We Are Abundant

This Mid Autumn Moon
Clear and Bright.
She taught me the lessons
  of Abundance tonight.
That there's no lack.
We are Enough.
We are Abundant.
And our Harvest is Full.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
- Khema Yen, 24 September 2018, Mid Autumn Festival.

Possibilities

The space of you and I
 are filled with possibilities.
Now...
What do you want?
Fill it with colours
 of your choosing.
Let them twirl this way,
 that way.
Allow patterns to unfold.
No right.
No wrong.
Merely making decisions
 along the way
Now go...
Completely fill colours in.
Whoa!
Possibilities bloom into Flower Maiden.
- Khema Yen, 11 April 2018

(My latest mandala, titled "Possibilities")

Fire For Life!

Once there was a frozen land
Thick with ice;
 cold, dark and desolate.
No life could live there.
Everything lies in deep freeze.

But wait!
What's this?!!
Something moved beneath the ice;
 something gingerly,
 something warm and fiery.
Oh! The Great Mother is full of surprises!

This little fire grew bigger.
It grew steadier and stronger.
It began to melt the age-old ice!
Lotuses rise up from burnt ashes.
Flames turned into golden fishes when touched water.

Life begins again.

- Khema Yen, 6 February 2018

( The mandala above is titled "Fire for Life!)

Igniting A Heart Fire

Igniting a new dream
Igniting a new love
Igniting a Heart Fire
- Khema Yen, 28 November 2017

Entering Retreat Space

Entering Retreat Space
Quiet moments alone.
The gate of the Healing Garden
lies open and ajar.
What awaits me there?
I don't know.... it's a mystery.

I peer inside.
I am afraid.
I don't know what I'll find there.
So, I want to run away.
My mind find ways to distract me.

But my Soul...Ahh! My eternal Soul,
whispers her gentle voice
"Go inside."

And so...I enter.
I close the garden gate.
I take a deep, brave breath.
I am inside now.
Suddenly, I realized...
Whatever I need, is here.
SILENCE
FREEDOM
LOVE.

I am here to discover what truly matters.

- Khema Yen, 22 November 2017

The Oracle Woman

I am a Tarot Bodyworker.
Lighting a lamp,
to illuminate hidden pathways.
Opening magical doors,
to gain new understandings.
Seeking truths,
where there's veils of illusions.

And then...
Cleaning
Clearing
Releasing
Letting go
Healing...
those darken stories that lies beneath.
I am an Oracle Woman.
- Khema Yen, 8 November 2017

Ah...yes. This is what I do for a living. This is my joy, my offering, my work. It's what makes my heart sings upon greeting a new day. I dedicate this poem to beautiful souls who ask me these questions: What do you do? What is your work?

I am an Oracle Woman.

(The image above is a card from the Osho Zen Tarot deck. She is The Oracle Woman. I've gained so much guidance and inspiration from her. I love you. Thank you.)

Being A Buddha Body In That One Place

"Don't worry if you feel you can only do one tiny good thing in one small corner of the cosmos. Just be a Buddha body in that one place."

- Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh

The photo above is taken by a facebook friend, Mr Goh Keat Soon. He is a senior citizen, and travels around Malaysia, taking photographs of the beautiful sceneries of Mother Nature surrounding him. He then shares his photos with friends, and those in his facebook community. By sharing on facebook, he creates a feeling of appreciation and love for Malaysia's beautiful nature. His nature photos help dissipate the many negative postings one finds in facebook nowadays. Mr Goh becomes a Buddha body wherever he goes.

As for me, I do Tarot and Oracle card readings for clients, and help them to release the challenging and toxic memories that are revealed through the cards, by working on their energetic body. I also draw, and conduct workshops on Mandala Journeying to help students to engage with their unconscious self. My work brings peace and harmony to clients and students. I know that by doing the work that I love, I am contributing in solving tiny pieces of karmic puzzles of humanity. This has always been  the major motivation for my work. I become a Buddha body in my one place.

What about you? What are the tiny good things you do in the corner of your cosmos? No one is ever that insignificant that they feel they cannot contribute anything. Even the chirping birds in my garden have a role to play. Their songs cheer me up every day. They are Buddha bodies in my garden.

Yes, the modern world is full of challenges; from environmental problems, to economic instability, to threats of terrorism. It feels extremely overwhelming and exhausting to ordinary people like us. But are we truly that ordinary? The Ven Thich Nhat Hanh said we are not so ordinary after all. Everyone of us holds a key in solving a piece of the grand puzzle of humanity. All of us are able to do one tiny good thing in our corner of the world. Collectively, we become Buddha bodies in our one special place.

Here is a poem I wrote after being inspired by Mr Goh's photo:

"Reeds, Bird and Water
A chance encounter on a clear, crispy day.
Each brings their unique presence
to this brief moment of stillness.
A breath of silence
turns into exquisite timelessness."
- Khema Yen, 5 June 2017

Just like the reeds, the bird and water, we are unique individuals. May our presence co-creates goodness in the world.

