The Last Lap Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, November 28, 2011

Do you get dressed out of the laundry basket?


I am happy, well at this stage of the year, that I have met my goal.  Well, you see, sometime last year I was chatting with my dearest indigo friend, JH that I would want to write as much as four entries a month.  I shared with him the reasons why I wanted to do so.  Why these writings were important to me and be a part of the Universe.  I told him that it would be my voice to reach out, to be heard and alas, to get what I would (always) be looking for.

It is not about sharing my thoughts on earth.  It is not about teaching another human nor to motivate him/her.  It is not about feeding my ego.  It is not about nourishing and creating my hunger greed nor providing an enrichment to my insatiable appetite.

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Right Here Waiting Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, November 25, 2011

Don’t expect others to make your life better.
We can’t learn each other’s lesson. We need to step out of the way yet be there when help is needed.


Often, we feel that there is always a proper time for everything.  There is always a proper period for all relevant matters - big, small, urgent or trivial.  For something that is important or for something that is inconsequential.  We convince ourselves, perhaps it is an unconscious choice on procrastination and/or a convenient excuse , there will the time that is right to do what is right.

We tell ourselves that we know the Law of Process.  There is a season to sow, then there is the incubation and gestation period and ultimately, there is a season to reap.  Hence, we just have to believe and wait for 'the right time' to carry out the task.  To begin the process. 

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The Road I Take Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, November 20, 2011

Meditation is like dental floss; good for us, inexpensive, and yields rewards over time. Oh, and not enough of us do it.



Perhaps, the road that I take is somewhat much like M Scott Peck's book 'The Road Less Travelled'.  In it, Amazon.com describes the book to be 'confronting and solving problems is a painful process, which most of us attempt to avoid .. enable us to reach a higher level of self-understanding'.

Somehow, the title of his book also reminds me of a poet, Robert Frost who wrote in 1920 'The Road Not Taken', and there is one line in particular that sits in my emotion.  It says 'I took the road less travelled by and that has made all the difference'.

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Prison Break Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, November 17, 2011

Your doctor, your lawyer, your accountant, and your therapist: those you never want to lie to.




This is the second part of 'A Tribute to Reiki Sanctuary, The Third Year.  [More Read]

It takes me by surprise when friends start to ask whether I will honor my words about the upcoming video for Reiki Sanctuary, the third year.  I casually mentioned about it in my previous entry. 

Such reminders make me feel touched.  Collectively, it shows that there are people who really read my blog and remember what is written.  Reiki Sanctuary, the blog, has grown since 2008.  It is no longer just a home living blog but, gradually, it has become a place where I start to write about my spiritual journey too.  About my conviction and what I believe spiritually.  It has nothing to do with one religion, or my religion, but my own evolutionary perspective.

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Being Human Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Disappointed by others? Try lowering your standards.






Edited on November 16, 2011

A friend has just sent an email which I find it to be appropriate to insert it here.  The title of the email is 'regading humanity!!!'

---

We are taught to love.  We are taught to think.  We are taught to survive.  We are taught on the importance to be a better person.  We are taught to be kind, to be honest.  To exercise patience and not to envy, boast and, definitely, not an indulgence to be self-seeking.  We are taught to share and care, not to be easily angered and to rejoice with the truth.

Weirdly, why do we have to be taught to love, to think, to survive?  Isn't a child is born innocent?  Isn't the origin of soul is filled with love, intelligence and perseverance.  Isn't love is natural, an energy that cannot be self-manufactured? 

Yes, it is another thing if we are to learn, say, a language or how to cook or drive.  But, to be taught on the basic thing about life makes it that we, being human, is not perfect.  As the years passed, I finally come to this realization that the more mistakes I make, the more I learn.  The perfection of live lies in expanding our consciousness. 

Perhaps, being indifference has a place.  Imagine if we are to live in a perfect world with everyone and everything in it look alike, act alike and live alike.  There would be absolutely nothing to learn, whereas we would already know anything and everything.  Inventions and new ideas would not even exist.

Does faith have distinct limits?  That, it strives to operate only from a higher perspective?  That, when an individual is exposed with a worldly possession, and his higher perspective is filled with philistinism, the age of innocence is lost?

It is asked that we must exercise compassion with one another, even to the strangers we meet on the street.  As it is given out, we will see transformation in our lives and in the lives of those we encounter.  It will then introduce us to new opportunities to express love and a willingness to engage with others.   

But, compassion cannot be achieved by a mere act of the will alone.  The motto is for us to stay humble, at all times.  I always feel that if we have to tell the whole world how great we are, we are not great actually.

Being human is all about to live life in humility.  We must accept that we are imperfect and none greater.  That, as much as we are inspired by any divine influences, we have the rights to make mistakes.  It is not a crime to make mistakes but it shall be a crime not to learn from the mistakes and to keep repeating them.  Guess, this is one lesson that we are not taught much.

