assalamualaikum...peace to all...
a friend of mine once asked, "how could you guys, medical students, deal with having to face ill people almost everyday?"
thinking about his question, i couldnt agree more that it sounded quite depressing.that being in medical field is like being exposed to the negative side of life; the constantly melancholic atmosphere.the endless scenes of agony n suffering, the feeling of being helpless..simply speaking, it is a proof of a cruel and unfair world.
however, i believe there's actually more than that.
i'd say it teaches us to be more grateful of what we have.it shows us how fragile n powerless human being are.it depicts that hope is something worthwhile to be hold on.and that miracle actually does exist..
it makes us feel humble.that we are actually just mere flesh and blood.no matter how superior you think you are.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
open-minded
assalamualaikum...peace to all...
there's an issue which really disturbs me. well, it's not really an issue to be honest.it's more like a trend i reckon.
a trend where people frequently misquoted the word 'open-minded'.
the problem is, very often that people tend to associate open-minded with being secular.
and being secular, actually is far from being open-minded.it is a very rigid thinking indeed.Even Plato and a lot of other legendary philosophical figures agreed that there must be some kind of 'goodness' that lies beyond this world for this world we are living in to be something worthwhile.
One famous metaphor from Aristotle:
A man was walking into a cave that has a fireplace lit in the center of it. And light from the fire illuminated the man's shadow onto the cave's wall.
That shadow of the man represents the world as we see it. It is obvious that there exist much more beyond that shadow. There's fireplace which shone the light.There's other side of the cave wall.and there's even a whole new world outside the cave.It would be a genuine stupidity to focus our whole life looking onto and amazed ourself with the shadow alone.
(I am using statements from Greek philosophers here because those so called open-minded people usually wont listen to the religious figures.as they considered them as narrow-minded,conservative,traditional people....of which I strongly disagree)
there's an issue which really disturbs me. well, it's not really an issue to be honest.it's more like a trend i reckon.
a trend where people frequently misquoted the word 'open-minded'.
the problem is, very often that people tend to associate open-minded with being secular.
and being secular, actually is far from being open-minded.it is a very rigid thinking indeed.Even Plato and a lot of other legendary philosophical figures agreed that there must be some kind of 'goodness' that lies beyond this world for this world we are living in to be something worthwhile.
One famous metaphor from Aristotle:
A man was walking into a cave that has a fireplace lit in the center of it. And light from the fire illuminated the man's shadow onto the cave's wall.
That shadow of the man represents the world as we see it. It is obvious that there exist much more beyond that shadow. There's fireplace which shone the light.There's other side of the cave wall.and there's even a whole new world outside the cave.It would be a genuine stupidity to focus our whole life looking onto and amazed ourself with the shadow alone.
(I am using statements from Greek philosophers here because those so called open-minded people usually wont listen to the religious figures.as they considered them as narrow-minded,conservative,traditional people....of which I strongly disagree)
Friday, January 15, 2010
of the hats
assalamualaikum...peace to all..
I just finished reading a book with the title "the 6 thinking hats" written by edward de bono..It is only the second voluntarily-read, written-in-complete-english-sentence book that I have ever finish reading in my life..believe me, I am not exaggerating here.A novel titled "Kite Runner" by Khaled Hossainie is my first.of which took me about a year to finish it (eventhough it is a very awesome novel and i would recommend book lovers to read it).....apparently, me being a head librarian back in high school and my current status as a medical student do not make me much of a reader...
Anyway, I actually want to write a tad about this latest book that I just read.It might be quite a boring and long post, but this is just to refresh myself of what I have just read so that I wont forget the lessons that I got from the book easily.The author put forward a very appealing concept of thinking and ways of looking into certain issues.
It is described in the book that 'argument', which has been the main source of progression for Western countries until it reaches today's level, actually was never designed to be constructive. We can always argue to find a better solution for a problem. However, in an argument, theres always going to be one who wins and one who loses. And for those who lose, their ideas and opinion usually would be crushed completely, never to be heard or seen again.
