The Monkey Mind

Freedom is neither an illusion nor a delusion. It is a choice—independent of any influence or external force. Yet, every choice carries consequences, whether beneficial or harmful, in both the short and long term. At its core, freedom is the ability to choose, based on the belief that truth is, in essence, of our own making. External forces—governments, corporations, and other authorities—capitalize on this belief. They control our perception of truth, shaping our decision-making. But ultimately, we are our own greatest enemy—the most loyal wardens of our own prison. A prison built from identity, social status, boundaries, differences, and countless other constraints. And the bitter truth is that there are many things we do not need—we want them simply because someone else wants them. This wanting creates an opportunity for exploitation. Our mind space is occupied by thoughts that are not our own, desires that are not our own—tempting lies that carve out a sense of inadequacy that, in ...

There is nothing wrong with me. It's just that the righteous feeling I have cultivated since childhood has stayed with me until this day. So, each time I encounter you, or more precisely, a version of you in another person, I hesitate. I cannot break free from the usual loop of thinking about you, searching for you, and for so long imagining myself being with you. Beyond that, there is nothing but the authority of time, which strips away all my feelings, and once again, I am back. Back to my comfort zone where all emotions fade. I am no longer myself, and you are no longer yourself. I remain in the void, and everything that once was is no more. There is nothing to discuss. Endless hours and days just slip away. Here I am, in the middle of my physical age, and the question has arisen once again. So, I dictate, my thoughts fragmented, my sentences half-formed, incoherent in a way that feels disconnected. I am disconnected from the conversation that surrounds me. I rarely think about ...

      To embrace my beloved, for so long, as tenderly as possible, is to be the luckiest person alive. (pic credit: Xích Diễm Cố Tích) Love, what an idea it is! lifetime after lifetime, humanity has marveled at its existence. The ability to love as the most beautiful aspect of our being, brings us closer to the truth about ourselves; of who we were, are and, will be.  We love, honestly, as honest as a person can be, in our own subjective way, with devotion bordering the height of the heavens and generosity as vast as the Buddha's heart. We can soar carefree and or endure drudgery when we earn the love for which we fight with all our being. Fighting, the good fight!  Love binds us all. In ways i.e. magical where I am, myself no more for "I" have thee in my mind, here in the most cherished memories in my heart, here within my very being, my dearest  even when I am all alone especially then, boxed within the silence of concrete chained to the wall li...