Being Mindful

Sarjit Singh greeting the dawn

this is a continuation of my post Nothing Is To Be Clung To

This is one of the chalets at the Regency Jerai Hill Resort.  The resort has four types of rooms --- superior, deluxe, premiere and executive.

Our bus left the Larkin bus terminal in Johor Baru at 10.02pm.  The ticket costs RM75 each.  We reached the Gurun R&R in Kedah at 7.30am.  We had breakfast and then called a cab (RM20 per cab).  The ride was 15 minutes to the foothills of Gunung Jerai.

From there, we hopped onto a van which took us on a winding path to the resort.   We had lunch at the Puncak Kedah Restaurant, where I enjoyed a virgin pina colada mocktail.

virgin pina colada mocktail

DAY ONE:with Jean, Sarjit, Bachan and MK

DAY THREE: Group Photo courtesy of Sarjit Singh

As for the return trip, we got a lift from a fellow participant, William Chan, who was heading to Butterworth.  We managed to get seats in the SuperNice coach.  The journey turned out to be more than 12 hours.  (3.30pm to 4am).

There are too many people to thank here.  To Fung Lee Jean for the invite.  To Bachan Singh for giving me a lift home when we reached Larkin and to Sarjit Singh for his generous sharing of all that he has learnt about mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

In the year 2020, the World Health Organisation estimates suicide to be the No. 1 killer with  about 1.53 million people taking their own lives based on current trends. Please don't get stressed up.


I would like to leave you all with you all with this video where Thich Naht Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen monk shows us the 10 mindful movements. I hope to incorporate these mindful moves into my daily schedule.

Nothing Is To Be Clung To

In the old days, the 1,217-metre high Gunung Jerai in Kedah was a landmark for sailors and traders from distant lands who used it as a beacon.  On day three into 2014, 56 people gathered at the sacred peak that sits in solitude close to the shore, to cultivate the art of joyfulness and to find the light that is in the core of all of us.

Life's journey is never a straight path.  There will be obstacles.  The three-day-two-night workshop held at the  The Regency Jerai Hill Resort, organised by the  Oracle Advanced Toastmasters Club District 51, Malaysia, was an enriching experience for all the participants. I don't think anyone will disagree with me on this.

Standing majestically 986 metres above sea level, the resort provides a breathtaking view of the paddy fields.  The resort is also adorned with beautiful flowering shrubs, regal trees and the soothing sounds of the forest.

We did not come here to search for answers.  The answer is already within us.  We just need to learn the methods from the trainer Dr Sarjit Singh that were tailored to bring us to the core of our being.

We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of living in the concrete jungle, hardly having any time to get intimate with ourselves.  Everyone needs some alone time.  A time to slow down, and find the moments that define a great day.  

It's not hard at all, if we become more aware of the

the lovely hydrangeas that call out to us as we pass by

the clouds that hover over us

the zappy rabbit that grazes freely, minding its own business

And when the going gets too tough, just go blow some soap bubbles and let the wind take away your troubles.  Everything that happens to us --- the good and the bad --- does not last.  So, don't cling to it.

MK Ong

My roommate and photographer who took most of my pictures throughout the retreat.  Thank you MK, not only for being such great company but for being an inspiration to me and to many others.

When your inner world changes, your outer world also changes.

(to be continued)