People argue for many things.But in almost every argument, the main purpose is to satisfy one's ego.To satisfy the need of showing to others that we know more than them.To satisfy ones desire to win. We might not notice this as it is a very subtle feeling.As a result, even if we might come across of points that would support the opposition's stance, we would just keep silence and try really hard to think of other points or facts that would support ours instead.Indeed, the author himself acknowledged that there might actually exist a real need to satisfy our own ego.
That, and lots of other destructive nature of argument described by the author shows that theres a need for alternative ways of thinking.As such, he invented the 6 thinking hats method.In this method, we can use our capacity to think in a team to the fullest.The method is all about using parallel thinking.Parallel thinking can be explained by using this metaphor:
Four men are sent to four different sides of a building.one to the front, one to the back, and the other two at either sides. each of them would give a different description on how does the building looks like.and yes, each of their description is correct.different, but completely right.
In parallel thinking method, all the four men would be sent to each side of the building together at the same time.thus, in a particular time, all of them will be looking at the same part of the building, before all of them moving on to the other part.in the end, all of them would have seen all the four sides of the building and will come with an agreement with even better details.
As in the 6 thinking hats method, the 'hats' are:
Using the method, each people in a discussion group could only think according to the type of hat used in a particular moment.for instance, one can only think about the risk and drawbacks of a proposed suggestion when the black hat is in used. Nobody is allowed to tell their emotion, or propose possible benefits yet at that time. They can do that only when the associated hat is used.
As a consequence, people can use their thinking ability to the fullest.even if it is just to satisfy their ego or to show off.for at least they are doing it in a way that would benefit others as well.by giving as much points as they could in each 'hat' used. Also, this method would help people to focus in doing their thinking as it is suggested that human mind work better if it is focused on one thing only. for example to look for just pros.instead of both pros and cons simultaneously.
This method has been used by various big companies when they are doing their general meetings and has been proven to be very brilliant.
However, I personally think that it is also possible for the method to be used in other field, such as politics-Politics people have been using argument as their main way to achieve an agreement since mankind's first existence.
I wonder how the parliament would look like if they are to use this parallel thinking method to formulate policies for the betterment of the citizens...maybe then there would not be much of drama in the parliament.Even the lively Malaysian parliament will become very lame instead...........oh damn it.
I just finished reading a book with the title "the 6 thinking hats" written by edward de bono..It is only the second voluntarily-read, written-in-complete-english-sentence book that I have ever finish reading in my life..believe me, I am not exaggerating here.A novel titled "Kite Runner" by Khaled Hossainie is my first.of which took me about a year to finish it (eventhough it is a very awesome novel and i would recommend book lovers to read it).....apparently, me being a head librarian back in high school and my current status as a medical student do not make me much of a reader...
Anyway, I actually want to write a tad about this latest book that I just read.It might be quite a boring and long post, but this is just to refresh myself of what I have just read so that I wont forget the lessons that I got from the book easily.The author put forward a very appealing concept of thinking and ways of looking into certain issues.
It is described in the book that 'argument', which has been the main source of progression for Western countries until it reaches today's level, actually was never designed to be constructive. We can always argue to find a better solution for a problem. However, in an argument, theres always going to be one who wins and one who loses. And for those who lose, their ideas and opinion usually would be crushed completely, never to be heard or seen again.
People argue for many things.But in almost every argument, the main purpose is to satisfy one's ego.To satisfy the need of showing to others that we know more than them.To satisfy ones desire to win. We might not notice this as it is a very subtle feeling.As a result, even if we might come across of points that would support the opposition's stance, we would just keep silence and try really hard to think of other points or facts that would support ours instead.Indeed, the author himself acknowledged that there might actually exist a real need to satisfy our own ego.
That, and lots of other destructive nature of argument described by the author shows that theres a need for alternative ways of thinking.As such, he invented the 6 thinking hats method.In this method, we can use our capacity to think in a team to the fullest.The method is all about using parallel thinking.Parallel thinking can be explained by using this metaphor:
Four men are sent to four different sides of a building.one to the front, one to the back, and the other two at either sides. each of them would give a different description on how does the building looks like.and yes, each of their description is correct.different, but completely right.
