Conversations for A Truths-Seeking Purposeful Life

Learning a Life Of True Purpose

By Michael Heng

 

The following Conversations with my good friend, Him, take place in real time over social media:

Him: “U read doctrine of christian discovery?”

Me: “Not yet.” 

Him: “Must read. The source of european domination of afro asia n the americas. They r still trying to hold on to the empire. Forces of history changing. Time to repay their debt of conquest. Europe will fall to the Muslims.” 

Me: “BBC has good stories on Buddha, Confucius & Socrates. Talk further when meet.” 

Him: “Political Science PS 101 : )

Him: “I read the bible many times just to know biblical truths. Even attended alpha course. Not impressed. Only confirms bible has two sides like God has two sides, the good side n the evil side.” 

Me: “Actually, only the Truth and others, but no sides. The pursuit & uncovering of this Absolute Truth is what I am interested in now. Basically, the Truth of Christ points to the other Truths as the Holy Spirit enlightens me.”

Him: “The truth of jesus' teaching is wat he said. 'The secrets to the kingdom of heaven have been given to you.' Unfortunately no one knows wat r these secrets.” 

Me: “Actually, the "kingdom of heaven" is HERE on earth, not somewhere in some future place. Christ said: "It's within you." Elsewhere repeatedly, he said that the "secrets" consist of just "worshipping" God the Creator, and ACTIVELY help the poor, sick, women, widows, children & orphans. Nothing else matters in true & authentic Christianity. All else is fluff & hollow designed to profit the power elite, mostly priests, theologians & lay leaders in the church. The real "Church" composes of INDIVIDUAL Christians & NOT in buildings & institutions. Each Christian is the self-sufficient Church of Jesus Christ. The "authentic" Christian is evidenced by his/her "fruits" of good work in the name of Christ.”

Him: “Doing good is in most religions. Goin to heaven is a different thing altogether.” 

Me: “There is no going anywhere. Here and now is all there is. Doing good & doing right NOW are the only most important things. Cannot worry about the irrelevant "next" life. Just start living this current one right while worshipping God. Let's continue when we meet.”

Him: “U been reading buddhism: )”

Me: “I know Buddhism b4 accepting Christ. We are who we are - all "sinners" before God. Desire, warts and all define mankind. Impossible to suppress or overcome desire. No human effort is effective to make us "good" enough. That is NOT life's purpose or objective. Like it or not, it is to "know the True God and worship Him". Period. Do not fight & kill one another over religion. True religion makes a person "better" than he can ever be as defined by whether his fellow men can "see" Christ in him.”

Him: “What is the common spiritual practice of all religions.”

Me: “All religions prey on fear. Fear of hell, of eternal damnation, of continuous never-ending "punishments" for various human weaknesses & imperfections, of death and of the "end" of this life. That's how "holy men" gain power over devotees. True religion offers real freedom and sense of liberation in the loving forgiving bosom of God. He said: "you have been forgiven of every sin, current & future, AND I, God, will remember them no more". How's that for absolute true freedom!”

Him: “I m looking at meditation as the way to enlightenment. Jesus did the same n spoke abt it many times. Believers dun understand or did not want to understand this most impt part of his teachings. Many parts must hv been edited fr the bible.”

Me: “Meditation as part of the worship of God is indeed Christian practice. Unlike other meditations which recommend "blanking out" or escape the man-made social realities of pain, sickness, crime, poverty and human relationships. More important is to demonstrate God-likeness in our ACTIVE conduct towards humans, animals & climate around us.” 

Me: “Enlightenment" refers to the continuous discovery of the Truths.”

Him: “Not really. Jesus was enlightened the same way as Gautama (Buddha). Both had the same experience, one after 40 days n one after 49 days of meditation.”

