Join us for Intensive Yoga Retreat in Langkawi

Welcome to Langkawi, Malaysia.

Come and join us for a 5 Days / 4 Nights Intensive Yoga Retreat in the beautiful tropical island of Langkawi starts from August 31st 2:30 pm to September 4th 12:00 noon.

This retreat is suitable for anyone who has great interest in the traditional yoga practice at all levels and experiences.

5 days / 4 nights Intensive Yoga Retreat Outline

Day 1

* 14.30 Orientation
* 15.00 Juice & fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 18.30 Free time
* 19.30 Dinner
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 2

* 7.30 Jala Neti
* 7.45 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Breakfast
* 12.30 Free time
* 13.30 Strength and flexibility workshop
* 15.15 Juice & fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 18.30 Free time
* 19.30 Dinner
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 3

* 7.30 Jala Neti
* 7.45 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Breakfast
* 12.30 Free time
* 13.30 Advanced practice workshop
* 15.15 Juice & fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 18.30 Free time
* 19.30 Dinner
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 4

* 7.30 Jala Neti
* 7.45 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Breakfast
* 12.30 Trip to waterfall *subject to the weather
* 15.15 Juice & fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 18.30 Free time
* 19.30 Dinner
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 5

* 7.30 Jala Neti
* 7.45 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Breakfast
* 12.00 Check out

The course fee is Rm 2,160 per person for single room and Rm 1,960 per person for twin sharing.

Fee includes teaching, meals, snacks, beverages, trips, simple accommodation (with air-conditioning, hot shower, fridge, tea-making facilities…), a Yoga Now T-shirt, neti pot and free airport or ferry port pick up. Meals and snacks will be simple nutritious vegetarian food.

A non-refundable deposit of Rm 300 is requested upon reservation.

Looking forward to seeing you in Langkawi.

Om Shanti,

Meng Foong

Yoga Now Malaysia

yoganow@hotmail.com

+6016 2715 082

+604 9559 082

A Frequent Question About Daily Yoga Practice

People frequently ask us about do we have a fixed "yoga practice routine" on certain time during the day to do our own yoga practice beside teaching yoga classes, to maintain our physical strength and flexibility as well as to upkeep our "skill" in performing the asana poses.

This is what I tell them.

Yoga is not about the physical strength and flexibility but it's about the inner strength and inner flexibility.

Someone who is not strong and is not flexible, and who cannot perform any physical activities like asana practice or cannot perform sitting postures for meditation due to physical limitation or injuries or illnesses are still able to be practicing yoga. While someone who is very fit physically, and can perform lots of complicated movements or skillfully required kind of yoga poses may not be practicing yoga at all.

Yoga is nothing to do with the condition or the ability of the physical body to perform such and such actions. It is nothing to do with what our bodies can do and cannot do.

No doubt that yoga practices are important sequences or steps for helping us to reach to the higher state of consciousness, but they are not the guarantee of true happiness if we didn't know what is the law of impermanence, non-attachment, acceptance, letting go and surrendering the ego.

But a person who is constantly practicing non-attachment, acceptance, letting go and surrendering the ego, is the guarantee of true happiness even if this person doesn't know or cannot perform any "yoga practices", such like asana practice, pranayama and meditation.

Non-attachment, acceptance, letting go and surrendering the ego are the real meditation in our heart from moment to moment in everyday lives.

Even if we practice a lot of asana poses and our bodies become very strong, flexible and healthy, this still won't change the truth of impermanence and the law of cause and effect. We will still be affected by our past accumulated karma and are affected by all the impermanent changes in our bodies and minds all the time, unless we are practicing non-attachment, acceptance, letting go and surrendering the ego. This body will still have to go through impermanence, changes, decaying, weakening, illnesses, pain and decomposition sooner or later, no matter how much we try to preserve it through the good and beneficial yoga practices. The mind is still going through impermanence, changes, experiencing happiness and unhappiness, having craving and aversion, and is continuing having tensions that derive from impurities like anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, arrogance, dissatisfaction, disappointment, irritation, frustration, expectation, fear and worry.

