We just visited him last week. He was happy with the gift my wife brought from a job trip.

And now he is gone.

I am reminded how death comes swiftly, unexpectedly. Sometimes, without warning at all. It parts us with the ones with love. But that is how life is; Death is an inevitable part of it.

Your kind prayers will be with us.

Thank you.

So is with this new blog theme’s comment facility bug.

I am happy to announce that the bug has now gone.

I would like to thank Doug Macmillan and Alexys Fairfield for their effort to reach me through private message to inform me about the bug (and to deliver the undeliverable comment). Also I would like to thank Shodhin Geiman for his generous comment through e-mail when the comment facility of the blog did not work properly.

It is a bliss to have fellows reader like them, and like you, around.

Thank you for all your generous support for The Soul Sanctuary.

Deep bow,

Rizal

In a world so complex, so cluttered, simple and minimalist way of life becomes even more important. And it is such principle that underlies this theme.

Now it has only smallish logo and simple menu. To declutter even further I stripped categories, tags, even title, off the post.

Some key features like sharing button, rating button, and a dedicated page for admin news, will be incorporated later, when I have more spare time.

Let me know what you think about it–any opinion and input are appreciated.

Bow to you,

Rizal.

Lately, my decision to get married has brought about great change in my life. I took a month off from job. I did not have the time to go online during the final preparation days. I moved out from my parents’ house to my mom in-law’s, and soon will be moving to our own house, and lost steady internet connection. I had someone prepared me breakfast. I had someone slept beside me. We had a honeymoon vacation away from the city. And many more on the list.

All in all, the previous daily pattern was totally disrupted.

And it is easier to get off balance, and lose grounds, during such a time like this. Beneath all the fancy things about new life as a husband, lies the silent whisper, “where am I? What am I doing here?”

~

Yet it is when the daily pattern is disrupted that we have the best opportunity to see through its illusion, and realize the eternal, unchanging, still point of being within.

Thus it is why maintaining balance becomes even more crucial than before. Change happens, but when we can keep paying attention to the breath whenever we remember, we may cut through its delusion to reveal the Truth within; the flow and ebb of Consciousness, the eternal Cosmic Dance.

Breath in. Breath out.

Thank you all for staying in tune with The Soul Sanctuary.

“Christian Taoism” is definitely one of the rare precious gems I’ve found.

It posts daily–and almost never fail to impress. Short posts, but strike right at the core. And beautiful. Contrary to many spiritual blogs which are trapped in yet another egoistic conceptual discourse, the blog feels totally egoless–it reflects the message without any conceptual argument.

You may visit it here:

http://christiantaoism.blogspot.com

Enjoy the show.

Embrace the incoming new year,
move on to the next stage of life.

Flow free.

~

Happy new year 2011.
Happy new start of life.

There are works to be done when I get back.
At first glance, it seemed very much.
But is that really matter?
Just do whatever there is to do,
one after another,
mindfully.

Then,
one or one hundred tasks,
makes no real difference;
it is all good,
as good as having a break,
as good as going back here itself;
as good as is.

:)

Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr,
enjoying rare moment of great families gathering,
and having village’s simple way of living.

And yes, simple means (almost) no internet connectivity.
A total break!

How lovely :)

It is in Islam’s tradition that we deeply apologize to each other during the Eid-ul-Fitr day. So on this occasion I would like to apologize, if, in any way, I caused you harm. Believe me, I never mean to ;)

It’s been wonderful to have you all as my readers. Hope I can get back to you as soon as I get back to this city :)

In gassho,

Rizal

My job as a freelance HR consultant is dynamic, both in load and in schedule. And just lately, the load is increasing; and it will keep rising.

It is like a slap; that wakes me up to reality that life is, basically, uncertain. The flow of life is always full of surprise.

And so shall this blog be.

From now on, I will stop posting in fixed pattern of timing. New post will be published anytime, as dynamic and as uncertain as life can be.

I enjoy riding the chaotic wave, the dynamics of uncertainty; every moment is fresh and colorful. I hope you can enjoy it too.

Including this blog :)

Regards,

Rizal

We are all Brothers and Sisters of humanity, we are all One;
Whatever you are trying to achieve with hate,
with the continuous conflict,
it is not worth it.
Love is all we need.

Love is all we ever need.

~

* Dedicated to the conflict in Gaza, which has taken countless casualties, most of them being innocent women and children. Up until now, there is not enough political will to stop this tragedy of humanity. Let us pray for peace between Israel and Palestine, between all humans, so we can all walk in love and compassion, in unity. Let us pray together.

And please, spread the news.