Beyond the heat of fire

During my time in Malaysia I had the opportunity to realize one of my spiritual goals and challenges while staying at a farm in the town of Kuala Selangor about 60k from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Selangor is a small town of very local Malay and Indian farming people, where food is not only cheap but delicious. During this time the Indian community was celebrating Timiti Hindu festival, where for 10 days people would celebrate life together. People would gather, play music and offer their respects and gifts to the many Hindu gods, while some would induce themselves in a trance in anticipation for the last day of ceremony. Everyone would feast and share, people would dance and kids would play. The food was plentiful and the kindness very felt. Some would wear their regular daily clothes while other their very traditional Indian garments, they would all celebrate together to the rhythm of drums and laughter. As foreigners, me an the rest of the people volunteering at the farm were received with open arms.

I was told that during this 10 days a group of man and women would prepared for the last day of ceremony, where they would pierce their backs with hooks while carrying very adorned ornaments over their shoulders on a long walk that would end at the front  of the 12ft long path of burning coals. This was a day I would not want to miss. So in the 10th day we returned.

The day was sunny and very hot, little by little people would start arriving until there seemed to almost be no more space. We saw the man and women arrive, one at the time barefoot, with hooks on their backs and seemingly already in a trance. They were damp in sweat, they would shake their heads and dance while sticking their tongues out, making the ornaments stacked high on their shoulders, seem lighter than they probably were. Once facing the hot coals in front of them, they were welcomed with petals of flowers raining on them, their eyes seemed to be somewhere else. They were blessed by another very interesting looking character, who seemed to be in a trance of his own, and forward they walked. 

Some walked while others skipped, some stayed strong while others seems to feel the burn. Some at the sight of the coals walked around. One after the other, man and woman, old and young, they walked over the hot coals which could be felt from the distance. 

Not to long after they were done, the space was open for anyone else wanting to line up for the walk, that was my sign. From the moment I heard about it several says prior, I had already imagined myself taking the hot plunge. In a sense, I had prepared myself mentally, and the open space was my sign that the doors were open for me to try.

One moment I was standing as an observer, and in an instant almost without realizing it, I was second on the line. As the locals saw me lining up, they asked if I was going to walk, some seemed surprised while others were encouraging. Once on the front, the interesting looking character places his hands on my head and with some chanting he welcomed me to go ahead. 

Timed stopped, so did the music, the moment was present and so was I. One step after the other, looking forward and with an empty mind a walked across the coals, no feeling, no thought. No fast nor slow. Several steps later I was on the other side stepping into a pit of cool water being received by people ready to assist should I need a hand. 

Still in awe and with tears on my eyes I did not believe what I had just done. My feet felt fine though I heat from within started raising. And it was then when I realized I had just walked across 12ft of read hot coals. 

As time went on, it felt as I was doing it all over again, and again, and again. As my feet felt like they were the fire. My left foot was blistering and my right one was fine. As I walk back to the farm, the heat from within my feet didn't get seem to stop. For the next few hours I was in my head convincing myself it was all in my mind. I thought I would not be able to walk the rest of the day nor work the next morning. 

And here is where the work started, I could not stay still. - Pain, what is pain?- In would ask myself. - In the very present there is no pain - I continued on. The sensation when from a cooling breeze when my mind was relax, to the heat of the sun when I thought about it. 

This went on for a couple of hours. - it's enough - I told myself. - You wanted to do this and now it's done, You're healed and the feeling is gone. - A after a little longer it all seemed ok, the cooling breeze was back and it seems to want to stay. I finally stood up, and it all was fine. With a few blisters on my left foot I was ready to make this experience part of an awesome memory. 

In the present there is no pain, in the present moment all is perfect and all that exist is the greatness that is beyond your self and the ego. 

Phones clips of the walk

http://youtu.be/jlHBmTaQVkc

http://youtu.be/eKGH70b3sgg

The power of setting intentions.

 One morning during my hitchhiking journey through Malaysia, as I wake up in Cherating beach on the east coast, I felt a strong desire to set intentions for the day. They were simple. I wanted to connect and meet kind hearted people, maybe some movement minded people as well. I also wanted to end up spending the night in another beautiful place. 

So as I started my morning and got on the road, first car I stick my thumb out to, stops. From that moment it was kindness all the way. Later on, as I walk along the road another car stopped and offered me a lift without me even asking for it. Not only did he drive me but also took me further out of the way of his own destination. Then a tow truck, who invited me for lunch before I continued on.

I had been going on for several hours, It was a very hot afternoon as I walked and continue to try and stop people on the road. The walk was heavy and slow under the sun, for a while no one would stop. After a long while, a guy, who apprehensive and even asking me to show him my passport, finally gives in and invites me to ride with him. He was quiet at first, sort of feeling the waters. Not long after we were chatting it up. He was a police officer in a near by town, and he was on his way home. We soon arrived to his town, I still had about 45km to get to my destination. We talked for a while and drove by his home town, and he pointed me on the way to continue on. After a short moment of silence, he then said, he would just take me instead

He drove me all the way, 45k or so out of his way to a small town called Kuala Rompin. He let me use his phone to look at a map. While I used his phone to determine my resting place for the night he drove around Kuala Romping towards a beach near by. He said he just wanted to show it to me while I figure what to do next. We arrived at the place, a beautiful beach park. Not many people around and suitable for a camping spot. It seemed safe and quiet. It was a nice beach park that reminded me of Kailua beach park in Oahu.

When I told him I would stay there he said he wanted a drink and that he'd buy me one. He ended up buying me a tasty local kind snack which had pineapple, cucumber and this strange yet tasty peanut sauce. He then drove me to a market to buy food for the night. He said our good byes and he went back to his home town.