Me: “Both shared their "discoveries" of the Truths that they found until their respective deaths. Truths continue to be unfolded to the seekers, meaning those of us who want to pursue them. Buddha's Truths excluded God's role; Christ included the role of the Creator, which to me embraces the "larger" Truth. Christ did not end there - He said his Truth will lead us into "other" Truths. All Truths overlapped, since no one could humanly discover exactly the same amount of knowledge. They merely shared what they believe to be SUFFICIENT for existence in this world. That's why there is consensus on the overlapped common Truths, but considerable diversity and contradictions outside the overlaps. Focus should be on inside the overlapped Truths. The test is whether one is "comfortable" with the unfolding Truths. No need to force others to believe the same; once absolute Freedom is attained in the mind and soul, the believer knows and will adapt physically. He experiences what the bible refers to as the "peace that surpasses all understanding". That I have experienced on some occasions. And that's why I know my God is real.”

Him: “What is truth?” 

Me: “The absolute Truth or Reality is enveloped by onion-like layers of man-made delusions, philosophies, religions, knowledge and superstitious beliefs and practices. It lies at the core. Try taking a large onion and start peeling off its layers one at a time. Imagine the false reality onion which is many thousands time bigger with overlapping layers. What lies at its Core is the answer to your question, which may never be obtained in your lifetime; and neither do u need it in order to live the rest of your life. We can however embark on realistic journeys towards the Core Truths. For me, the Final Truths have to do with worshipping God the Creator; and to Love my fellow men actively as much as I love God and loved ones. These 2 journeys are sufficient endeavors for the rest of my remaining life. I will continue to peel off the "onion-like" layers of false realities in my writings & speeches. 

Him: “The peeling analogy is like knowing ur true self. The part abt loving god n praising god - does god need to b loved n praised when he is everything n needs nothing?”

Me: “Not the Christian God. The Christian God loves being worshipped through praises & thanksgiving music and songs. This is evident throughout the bible. That's why He created human beings to enjoin Him in the celebration of life. Such Godlike human qualities are also in us since He created us in His image as the bible said.

Him: “The christian god is the god of israel. Actually all the assumptions abt god is a human interpretation of wat is god. We live not to love god. We live n we make meanings of our own existence. Is there a purpose n wat is this purpose? To love god, cant b right?”

Me: “God is the God of all He created. Israel did not invent God. God appeared to Abraham, the Father of those referred to later as the Jews. God also appeared to many, many other early and earlier civilizations. But NOT all the early Gods refer to the SAME God the Creator. Many are imposters, who are quickly found out and abandoned. I think if you want to know who is the True God ... Better to discover Him yourself, if serious want to. It's a personal discovery. Different religions have it own "formula". Choose wisely; pray to the True God to guide your choice. 

Him: “I always find this obsession to praise god n love god amusing. It is like a loveless god craving for love n attention. N he is there to meddle with everyone n displeases with man not wanting to know him or to believe him, not to love him. My view, god is too big to indulge in such things. He creates man to know him?”

Me: “Depends on which religion u want to use to talk about God. Again it is not what u think about God that matters, it's what God think about you.” 

Him: “U r saying god is thinking abt everyone n wat each ind thinks abt him?”

Me: “God doesn't think about everyone; He knows each one of us.” 

Him: “Exactly. U r talking abt the all knowing, hv everything n does not need anything. The christians believe they r connected to god n know god while other believers r connected to anything but not god. This is just a belief wld u think so?”

Me: “Yes. That's just Christianity the religion. Others have their own beliefs in their religions; and they shd feel comfortable in those beliefs. No need to argue relative merits ... There are no merits in any religion. Truths are independent of religious and man-made beliefs.”

Him: “I see u r getting closer to the real thing, religion a man made self delusion. God is not confined by any religion: ) i m still asking a lot of questions but no satisfactory answers. Still searching n waiting for the truth whatever that maybe.”

China Taiwan reconciliation – A handshake that was 66 years late

What was meant to be a private meeting between the leaders of China and Taiwan turned out to be the main event in President Xi Jinping’s agenda in his official state visit to Singapore. There were many agreements and MOUs to sign at the Istana between Singapore and China, speeches at NUS and other programmes, but all turned out to be sideshows. More than 600 media representatives congregated at the Shangri La Hotel in eager anticipation of something big or at least a historical event would unfold after the meeting and that they would not want to miss it.