In parallel thinking method, all the four men would be sent to each side of the building together at the same time.thus, in a particular time, all of them will be looking at the same part of the building, before all of them moving on to the other part.in the end, all of them would have seen all the four sides of the building and will come with an agreement with even better details.
As in the 6 thinking hats method, the 'hats' are:
Using the method, each people in a discussion group could only think according to the type of hat used in a particular moment.for instance, one can only think about the risk and drawbacks of a proposed suggestion when the black hat is in used. Nobody is allowed to tell their emotion, or propose possible benefits yet at that time. They can do that only when the associated hat is used.
As a consequence, people can use their thinking ability to the fullest.even if it is just to satisfy their ego or to show off.for at least they are doing it in a way that would benefit others as well.by giving as much points as they could in each 'hat' used. Also, this method would help people to focus in doing their thinking as it is suggested that human mind work better if it is focused on one thing only. for example to look for just pros.instead of both pros and cons simultaneously.
This method has been used by various big companies when they are doing their general meetings and has been proven to be very brilliant.
However, I personally think that it is also possible for the method to be used in other field, such as politics-Politics people have been using argument as their main way to achieve an agreement since mankind's first existence.
I wonder how the parliament would look like if they are to use this parallel thinking method to formulate policies for the betterment of the citizens...maybe then there would not be much of drama in the parliament.Even the lively Malaysian parliament will become very lame instead...........oh damn it.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Julia
Assalamualaikum...peace to all..
Tajuk post ini bukanlah merujuk pada mana2 perempuan.tp ianya merujuk kpd novel KOMSAS tingkatan 5 yg aku blaja masa kat skolah mnengah dulu (gambar).
watak utama novel ni, Julia, dikisahkan pergi blajar agama di sebuah madrasah kat Australia.
masa tu aku fikir perkara ini sgt ironi.kenapa perlu dia pergi mnuntut ilmu2 Islam di sbuah negara yg mana rakyatnya diklasifikasikn antara peminum alkohol paling tegar di dunia?bukan ke byk lg institusi yg mngajar ilmu2 mcm tu kt Malaysia?kalau nk blajar di luar negara pn, masih byk lg tmpat2 pengajian yg jauh lebih bagus dan lebih terkenal di timur tengah tu.
tp skarang aku dpt paham sikit ape faedah nya watak novel ini dceritakan sebegitu rupa.
mungkin dgn berada luar dr tmpat yg majoritinya Islam adalah cara yg baik untuk lebih mnghayati Islam itu sendiri..
mungkin dengan berada di luar kotak, barulah kita dpt melihat bagaimana rupa sebenar kotak itu..
apabila semua rakan2 kita minum arak sedangkn kita hanya meneguk coke atau jus buah.
apabila hanya kita yg masih teruna/dara dalam kelas kita,
apabila kita mnghabiskn masa berjam-jam mmeriksa kandungan makanan semasa membeli barang di pasar raya hanya utk memastikan ianya halal.
apabila kita terpaksa bersusah payah menjelaskn erti halal kepada rakan2 kita.
apabila tiada JAIS dan sbgainya utk mnangkap kita jika membuat perkara2 onar.
apabila kita cuba sedaya upaya utk mengamalkn ajaran Islam sedangkan rakan2 kita yg namanya 'Muhammad' tanpa segan silu minum dan makan bnda2 haram bersama2 rakan2 bkn Islam.
maka kita pasti akan mula terfikir, "kenapa aku buat apa yg aku sedang buat ni?"."betul ke ini adalah ape yg aku nak?".dan kesedaran seperti itu adalah sukar didapati melalui ajaran Islam di kebanyakan negara majoriti muslim yg mana prinsipnya ialah 'orang buat, kita ikut'.yg pnuntut hanya didedahkn kepada satu jenis pandangan sahaja tanpa diberi pluang menjenguk arus lain sekaligus tidak diberi pluang mmbuat justifikasi sndiri.
tetapi, justifikasi juga perlu didahului dengan ilmu.
dunia yg Julia lalui tu ibarat ombak besar yg mnuju ke pntai.kita boleh pilih sama ada nk merempuh ombak itu dgn badan kita lantas badan kita akan merasa sakit, atau cuba meluncur ombak itu dengan papan luncur dengan risiko jatuh dan ditelan ombak, ataupn hanya biarkn diri kita dibuai ombak itu dngan selesa....
