The time when the clock stops ticking, that is the time it all begun. And, the beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning. As for this, obviously there are many other sparks along the timeline of your life, however, at a certain point of your life, there is bound to be an ignition which is of a greater spark. I use to have some sparks here and there along my timeline. Some of the sparks ignited an explosion which lasted for a good period of time. After such ignitions, I asked myself, are there any 'true' ignitions? Or rather 'real' explosion? Or ‘genuine' sparks?
The answer didn’t seems to be very direct and it left me wondering and at times, inquiring into the matter extensively. As I investigated further, I discovered a common phenomenon. The phenomenon which I refer to is the nature of the becoming and the nature of the ending. Many at times, I didn’t pay much attention to how it happens, and more often neglecting the nature of the process, which is the 'why' and 'how'. The 'when' didn’t really bother me much! This nature of the process has given me insights to the subject of the nature of 'change'.
At the beginning, even before it begins, the phenomenon occurring and as a contributing factor to oneself is so subtle that we often missed it and usually by only a split second. Taking an example of 'driving a car', how often do we think at the moment of 'ignition'? All we did was just push the keys into the key hole and turn clockwise and there it went. The car started. In actual reality, there were more processes involved when and during the time when we push the key into the keyhole.
Similarly, in life, whenever we encounter something, usually a problem, we tend to look at the issue as a problem. Check yourself. How often did you inquiry into the nature of the problem? How did this ever happen? Oh...Blaming and pointing fingers at another person worsen the problem. However, my concern is not about this but to the very fact that we do not fully understand the phenomena before tackling the issues of our lives.
The nature of our intelligence is to ultimately realize the problem, and repenting and finding a solution. What happens if when we are not able to find the solution to the problem? Then wasted time and effort will be spent in resorting and finding a solution. Having uneasiness, restlessness, anger, and tantrums brings us no where.
I experienced my first ignition when I was about the age of 13. I was full of colorful flames which celebrated my life a bit. As usual, at that time, I didn’t understand what it was. I learnt that it wasn’t something which I can control. Then there and then, I stumbled upon my spiritual refuge (BGF), which became a guiding light for my journey. This was like a change for me. Not knowing what I am going through, I am given the opportune to encounter the holy truth within the spiritual path. A change from ignorance to knowledge, and then to the attainment of wisdom!
As years went by, another ignition sparked me. This time, I was at the climax of the peak where, everything seems to fit together, completing the puzzle of my life, giving me the insights of my past to the present and beyond. I was very thankful for what happened and this major spark was the ignition of a lifetime where, I exploded into the world of wisdom which I was a passenger in a vehicle of truth which is INCOVAR.
From there, continues spark of flames brightens and ignites me to move further and most importantly, forward. As the sparks came, change was undeniably existed in every moment of the time which reflects the nature of all things, which our great guru, The Buddha discovered more than 2500 years ago. HE had discovered the path to freedom all by himself and today, we are fortunate to be taught the ancient wisdom of liberation.
As I reflected how HE struggled and persistently seeks the path, I realized that along HIS way, HE obviously have had experiences sparks or ignitions which triggered HIS intriguing mind to stop and ponder the fact that change is the element which is to be found in every moment of time. I remembered, HE proclaimed that HE would not (never) leaves his seat (meditation) until unless he gains full enlightenment (Nibbana). However, according to the commentaries, after HE made such proclamations, HE was on a sages' path where they starves and tortures the 'self' (body) of their own. Then at a moment of time, HE decided to CHANGE and adopts the right views and actions by being equanimous, he gave up what HE practiced and moved on, moved forward, and in a very short period of time, the wisdoms flowed into him, giving him the elixir of life which then HE attained supreme enlightenment.
Today, I see the world as immaterial and ever changing. All these while, I figured that the world is full of surprises, full of excitement, full of joy. This is true! However, there is a dark truth to this. As I learned, I was frequently told that 'Life is suffering.' The 1st truth states that there is suffering, the 2nd states that there is a cause to the suffering and the 3rd is the way to suffering and finally, the cessation of suffering. While reading through the four lines of truth, I realized that suffering seems to be a part and parcel of life which one has to go through. But, to what extend or even how, it is all different to each and individual.
From here, I began to device that it shouldn’t be 'Life is suffering' as it should be 'Life has suffering'. Linguistically and literally, the two phrases is self explanatory and anyone and whoever reads it and digests it should clearly understands the meanings imprint in it. It is utmost arguable if we adopt that 'Life is suffering'. There are indeed people who are not suffering and actually living their lives to the fullest. However, critics will counter by claiming that 'there should be at least a certain percentage of suffering'. This subjective topic which is highly arguable will be the next 'chicken and egg story'.
Anyway, I am buying the fact that 'Life has suffering' instead of 'Life is suffering'! And, I am selling it to you all. Hehhehe! Now, examine your life and identify the ignitions along the way and have you stumbled upon the ignition of INCOVAR? I’m sure you have. Otherwise, you won’t be here today! Allow yourself to burst into the open sky of wonders which you will be thrilled and a guarantee of excitement awaits you!
Today, consider ourselves fortunate, to experience this very ignition which will keep your flame burning for a long time, until the rest of time. Well, I am proud to say that I’ve found my ignition, and now, it’s your turn. Ignite yourself and at the same time, ignite the people around. Pass the flame because at INCOVAR, we inspire…
Kickboxing