I wish you deep peace and happiness.

(This quote by Ven Thich Nhat Hanh appeared in my facebook newsfeed and I felt the connection between Mr Goh's photo and the meaningful words. So, I wrote down my thoughts here, plus a poem too. Thank you Mr Goh Keat Soon!)

Four Little Earth Angels

Four Little Earth Angels,
all Smiles,
all Sweetness.
Each in the Four Directions
- East, South, West, North
Sprinkling old Mother Earth
with colours of
Wonder,
Joy,
Laughter,
Playfulness,
and Hearts full of Love.

Yay!
Have you caught their Angel Dust?
Dare you catch it?
Quick! Quick!
Catch it! Catch it!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

- Khema Yen, 22 May 2017

The mandala, and the poem is about the need to rekindle our child-like heart; to reconnect with the Child inside all of us. It is the Child that makes us wonder again; to see the moon and the stars as though the very first time, everytime; to laugh easily; to love wholeheartedly. For it has been said:

"Great is the human who has not lost his child-like heart".
- Paulo Coelho

This Inner Child Medicine Wheel mandala is offered to you with great love and peace.

( The mandala, and the poem above is called "Four Little Earth Angels". )

The Crow

The Crow
Sits on a lonely branch.
Caw Caw Caw!
Listen to my song
of Life-Death-Life.
Caw Caw Caw!
It is Law.
Caw Caw Caw!
It is Law!
- Khema Yen, 1 May 2017

(The mandala, and the poem above is called The Crow)

The Lotus, Dragonfly and Lady Moon

Lady Moon shines her Light,
Dragonfly dances in the Dark.
The Lotus grows Tall and Strong,
To sing a Fragrant Song.
- Khema Yen, 6 February 2017.

(The mandala above is titled, The Lotus, Dragonfly and Lady Moon)

On The First Day of The Rooster New Year

Mother Sea beckons

on the early morning

of the First Day of the Rooster New Year.

Leaving behind celebrating humans

I answered her urgent call.

Just me,

the Wind,

the Waves,

the Sky,

the Trees,

the Rocks,

and Concrete.

I greet Mother Sea;

my first visit of the year.

Heart sigh...

"At last! Someone hears me!

Someone understands me!"

And Heart pours.

She releases and empties ancient stories,

All....

Mother Sea listens

Patiently,

Non judgmentally

Completely.

She takes them in

All...

Washes them away,

All...

And then, I whisper back,

the prayers of the Ho'oponopono people,

"I'm Sorry,

Please Forgive Me,

I Love You,

Thank You"

over and over to the crushing waves;

requesting Mother Sea,

to take my prayers to all corners of Mother Earth.

It is Done.

It is Complete.

On the First Day of the Rooster New Year,

I take a First Breath.

- Khema Yen, 30 January 2017

Tumbling Into Existence

Here we go,
tumbling into existence.
Shaking and rolling,
crossing over the great divide of polarities.
Bruised knees,
Scarred elbows,
Our edges and corners knocked off,
Tilting this way,
and that way.

And so, we tumbled,
over and over.
Taken captive by a force...
Indescribable!
Loving it,
Hating it.
Oh! The craziness of it all!
Tumbling Into Existence.
- 8 January 2017.

The mandala above was completed on 19 Dec 2016 but I had difficulties relating to it then. And then on 8 Jan 2017, I finally understood it. It was an eureka moment, and the poem just wrote itself. Words came tumbling out just like that.

Tumbling Into Existence.

The Love Fairy

"These days...
When Heart is so wounded and shriveled
from faded dreams
from broken relationships
from scheming, corrupt politicians
from fanatic haters
from age-old racism
from wars
from all the Insanity of Humanity!

These days...
Look for The Love Fairy
She's here...
At the center of Heart's space.
Brush away the veil that hides her.
Wake her up!

The Love Fairy
Her magic
mends Heart
sings to Heart
makes Heart bloom
Feeds Heart with hope and happiness.

Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
And Heart becomes Whole again"
- 3 November 2016

The name of the mandala above is called The Love Fairy. Drawing and colouring it, and writing down the poem helped me to heal my own heart, after seeing and reading about the insanity of humanity these days.

May you find a way to heal your heart too.

The Essence Is At Ease

"Walking is Zen,
Sitting is Zen.
Talking or silent,
Moving, unmoving,
The essence is at ease"
- Osho

What a lovely and meaningful poem! During these turbulent times, all of us have to remind ourselves this: The essence is at ease.

Despite whatever that is happening outside, whatever actions we are doing, whatever stress that we are facing or whatever ugliness of the world is being displayed in front of us, at our deepest core, there is stillness. There we are centered, calm and at ease.

Let's return to our essence.