Tajuk post ini bukanlah merujuk pada mana2 perempuan.tp ianya merujuk kpd novel KOMSAS tingkatan 5 yg aku blaja masa kat skolah mnengah dulu (gambar).
watak utama novel ni, Julia, dikisahkan pergi blajar agama di sebuah madrasah kat Australia.
masa tu aku fikir perkara ini sgt ironi.kenapa perlu dia pergi mnuntut ilmu2 Islam di sbuah negara yg mana rakyatnya diklasifikasikn antara peminum alkohol paling tegar di dunia?bukan ke byk lg institusi yg mngajar ilmu2 mcm tu kt Malaysia?kalau nk blajar di luar negara pn, masih byk lg tmpat2 pengajian yg jauh lebih bagus dan lebih terkenal di timur tengah tu.
tp skarang aku dpt paham sikit ape faedah nya watak novel ini dceritakan sebegitu rupa.
mungkin dgn berada luar dr tmpat yg majoritinya Islam adalah cara yg baik untuk lebih mnghayati Islam itu sendiri..
mungkin dengan berada di luar kotak, barulah kita dpt melihat bagaimana rupa sebenar kotak itu..
apabila semua rakan2 kita minum arak sedangkn kita hanya meneguk coke atau jus buah.
apabila hanya kita yg masih teruna/dara dalam kelas kita,
apabila kita mnghabiskn masa berjam-jam mmeriksa kandungan makanan semasa membeli barang di pasar raya hanya utk memastikan ianya halal.
apabila kita terpaksa bersusah payah menjelaskn erti halal kepada rakan2 kita.
apabila tiada JAIS dan sbgainya utk mnangkap kita jika membuat perkara2 onar.
apabila kita cuba sedaya upaya utk mengamalkn ajaran Islam sedangkan rakan2 kita yg namanya 'Muhammad' tanpa segan silu minum dan makan bnda2 haram bersama2 rakan2 bkn Islam.
maka kita pasti akan mula terfikir, "kenapa aku buat apa yg aku sedang buat ni?"."betul ke ini adalah ape yg aku nak?".dan kesedaran seperti itu adalah sukar didapati melalui ajaran Islam di kebanyakan negara majoriti muslim yg mana prinsipnya ialah 'orang buat, kita ikut'.yg pnuntut hanya didedahkn kepada satu jenis pandangan sahaja tanpa diberi pluang menjenguk arus lain sekaligus tidak diberi pluang mmbuat justifikasi sndiri.
tetapi, justifikasi juga perlu didahului dengan ilmu.
dunia yg Julia lalui tu ibarat ombak besar yg mnuju ke pntai.kita boleh pilih sama ada nk merempuh ombak itu dgn badan kita lantas badan kita akan merasa sakit, atau cuba meluncur ombak itu dengan papan luncur dengan risiko jatuh dan ditelan ombak, ataupn hanya biarkn diri kita dibuai ombak itu dngan selesa....
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
who the bloody hell am i?
assalamualaikum...peace to all...
"you are what people think you are."
I heard those quote from somewhere.It is very intriguing i reckon.as a response to the quote, I tried listing some of the words which other people have used to describe my character:
fat, tall, thin, muscular, genius, clever, stupid, moron, patient, impatient, has bad temper, mature, childish, handsome, hideous, cute,neat, selekeh, botak, buncit, shy, cheerful, introvert, talkative, quiet, funny, boring, strict, laid back, rude, polite, fucking asian, skema, cool, hot, nerd, geek, lazy, hardworking, disorganized, mindful, gopoh, ignorant, annoying, concerned, cheapskate, big spender, pervert, sinner, pious, naughty, macho, hypocrite, honest,......and the list goes on and on...
now i am getting more confused. what kind of person am I again?