The problem with being human is our greed to be successful.  Humans constantly chide themselves, and others, because of their own imperfections, of their expectations and the high standards of everyone who surrounds them. 

While success is good, as it defines our growth, it should not be equated to earning million dollars.  Success is just as sweet when we can live the lifestyle we choose or getting a job done.  Or making a living doing what we love.  Or making someone to smile and for him/her to appreciate life.

Being human is about recognizing the will to live and to be valuable.  That, learning lessons begin when a soul is created.  That this soul has agreed to be born here on Mother Earth to keep on growing.  The soul shall strive for higher restructuring and allows it to explore far.  It is about reunification of the spirit and science on earth becoming a single unit rather than of opposing factions.

Being human is a nature way and meant to be.  It is about our will to stay willing, open and teachable.  It is the acceptance to strive for beautiful creations in very enlightening ways.

It is here that we must learn to differentiate between a desire and a want.  We need to identify what motivates and what is truly fulfilling.  We need to understand the difference between negative and positive, and which creations shall find delight and gratification.  We need to recognize the distinction between our higher self and our ego.  We need to free our soul from all quantum entanglements, here on Mother Earth, to become the god that it is.

A friend who recently visited my place found the way I placed things in the house to be a little cumbersome.  Like the big plant that I placed in the middle of the master bedroom and another behind the bedside table.  Though they were there for specific reasons, the placements fulfilled my wants.  They never created a difficult chore when cleaning.  Simply, the wants empowered the desire.

So are other wants in our life.  When we want an accomplishment where souls will be at peace , we should focus on the wants and not drive on the negative thoughts.  It is pointless should we think that we want a soul partner but we harp on separation.  It is pointless should we want to meditate but we are afraid of a wrong sitting posture.  It is pointless should we want to spend quality time with loved ones but sick-and-tired to clean the house after that.

Those who allow their subconscious reactions, negative thoughts or selfish feelings to dominate their lives, are expressing personality distortions that are damaging to progress.

The Wheel of Life

We need to start believing that we have powers being humans.  Lessons are not about eradicating all the wrongs.  Lessons are not a subjugation for not having wings to soar in life.   They are also about uplifting positive energies to enrich the course of life, the lives of being human.

The other day, when I was sharing with a friend my take and personal understanding on 'The Ascension' [Read Here] , I recognized the duality in being human.  While a soul can soar and should rise, this same soul has its parts that fails too.  This is the beautiful thing being human, we can be an imperfect perfectionist.  There is always a part of us that wins, and a part of us that loses. 

It is called for balancing and taking which way that maximizes the harmony.  Mistakes or failures, or imperfections, serves humans in a very enlightening way.   It is a creation on awareness and consciousness.  Truth is, we all make mistakes.  No man is ever excused of this.  But we are supposed to learn from them, and the circumstances of our life are just a reflection of what we need to understand.

The split and re-unification of our spirit, being human, sets our mind to seek further exploration.  However, the mind has to be definitive.  We need to know where  the dominant thought lies.  We need to be aware and conscious of growth.  We need to recognize, to acknowledge and to take ownership at every stage of our growth. 

Fact is, most souls learn great deals but often, their flesh is weak.  They allow negativity to govern their life forces.  They refuse to accept about themselves, humanity and the Universe.  They are so caught up in the events of everyday circumstances, of what they are thinking and feeling that can be an excuse for believing that this is all there is.

Being human is about having a physical body that houses our spirit, our soul and our personality.  However, there is so much more than that.  Each of us is a divine spark.  Our soul is only a vehicle to express our moral values through our ideals, conscience and intuition.  It is our spirit energy that nurtures the creation.

It is not really important how we look physically or how smart we think, but it is very important how we are inside.  For it reflects out into our every day lives and makes the difference between a shallow and closed individual or one who radiates their spiritual light to those around.

Yes, we are all born innocent but we are taught to gain wisdom through experience.  We are all born equal with equal divine spark.  We should enhance and mature that perfection through all our teaching lessons.  Its purpose is to return to our Creator as a perfectly rounded specimen of 'itself' which is an extension of the Creator.

Whoever we are, and whatever we look like, feel or believe, we are all still the divine souls.  Perhaps, the greatest guidance we will ever find in life is by making the effort to remember.

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You Are Still Loved, My Dear - Final, Part Three Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, November 13, 2011

Save money before you spend any. Pay yourself first.




The last installment for the series 'You Are Still Loved, My Dear' and its earlier entries at:


- Part One - Click Here To Read
- Part Two - Click Here To Read

Two places that we often go back, again and again, whenever in Bangkok would be to our favourite massage place, May Massage and the shopping at the Handicrafts and Arts Section in Chatuchak Weekend Market near to JJ Shopping Mall.  These are two places that we will spend a lot of time, a lot of spending and getting a lot of gratification.