From moment to moment our bodies are going through changes. The condition of the physical body may vary from time to time. How can we have a fixed "routine" to meet the requirement of the different conditions of the physical body. Everyday we may be doing different practices at different timing to adapt to the needs of the present condition of the body and mind.

Of course all the asana poses, pranayama, concentration exercises and meditation practice are there to help us to balance up the energy in our bodies and minds, to help purifying the body and mind, so that the body and mind get relieved from physical and mental tensions and becoming calm and relax. But what is the meaning of making effort to relieve tensions, when we continue to generate tensions into the body and mind all the time if we don't know what is non-attachment, acceptance, letting go and surrendering the ego?

If we are practicing non-attachment, acceptance, letting go and surrendering the ego from moment to moment, and are at peace, free from tensions, undisturbed by all the changes that are happening in our bodies and minds, unaffected by whatever is happening in our lives and in the world, then what are the "fixed routines" that we need to "practice" everyday?

Non-attachment is not about running away from our lives, our families, our responsibilities and duties, but it is about not attaching to the body and mind, not attaching to our actions, not attaching to what the mind perceives through the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and thinking), remain equanimous and peaceful not generating craving towards the pleasant experiences or aversion towards the unpleasant experiences.

Acceptance and letting go are not about giving up ourselves and not improving ourselves, but it's about accepting the truth or reality as it is without any dissatisfaction and yet continue to strive for improvement to become better without any tensions that derive from expectation, fear and worry. When we cannot accept the truth as it is, and are dissatisfied with the present moment now of how we are, who we are and where we are, and we are looking for changes or try to runaway from what we don't like about, then we will be full of tensions that derive from judgment, comparison, expectation, dissatisfaction, fear and worry. And so, we again try to free ourselves from tensions by doing some yogic practices but at the same time, we are continuing generating more tensions into the body and mind endlessly. The bucket that has a big hole underneath can never fill up whatever we want to put in.

Surrendering the ego is not about negating or neglecting ourselves and put ourselves in a bad condition, but it is about letting go of selfishness, fear and worry, and allowing the universal consciousness to take care of everything. We just do our best in whatever we are doing for the benefits for ourselves and for other beings, but without the identification as the doer of the actions without any judgment and expectations. Just like the sun, the air, the water, the earth and the space. They give, provide and support all and everything to be exist in the world motivelessly, intentionlessly, selflessly, endlessly, unlimitedly, unconditionally, tirelessly, without any discrimination of good and bad beings, and without any expectation for the results or rewards.

All these are great compassion and wisdom. These are the essence of yoga practice. This is the goal of yoga practice.

So, does the sun or the air or the water or the earth or the space practice any so called "yoga routines" everyday? Or are they performing nameless and formless compassionate actions all the time unceasingly?

Doing adequate of yoga exercises for maintaining the good health and the fitness level of the physical body is certainly a very good thing to do, so that we can appreciate this body and its life existence for us to continue to perform selfless service to ourselves and to other beings. We follow whatever the needs of the body and mind are, when it is needed, and practice accordingly to the present condition of the body and mind. And when the time comes for us to let go of this body, we have no clinging towards this body and the relationships with others that spring from this body and its life existence.

Never see ourselves as separated or different from other beings. There is no superiority or inferiority. There is no giver and receiver. There is no "teacher" and "student". There is no "I'm helping somebody" and "somebody is benefited from my action". There is no motive and expectation. Every action is out of compassion and egoless. We wish all beings be free from ignorance and be happy including "this" being. Be compassionate towards all beings including "this" being also. "This" being is also one of all beings.

Be the witness witnessing whatever the body and the mind are experiencing from moment to moment. The mind feels good or bad, it's just the mind, not us. The mind feels comfortable or discomfortable, it's just the mind, not us. The mind gets agitated, it's just the mind, not us. The mind feels peaceful and happy, it's just the mind, not us. The body is in pain and is ill, it's just the body, not us. We are the witness of all these phenomena but we are not identifying nor associating nor affected by them.

Be the witness of the body and mind, and not being overpowered by the body and mind.