China and Taiwan were technically still at war after the KMT govt fled the mainland after a long fought civil war. No peace agreement was signed since that eventful day in 1949 and both sides officially were not on speaking terms, diplomatically. A meeting of the two leaders was undiplomatic despite the strong and multi faceted relations of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. China is the biggest trading partner of Taiwan and the growth engine driving the Taiwanese economy. But the leaders are not meant to be speaking to each other in public or in an official capacity.

Earlier media reports on the meeting between Xi and Ma was also supposed to be a hush hush private affair and no press statement was expected from the meeting. The dramatic turn of events when both leaders appeared and shaking hands in front of the media of the world, giving off their warmest handshake and smiles were signs that the meeting went off very well, at least better than expected.

The 66 years late handshake was followed by a press conference held separately by China and Taiwan. In the case of China, only 3 questions were accepted and the press conference ended quickly. In the case of Taiwan, it was like China acquiescing to Taiwan’s request for more space in the world stage, a full panel of Taiwanese officials led by Ma Ying Jeou faced the media and took more than a dozen questions from the crowded floor.

What was significant in this meeting was the sincerity and accommodating spirits of both sides to move forward and pave the way for closer cooperation and reconciliation. The only principle that China held on and shared by Taiwan is that there is one China as agreed in the 1992 Communique. The mood was positive and earnest and China made several concessions and goodwill gestures to accommodate Taiwan both in creating space and also in welcoming Taiwan to participate in joint ventures and other Chinese initiatives.

China now welcomes Taiwan’s membership in the AIIB that it objected earlier. Taiwan is also welcomed to participate in the New Silk Road project. A hot line would be established for the two sides and more space for Taiwan in the international scene as long as the One China Principle is abided by. The other concerns by Taiwan like interference in Taiwanese Presidential election and Chinese missiles pointing at Taiwan were also addressed. China officially said that it would not interfere in the Presidential Election and that the missiles were not targeted at Taiwan. The missile myth was a mischievous red herring created to stir up fear of China as it was not necessary to point the missiles at any country to mean that it was targeting that country, not forgetting that there are many hostile aircraft carriers at sea.

Ma Ying Jeou got his assurance from China that both sides would pursue peace and stability through negotiation and to cooperate for the future generations of the Chinese civilization on both sides of the Straits. The press conferences were testimonies that both China and Taiwan are positive about moving forward together under the One China Principle. Though reunification was still an issue left to the future generations, there is at least some closure and assurance that there are common grounds and objectives to work together for the good of the Chinese civilization.

China and Taiwan are one family. The two siblings have agreed to remove the hostilities of the past and to sit together for a meal and to work together as members of a family. The cordiality and optimism of both leaders could not be missed by all present at the press conferences and both leaders would return home with a sense of achievement that this is another milestone in the reconciliation process.

It was a story with a good ending.

My article in China Daily

A little commercial.

China Daily has accepted me as a contributor and here is the link to my maiden post on China Vietnam relations, www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2015-11/07/content_22396783.htm

The PAP flip flop

Flip flop or flip flopping is a term associated with the opposition parties. It is a tag attached to them by the PAP for changing their policy stance every now and than as claimed by the PAP. How true is this charge depends on what one drinks or where one is coming from. The opposition parties also accused the PAP of flip flopping, of changing its policies or using the opposition’s recommendations or proposals and claimed as PAP’s original. Again whether this is true of false depends on the water one drinks.

Generally flip flopping is seen as a negative light and used in that way by both sides. There are many instances of PAP flip flopping as well. Look at the housing policies, the education policies, the foreign talent or worker policies, the flip flopping are obvious. Whether these flip flopping are good or bad, that is again subjective.

Lately there is a new kind of flip flopping introduced by the PAP that is positive in nature. This is the flip flopping of ministerial appointments. The management gurus will call this training by exposing the person to different jobs, in the process of grooming the person for higher appointments. Job rotation is good for the young turks being handpicked to be the next PMs.