"you are what people think you are."
I heard those quote from somewhere.It is very intriguing i reckon.as a response to the quote, I tried listing some of the words which other people have used to describe my character:
fat, tall, thin, muscular, genius, clever, stupid, moron, patient, impatient, has bad temper, mature, childish, handsome, hideous, cute,neat, selekeh, botak, buncit, shy, cheerful, introvert, talkative, quiet, funny, boring, strict, laid back, rude, polite, fucking asian, skema, cool, hot, nerd, geek, lazy, hardworking, disorganized, mindful, gopoh, ignorant, annoying, concerned, cheapskate, big spender, pervert, sinner, pious, naughty, macho, hypocrite, honest,......and the list goes on and on...
now i am getting more confused. what kind of person am I again?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
misunderstanding
assalamualaikum...peace to all...
"effort,doa, and tawakkal"
most of us would probably have heard these words millions of time.
"I've worked real hard.yet, i failed"
"how could he/she failed?he's/she's a genius"
"i've prayed to God a lot.how could He not approved my prayer?"
ever heard or used these sentences too?i bet you did.
So what's going on here?what we've done wrong?well, i personally think that we have got that tawakkal idea completely wrong.
Tawakkal does not belong to how much effort we did.it does not belong to how much capable we are.it also does not belong to just how qualified we think we are for that particular thing which we long for.
Tawakkal actually belongs to Allah.and it is only His.
Efforts and capabilities are just like tools for us to achieve something.but whether we achieved that particular thing or not, it is under His power.and only He owns the final outcomes of our efforts.
Then why do the efforts you asked? It's because that's the only thing that belong to us.even that, we only partially own it.
See just how weak we are?even if we have all the wealth,all the knowledge, all the 'otai'ness, or all the handsomeness in this world, we can only wish for that things will happen to our willing. you are indeed a powerless creature, human! even a loaded M16 in your hand would not make you look any stronger in this issue.
This post is just to remind myself. as i am a forgetful man. i mean,hardcore forgetful. an article by a senior reminded me again about this issue. and i hope it's also useful to whoever reading this post.
But, if you are an atheist, or a big fan of Darwin's theory of evolution,where everything happened due to mere coincidences, this post would be meaningless to you then.
"effort,doa, and tawakkal"
most of us would probably have heard these words millions of time.
"I've worked real hard.yet, i failed"
"how could he/she failed?he's/she's a genius"
"i've prayed to God a lot.how could He not approved my prayer?"
ever heard or used these sentences too?i bet you did.
So what's going on here?what we've done wrong?well, i personally think that we have got that tawakkal idea completely wrong.
Tawakkal does not belong to how much effort we did.it does not belong to how much capable we are.it also does not belong to just how qualified we think we are for that particular thing which we long for.
Tawakkal actually belongs to Allah.and it is only His.
Efforts and capabilities are just like tools for us to achieve something.but whether we achieved that particular thing or not, it is under His power.and only He owns the final outcomes of our efforts.
Then why do the efforts you asked? It's because that's the only thing that belong to us.even that, we only partially own it.
See just how weak we are?even if we have all the wealth,all the knowledge, all the 'otai'ness, or all the handsomeness in this world, we can only wish for that things will happen to our willing. you are indeed a powerless creature, human! even a loaded M16 in your hand would not make you look any stronger in this issue.
This post is just to remind myself. as i am a forgetful man. i mean,hardcore forgetful. an article by a senior reminded me again about this issue. and i hope it's also useful to whoever reading this post.
But, if you are an atheist, or a big fan of Darwin's theory of evolution,where everything happened due to mere coincidences, this post would be meaningless to you then.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
kahwin
assalamualaikum...peace to all..
"jangan mimpi la nak kahwin kalau subuh pun x boleh nak buat on time lg" (anonymous,n.d.)
uh.oh.
lambat lg la baru boleh kawen kalau cmtu.
"jangan mimpi la nak kahwin kalau subuh pun x boleh nak buat on time lg" (anonymous,n.d.)
uh.oh.
lambat lg la baru boleh kawen kalau cmtu.
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