This is the yoga practice that we all are practicing unceasingly from moment to moment. There's no trace of "doing yoga practice" and no one knows nor needs to know but "myself".

Be happy.

Planning For The Future? Sure...

A student is confused when we talk about letting go of the past and the future.

She said it is understandable that the past is already gone and we should let the past go, but how could we let go of the future, not planning for the future?

This is what I said to her.

Surely, we can plan about what we want to do in the future, or else we don't have a direction to head to. And of course we need to plan for the future and have a goal to head to, or else we will be lost and don't know what is the meaning of our life existence. The difference is that we plan but without attachment, expectation, fear and worry. As well as to allow changes to happen anytime that we might need to change routes but without changing the goal and continue heading to our goal on a different route, and accepting every moment as it is from moment to moment until we reach our final goal.

Most important is, by taking care of the present moment now is actually planning for the future indeed. We don't need to think too much for the future, but by focusing onto the present moment now, making sure that at this present moment now we are fine and are at peace. Then our future will take care of itself because the future is really what we are now...

By putting lots of effort and energy into thinking about the future, worry for the future, or having great expectation for the future, but then we are neglecting the present moment now about how we are, being unhappy at the present moment now, wishing that things will change and we will be happy in the future, is of no use.

Wishing for the future to turn out the way that we like it to be, doesn't really determine the future will be exactly what we want it to be.

By taking care of the present moment now, making sure that we are happy and positive at the present moment now, will certainly give birth to a happy and positive future.

Look at us now, we can tell what was our past.

Look at us now, we can also tell what is our future going to be like.

Taking care of the present moment now is indeed looking after of the future, but without projecting into the future about how we want it to be.

Be happy.

About Dhyana - Meditation

Meditation happens naturally as it is during a deep concentration or one-pointedness that will lead us into a state of stillness or oneness. We cannot force meditation to happen. Just like we can't make the mind to go to sleep, but we can prepare the mind to allow it to fall asleep by itself naturally.

 

It is letting go the identification with the body and the modifications of the mind. It is the perceptive cognitive intellectual thinking faculty going beyond the modifications of the mind and standing as a witness towards the state of the mind itself. It is non-attachment and observing the perceived reality and/or the truth  of names and forms as it is. It is a process of slowing down the thought waves and stilling the modifications of the mind, to quiet the restless state of the mind. It is a purification process. It is direct experience of non-duality of namelessness, formlessness and attributelessness. When the modification of the mind is quiet and still, the thinking faculty sees the truth of names and forms as it is.

Meditation can be happening continuously through out every moment whether the mind is awake or asleep. The mind is being in the present moment, aware of the thought activities from moment to moment and without grasping onto the selfless modification of the mind or the random thoughts.

For some people who have a subtler mind awareness will also have a higher sensitivity in their senses reception, their minds might be able to perceive subtler sounds, colours, lights, smells, tastes, feelings and sensations while during meditation, in dreams, or even during the time when they are not intentionally meditating. Their minds are also more imaginative and creative. Some unusual thoughts will be arising and passing away on the surface of the conscious mind. This subtle state of mind is also impermanent.

If the mind is being disturbed by all these subtle names and forms and become peaceless in daily life then it's pointless for trying to go deeper into the mind. But if the mind is being unattached, being undisturbed by all these subtle names and forms and remains equanimous towards all the gross and subtle modifications of the mind, then going deeper into the mind can help the mind to purify itself realizing selflessness, namelessness, formlessness and attributelessness.

This ability of perceiving subtle names and forms is neither dangerous nor superhuman ability. It can be a problem or an obstacle in the path towards self-realization if the practitioner doesn’t know how to not attach towards all these subtler selfless impermanent phenomena, and is attaching and identifying towards whatever the mind perceives through the senses or whatever being released from the subconsciousness (the selfless storehouse of selfless thoughts, emotions, sensations, imaginations, dreams and distorted memories.)