May Massage, Sukhumvit Soi 21

At May Massage, it is self indulgence to relax and re-vitalize.  We would end our day here after our shopping, after a day of sight-seeing and walking around the capital.  We come to this place often, in fact it would be a daily thing when we are in Bangkok.  Hence, we prefer to stay in a hotel that would be a within walking distance to it.

@ The Reception with (far end of picture) the foot reflexology area

May Massage is located along Sukhumvit Soi 21.  It shares the same main entrance as Big Mama Italian Restaurant and located on the second floor.  It has group and private rooms span over three floors.  There are shower areas too.

May Massage has many massage practitioners, both male and female.  They are well trained and skillful.  We usually feel so much relaxed after the rhythmic pressing and stretching of our entire body.  The 'crack-crack' sound, cracking of stuck energy through arching the body in a cobra position at the end of the massage session, provides tremendous stress relief.

We always go for a two hour session, and at times 3 hours including an hour of oil body massage.  It is highly recommended for two hours for a full Thai massage where the practitioner will spend a good half hour working on each section of the body.  In Thai traditional massage, the practitioner works on the left leg, right leg, left hand, right hand and then proceed to work on the back.  Some practitioner will step on your back depending on his/her intuition when treating the back muscles.  It ends with the face and the head.

Just look at the prices!!!

We have tried foot reflexology here but just not able to enjoy it.  Guess, the Thais are better for their traditional massage and not at the 'chinese' foot reflexology.  Having said it, we are often surprised that they are many customers that come just for foot treatment.  Perhaps, for 100 Bahts an hour, one gets to relax and a little of body stretching at the end of the treatment.

Getting There

Must say that this google map is not accurate/updated.  The Grand Millennium Hotel should be after the Soi Cowboy.

Take the BTS to Asoke Station or the MRT to Sukhumvit Station. 

At Asoke Station, exit and walk towards the MRT Sukhumvit Station.  Once out of Asoke Station, walk along the road, keeping left.  When you see Grand Millennium Hotel, you are on the right track. 

You can also continue, when out of Asoke Station, with the underground walkway inside Sukhumvit MRT Station. 

On MRT, at Sukhumvit Station, exit at Exit 1 towards Serm-Mit Tower.  Just outside Exit 1, you will see Grand Millennium Hotel, Sukhumvit which is located just across the road.

Walk along the road, going with the flow of the traffic, till the t-junction of Sukhumvit Soi 21.  You will pass Furama Xclusive Asoke Hotel.  At the t-junction, turn left (without crossing the road) - on the right is where Serm-Mit Tower is.
 

The t-junction

At the entrance of Big Mama Italian Restaurant, climb up (using the side staircase) to the second floor.

It is easy to find this place.  It is less than 50m from the t-junction.  Just outside the entrance, there is a pool of motorcycle taxi.

Reviews

May Massage is the cheapest we found along Sukhumvit Road.  The massage practitioners are friendly and skillful.  Some, are really really good!  Should you stay long in Bangkok and intend to go back to May Massage regularly, you may want to stick to one practitioner.  Of course, you should have known his/her skills for doing so.

The place is clean (enough) but do not expect a luxurious spa condition.  At least, they will provide with clean clothes to change.

Tips, I guess, are optional though it is always good to give.  Afterall, the rates here are already so cheap!

Operational Hours

May Massage opens from 10 am till midnight.



JJ Mall / Chatuchak Weekend Market

JJ Mall, actually, is just a place for us to rest.  It is a refuge after the long outdoor walks/shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market.  It is a place where we will just sit down for a drink or to have a meal at the food court. 

JJ Mall and part of the Handicrafts & Arts Section of Chatuchak Weekend Market

On weekends, this mall is buzzing with activities.  Just outside it, there are rows of makeshift food stalls selling local delicacies. 

For first timer, it can be interesting to go through every floors of the Mall.  The Mall is an alternative to the Handicraft and Arts section of Chatuchak Weekend Market.  Prices vary but usually it is slightly higher than Chatuchak.

Getting There

Again, this google map is not accurate/updated.  Kamphaeng Phet station Exit 2 should be as as highlighted in the blue dot.  'X' is where the 'atas' wet market is.

Heading to JJ Mall is an en route passing by Chatuchak Weekend Market.  Take the MRT to Kamphaeng Phet Station and exit at Exit 2.  On weekdays, the entrance to Chatuchak Weekend Market, at Exit 2 of the station, is closed.

It is always good to come here on a weekday.  We always enjoy doing  it this way.  First, it is less crowded.  Secondly, it is always good to venture other nearby places just outside Chatuchak Weekend Market.  There are interesting shops around.

Once exit, and standing just along the main road, to the left is a big market and eatery.  This market, according to a Thai friend, is 'atas' (up market) for many Thais.  It is clean and it is rather interesting just to browse the whole area.  Good to go in the morning and around lunch time.

