Flame of Wisdom

Lee Hung Leng, WISE Trustee

I had everything I could ask for in life. Yet, contentment was rare. When I shared this with family and friends, they couldn’t understand, and neither could I because there wasn’t anything I could pinpoint that caused the unrest. I felt I didn’t appreciate the blessings that were offered to me, which only compounded the guilt. One fine day, I stumbled upon a journey “by chance” when I was introduced to it by a wise person and had no clue what was in store for me in the years to come. A journey that I couldn’t just walk away from even if I wanted to.

The first time when I heard the teachers speak, it felt closer to home than my own home. For the first time, I felt my ‘voice’ was heard even though I did not say anything during the session. Just by listening to their words, something ‘magical’ stirred up in the pit of my stomach, not knowing of the adventures that would greet me.

One year down the road with the teachers, thinking my concerns had been addressed, I waved goodbye to WISE with a big smile on my face. Fast forward to a year later, a friend with whom I have shared about this meditation wanted to find out more and had me accompany her to a session by WISE. I remember vividly the experience from that fine night was different from a year ago. For the first time, I saw the arising of a precious gem, a gem that offers more than just merely relieving me from the stresses of life. That night my heart stilled. I knew without a doubt that The Path that I am being shown is not of this world (nor any other world) yet is very much about the world. The Path is incomparable to anything I have achieved in life because it was shown to me achievement or not, The Path remains unwavering.

With many of us juggling many responsibilities in life including myself, a retreat village as our own Home is truly conducive to mind cultivation. Sri Langkasuka Retreat Village is bestowed to everyone who wishes to receive the gift of wisdom. The Retreat Village is a sanctuary of solitude, a place to retire or rest from the hustle and bustle of life. The Retreat Village is a refuge where a community of like-minded come together to share, learn, and support each other in wholesome endeavors. Living a right livelihood, and constantly reminding each other about right awareness is likened to what I envision a village in the olden days to be, where everyone lived in harmony, constantly checking on each other’s wellbeing. Learning and making mistakes in this environment is safe because everyone in the community would have a common purpose which is to discover the intricate nature of the mind that is universal to all. Everyone in the community just wants to return Home.

The only true happiness one can ever have is happiness from understanding reality. Anything other than that is living life out of a template. Let’s use the time that is given to us for a different purpose which is by turning inwards while we live day to day. Join me in supporting the noble vision of Sri Langkasuka Retreat Village for the highest good of many. Together we grow as a wise community, keeping the Flame of Wisdom burning brightly.

In loving grace,
Hung Leng

Would you not offer him forgiveness, when only he can offer it to you.