from all over the world like from the US all the way here just for the 3 days coz they sure know how precious these experiences are...otherwise it might all seem like a waste of time and energy to those who think why not just download the music n listen at the comfort of their homes.  Believe me...music is not meant to be heard through mobile phones! These traditional instruments have a soul that connects to nature and that can only happen when it is LIVE!!

Ok I can go on and on about this cos probably I don't even know how to explain it...but I do have a little more to share about the festival in my next post.  See you soon🙂💕

The Meeting Point

The earth...in search of a tree....

The tree in search of light...

and We...in search of ourselves...

One source...a million expressions...all imperfectly perfect...no two trees are identical...no two leaves are identical...no standard shade of colour to identify the trunks...all growing as it pleases, as much as light allows, in its own perfect way, so, no one can say...this tree is more beautiful then the other...coz nature has given each of its creation an identity of its own..incomparable..

Only we human beings have learnt how to compare...this is pretty...that is ugly, this is the right way, that is a wrong way, this is sweet and that is bitter, this is allowed, that is not...and a thousand other distinctions made. And all we have created is chaos... 

Can we not follow our paths as it flows...why hesitate with every move...why ask a thousand questions before we take the next step.....when we ALL KNOW...the END is only ONE...back to its source. Go right if you please...go left if you wish...walk up or down the path...take a hundred turns if you must...run all the way back if possible...and still...where do you think we will end up? A confirmed destination with a thousand paths to choose from... So, why do we still believe that our choices will make a difference? You may encounter different situations, yes, but the results will be the same...we all cry at some point..we are all hurt at some points...we all laugh at some point, only how and why makes our stories different. So whats the fuss about??

Theres only one thing we can do about it, we can LOVE! No matter what the situation is, we can LOVE...that's the only route to our destination. Despite the chaos we have created, only LOVE keeps directing and redirecting us. And love is not about relationships...its about our state of being. That's the undercurrent which we are guided by unconsciously. We may be angry, upset, sad, disappointed and yet we will eventually return to this source of LOVE. And the word LOVE too is tricky...its not an effort to be made like most people see it....but simply the state of our self when all emotions are removed. Our natural state...

Is it easy to get there? of course not...life will throw you into situations and watch you come out of it...again and again...if you come out just the same as you were before...then it throws you into it again...until you learn how to shed the layers of emotions...but life is fair too...it doesn't expect you to shed all layers in one throw...it gives you chances again and again...the sooner we get to the roots the better...

So..just like how the roots are drawn to water, the leaves are drawn to light, we...are drawn to love. Only difference is, the roots and leaves do not resist...and we resist all the way, thus, making the path harder then it should be...again...i am reminded of the message from Bhagavad Gita....SURRENDER! 

The picture above was taken last week in Kuching, Sarawak during our trip to the Rainforest World Music Festival 18. Though i have SO MUCH to say about the festival, just felt like sharing this beautiful moment i had with my good friend and the amazing tree. Magical!   

SwarAsia Malaysia@Rainforest World Music Festival 2018

Ever heard the forest sing? 

Have you walked through the jungle, listening to the subtle streams continuously whispering to you? Have you stopped a moment to listen to the rustling of the hollow bamboos? Have you watched the waterfalls taking a plunge into streams? Have you felt the soft muddy paths when it rains...or reflected in the droplets resting on every leaf moments before it slips away? Have you touched the velvety moss on the tree trunks and absorbed its most beautiful shade of green? Have you tried catching the rays piercing through the branches of the trees? Have you smelled the living earth beneath your feet and sensed the throbbing life in its roots growing beyond ...? Have you felt the connection of it ALL? Have you heard them all sing the secret of life...? Have you felt your heart beat in unison with the breathing trees? 

And...what could we possibly give in return for all the magic the forests offers us? What can ever match the mystery of our tropical rainforests? Words will fail, pictures will lie, videos will only distract...then?

The only equally enchanting experience as a forest is of course..... MUSIC. And its the time of the year here in Malaysia, when we celebrate the Forests. Musicians from all over the world come to offer a part of their soul through music. Its a thanksgiving! Its the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, Malaysia!   

Its been my dream to go watch these soulful musicians coming from very interesting cultural backgrounds from all over the world such as the  Philippines, Russia, Brazil, Serbia, India, America, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Tunisia, Poland and of course our very own Malaysia!!

And this time, the Malaysian Band "SwarAsia Malaysia" will be performing in it too. So no way i would miss it! I could hardly wait to be there and would definitely share my experience when i get back. I cant say more now as i don't want to say anything based on the videos I've watched. Both the forest and Music can only be truly experienced when its LIVE! And to have the opportunity to experience the best of both at a time is a blessing and a calling!!