Across the road, which is opposite of Chatuchak Weekend Market, are rows of shops selling handicrafts, arts, ceramics, furniture and home decorations and antiques and collectibles.  It is a miniature of Chatuchak but open everyday.

This is what you will see once you are out of Kamphaeng Phet Exit 2 and standing along the main road.

Walking along the road, against the flow of traffic, you will pass the Handicrafts and Arts section of Chatuchak Weekend Market.  All shops open on weekend and it could be about 80 percent open on weekday.

Always note when buying antiques here - either at Chatuchak or JJ Mall.  It is wise to exercise few precautions.  Always check on your goods thoroughly to see whether there is any damage.  For antiques, it is better to bring along an expert, unless you are happy with what you are paying for.

Before You Go

Many people go to Chatuchak not knowing what they want or which stall to go.  The sights of all the goods here surprise many shoppers.

Chances are, you will end up spending at least half a day just going through the maze in Chatuchak.  It will be good idea to prepare few things to ensure that your shopping experience at Chatuchak is an enjoyable one.

-  Wear light and comfortable clothing
-  Bring along backpack for storing new found items.  However, it is recommended that you wear your backpack on the front rather than on the back.
-  Always plan to go in the morning, as it can get very hot and crowded in the afternoon.

When at Chatuchak Weekend Market, try their local ice cream ...

This is really refreshing under the hot sun.  For 30 Bahts, you can ask for all the toppings.  You get the coconut water free too!

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11.11.11 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, November 10, 2011

May the ultimate truth and that which is beyond all boundaries be victorious.  May there be peace, peace, peace.




Thought that I should just pen this down and to let it be part of my blog.  I have this sudden urge to pen this thought somewhere and where best can it be?.  I am sure, someday after this date, there will be a reason to it.  I am sure, there is a good reason to it.  Nothing is a co-incidence.

In just few minutes, it will be 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011).  A date which has taken millions, if not billions, of people to talk about it.  A date where many spiritual ones are grouping people, as much they can get, to sit down for a single purpose.  Or maybe more.

As for me, I do not really have an answer nor the clue (yet).

A friend once asked me what do I think of it.  Whether such a date carries an important message or should it be phenomenal.  Whether we should be doing anything formal, anything serious.

To me, if you are not prepared nor have given much thought but it is just numbers of 1 or 11, it will be just another day.  The only difference, with such a date, your mind will tell you that it is a unique day with a lifetime experience.  How often can one go through a day where the day, month and year can be 11, 11 and 11?  Either way we look at these sequences of numbers, it can be day first, then month and the year or the year first, then the day and the month.  Or the month first, then the day and the year.  As it is, it is already an interesting perception.

Another friend asked the same question.  This time, perhaps it is asked earlier today - 11.10.11, I replied:

It is about one (1) me and about one (1) God coming into unison.  Where the whole of me comes into perfect harmony with the whole of God.  Where combination of parts of God comes in complete agreement with the combination of parts of me.

It is about a union into One-ness (11), harmonizing exactly.  Hence, 11:11 where the first is me, the second is God and it follows in reflection towards being united into One-ness.

With so much critical mass of people all around the world doing something on this day, Friday 11th of November, 2011 (the 11.11.11), I believe its energy itself carries symbolic message.  That's with the power in critical mass; it carries evolution by itself.

As I mentioned to another friend, however, this message is personal - it is between you and God.  The conversation between us and God needs to be personal so that we can open up everything to Him, without reservation.  It has to be personal so that we can just ask for anything and everything, without being judged.

Guess, as such, many of us view 11.11.11 differently.  Because it is personal.

Surprisingly, at the end of my dinner with some friends earlier, a friend passed this remark -- "At the end of the day, believe in what you want to believe."

YES!, at the end of the day, it is 'personal'.

To all my friends, my readers near and far .. and whoever you are, have a beautiful day on 11.11.11.  Surely, with such a significant arrangement of the number, certainly there has to be something.  We do not have to know nor do we have to search far for its meaning but, at least, to honor the day.

Blessings to all of us.

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A Tribute to Reiki Sanctuary, The Third Year - Part One Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, November 07, 2011

If you can’t write it down, you probably can’t pull it off.  It’s hard to go bad when you do good.

I have never really written a proper article to thank Chiauw and to show her our deepest gratitude.  The person, the ID and a friend who contributes to make what Reiki Sanctuary to be what she is.  To make Reiki Sanctuary a sanctuary for souls to grow.  To enjoy for the blessed comfort and deep peace.  To unite and re-unite life with love, serenity and tranquility. 

To thank her to make Reiki Sanctuary to be a renovator's delight - and a beautiful home with all the right qualities that please our senses.  Chiauw, indeed, has done an excellent and wonderful transformation.  She makes a remarkable change to an old 23 years simple 5-rooms old flat to serve us with better function and condition.

