What is Real?

From : Aaron Chia
Sent : Thursday, August 10, 2006 8:33 AM
To : -
CC : aiaagna@hotmail.com
Subject : What is Real?



Dear Friends,

As we have been led to believe, this world seems the only world to us. When I spoke of this world, what were your feelings that came to your mind? Did you feel a complex and difficult world, where you have to struggle to succeed? Or did you feel that you are lost in this dark world, where no one understands?

Or did you visualise a world full of friends, full of joy, and you can't wait for tomorrow as you go to sleep?

From young, we have been 'sub-consciously' taught that life is a struggle. From your parents complaining as they come home from work how busy they are, as you complete primary school your parents urge you to put in your best and work harder, because everyone else is doing the same. You go for extra tuitions, maths, chinese etc. You spend your weekends doing homework.

When you got to Secondary school, things seem to have taken a more serious and difficult path. You come back late in the evening, after a hard day at school, then you have your dinner and take a shower, and its late, 8 or 9 maybe? Some of you sleep now, then wake up later to do your homework, but most of you stay up till 12 to do it. I have a friend who sleeps and then wakes up at 3, 4 am to do her projects.

Contrary to popular belief, what I have learnt is totally different from what I have been taught. In school, we are taught about the heavens, the earth, plants, animals, yet everything is taught except how to live your life. Living your life isn't just about having goals and achieving them, you must know why you choose these goals. Why do you want to do well in school? Is that really your goal or having a fufilling and contented life is?

Right now, maybe only your grandparents can tell you how to live life well...But hey, my grandparents died when I was young. Yet I learnt all of these things. I am usually not afraid of what the future has in store for me, (except for sometimes when a small voice whispers some thoughts that contain self-doubt) because I know what I am here for. So I wouldn't die before I finish my purpose (so that gets rid of death for a while) and I try not to worry about these things because the future does not really exist.

John Harricharan often replies to questions about his books, 'What is real?'

This is a very thought provoking question. Because if you set your sights on only this life, what happens if this life was only a preparation for the next, like a briefing before a mission? What happens if you take this life so seriously and when you think you have failed in this life, you commit suicide or become depressed? And then when you go to your next life, you say, 'Oops.' Because you are not prepared enough?

What if you are welcome to stay in your dreams forever, not waking up? You can have anything you want in those dreams...What will you do? If you stay for 100 years in your dream, can you ask yourself,

"What is real?"


Aaron