Beautiful people

Silence … so it helps me to know these beautiful people
Silence … has introduced me to them
Silence … has taken me back to them like a prodigy child
Silence … has awaken me in the middle of the nights
Silence … has given me the faces of beautiful people
Beautiful people with white clothes
Loyal beautiful people
Caring beautiful people
They never get tired protecting me at night
They never get tired telling me things
They never get tired advising me
They never get tired embracing my head
They never get tired lay their warm hands on my shoulder
They never get tired caressing me
They are sad when I do not listen to them but they never shed a tear
They step aside and smile when I am happy
They never ignore me
I often ignore them
I often disregard what they say
I often leave them
They sit on my side
They still sit on my side
They still listen to me
They are full of love
They love me

Thank you

You are beautiful people.

Kau selalu ada …

Most-loved creatures

The creatures are crawling around me.
They are dancing in my head.
They are singing loudly.
They are smiling at me gently.
They are smart.
They mock me
They beat me up.
They break me.
They make me bow.
They make me low.
They make me cry
They make me smile.
They make me laugh.
They make me shy.
They are strong …. (Maybe)
They were created first.
They left me.
They were my most loved creatures.
They have painted my life with pink, red, blue and black.

Saving Banyusuci

The conditions are switched. She becomes her and shemale. And her becomes a part of she. Shemale becomes a part of she. She becomes naysayer and judge (like her). She tries to be right in anything she says (like shemale). She tries to be seen as smart analyst (like shemale). Her becomes she. Her starts to be fierce and always be opposite. Shemale starts to be in silent. Shemale started to be wiser in her own way and to her believe (like she). Shemale started to practice what she practices.

She never listens to herself anymore (like her). She never contemplates anymore (like her). Shemale started to go to those stages (like she). Her started to talk in strong voice and hatred eyes (like she). Shemale started to get emotional (like she).

She started to regret what she said. Her started to be confident to everything her said. Shemale is still ignorant. Shemale still tries to be nice and polite. She is still fragile. Her still smiles. She still cries. Shemale still cries. Her still cries.

She wants to be what she is. She wants to be alone as she was born alone and she will go to the Almighty alone. She needs to contemplate more and thinks before she speaks.

Her wants to be what her thinks is right. Her doesn’t realize that her’s trapped in her brain. Her still smiles with her’s lovely smile. Her’s still cheerful.

Shemale wants to be the wisest. Shemale thinks that what shemale decides is the best. Shemale is not happy.

Are they one?

Banyusuci needs to be saved.


Intisari dari kata-kata yang diucapkan dengan baik, adalah PEMAHAMAN
Intisari dari belajar dan memahami, adalah KONSENTRASI
Kebijaksanaan dan pengetahuan orang yang sembrono tidak akan bertambah maju!

(Sutta Nipata 329)

Saving Banyusuci

The conditions are switched. She becomes her and shemale. And her becomes a part of she. Shemale becomes a part of she. She becomes naysayer and judge (like her). She tries to be right in anything she says (like shemale). She tries to be seen as smart analyst (like shemale). Her becomes she. Her starts to be fierce and always be opposite. Shemale starts to be in silent. Shemale started to be wiser in her own way and to her believe (like she). Shemale started to practice what she practices.

She never listens to herself anymore (like her). She never contemplates anymore (like her). Shemale started to go to those stages (like she). Her started to talk in strong voice and hatred eyes (like she). Shemale started to get emotional (like she).

She started to regret what she said. Her started to be confident to everything her said. Shemale is still ignorant. Shemale still tries to be nice and polite. She is still fragile. Her still smiles. She still cries. Shemale still cries. Her still cries.

She wants to be what she is. She wants to be alone as she was born alone and she will go to the Almighty alone. She needs to contemplate more and thinks before she speaks.

Her wants to be what her thinks is right. Her doesn’t realize that her’s trapped in her brain. Her still smiles with her’s lovely smile. Her’s still cheerful.

Shemale wants to be the wisest. Shemale thinks that what shemale decides is the best. Shemale is not happy.

Are they one?