Three years have passed and there are still people (mainly readers from a renovation forum) who would ask me to recommend her to do their homes.  There are still families and friends who come to our place and never stop complimenting on the good renovation works.  On the choice of materials, the choice of design and the choice of renovation organization.

Looking back, Chiauw does a very good job.  She incorporates our lifestyle and our needs and blends our idea of a home, which is highly aesthetically pleasing, with her wide scope know-how.  She transforms Reiki Sanctuary cosmetically and structurally.

Perhaps, I should record it that Reiki Sanctuary is an architect-designed.  It is modern and contemporary residence and not an ID created.  This is what Chiauw stands for and this is what Chiauw has been telling us.  It is, undoubtedly, a fact.

She is a trained and talented architect and not an Interior Designer per se.  It is her architectural job that allows her passion for interior decorating to be superbly crafted with high quality finishes throughout.

Reiki Sanctuary has been architecturally designed to maximise into a modern living space and style.  It is classic and timeless.  Undeniably, Chiauw is very knowledgeable and resourceful.  She thinks of all possibilities and very meticulous in carrying out with details.  The end result is to make sure that we live in a practical home, where house chores are made easier.

She puts through the most rigorous quality controls to ensure that Reiki Sanctuary is faultlessly built.  We see it all through her supervision with the plumbers, the electricians, the joiners and everyone that's involved with the renovation.  She makes sure even the tiler, the plasterer and the painter is dedicated to the finest finishes.

She designs Reiki Sanctuary to the very millimeters.  Every single area of our home is a true custom design.  The aim is to deliver the function with the look we love and be perfectly suited to our dream house.  She uses all her experience and expertise to guide us through the maze of design options and create the sanctuary that we desire.

Buying a house is only the first step in creating a home.  It is an heavy investment.  It is a manufacturing capital growth.  Here in Singapore, a well renovated public housing flat sells with higher cash over valuation (COV) on top of the value of the property.

Though it is not intended for us to 'buy-renovate-and-sell' Reiki Sanctuary, she is a home that will house us for many more years.  Still, we must provide for provision for our old age.  We have to factor in our lifestyle and how we want to live comfortably in 10, 15 or 20 years ahead.

Choosing Chiauw to do our renovation is a blessing.  She educates us.  She allows us to make informed choices.  She helps us to solve problems and fixes our decorating dollars wisely.  It is not about how much we spend, but importantly, Chiauw presents it stylishly.

Her wide knowledge on renovation hardware, building materials and supplies helps us to know what are available in the market.  She shows us almost everything, from the expensive high quality to the average.  At the end of it, the intention is for us to know that there are many options to choose from.

Our experiences with Chiauw, therefore, qualifies it into a renovation tip on 'How To Choose an Interior Designer'.  The end result speaks itself - the compliments are testament to her dedicated works.

Though my tips here are not extensive and exhaustive, I hope they provide sufficient basic knowledge.  Here, I will not highlight the importance on chemistry (between IDs and home owners) as it is personal and varied.  Chemistry should be the first thing to strike in the selection for a good ID.  Chemistry should include on communication, the ability between ID and home owner to collaborate and understand on a common language.

Once chemistry is established, there are other considerations.

I must add that the following tips are strictly based on personal satisfaction and our heartfelt appreciation for Chiauw.  Though not limited, it is to serve as a guideline for other home owners to consider before finally engaging an Interior Designer.

How To Choose An Interior Designer

01.  Certification

There are many interior designers or decorators but very few can qualify for the highest standard of Interior Design.  Those who met the qualification should not only be able to design but also able to understand building codes and project management.

Designing a new home is often a daunting task.  Many home owners have lots of ideas but they are like jigsaw puzzles span all over the head.  They need a good Interior Designer (ID) to help solve these puzzles and able to unite the pieces into a vision.  A good ID with proper certification, either by qualification or years of experience, could easily do it.

Never too shy to ask about their qualification and their experiences.  In fact, it is good to ask to let them know that you are really searching for a qualified person to help solving your jigsaw puzzles.

02.  Design Process

A good ID should have a wealth of experience and knowledge about constructing beautiful homes.  On top of that, ID should be able to tell how to live in them and to provide invaluable addition to the design process.

In the case of Chiauw, she interviews us at the start even before we get to ask about her expertise.  She asks about our lifestyles and about what we actually want in a house.  She leaves us with interior books so that we can have better ideas.

Basically, the objective is for her to conceptualize all that we want for a home.  She goes to the extend knowing which drawer or shelves we will put for sugar and the cooking oil, the tshirts and undergarments, the towels and bedsheets, the brooms and vacuum cleaner and etc.

A good ID should be able to tell home owners the function of each room.  When we ask Chiauw to design us a suspended TV Console in the Living Room, she knows where to place and hide the electrical sockets, yet conveniently located.  When we tell her that we want an L-shaped kitchen cabinet, she makes sure the height of it will not strain our body when cooking or washing the utensils.