So till i get back to you with my stories do click on the links below for more information and come join us in the Awakening of the Rainforest with SwarAsia Malaysia!! 

See you there!! :) 

http://rwmf.net/
https://youtu.be/aUu3kRLSmo0
swarasiamalaysiahttps://www.facebook.com/SwarasiaMalaysia/
https://www.facebook.com/rwmf.official/videos/896690360455735/

Munduk Waterfall, BALI

Imagine this....

You are all set to go for a hike through the trails of a small Balinese Village hidden away from the world, and you check with the hotel about how difficult these trails are and what to expect on the way. They tell you, its an easy one and you can finish the trail by 2 hours...so you say...ok then lets go!

The driver drives you about 5 mins away from the cottage and stops by the winding road, gives you a simple sketch that is a map showing just one main path starting from where you were and ends at another point uphill. I expected the driver to introduce us to a guide but no he said we wont need a guide..coz its safe to walk by ourselves...He assured us that its a very easy trail and we will not get lost. 

Ok then, see you at 12 we said...Bye!!

Off we went walking along a small path going through the village and there were guys on motorbikes riding up and down the path...So, Nantha and i concluded that its not really a jungle trail...but just a village, so maybe there will be streams or small waterfalls along the way..

At one point of the trail, interestingly, there was this wooden table placed, looked as though it was a reception area leading into a building or park or something like that...i found it so cute as it was sort of welcoming you into nowhere. And i was tempted to take a picture as though i was the receptionist there welcoming people into nature :) so i held the map and stood behind the table.. :) hehe...

From there, we kept walking for about 10 mins and we saw a little hut where tickets were sold to go to the first waterfall. I was thinking...huh? already here? how big can the waterfall be with just about 15 mins hike from the main road? Well lets just go find out, we thought, and walked on...as the path went downhill we began to hear the fall...and it got louder as we got closer...hmm so its not that small! We kept walking.....and then out of nowhere, the most unbelievable sight came into focus!! i stood there too stunned to say anything, just kept saying "Oh my GOD! Look at that!! I cant believe this!! 

Yes, nature has a way of surprising you (like real BIG) When you least expect something it turns out to be the best...A fall rushing down with a deafening roar from such a height and force and yet the pool below safe and shallow enough to walk around and enjoy the view, safe for even children ...AND there was no crowd ...only one other couple with a photographer. Can it get any better then that?? so the show was all for ME!! (and Nantha of course, hehee) as i walked nearer to the fall, i found a rock right in front and center, perfect to sit on and watch....

the misty spray from the falls wetting my face and hair...at a point when you will not hear anything but the roaring fall..SO loud...louder then all your desperate screams ever...giving you no choice but to  just shut up and listen...you cant even think as you will not hear yourself. OH MOTHER! is all i managed...then into SILENCE! 

What is it you want?? why the confusion? can you not hear me? how much louder do you want me to scream into your head, She asked, i am flowing right through you...LET GO!! and FLOW with me and you will be taken exactly where you should be...She said. But Maa.....i thought... and then into silence again...(You cant argue with Her...can you?! :D )

Though i have seen Rhinefalls in Switzerland...there was something so powerful about this landscape which focused all its energy into a narrow gorge with no boulders breaking its speed, falling free with such tremendous force to the ground from such a height!! 

After a few minutes of soaking in the view...

I turned around to look at Nantha ...he was standing behind me...taking pictures and video of me there...and how the scene changed in that one instant...how the world behind me looked different now...why all the confusion?  When everything is so perfect..so beautiful...unbelievably right!! It was me, who broke away for a while...but its as clear as the water flowing below my feet now...THANK YOU maa...i see why you diverted my journey from our original plans...i see why you convinced me to take a 4 hours drive from the airport into a hidden valley i never heard of...i see why you made me walk these trails...as you knew that only your deafening scream will shut my head off the thoughts to bring me back to senses! I SO LOVE YOU! 

MOTHER HEALS i wrote on my FB status with the video above attached...

Yes..Nature heals ...because it brings you back to where you belong...when you feel so in sync...you are not angry with anyone anymore...or disappointed with anyone...coz you know...it was not them who caused any misery. It was you yourself falling out of your center..and nature uses people around you to knock some senses into you...so you dont go too far. So these people are just merely the tools...and we could be the tools in someone else's life too...we might never know..unless we see the bigger picture.

Then its a whole new journey once more...another level...another realm to pass...definitely with more tests to get through...could be tougher ones...but knowing she is with you all the way...and also knowing it gets better with each time, its comforting.