On the walk back to the beach I saw two trees full or bread fruit. In this case I didn't follow my intuition to take one, it was loaded with it, but I would need a fire to prepare it. So I just admired it and continued on. The walk from the market seemed long at that point, it was only about 30 mins or so but after after the long day I was tired and ready to put my bag pack down. Once I got to the beach I wanted nothing more than to dip in the ocean and enjoy solitude. At this point I had forgotten about my intentions. 

When I get to the beach, first thing I do is put bag down and jump in the sea I almost didn't take my clothes off. While cooling in the calm waters, from the corner of my eye I barely catch this very familiar movement in the distance. What seemed like a body flipping in the air a bit over 100mts away or so. My head turned quickly, then another kid flips in the air in an attempt to a backflip. Then another one does a front flip. There were about 5 boys stepping and flipping of this log on the sand. I slowly and quietly approached them. And with a smile I directly asked if they "freerun". They nodded shy. I said I knew a thing or two. We spoke, hung out and even did some capoeira with them. There was this guy, my age (so young) who seemed to be the mentor, he told me he encourages the kids to go to the beach every day to train, move and play. He moved well as well. I participated in their play and did some flips myself, gainers, side flips and front flips what a delightful moment. I was a kid, as usual.

 We spent a couple hours moving. After a little while they were all calling me master Ozzi. I thought it was adorable as I just felt like another kid at play. The older guy called me aside before he left and hands me a stone. A type of quarts. He said it was for me and that he wanted it to be a memory of the moment. I wished I could have shared more with him but then he left. The kids took pictures with me and left shortly after.

It was then when I remembered my intentions. It was all so perfect, exactly what I had asked for. 

But it was not over yet.

After another dip in the ocean. I set my hammock.... Sssssquitoes were out. Next to my spot was a 5ft high pile of cleaned out branches. I thought earlier when I saw them I could have a fire. Here is where the bread fruit came to mind. I smiled, told myself to trust next time and I enjoyed my orange and tomato instead. After a little over 20 minutes, hammock up, and my piled up branches into a tippi I had a nice mosquito-free fire all to myself. 

And in that moment all was sacred, I was surrounded by the four element. The ocean next to me, the wind blowing gently, the earth beneath my body and the fire which brought aliveness to the dark night. And spirit was present as I called it with my flute and it responded. It was a perfect moment. I played my flute on and off starring at the fire for about 2 hours. Mosquitoes were feeding on something else cuz I was left alone.... Thank you fire I said. 

After a little while of enjoying the stars and seeing the fire slowly fade away, I got in my hammock feeling very blessed. Grateful to the synchronicity of the day. To each ride and their devine timing and to that man, who oblivious of it was part of making my intention come true. Without him I don't know where I would have stayed. But definitely that beach and flipping time would have not existed for me.

Set your intentions for the day, clearly in your heart and your head. Feel them with love and release them into the universe, then go on with your day with an open heart. Allow yourself to receive. 

Blessings

Namaste 

Warrior Way

It all started with - I AM.

And suddenly with that statement we created a separation.

When it all was meant to be a sacred congregation.

A congregation of spirits of light, gathering together for the purpose of staying present and bright.

Bright and courageous, righteous in our intention. 

Brave on the battlefield against the self and the ego.

Spreading our wings staying focus and sharp like the eagle. 

With the strength of a bear and the gracefulness of the deer.

We are oblivious of our potential as we fill ourself with fear. 

We came forward claiming individuality.

Acting like fools instead we created a duality. 

And now we split in two worlds of heart and mind illusion.

Without realizing our biggest mission is our ego dissolution. 

You're the mountains and waterfalls.

You're the birds flying singing their songs. 

You're the rain falling on the trees. You're also their leaves welcoming the breeze. 

Almost in despair warrior people roam alone.

Staying strong by a reminder, there is a mission to which we all belong. 

And it comes from the beyond.

A force so Devine, we're never really alone. 

You're the ocean and the dolphins frolicking in it.

You're the panther and the strength that resides within it. 

And our mother we have neglected.

When what we need is to protect it, love it and respect it. 

We need to step up and deflect.

All this nasty practices we need to reject. 

Pollution, deforestation, abuse and discrimination. 

Over consumption and peoples manipulation. 

Feel your heart, it's beating. 

Feel the air, keep on breathing. Open your mind, love is healing. 

You're the ravens and the fox.

You're the lizard, you're the hawks.

You're the snake and the otter, and like you there is no other.  

Sharpen your blade, slash your attachments.

Tone your muscles up and fight against political harassment. Corporations love for greed, love for self sustainability is really what we need. 

There is magic, there is spirt on everything that you touch.

The light is present and its living, please remind fully lush. 

Flush your vanity, flush your greed.

Come back your roots, connect with the green. 

Feel the music of your songs.

Feel the poetry as you write along. Infatuation just a beautiful excuse to give birth to creation. 

Move your body and stay agile, there is no time to become senile. 

You're magical, beautiful and Devine. 

Full of wonder and creativity, you're truly sublime.

Open your heart to feel compassion.

Go out there, do the work and do it with passion. 

You're a warrior, you're not less. Step into the unknown, feel its bless.

Pull out your sword and do you best. 

It's your mission and were here together, this is my vision, I'm not here forever. 

So now I come to you and ask.

Observe your thoughts and in your purpose please don't relax. 

Be mindful of your actions.

Be proactive in your steps. 

The work ahead is tough, but please don't distress. 

I'm here to hold your hand.

And to lift you when you need. 

But please lets work together. Because I'm sick of all

this greed. 

I want to see the birds fly.

In a sky that bright and blue.

I want to see the forest thrive.

I want my kids to see it too. 

The earth will continue it's cycle, whether we're here or were gone. 

But wouldn't it be beautiful, if we we're here together, in peace, enjoying it all along?

The warrior way.