These are details that many home owners overlook.  A good ID should highlight them right from the beginning.

03.  Budget

Explain the scope of the renovation and how much home owners are willing to spend upfront.  A good professional ID should be able to accommodate and making adjustments to fit budgets and expectations.

Chiauw uses a combination of fee structures.  There is a fixed fee to develop the initial plan and then cost plus to execute it.

04.  Style And Design

Good IDs should be able to accommodate home owners' tastes even if their personal style is completely different.  That said, there are IDs who have unique approaches that may not mesh with home owners.  Communication is critical when this happens.  Get them to tell the advantages.

Chiauw insists that at certain places, particularly in our kitchen cabinet, she wants to block off dead ends.  We are glad that we allow it.  Her rational makes sense - at such dead end area, cleaning is indeed a difficult chore.

A lot of psychology goes into design a functional home.  Good IDs must anticipate it and bring their talents to the project.  They should be able to contribute to the design process and adds tremendous value for home owners.

A good design is when IDs can provide with the highest quality home design, exceeding home owners' expectations, creating designs to enrich the occupants and producing unique solutions to inspire.

05.  Contacts And Management

Good IDs will be able to inform home owners on the renovation projects.  They can list down, and they should have sets of different sub-contractors to carry out the different tasks.  They should also know how to manage the different subcontractors.  Get them to share their lists of contacts for each task.  Get them to share on their workmanship.

Good IDs will hold your hands throughout the process.  They will bring you to source for materials.  They will advice on their practicability.

The best ID is the one that is transparent with the prices quoted from the different sub-contractors and suppliers.  Chiauw does not deal with payments.  She provides us with the tender prices from contractors and suppliers.

She carefully watches the sub-contractors' works and scrutinise all items purchased.  If we are not happy with the job or with any particular item, she makes sure they correct it at no extra cost to us.

06.  Timeline

Good IDs are able to tell home owners on renovation schedules.  They can give you an estimated time of delivery and hand-over date.


07.  Portfolios

It is important to see the many works of your selected ID.  Also, get the ID to show the works of his/'/her sub-contractors.

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The Logic Of The Universe Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, November 04, 2011

Talk to strangers. Yield to others.  The more love you give, the more love you receive. Yes, it really is that simple.



For the last two months, I had the opportunity to be invited (in my humble opinion) to create the gateway for good cause on the lives of others.  From something I dearly believed to be workable to be shared across.  Where lives could change for the better and life could never be the same again.   Where an overall well being of souls was improved.

For the last two months, I was happy to bring change to an environment, to the house of some friends.  Where, with their new faith, new dynamic energy transformed itself.  Though these people felt a little trepidation at entering into 'my world' in the beginning, through the geometric science of Tibetan Geomancy, they traversed their faith  that soon filled with beautiful and rewarding results.

My World, it is an environment surrounded with Tibetan Geomancy.  It is a world where I live with.  It is a world of heaven on earth.  It is a world of miraculous creations.  It is a world of transforming Universal wealth, and infinite abundance, right inside the house.  Inside Reiki Sanctuary where I reside, where I love and where I find joy, peace and comfort.

I am very aware of each sacred places, in its geometric forces and influences, that affects the vibrations in certain places in the house.  Tibetan Geomancy is all about that.  How each sacred places has its unique divination.  How the element of energy within a house is directly connected to the element of the Universe.  How the element of the Universe can affect the element of energy within a house.  How the logic deals with the way in which evidence is used and the conditions of evidence are valid.  Within and far beyond, it carries specific meaning and significance.  I documented My World in "The Tenet Of Soul".

I believe it is my faith that I have for Tibetan Geomancy (and hold it very dearly) that makes it to reveal the intended results.  All these years, with evidences and guidelines on the use of evidence with Tibetan Geomancy, I have never doubted its essence and attributes.  It forces and its influences.  Its powers and how they are generated.

I believe that the nine sacred elements within the geometrical chart of Tibetan Geomancy generate magnetic waves, and vibrations, which is influenced by our spiritual, emotional, mental and psychical bodies.  I believe it transcends the logic of the Universe.   As one of my friend makes this remark 'It is something just hard to explain.  It is something whether to believe or not but it is right there transformed.'

In itself, Tibetan Geomancy is very much connected with the concept of I-Ching, the Book of Changes.  It is a system of divination, cosmology and philosophy.  It centered on the idea of synchronicity - the dynamic balance, the evolution of events and acceptance of the inevitability of change.  Carl Jung, who coined on this term, described "it is about acausal connection of two or more psycho-physic phenomena".

I have been doing, and carrying out the works of, Tibetan Geomancy for more than a decade.  Personally, the best way for me to introduce Tibetan Geomancy and its enormous significance is by pointing out that it, and it alone, provides the answers.