In some cases these job rotations are also called musical chairs for good or bad reasons. If an incumbent is not performing, shift him out or put him into less stressful jobs. The positive flip flopping is synonymous with the name Khaw Boon Wan. This magical wan is PAP’s trump card to be flipflopped whenever there is trouble. The flipping of this magical wan is positive flip flopping, to solve a tough problem when on one else is capable of solving.

Khaw Boon Wan is the PAP’s flip flop king, the magical wan. Let’s see where and when would he be flipped to again. There are many ministries that are waiting for Hsien Loong to move the magical wan to, MOH, NEA, MAS, hopefully not MOE.  MOE cannot be flip flopping every time there is a change of minister. Don’t ‘main main’ with the future of our children.  Boon Wan should look into the finance industry, in particular the stock market. It is on the road to finito.

Hsien Loong must be very grateful to have this magic wan in his armoury.

The wickedness of the evil American Empire exposed

All those silly Asians that still believed in the goodness of the Great White God must watch this short video on the evil intent of the Americans in the Middle East. (Watch "Putin Killing ISIS" on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Dg9TqwlbB_w).  If the content of this short video still cannot wake you up from your stupidity, nothing else would and you can go on living with your fantasy.

The clip is produced by Infowars.com on the origins of ISIS. But that is what everyone knows, even the incorrigible believers of the Great White God know. What they did not know is the real objective of the Americans in creating, arming and supporting the ISIS. The removing of Assad is only a side distraction. The real intent and purpose of ISIS are to keep the Middle Eastern countries in perpetual warfare, to be bogged down in warfare in a pathetic struggle of self destruction. It would keep the Arabs/Muslims fighting and killing themselves and with the Americans and the western powers, particularly the Brits, supporting and selling all the weapons they need to keep the weapons merchants very happy and their military industrial complex very busy.

And all the hypocritical senators and congressmen in Washington, the infamous John McCain, knew how the game is being played. The Americans have no interest in wanting to wipe out the ISIS. And they are furious that Putin is doing such an effective job destroying the ISIS that they are now arming the ISIS and the so called anti Assad rebels with weapons to shoot at Russian planes attacking them. The British RAF has also been given the permission to shoot at the Russian planes.

The whole game plan was not just about regime change, but about creating instability and continuous warfare in the Middle East and to profit from the slaughtering of the Arabs and Muslims by the western forces or among themselves. This is the evil plan but unfortunately the Arabs and Muslims are falling for it and happily, furiously and passionately killing each other with gusto.

View the video clip and ask yourself what is really going on. The same game plan is going to be replicated in Asia, particularly in South East Asia. Who would be the ‘ISIS’ to do the dirty job for the Americans? The daft Pinoys are very eager to take on this role, but the good thing is that they will behave like weasels and could only make noise and have no bite. The Americans have been agitating the Vietnamese and even the Malaysians and Indonesians to be their henchmen, to go start a war and get themselves killed in the process and to be heavily indebted to the Americans. So far none of them is taking the bait. Why would they want to send their people to kill or be killed to benefit the Americans?

Then there is the very dangerous Abe at the door waiting to swing into action. Now this is a really dangerous animal and very difficult to deal with. And he wants to con the South Koreans into this silly and deadly game too. The only hope is for the Japanese themselves to rein in this wild beast in Abe and his yakuza and prevent them from dragging Japan into another world war. This time Japan will be annihilated by the combined forces of China, Russia and the two Koreas. Abe and the Americans still believe that the Koreans are stupid and can be manipulated to kill themselves because the Americans and the Japanese will it so.

The rest of the South East Asians are starting to get to see the true picture especially the Indonesians and the Malaysians. They would not want to become the Arabs/Muslims of South East Asia and be caught in an unending warfare that they did not know why or how they got involved.

For the silly believers of the Great White God in the little Red Dot, they can keep on believing in the Americans as the God of wholesome goodness and can do no evil.

Watch the clip. It is only 11 minutes, and wise up to the evilness of the Americans and their wicked schemes. Remove your blinkers and save your own skin and the skin of your fellow country men and women. Do yourself a favour.