Banyusuci needs to be saved.


Intisari dari kata-kata yang diucapkan dengan baik, adalah PEMAHAMAN
Intisari dari belajar dan memahami, adalah KONSENTRASI
Kebijaksanaan dan pengetahuan orang yang sembrono tidak akan bertambah maju!

(Sutta Nipata 329)

Songs, Personality, Discrimination

I put a song and writing by Paring Waluyo Utomo about his research on Genjer – genjer on my blog the other day. Paring wrote how a traditional and people’s song was banned. Now, I want to talk about another song. I was listening to one song called Dealova sang by Once with Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra. I have heard this song around 4 months ago. I was not really paying any attention to this song. It came to my attention when a couple of my friends sang this song deeply and with their strong voice. Once could not attract me a lot compare to my friends. They sang it like it came from their hearts. They sang it right in front of my eyes with their vivid deep expression so that it thrilled me. Here are the lyrics:


DEALOVA

Aku ingin menjadi mimpi indah dalam tidurmu
Aku ingin menjadi sesuatu yang mungkin bisa kau rindu
Karena langkah merapuh tanpa dirimu
Karena hati tlah letih

Aku ingin menjadi sesuatu yang slalu bisa kau sentuh
Aku ingin kau tahu bahwa aku selalu memujamu
Tanpamu sepinya waktu merantai hati
Ooo .. bayangmu seakan akan

**
Kau seperti nyanyian dalam hatiku yang memanggil rinduku padamu
Seperti udara yang kuhela kau selalu ada

Hanya dirimu yang bisa membuatku tenang
Tanpa dirimu aku merasa hilang
Dan sepi
Dan sepi

**
**

Selalu ada
Kau selalu ada
Selalu ada
Kau selalu ada


Romantic? Yes, indeed

A little bit “dangdut”? Maybe.

But you should listen to it as one package. Try to read the lyrics but try to listen to it with its music.

So, I started to share this song to friends. The reactions were mostly the same. They said that it’s not a new song. They have heard this song like a million of times. Well, as the song is left by more people, I like the song more. I do not think that they have ever seen their friends singing this song from their hearts. I still can remember the expressions on their face, the love in their eyes and the deep desire in their hearts. I can feel what they felt. I can sense what they sensed.

The other reaction from my friend was when she asked me how the lyrics were. When I started to mention the lyrics, she just interrupted me and said, “it’s not so you, Diyah”. She even put the icon of feeling sick to describe how she felt imagining me saying (singing) that song. She did not think that the song suited me.

Well, I guess your personality tells what you are listening to. I guess you are forced to stick on the type of songs that suit your personality. If you are strong and fierce than you only listen to rock music, punks, hardcore, etc, etc. If you are melancholic and soft-spoken then you listen to soft music, pop, orchestra, opera, etc, etc. it reminded me when I was still working in North Maluku. We had a driver named Donal and we call him Om Onal. He’s younger than me and fun to be with especially when it came to getting the local drink … he he he he. I might be wrong but I think he’s a bit fierce. He could just come to a person with a blade if he’s mad with someone. He often told me stories of how naughty, brutal and fierce he was. Some people even looked at him with one eye because of the reputation that he had. A mummy even did not allow her son to go with him. A price to pay to what you have done Om Onal.

One day, we drove up to a harbour that was like 3 hours away from our field office. He was singing to songs while he’s driving to kill time. The songs were slow toned, romantic and melancholic. So, I said, “hey, the songs aren’t so you, Om Onal”. He easily said, “I need something to calm me down. If I listen to rock music, I might end up killing people.” Well, I guess it’s a payback to me to what I have said to Om Onal. I was reacting oddly to my friend’s statement. I was just saying, “Does music choose whom should listen to them?”
It’s people who differentiate who should listen to what kind of music. “

In other words, “does one type of music discriminate whom should listen to them?”

Maybe, it’s what someone said about being consistent. Why should I be consistent when they consistently judge and discriminate annoyingly?

genjer genjer

Even a song can be a victim of ambition for powers, positions and long-lasting rulings.