These last two months, through the rewarding works of the Universe which I am very grateful, I have a sudden invitation from six individuals sought the wisdom of Tibetan Geomancy.  I believe it has to do with their personal growth; where each one of them is now fully awakened wanting to discern on the Universal abundance.

It is a state of their Ascension (read my blog entry - "The Ascension".)   To them, they have come to a stage in life where they now desire, upon 'waking-up' (read "Have You Woken Up?), accomplishments through the interpretation of geomantic common sense.  It is only right, for all of us, to get more than we have already had. 

It is not about greed but appreciation.  It is not about the destination but the journey.  It is not about foolishness but awareness on the vast abundance of the Universe.  It is about rightful ownership and gratitude. 

There is no reason why we should not ask for more unless there is the fear that one may overstep with the mark of Life.  It is similar to the way in which doctors examine the human body in particular, from the point of view of what makes it sick and what makes it healthy.  Like the doctors, Tibetan Geomancy looks at all the elements to see how each energy can create and re-create.

The one common thing that we all like, that we are all connected with Tibetan Geomancy is the subtraction of fears.  There is no irrationality.  There is no superstition.  Tibetan Geomancy woks on the positive charges of energy, of thoughts without attracting the elements of superstitions.

With the elimination of such negative forces and influences, Tibetan Geomancy is all about enhancing divination on earth.  It is about raising positive vibes and treating all things being equal, good and those not so good.  It is about empowering our divinity in partnership with the science of the sand.  What is important is our prayers, our intent and our faith.

This writing is about celebrating the lives of these six people who have come to me.  This writing is about celebrating the rewards of their faith.  This writing is about an acknowledgement of partnership.  This writing is about what Tibetan Geomancy has influenced  their lives and the reason for its Just-Is.

Friend (A)

Friend (A) is the most eager of the group.  She wants change, for her and her family.  Somehow, she is now awakened with intuition for something good to happen but just not sure where to begin.

She internalizes Tibetan Geomancy.  She has faith in it.  Immediately after my sharing, she takes charge.  She goes around to clean up clutters in her house religiously.  She becomes conscious of her own thoughts, her life and cause and effect.  She dons her house with meaningful intent.  Basically, she allows her soul to be in partnership with the forces and influences of all the sacred spaces in her house.

Two days later, she receives the rewards (and counting):

01.  Her husband, out of the blue, was given substantial salary increment.  It is not the time of the year for him to be getting it.
02.  Her immediate neighbour of 18 years knocks on her door to give packets of nasi bryani.  It is unusual as the neighbour has never, all throughout the years, showing such kind gesture.
03.  Her relationship with the family has changed.  She feels there is more communication and there is more family bonding.

Friend (B)

Friend (B) is the daughter of Friend (A).  A young mother to an Angelic child, she feels her working life has come to an end.  She quits her previous job as a Nurse.  Today, she feels that she has become redundant and unemployable.

Few days after she takes charge to raise Tibetan Geomancy in her house, she receives calls.  There are job opportunities waiting for her, whenever she is ready.

Friend (C)

To me, Friend (C) has everything.  She holds good job.  She has a big house and a happy family with two young children.  Life is full of contentment.

When I asked her why she was very much interested in Tibetan Geomancy, her reply was 'Why not?  Life evolves and one should continue to find more meaning.'

Today, she is filled with more blessings:

01.  Her relationship with her immediate boss has changed tremendously.  According to her, 'We have now become friends and closer.   Surprisingly, we have started to confide with each other.'
02.  Everyone in her office, including her subordinates, is 'friendly' now.
03.  Her trading commodity is making more profits.
04.  "I feel happier these days.  I feel it."

Friend (D)

Friend (D) is funny.  When she called me to learn (and embrace) Tibetan Geomancy, she has no house yet.  She has just sold her previous flat.  "You must guide me and tell me what this Tibetan Geomancy is."  She believes that she will find a house when she puts her faith in it.

"I know I will just find on the day I start looking."  True enough, the day her house agent brought her to view houses, she found one immediately.  The price and the Cash-Over-Value were much below her initial budget.

Friend (E) and Friend (F)

These two were 'tag-along'.  As they mentioned "Time is not right yet".





Two days ago, I added an element in one area of the house.  At the same time, I bought Money Plant to hang outside Reiki Sanctuary.  I made a prayer and at the same time to prove to my partner that Tibetan Geomancy worked.

Yesterday my partner received a job offer to oversee two months project in Amsterdam.  The pay was good.  Regrettably, my partner turned the offer down.

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You Are Still Loved, My Dear - Part Two Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, November 01, 2011

The more you do for others, the more others do for you.


There are three(3) parts to 'You Are Still Loved, My Dear'.  This is the second and the first was written on 28 October.  I intend to write a simple 'How To' for the last installment.  It will be about how to go to  places where we frequent whenever in Bangkok.

