Summary: In our newest episode, we delve into the intricate journey of spiritual identity with our special guest, Ray Choo, director and producer of Waking Up 2050 ?. From his personal experiences to the broader concepts of Buddhism, Ray sheds light on embracing the Buddhist identity as a commitment to the path of wisdom and compassion, and unravel the evolving perceptions of religion and spirituality in today’s world. About the Speakers ? Ray Choo Hongrui was born and raised in Singapore. He studied Communications Design in Berlin, Germany, at HTW Berlin-University of Applied Sciences where ..read more

TLDR: Grief is a challenging process, especially after the death of a loved one. But we can draw inspiration from the teachings of the Buddha, especially about the Four Immeasurables—the cultivation of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity—to work through difficult emotions, counter cognitive distortions, and develop a deeper relationship with our grief over the long term. View outside the hospital room—there’s always light at the end of the tunnel (September 2023) When was the last time you talked honestly and openly about grief and death? For many, coping with the ..read more

TLDR: Being overly competitive can arise in emotional stresses and other ugly emotions like jealousy and insecurity. Where is it stemming from, and how do we be mindful of it? A new year brings about new slates, and for some, perhaps a fresh start to yet another race. How do you want to run it? Do you need to be the first? How will you pace yourself – is every step aimed at maintaining the lead?  Must it be a race? My sprints to the goalposts are usually bumpy, and more often than not incite a whole gamut of stress and unhealthy emotions, such as the three poisons of Buddhism – greed ..read more

TLDR: From career to cancer, Kyle reflects on the treasures he gained from sharing his life stories through writing How I Started Writing I never considered myself a writer, let alone a writer who writes about Buddhist Dharma. I suppose most of us have unique talents when it comes to analysing and understanding the Dharma.  Growing up, I struggled with academics, but excelled in asking the question “why.” I possessed a strong sense of skepticism and curiosity that drove me. When I wrote my first book, 108 Places to See Before Nirvana, I was trying to find a way to sustain my life whil ..read more

TLDR: Brace yourself for a wild ride as I dive into a thrilling graveyard meditation adventure. From serene sunset surroundings to nerve-wracking encounters, follow my rollercoaster journey as I explore fear, arming myself with the Three Jewels while battling the terror with breath meditation and metta. A while back, I impulsively signed up for a cemetery meditation session with Palelai Buddhist Temple, promptly forgetting about it until just a week before the event. With no preconceived expectations, I approached the experience with a carefree mindset, blissfully unaware that it would be a ..read more

When the layoffs started, I thought I was untouchable. As a high performing recruiter at one of tech’s biggest firms, I had it all – a comfortable life, the travel, and the premium free food. My career was a large part of my identity. Then the dreaded town hall happened. “We have to make some difficult decisions…” my boss announced grimly at 12am. Turns out I wasn’t so untouchable after all. Getting laid off at 27 felt like a scathing breakup text from someone you thought you’d marry. Those first few months were rough. With no job routine to cling to, I zamboni’d between the fridge and doomscr ..read more

Editor’s note: Special thanks to Jom, an independent journal website that has allowed us to republish this article. The original piece can be found here. This article has been further edited to follow HOL’s standards. This is a two-part article series on Marissa’s journey through the Buddhist scene in Singapore. Read part I here. TLDR: Marissa explores Bedok & the mettaverse hidden gems where peace is often hidden amongst these bustling areas of Singapore. Editor’s note: This is a two-part article series on Marissa’s journey through the Buddhist scene in Singapore. Having covered the lan ..read more

Editor’s note: Special thanks to Jom, an independent journal website that has allowed us to republish this article. The original piece can be found here. This article has been further edited to follow HOL’s standards. TLDR: Marissa explores Paya Lebar & Geylang’s hidden gems where peace is often hidden amongst these bustling areas of Singapore. 1. Paya Lebar The story of how my mind changed begins in 2021. Almost 30, I was bummed to still be living with my parents but too prudent to rent a room of my own. I was anxious to make meaning out of my life, but unsure who I wanted to be except ..read more

TLDR: Explore the intersection of Buddhism and activism, emphasizing compassion in action for the well-being of all sentient beings. Is there an inner activist waiting to be discovered? Like all religions, Buddhism has changed over time. One of the most important changes in recent decades has been the evolution of Engaged Buddhism, a movement similar to Humanistic Buddhism where it focus the well-being of others.  Humanistic Buddhism is a practice that incorporates Buddhist principles into daily life, based on Sakyamuni Buddha’s achievement of enlightenment in human form. This approach ..read more

TLDR: How can the suttas and teachings aid us in our meditation journey? Paul shares his initial struggles and how the Buddha’s discourse to Mahanama immensely helped him with his mindfulness and mental state. My Past — An On-and-off Meditator With Wavering Interest in Buddhism: Even since learning about Buddhism and trying to study and practice it, I used to think the only practices to cultivate the mind were sitting meditation with eyes closed and walking back and forth slowly. Since my first attempts to practice meditation back in 2009, I found it a very peaceful experience but also often ..read more