Any names and forms (colours, lights, shapes, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, thoughts, sensations, feelings and sensations) that the mind perceives or experiences, are still selfless modifications within the mind under the selfless function of the selfless mind. Beyond the perceptive cognitive intellectual thinking mind, there are no names, no forms, no shapes, no colours, no sights, no sounds, no smells, no tastes, no touch, no feelings, no sensations, no thoughts. There are no differences between gross forms and subtle forms because they are just different layers of names and forms that the mind perceives within the modifications of the mind under the selfless function of itself.

And thus whatever the mind experiences or perceives during meditation, there shouldn't be attachment and just stands as a witness towards all these phenomena of subtle colours, lights, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, sensations, feelings and thoughts. These subtle names and forms being released from the subconsciousness when the mind stops generating reactions at the gross level, or when the mind is calmed and concentrated. They are the past accumulated distorted memories, wild imaginations, dreams, desires, cravings, aversions, fear, worry, pleasant and unpleasant feelings/emotions, and all kinds of inputs that the mind received through the senses either wittingly and unwittingly every moment, whether the mind is awake, asleep (dreaming) or in deep sleep (dreamless).

There are lots of subtle names and forms that are always there arising and passing away, but the impure mind cannot perceive them on the gross level. After going through persistant regular sadhana of purifying the selfless function of the selfless mind, it will become more refine and subtle, where it begins to perceive certain subtle names and forms that it couldn’t perceive in the past before.

All these subtle selfless impermanent phenomena are always there within and without our body. It is nothing special. Just by being able to perceive all these subtle names and forms cannot give liberation from perceiving ceaseless births and deaths of the different states of mind, or be free from suffering or unhappiness. Just like being able to stand on the head, or being very good at physical performances do not determine whether we will be in peace and are happy in life, void of ignorance and egoism. That’s why no matter how incredible or extravagant are the subtle names and forms that the mind perceives or experiences while we practice intense yoga sadhana, or during deep concentration and meditation, we need to know that it is just another play of the selfless function of the selfless mind.

Simplicity, appreciation, gratitude, adjustment, adaptation, accommodation, acceptance, patience, forgiveness, courage, self-control, self-independence, self-discipline, cheerfulness, positive thinking, loving kindness, purity of thoughts, actions and speech, non-attachment, detachment and letting go, are the qualities that will bring us unconditional true happiness regardless of how is the situation and condition in our lives and in the world that we live in.

The truth of names and forms is there when the mind is quiet standing as a silent witness towards the perceived reality as it is without any egoistic attachment, identification, desire of craving and aversion, judgment or expectation. When there is unpleasantness or pain in the body or in the mind, just being aware of it without generating aversion, and this unpleasantness or pain will pass away sooner or later. When there are good feelings or pleasant sensations in the body or in the mind, just being aware of it without generating craving, and these good feelings and pleasant sensations will pass away sooner or later. when the mind is not being affected or determined by all these selfless impermanent changes, it will be at peace. Pain, decaying, weakening, aging and death is there as it is. Suffering exists when the mind generates aversion towards the truth of selfless impermanence, and desires to runaway or to escape from the natural phenomena of selfless impermanent changes. If the mind respects the truth of selfless impermanence being what it is, there is no suffering arise in this mind.

There’s no meaning if we tell ourselves and others that we would spend many hours practicing asana, pranayama, concentration and meditation everyday, but in daily life, we have no sufficient awareness, correct understanding or self-control towards the modifications of our own mind, of countless random actions and reactions, and have no peace, being disturbed by the mind perception of names and forms through the senses.

The Wise Act Quietly And Perform Their Duties Silently

The animals move quietly and disguise themselves to avoid attracting attention from the predators...

Keeping quiet and acting silently doesn't mean being weak or being afraid of the enemy like a coward... But indeed it is being wise and brave, unaffected by any disturbance whether spiritual, emotional, mental or physical...

There is no use of alarming the enemies and provoking the enemies to aim their weapons towards us on exposed empty ground...

The wise warrior acts and moves quietly in the midst of the enemies without being recognised and remain firm and concentrated on his duty undisturbed by any distractions...

