Got to see Mr Ong today, was about to be late so took a taxi down. I live in Bukit Batok and my appointment with with him was in Tampines St 81. So it was a West to East trip. Had a hearty chat, full of guidances and encouragement, though got a bit emotional and began to drop tears, but i can for sure say that i felt more invigorated even though the outcome wasnt as expected. Thank you Mr Ong! who is the general director of SSA anyways =)
oh ya my piano is staying put. The "Soka Piano Group" may not be up as early as expected due to some organisation issues, which brings about some facts known today to me. Very disappointing, but clearly, such people do exist. It is nothing more than the "Three devils and Four Obstacles" The expression given above is a representation of not real walking devils nor demons, but the negativity which exists everywhere, who never fails to attack whoever weak in faith. Our practice regards such attacks as chances to strengthen our faith even more in order to grow higher and stronger. The analogy can be said to liken a child repeated standing up after falling down.. Simple reali =)
oh ya and today my mum call me to her room for a little chat, asked me what am i doing (which is rare) and asks me to accompany her coz she's bored. I was about to view the situation as a manifestation of her half senile side when she's started to say things with rememberence.. Very very glad =) anyways i am regretful of myself for not knowing the fact she has Serious water retention problems. Well she has puffy cheeks and neck and chin. but her feet looked like models cast out of plasticine. very heart wrenching, not to mention if you apply a decent amount of pressure, the dent actually retains itself. Meaning there's a concave area which used to be your finger.
Anyways, she suddenly blurted out, "what to do melvin? what to do?" I told her "keep moving forward! Keep walking (though she's on wheelchair)! Dun Worry about what to do! just keep Moving!"
She stretched her hand out to palm my palm against hers. and with each push, she said "move forward! move forward! Mu zi liang yi qi (mother and son together)" This went on for 10+ times, with the effort it takes to say one phrase equivalent to the conviction she has. Seemingly, her frail arms and hands felt like it came from the most motivational source i would ever find.
Now lets enjoy some Sakamoto stuff shall we ^^?
praises for the man:
"He always goes right to the soul"
"I know he is gifted. But how can he keep making this good music? He is just awesome. This is Sakamoto magic."
"The genius lies in the emotional intensity that he draws from a seemingly simple score."
"if u think about it, the melody is actually quite simple, but the amount of emotion he puts in it while playing makes it just amazingly beautiful."
"Ryuichi Sakamoto is a sudden Genius. He is truly a work of a miracle!"
"The most amazing thing about his music is that it makes me think deeply or just relax very easily wihtout any troubles. Ryuichi Sakamoto is just the only amazing pianist who can epress emotions so well with their music."
'To me, Ryuichi Sakamoto is not afraid of attempts of creating rhythms, harmony, and flow of the music. His works, experiments are just simply amazing. The most amazing thing about his music is that it makes me think about what drove him to write this song."
"one of the most exquisite performers of our time ... if you see him perform live, you are truly blessed."
"Masterful. One of the best composer of the world. Long live, Mr. Sakamoto."
"his music has been an important thread in my life since early 80's and for this i am very grateful."
and to think all these just came from one video from youtube titled "koko"
^^ do watch the video if you havent
so you have heard his music! you have heard his accomplishments! how about, his biography?
If you're lazy to read, basically its all bout his history.. but the important point is, he fuses different cultures into a single piece of music, and its all evident from all the music he has. In other words, he's working for world peace too. why too? because so am I, and my mum, and the rest of my fellow comrades in the organisation.
The reason i am attracted to him is because personally i am a musician (i am going to upload videos of myself next). and being in this organisation with my family practicing together, i have developed a stronger sense of purpose for my music.
"For what purpose does one practice/learn music?"
being in the same family, buddhism teaches we share the same karmic relationship. Meaning before we were all born, four of us (me , my bro and my parents) including my domestic helper, were slated to born together at this time. in other words, there's a reason. Why does my mum have this illness? Why does my father have money obstacles? over these months and upon receiving my digital piano, i have thought about this.
The conclusion is, my mum fell sick for the bigger purpose. People in our association knows the basic practice of transforming one's karma into a mission for kosen-rufu.
Mum cancer sickness (karma) -> Recovery -> Inspiration for millions world wide
karma can be divided largly into two sections, bad and good. Good deeds you do will be kept as good karma. Whereas bad deeds you do will be kept as bad karma. Simple? actually it is. Its also good to bear in mind that karma can also be brought forth from our past lives. and the eternity of life is dependent on the karmic cycle.
Nichiren Buddhism teaches us how to lessen our karmic retribution by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a universal practice to enable people to manifest the Buddhahood inherent in their lives and gain the strength and wisdom to challenge and overcome any adverse circumstances. Nichiren saw the Lotus Sutra as a vehicle for people's empowerment--stressing that everyone can attain enlightenment and enjoy happiness while they are alive.
Not too much for now or it would be too heavy lol..
so back to my mum, the bigger purpose was for everyone in the family, not only herself to show actual proof to the members and the world, but to be my starting point for my dreams and mission. On this area would be a separate post though. and not Only for me, for my brother, for my father, and even for my domestic helper.
Alrighty i am done on Mr. Sakamoto as my mentor in music. Hope you guys can enjoy his music whilst here.. ^^