Genjer-genjer(Genjer-genjer)
Di pematang, berserakan (nong kedok-an pating keleler)
2X

Ibunya anak-anak, datang-datang (Emak-e tole,teko-teko)
Mencabuti genjer (mBubuti genjer)
2X

Dapat sebakul (oleh sak tenong)
Lalu ngeloyor pergi (mungkor sedot)
Dapat yang kecil-kecil (seng tole-tole)

Genjer-genjer (genjer-genjer)
Sekarang sudah dibawa pulang (saiki wis digowo muleh)

Intro...

Genjer-genjer (Genjer-genjer)
Pagi-pagi dijual di pasar (isuk-isuk didol ning pasar)
2X

Dibariskan, diikat dan semua digelar
(dijejer-jejer,diuntingi, podo didasar)
2X

Ibunya Jebreng (emak-e Jebreng)
pada beli membawa belasan ikat (
podo tuku nggowowelasan)

Genjer-genjer sekarang siap diolah (genjer-genjer saiki wis arep diolah)

taken from http://akuluka.multiply.com/music

[Jaker] Genjer-genjer dan Stigmatisasi Komunis (esei PARING WALUYO UTOMO)
heri latiefMon, 11 Jul 2005 14:51:13 -0700

Genjer-genjer dan Stigmatisasi Komunis
Oleh PARING WALUYO UTOMO

Genjer-genjer mlebu kendil wedange gemulak
Setengah mateng dientas yong dienggo iwak
Sego nong piring sambel jeruk ring ngaben
Genjer-genjer dipangan musuhe sego

Sebelum pendudukan tentara Jepang pada tahun 1942, wilayah Kabupaten Banyuwangi termasuk wilayah yang secara ekonomi tak kekurangan. Apalagi ditunjang dengan kondisi alamnya yang subur. Namun saat pendudukan Jepang di Hindia Belanda pada tahun 1942, kondisi Banyuwangi sebagai wilayah yang surplus makanan berubah sebaliknya. Karena begitu kurangnya bahan makanan, sampai-sampai masyarakat harus mengolah daun genjer (limnocharis flava) di sungai yang sebelumnya oleh masyarakat dianggap sebagai tanaman pengganggu.

Situasi sosial semacam itulah yang menjadi inspirasi bagi Muhammad Arief, seorang seniman Banyuwangi kala itu untuk menciptakan lagu genjer-genjer. Digambar oleh M Arif bahwa akibat kolonialisasi, masyarakat Banyuwangi hidup dalam kondisi kemiskinan yang luar biasa sehingga harus makan daum genjer. Kisah itu tampak dalam sebait lagu genjer-genjer di atas.Seiring dengan perkembangan waktu dan Indonesia mencapai kemerdekaan, Muhammad Arief sebagai pencipta lagu genjer-genjer bergabung dengan Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat (Lekra) yang memiliki hubungan ideologis dengan Partai Komunis Indonesia. Maka lagu ini pun segera menjadi lagu popular pada masa itu, bahkan dalam pernyataannya kepada penulis, Haji Andang CY seniman sekaligus teman akrab M Arief di Lekra serta Hasnan Singodimayan, sesepuh seniman Banyuwangi menyebutkan bahwa lagu genjer-genjer menjadi lagu populer di era tahun 1960-an, di mana Bing Slamet dan Lilis Suryani penyanyi beken waktu itu juga gemar menyanyikannya dan sempat masuk piringan hitam.

Kedekatan lagu genjer-genjer dengan tokoh-tokoh Lekra dan komunis memang tak dapat dipungkiri. Bahkan dalam sebuah perjalanan menuju Denpasar, Bali pada tahun 1962, Njoto seorang seniman Lekra dan juga tokoh PKI sangat kesengsem dengan lagu genjer-genjer. Waktu itu Njoto memang singgah di Banyuwangi dan oleh seniman Lekra diberikan suguhan lagu genjer-genjer. Tatkala mendengarkan lagu genjer-genjer itu, naluri musikalitas Njoto segera berbicara. Ia segera memprediksikan bahwa lagu genjer-genjer akan segera meluas dan menjadi lagu nasional. Ucapan Njoto segera menjadi kenyataan, tatkala lagu genjer-genjer menjadi lagu hits yang berulang kali ditayangkan oleh TVRI dan diputar di RRI (Lihat Jurnal Srinthil Vol. 3 tahun 2003).

