Anand Krishna’s Writings
“I would like to share my hearing with you – that is if you permit me to do so!”
Living Meditatively
Posted by Anand Krishna in Bali Times
There is very famous Zen anecdote of a disciple asking his master, “Master, Master, what were you doing before your enlightenment?”
And, the Master answered, “I was tending my garden.”
“And,” the disciple asked again, “what did you do after your enlightenment?”
“Don’t you see,” the Master asked back, “I am still tending my garden.” Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (1)Becoming Mastermind
Posted by Anand Krishna in Bali Times
Having written last week that “hypnosis or hypnotherapy can be used as tools to open one to meditation,” or to strengthen an already weakened brain, I must, once again, emphasise this. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not the only tools; there are several other, much, much safer ones, including but not limited to certain yogic exercises.
Why do I say “much, much safer tools”? Do I imply that hypnosis or hypnotherapy is not safe enough as a tool?
Let me try to explain what I mean by “safer.” Read the rest of this entry »
What Is Meditation?
Posted by Anand Krishna in Bali Times
There was a vigorous debate last year whether yoga and/or meditation were part of certain religious rituals, belief systems, science or some sort of physical training.
The census among those who raised the issue was that as long as yoga was done for physical wellbeing only, and without any chanting etcetera, it was safe for practice by people of their faith.
The census, however, was not clear on the issue of meditation. Many still felt that meditation was a ritual, involved the chanting of mantras etc, and therefore part of a certain belief system.
Must meditation involve chanting? Read the rest of this entry »
Anand Krishna , Jakarta | Sat, 01/30/2010 12:52 PM | Opinion
As pointed out by Azmi Sharom of University of Malaya in his dissertation (www.projectmalaysia.org), “at the crux of the problem facing plurality in Malaysia” are the twin issues of race and religion. Read the rest of this entry »
Promoting faith-based secularism
Posted by Anand Krishna in Jakarta Post
Anand Krishna , Jakarta | Mon, 01/18/2010 10:44 AM | Opinion
When the British writer George Holyoake first used the term secularism in 1851, he likely had no idea that his brainchild would be so dreaded by so many prominent religious establishments.
In our country, the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) issued an edict on July 29, 2005, declaring as haram (forbidden in Islam) the idea of secularism, saying it was “opposed to the teachings of Islam”. Read the rest of this entry »
Anand Krishna , Jakarta | Sat, 01/02/2010 12:58 PM | Opinion
The “voice” is gone. And we are left with wilderness.
Gus Dur, the voice that made the wilderness less terrifying, shall no longer be heard. His was the voice of hope, the voice that kept the flame of hope burning in many hearts. Alas, that voice is gone . And yet, on second thought, where can it go? The echo of each and every word he ever uttered shall remain here. Right here, with you and with me – with all of us. Read the rest of this entry »
Preserving and living the Balinese heritage
Posted by Anand Krishna in Jakarta Post
Anand Khrisna , Jakarta | Tue, 12/29/2009 9:07 AM | Opinion
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has chosen Bali as the pilot project for environmentally friendly tourism. Geoffrey Lipman, the UNWTO assistant secretary general, praised Bali for its local wisdom, and spoke of the need to apply it to meet actual challenges such as climate change. Read the rest of this entry »
CHRISTMAS MEDITATION – Carrying the Cross with Jesus
Posted by Anand Krishna in Archives
It is easy to quote someone famous, and elaborate upon their words. It is easy to quote Jesus, Muhammad, Siddhartha, or Krishna, and then comment on them.
It is not easy to be original. Jesus was original, genuine.
When the scholars, the men of letters asked him what was the first commandment, he took no time thinking. “Love God with all your mind, heart, and soul.” The questioners were smart, They did not ask Jesus about his teachings. Theirs was a generic question, “what is the first commandment”. And, Jesus answered in the same generic language too! Read the rest of this entry »
Practical lesson from Melbourne Convention: God, men and pluralism
Posted by Anand Krishna in Jakarta Post
Anand Krishna , Jakarta | Mon, 12/21/2009 3:14 PM | Opinion
“You are lucky. A good hotel location, the city mosque is not far from your hotel, just walking distance,” Hassen, the maxi (not a taxi, because it could take six of us) driver greeted me as I was struggling to put on my seat belt.
Melbourne 2009 – and it was the second day of December.
What a change! I was in the city more than 20 years ago.
Then, as a businessman, and I do not remember being driven by a Hassen who would for the next half an hour brief me on the geography of the city, highlighting only such places related to the “religion of God”.
Hmm, “So, other religions are not *of’ God?”
Lessons of leadership: Why do our politicians fail?
Posted by Anand Krishna in Jakarta Post
Anand Krishna , Jakarta | Thu, 12/17/2009 8:59 AM | Opinion
In spite of their “purportedly” common vision toward a better and more livable world, our politicians have failed. Certainly not all of them were, or, are insincere.
Nevertheless, they have failed to deliver. Today, we live in a more comfortable, but not a “better” world. Conflicts and wars are tearing us apart – whereas, peace and harmony remain issues for discussion among our elites.