So...we continued the hike with renewed energy to another two even bigger falls...with slightly tougher climbs and very slippery and steep neverending stairs downhill...we both almost slipped at one or two points...but thankfully managed the whole trail with no injuries...towards the end of the trail it started drizzling ....and the paths got even more slippery. And the trail wasnt as straight foward as it looked in the overly simplified map we had in hand...

I totally trusted Nantha's sense of direction to keep going (knowing how bad i am)...till it came to a fork! great! now which way? right or left?? we both stood there wondering which one to take...Nantha opted for left after trying to get some clues from the (not so helpful) map while i stood there still wondering...but after taking a few steps he stopped coz there were about 5 or 6 dogs running towards him, barking and blocking the route! I told him to walk slowly and calmly back to where i was...he did that..and thankfully the dogs stopped too...they just stood there watching but still blocking the way...though i believed these dogs were friendly...it just didnt feel right to proceed on that path...so after about a min figuring out what to do i said..."I tell you what...lets just go right" he said ok and after about 5 mins on that path...you will not believe if i said this but i swear its true...we heard the Gayethri Mantra playing loud somewhere!! Nantha and i looked at each other in amazement! we cant be imagining it coz we both heard it. Then we realised it was coming from one of the houses hidden behind the trees on the other path going up...well it was Bali with about 70 percent Hindus...so hearing Gayethri mantra is not a miracle you might say...but to us at that point, being a little lost on a track..hungry ...thirsty ...with no phone line (even with line...i had just one bar left before it would die off) yes..it was a miracle..coz that path we took after being redirected by those dogs was the right way out!! And the Gayethri Mantra was reassuring. Thank you doggy boys and girls...!!

Bali is mysterious!! 

So...that was the waterfall story ive been wanting to share...it was totally worth it...rejuvenating...magical...healing and amazing!! I was so happy coz i never thought i would see such waterfalls in a trail so short! Still, It wasnt enough...i hope to go there again sometime! and discover the many other falls in that area. And spend more time there!

And here are the pictures...which as always does not match the real thing but just to give you a glimpse of it... :) 

SwarAsia Kampungku

Before i get to my waterfall experience in Munduk, Bali, i wish to share an equally rejuvenating experience waiting to happen this April right here in Kuala Lumpur!

If you have sat by the streams or watched the waterfalls, you will understand both the power of nature and its balance at the same time...it may look like its rushing wildly down the cliffs, forming  such tremendous energy along the way, roaring as it cascades off the rocks but still it has a clear sense of direction which allows it to settle into a rhythmic flow, in harmony with its surroundings.

Watching the falls and listening to its deafening roar has a therapeutic effect. Just the same, theres something about LIVE music which creates similar effects on people. If you have watched videos of nature with a background music, you will not be able to say if its nature which makes music sound beautiful or if its the music which makes nature look so divine...they just blend in so well you cant make a distinction on its effect.

Somehow the environment we live in, sips into our souls and makes the person who we become. Such effects are most obvious among musicians. They somehow become part of nature surrounding them since childhood and the music made by them will reflect the nature they live in. You will see what i mean if you listen to native American music. Its all soaked in the nature they live in, you can feel the trees, the breeze, the leaves, the mountains and the soil in their music coz they have become part of it and it sings through them like a hollow bamboo. 

Just the same, if  you listen to the pieces of the Band SwarAsia led by sitarist Samuel J Dass,  you will feel the nature of our country, Malaysia, with its flavours of the village, the coconut and palm trees, the colourful blooms all year through...the constant rain and sun, the warm climate...the cool and simple people, the variety of food with the fragrance of its spices, the vibrant colours of its mixed culture and above all the ancient feel derived from the millions of years old rainforest all blended into uniquely Asian music. 

The word "Kampung Ku" means "My Village" and thats the title of this upcoming concert by the band, this time in collaboration with the JKKN (National Department for Culture and Arts, Malaysia)

If you want to get to know a country or its people, just listen to its music and you can connect to the soul of it. So, get to know Malaysia..in its true sense. Come watch SwarAsia-Kampung Ku!!

Below are the details and links to some Promotional Videos of this concert and also their previous ones!! Do check it out and please remember...nothing equals to LIVE music! you've got to hear it for real!! heres just a glimpse of it... :) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqq-64MU2Ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzb0WaVs3no

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETuLjf8P6Xk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6qwJ8FFRBo&t=7s

 https://www.facebook.com/SwarasiaMalaysia/

Concert details:

VENUE: MaTiC, Jalan Ampang, KL  

DATE: 27th (Friday) & 28th (Saturday) April 2018

TIME:8.30pm

For reservations call Mr Satya 012 2220850

(Tickets are priced at RM20 and RM50)

          An experience not to be missed!!