And thus, the wise warrior keeps meaningless troubles away, passes through the city of the enemy, performs his duty accordingly, and arrives soundlessly and victoriously at the destination without alarming anybody, without wasting any energy in dreadful and meaningless collisions...

Be wise...

Be happy...

Join Us For A Relaxed Yoga Retreat In Langkawi!

Yoga Now Malaysia in Pantai Cenang Langkawi is holding a few Relaxed Yoga Retreats in August 2010.

August 9th – 12th (4 days 3 nights)

August 13th – 16th (4 days 3 nights)

August 17th – 20th (4 days 3 nights)

August 21th – 28th (8 days 7 nights)


Yoga Now Malaysia

4 Day 3 Night Relaxed Yoga Retreat Outline

Day 1
* 14.30 Orientation – Juice & fresh fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 19.00 Dinner
* 20.00 Free time
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 2
* 7.45 Neti Kriya
* 8.00 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Brunch
* 12.30 Free time
* 15.00 Juice & fresh fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 19.00 Dinner
* 20.00 Free time
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 3
* 7.45 Neti Kriya
* 8.00 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Brunch
* 12.30 Trip to waterfall
* 15.00 Juice & fresh fruit
* 16.00 Yoga class
* 19.00 Dinner
* 20.00 Free time
* 21.00 Guided meditation

Day 4
* 7.45 Neti Kriya
* 8.00 Pranayama & Guided Meditation
* 8.45 Break
* 9.00 Yoga class
* 11.30 Brunch
* 12.30 Check out

* For the 8 days 7 nights retreat, there will be a trip on every second day.

All levels are welcome.

Retreat fee for 4 days 3 nights is Rm 1,470 per person for single room and Rm 1,320 per person for twin sharing.

Retreat fee for 8 days 7 nights is Rm 3,430 per person for single room and Rm 3,080 per person for twin sharing.

Food (vegetarian meals, fruit and snacks) and accommodation (air-conditioning, hot & cold shower, fridge, tea making facility etc…) are included with a free Yoga Now T-shirt, neti pot and free airport or ferry port pick-up and drop-off.

Our yoga retreats are for anyone who wants to practice yoga and meditation while having some free time visiting to some nature attractions on the island.

Be happy,

Meng Foong

Be Happy No Matter What

Money is not evil. Earning money will not make us suffer. It is the way of getting the money as well as the greed and discontentment that make us suffer.

Money doesn’t make us happy or unhappy. It is whether our minds are contented and accepting what we have and don’t have that will bring us happiness or suffering.

Healthy or not, can eat or not, can walk or not, can see or not, can hear or not, can move or not, does not determine our happiness. Some people have money and good health, but not necessary that they are happy with themselves or with their lives. Some people don’t have much money and are suffering illness, but not necessary that they are unhappy and in suffering. While some people are very rich and are happy, while some people are very poor and are not happy.

Whether we have money or don’t have money, but if we are free from fear and worry, not being controlled by the greed and desire that comes from the ego, then it doesn’t matter having a lot of money or having not enough money or have no money at all, is not a “problem” or issue that will make us happy or suffer.

If anyone wants to earn big money all the time, be happy. If anyone doesn’t like to earn too much money, be happy also.

Be happy with what we want and don’t want. Be happy with what we do and don't do.

Wisdom and true happiness is everywhere and in everything. Happiness does not lie on the object that we are dealing with, but it is determined by our own type of mentality and conception about what is good and not good.

Be happy no matter what. Life is always changing and will come to an end. So, enjoy whatever we have now whether it is abundance or insufficient.

What's the meaning of life if we are not happy?

To be happy also means to be free from unhappiness. Being a "good person" or a "bad person" cannot stop the law of impermanence nor does it gives us liberation from unhappiness. Take a look around us, there are many "good people" who don't hurt other beings are still having some unhappiness in life too. Unhappiness is derived from the impurities in our mind, not from the things out there. It is by letting go of all the impurities, being free from anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, arrogance, craving, aversion, irritation, frustration, disappointment, expectation, fear and worry, that will free us from unhappiness and being undisturbed by the ever changing phenomena of good and bad in life.

Be happy.