(I saw the photo above in one of my fb feeds and connected it with Osho's poem. This photo gave me a sense of ease. I don't know who is the photographer though)

A Most Sinister Butterfly

Once upon a time,
while flirting with colourful dreams,
a most sinister, pompous butterfly
fluttered up my nose.
"Go away, you nasty, annoying butterfly,"
said I, swatting him with my hands
I swatted him right,
I swatted him left.
But he didn't want to go away!
Instead,
he gave me a most wicked grin,
and peered straight into my eyes, and said,
"I certainly am not going away.
I'll stay right here,
in front of you;
my presence annoying you,
torturing you.
My wings,
flapping and fluttering,
creating ripples all around you,
and all over you;
making you dizzy
and spinning with angst.

Pay attention Little One!
Do not fear me.
Do not hate me.
Do not call me names,
What you see in me,
you see in yourself.
For I am Butterfly,
and I come to usher you
Great Change.
I am a gift from Great Spirit,
whose ways are unknown to humankind
Learn from my people,
and change from the inside.
For this is the Wisdom of the Butterflies."

By Golly!!!
Suddenly,
I don't find him sinister and pompous anymore.
He has turned into
a most cheeky and charming butterfly!
I stop chasing those flirty dreams.
- Khema Yen, 14 November 2016, Full Moon in Taurus (Super Full Moon)

(The mandala above is titled, "A Most Sinister Butterfly")

I am Home

I walk slowly;
no need to rush.
I breathe calmly;
no need to hurry.
I turned on a Dan Gibson,
chose La Nature du Quebec,
always a favourite.
I chop some cabbage leaves,
Peel strands of free beans,
Prepare jugs of drinking water,
Munch on sunflower seeds.
I pause....
I feel at peace.
I am Home.
- Khema Yen, 21 Oct 2016

The Way Of The Tao

"Open up to Love,
Open up to Grace,
Take a Bow,
This is the way of the Tao"
- Khema Yen, 3 Oct 2016.

This wonderful little poem came to me instantanously while I was working on a client's brain this afternoon.

I love you. Thank you.

(The image of the yellow lotus above is taken by me at Taman Rimba Kiara, Kuala Lumpur)

The Woman Sleeps With Death

It is quiet.
The woman sleeps with Death.
Her eyes closed;
her lips shut;
her breath silent;
her body...still.
Legend says she is cursed;
Some say,
   she sleeps for a 100 years
Or a century
Or centuries upon centuries.

Something stirs.
Twin Dolphins jump.
"What is it?", they asked
It is a sign
   of the Going of an End,
   and a Coming of a Beginning.
Such is Death;
Such is Life.
Coming and Going
   and Coming again.
In and Out
   and In again.
Meeting each other,
Dancing together.
A Play throughout Universes.

Meanwhile...Hush!
Lady Moon shines a little
And the woman sleeps.
But not for long...
Not for long.
- Khema Yen, 23 Sept 2016 - a day after the Autumn Equinox of 2016 (22 Sept 2016)

(The mandala above is titled The Woman Sleeps With Death)

A Globe of Red and Blue

A Globe of Red and Blue
Fell onto the Ocean Floor.
Down, she fell.
She thought,
  she was going to drown.
She thought,
  she was going to be cracked open,
  and die.
She thought,
  she was dying,
  a long, slow, lonely, watery Death.
She thought.

But then,
  she fell and landed
on soft, nurturing
Old Green Seaweed.
Old Green Seaweed opened his arms wide.
Cradling
Supporting
Soothing,
   Little Globe of Red and Blue.
"You're safe, Little One.
My arms will carry you;
My arms will hold you."
said the Old One with his deep, rich, ancient voice.

A school of Yellow Fishes came swimming by
All of them,
friends of Old Green Seaweed.
"Why, Old Green Seaweed,
You have a new friend today.
She looks kind of sad and desolate.
Let's check her out!",
said the more curious ones.

And before you know it!
Before Globe of Red and Blue could do anything!
Before she could even protest!
These Curious Yellow Fishes
   swam right into the Globe!
Ahhhh!!!!!

Mixing
Stirring
Swirling
Energizing,
the Red and the Blue,
such that Red and Blue
   became One.
The Globe of Red and Blue
    was no more.
She has become
   the Globe of Purple.
- Khema Yen, 15 Sept 2016 (Full Moon in Pisces, Mid-Autumn Festival of 2016)

(The mandala above is titled, The Globe of Red and Blue)

Seeds of Destruction and Resurrection

"Four Great Seeds

Each planted at Four Great Directions

- North, South, East, West

These seeds are not nicey-nice;

they are not softy-soft;

nor are they sweety-sweet.

They are not here to make one comfortable.

They're planted...

Oh! To Destroy!

To Destroy the old and familiar

To Destroy the what's-not-working

To Destroy the no longer functioning

out-dated beliefs

Their fire of destruction

burns at all four directions

Destroying everything in their way.

Merciless, they are.

Suddenly...

Out of the Destruction

Leaves and Grass come sprouting out

Resurrection

New Life Begins"

- Khema Yen, 16 July 2016

If you feel like your life is being destroyed or turned upside down now, know that a new life awaits you. Just hang in there. Peace and Blessings to you.

(The mandala above is titled, "Seeds of Destruction and Resurrection")