Religion

Religion. What is religion? Be it Islam, Christianity, Judism or even Buddhism. What is it that makes religion religion?

Is religion based upon laws? Laws written within books and Gospels. Laws preached upon by priests and monks. Laws preserved through time and age. Examples like the ten commandments, and laws of conducts called forth by Islam; And the moral conducts as well as virtues taught by Buddha.

Is religion itself merely a shared group of beliefs? That would literally turn science into a religion, wouldn't it? Considering that science itself consists of beliefs and trust in what is widely thought of as real and common sense.Is science a religion?

Some say religion is trust in the existence of the supernatural. Faith in the existence of God.If so then where does that put Buddhism? Is Buddha a god? Do Buddhists worship a group of gods? The answer is no. Buddha never was a god to begin with. If so, then why do we consider Buddhism a religion? Could there be a religion that doesn't base itself upon the worship of something that isn't all powerful? Could you have a religion that does not worship God?

Does religion always include worship? Can you have a religion wherein worship is not something that needs to be done? A religion that does not need prayers. A religion that does not demand sacrifice. A religion the needs no reverence. No pilgrimages. No praises. Nothing. Is there such a thing? Perhaps the inclusion of Atheism as a religion would make such a thing possible, wouldn't it?

One has to question how one can claim to know of the unknown. How could man be so sure of writings and sayings whose truths and claims may seem unbelievably surreal and unproven. How do you know of meanings brought about by descriptions too vague and sentences whose meanings are hidden away? Is that what religion is all about? Prophetic tales of days to come and the end of the world? Or perhaps the creation of everything that exists.

Idolization. The root of every religious movement. A highly esteemed one whose will and traits are held in highest regard above life itself. Idolizing a man into godhood. Making a single human being the utmost important entity within your life. Would that account for a religion? Examples such as spirits worshipped by the Chinese as well as the Aborigines. Not to mention the Buddha.

Belief, worship, idolization, way of life. Four of the many defining qualities of religions.There are many questions left unanswered by religions of men.

Above all else, is religion a reality or merely a creation of the human mind?

What would you want?

Would a flightless bird yearn to fly?



Would a fish ever yearn to walk?



Would a snake ever dream of running on legs?



Would a crocodile wish it could climb trees?



Would a chameleon ever want to talk?



Why do humans want to be able to do everything?

That which exists

A single flame. A single spark. Just one light to ignite a furnace. Just one step to begin a journey. A start to an end.

The flame of existence is a strange one. It burns with a light that chases away the dark obscurity of emptiness. Just as it does so, it replaces that darkness with a bright light that is itself equally empty.

Existence never fails to make its mark. Every single object of creation burns for itself a hole upon the fabric of emptiness.

Everything that exists calls for change. Everything transmutes. Just as fire feeds off its fuel to create smoke, ashes and light, so does existence create something out of the emptiness of nothing. It brings change.

Be it organic or inorganic. Human or animal. Living or non-living. Anything that exists holds within it the potential to affect or cause transmutation all around it.

Take the existence of ideas. Ideas take form in the minds of men. These men act upon their ideas to create and change. And to assist in this creation they enlist the aid of existing tools. Tools whose efficiency affects the newly made creation.

Indeed, like fire, existence need not be substancial or even material. Thus one could also say that emptiness itself is also an existence right? Or is it merely a lack there-off? Existence. To be capable of causing change. Would that be a poor definition for existence?

Of crumbling relations

Broken families and shattered hearts litter our society in numbers impossible to comprehend. Friends, acquaintances, family. There's bound to be people you know who have experienced love and lost it.

Among these people, there may be those who find their ways around to loving another. There may also be those who wallow in sorrow and practically never move on. Two choices, two walks of lives. Which is the better of the two?

Losing loved ones is an unavoidable fact of life. Either through death, quarrels or other circumstances beyond our control. And once the loss has occured, we try to find a way of coping.

There are many ways in which loss can be handled. Some forget it, some live with it, and some seem to drown themselves in it. Sooner or later, in happiness or sadness, with or without someone new, you will learn to move on.

Each relationship that you go through brings with it much hardship and ordeals. Along with those squabbles, frustration, anger and anxiety will be felt. And the end results are usually the same; Sadness, disappointment and trepidation.

Yet again there are bound to be sweet memories amid all those times spent together. Sweet memories that become the heart and soul of relationships.