You Are Still Loved is, basically, a series of write-ups about our trip to Thailand.  There are many other similar blog entries here in this blog - Thailand - A Celebration Of Life.  Basically, it is all about our purchases for Reiki Sanctuary.  Thailand, and in particular the capital Bangkok, is a place where we would get most of our house decors.

As written previously, I mentioned that "The good thing about shopping in Thailand is always the spring cleaning in Reiki Sanctuary that follows after the trip.  It is a chance to re-organize and re-arranging old and the new things.  It is a chance to tidy up and wipe clean inside the closets, the wardrobes and all the drawers that were not touched for months.  Ultimately, it is about clearing clutters."

There is much truth to that.  Somehow, a trip to Thailand is marked with a 'religious' conviction that follows it.  It follows with a strong internal desire where it fills me with an energy that I just have to carry through.  It is about re-embracing Reiki Sanctuary, not because she is neglected.  It is about cleansing her, not because she is daunted.  It is about re-vitalise her energy.  It is about re-making of a vow towards a heavenly state of being.  It is about Create and Re-create.

Of course, this heavenly state is personal.  To me, a heaven is a place that is very organized, where all things are put together into an orderly, functional and structured whole.  It is an environment which is very tainted with all things neat, clean and beautiful. 

It should be the case for Reiki Sanctuary.  As much as I believe in the comfort of this heavenly state, it shall be my obligation to accomplish as expected.  It is a partnership to undertake to care for each other.

The presence of God should not only be dominantly thought to be in the church, in the mosque, in the temple or in a holy sacred place.  God, as much as I believe, is everywhere.  Should I want Him to reside closer to me, and within me, I must make sure Reiki Sanctuary encompasses the requirements.

Our last trip enacts the part of the conviction.  Afterall, we want to celebrate our blessings.  We want to rejoice an occasion to live here.  We want to remember the journey and how our souls have been kept safe.  It is an appreciation to be housed with love, peace and joy.  Importantly, it is a sanctuary that keeps our faith for all things good.

We bought few things (again) this time but, definitely, not so much compared to previous trips.  Still, we ended up with checked-in luggage of forty-two kilograms between the two of us, not counting the hand carried.

Pictures Galore

These two were an interesting buy.  It was a casual visit to a nearby shop, near our hotel, as we needed to get a socket adapter.  These candle holders caught my eyes.  In fact, I eyed a black one too but another customer grabbed it before me.  Unfortunately, I could only manage to grab these two as that was what left in stock in the shop.

Hand-made Stainless Steel vases

Hand-made decorative Stainless Steel tray.  We were lucky to visit this shop (next to 4-faced Buddha) and there was something for us.  What I liked about it was the high quality of stainless steel used.  The end product was light and safe (since the magnet did not stick to it).  We were told by the owner that stocks had temporarily stopped because the factory (in Ayuthaya) could not make anymore because of the flood.  There were limited items when we were there.

I am just into these things .. from big to small.  It is nice to use it to lift up another deco items.  Plus, it is beautiful made.  Plus, it is cheap!

Ok lah, nothing fantastic about these but they definitely make tissue boxes look nicer.  Come in many assorted colors.

Awww, little doggies .. hehe, we just loved them!  Found them in Index which was the local version of Ikea.

I called these the 'Pretty Trays'.  Could not resist not getting such lovely things when I saw them lying hidden in one shop.  Only these two were available ..  guessed it was meant for Reiki Sanctuary.

One of the crazy things, in our purchases this time round, was buying pouches - big and small.  It started off with an idea to organize our traveling toiletries where we could separate the different items.  Little did we know, these pouches soon became an obsession when we went to Chatuchak Weekend Market and found out how 'dirt' cheap they were.

The Little Ones

The Medium Ones

The Large Ones

Since it was shopping in Thailand, do get the Thai things too!

Imported yet rather cheap

I am very excited with this next item. Somehow, it 'talks' to me.  It speaks of the many things that life is offering.  It speaks of the many things one can expect.  Each branch, each twig, each clutter .. they symbolize the many aspects of Universal Abundances and all waiting for the right prayer, the right want and the right opportunity.

What a pretty simple decor

"THE TREE OF ABUNDANCE"

Handmade from wires.  Immediately resonated with my soul the moment I saw it.

At last, something that we had always wanted to do was done.  We accomplished our wish to have our portraits hand drawn.  Something that could remind us and to bring a smile on our face.

We had always admired these Thai artists, where they could replicate a photo and yet looked so real.  Though we felt ours were not done perfectly, we walked away from the shop felt happy.  The good thing, it was priced reasonably.

The artists finalizing our portraits.

Yes, this entry will not highlight where all the purchases are being placed in Reiki Sanctuary.  It is intentional not to show them since I want to do a pictorial video (yes! show-off) for Reiki Sanctuary's third anniversary.

We can't ask for more.  Right here, right now, right at this moment, we are just thankful for everything that life has offered.  It has been a celebration of life. "Thank You!".

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