When these relationships break apart, all that will be left is their heart and soul. All that will be left is memories. Memories that will stand the test of time. Memories that will forever be in your subconscious. And as you continue on in life, you find it playing a vital role in you as a person.

Be glad. For even amids crumbling relations, memories still live on. Experience love. Lose it. Above all, always remember it.

Sins

Sins. Of these I have many. An innumerable number that I may not be aware of even.

Sins against man, sins against nature and sins against God. It is undeniable. I have many sins towards many others.

All of it written down. From the day I was born, till today. Time to time I wonder, what would it be like for me to learn of all my sins? What would I do?

Knowing

Knowing others is intelligence;

Knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength;

Mastering yourself is true power.

-Lao Zi

The achievements of a single man cannot be measured via a single constant scale. For achievements are measured by knowledge. And knowledge flows and changes with time; like the wind.

Thus we find, that every new achievement merely overshadows the old.

This is because achievement is a key that unlocks doors to new challenges. New knowledge.

Look through the books of history at the discoveries of mankind as a whole. From the discovery of fire, to electricity, to inventions such as the wheel, lightbulb and even airplanes. Each achievement paved the way for greater discoveries. Achievements cannot be measured. Instead, they should be made into the tool of measurement.

Achievements are markers for the growth and applications of a man's knowledge. Every daily activity may be an achievement by itself. Everything that tests your limits and drives you further is a learning experience.

Indeed, as intelligence and wisdom grows, so too will strength and power.

So learn. Seek knowledge of yourself and of those around you. Understand yourself and your surroundings. Only then can you master life and find peace.

Taboo

Floating on the winds

A silent sigh of glee

Wreathed in the smell of spring

A lady as sweet as honey



And oh to not fall for her

Such a sin could that be

To break from that fever

Of her spell on me



Could I no longer find

A knife to cut myself free

Tightly my heart she did bind

With a smile so coy and queer



Would I call it love

That which for her I feel

Emotions from which I try stay above

A sin for which I've tried to deal



Could I break my heart

Knowing that she's family

Could I tear myself apart

Cause she and me could never be



She's my cousin

A lovely and youthful royalty

I'm stuck on a mental spin

To forget her an impossibility



Call her an angel I did

As in my eyes I see

Name her my sunshine I did

As that's what she is to me



But taboo is that which I dream

A love for one too great a degree

Thus I douse my fire's gleam

Staying my heart from breaking my creed



Would she understand

That which is in this poetry

That which is written in my hand

Words only I could see



To write this she asked of me

A confession this is

Written for she to read

I've given her my golden fleece



For time long ago

Since we met before this

A crush for you did I grow

Bury it I did under layers of mist



Forget it I tried

Ignored it I did

But then you did pried

And now it's been writ

FEAR

Fear has its grip upon me. Fear of being judged. Fear of being hated...indeed, my fear has become an irritant in my back...Greatly do I hate this feeling. Knowing my weakness, I try to denyy it. I try to forget it...A losing battle that has turned out to be. Everywhere I turn, all places I seek, failure I'd find as my weakness speaks...A terrible fool I've been...A weak servant of God I've turned out to be...Is that my weakness? I'd ask myself sometimes. An my answer is yes. That is my wekaness...Being weak. Being HUMAN...A pitiful human without any strength of will...Pitiful...Weak...Weakness is my fear and fear is my weakness. In doubt, I reveal myself for the world to see. To know that I am weak...And that I am trying to break free of my fear to admit...by this....

me and her

When I'm silent I think of her

Every thought I spare is only for her

What I want is only her

The one I need is none but her



Wonder if she thinks of me

If she spared some time for me

Hope she does have wants for me

And that she needs nobody but me



All I ask is for her

That's my wish from me

To make the two of us a single "we"

My way through life

The path I took was a rocky one. A path that was taken by many a man. It was a road chosen by me. There was no other road for me.

The journey I took was a very long one. A journey that spanned years and months. A draining trip towards an end of which I knew not where.

The guide I chose to light my way was the brightest of all stars. Whose light shines with perfect clarity.A star who shines for all to see.

Though it all seems clear to me, my life, my path and my journey is but a vague imagery.

My guide shows me the way to walk, but my steps have taken me nowhere. This is because my guide is in the sky. The only way for me to get to Him, is to fly.

If only I could fly.

Humour

What is life without humour?

No jokes, no laughter and absolutely no pranks. What would life be with none of these?

Monotonous? Sad? Lifeless? Meaningful? Serious? Boring? Or is it even any of these?

What is life without humour? Can you imagine?