Fobia Genjer-genjer

Entah apa yang salah dengan genjer-genjer sebagai sebuah produk kebudayaan? Selepas PKI dan orang-orang PKI, berikut anak cucunya dihancurkan oleh Orde Baru, tak terkecuali pula lagu genjer-genjer yang sebenarnya adalah lagu yang menggambarkan potret masyarakat pada zaman pendudukan Jepang. Mungkin steriotype lagu genjer-genjer menjadi lagu komunis dan patut dihancurkan muncul atas beberapa faktor. Pertama, sejak awal lagu ini berkembang dan dikreasi oleh kalangan komunis dan dikembangkan oleh kalangan komunis pula.

Walaupun pada perkembangannya pada era tahun 1960-an lagu ini tidak hanya digemari oleh kalangan komunis, tetapi juga masyarakat secara luas. Namun Orde Baru menerapkan politik bumi hangus, maka seluruh produk apa pun yang dilahirkan oleh orang-orang komunis haram hukumnya dan patut dihabisi. Kedua, ketika peristiwa G 30 S tahun 1965 terjadi, Harian KAMI (Kesatuan Aksi Mahasiswa Indonesia) mempelesetkan genjer-genjer menjadi jenderal-jenderal. Dalam catatan pribadinya Hasan Singodimayan, seniman HSBI dan teman akrab M Arief menuliskan bahwa lagu "Genjer-genjer" telah dipelesetkan. Jendral Jendral Nyang ibukota pating kelelerEmake Gerwani, teko teko nyuliki jendralOleh sak truk, mungkir sedot sing toleh-tolehJendral Jendral saiki wes dicekeliJendral Jendral isuk-isuk pada disiksaDijejer ditaleni dan dipelosoroEmake Gerwani, teko kabeh milu ngersoyoJendral Jendral maju terus dipateniAkibat penulisan lagu "Genjer-genjer" menjadi jenderal-jenderal, maka kian kuatlah alasan Orde Baru untuk membumihanguskan lagu ini. Pada perkembangannya, siapa pun yang tetap menyanyikan lagu ini akan ditangkap oleh aparat keamanan, tentu dengan tuduhan komunis. Karena larangan menyanyikan lagu genjer-genjer, maka beberapa seniman gandrung di Banyuwangi juga dilarang untuk menyanyikan lagu genjer-genjer, dan beberapa lagu dan gendhing yang memompa kesadaran politik massa rakyat.

Para seniman gaek pada masa itu seperti Hasnan Singodimayan, dan Haji Andang CY juga merasa heran dengan munculnya lirik lagu genjer-genjer yang sedemikian mendeskreditkan petinggi-petinggi militer waktu itu. Namun apalah kuasa orang-orang lemah waktu itu. Sudah jatuh tertimpa tangga pula, mungkin itulah ungkapan yang patut untuk menggambarkan kondisi seniman-seniman rakyat yang kebanyakan berafiliasi dengan Lekra. Jangankan mengoreksi lagu genjer-genjer, menyelamatkan diri mereka saja susah.

Rehabilitasi Kultural

Kini kita telah memasuki babakan politik baru, sebuah babakan politik yang digadang-gandang akan menarasikan kebebasan. Konsep kebebasan menjadi pilar penting bagi episode kehidupan yang bertemakan demokrasi. Kalau memang saat ini kita bersungguh-sungguh membuat tema kehidupan tentang demokrasi, maka ada hal-hal penting yang menurut hemat penulis diperhatikan, khususnya yang menyangkut politik-kebudayaan.

Pertama, alam demokrasi harus memberikan tempat yang setara bagi segenap kalangan, tanpa memandang latar belakang kultural, agama, dan politik. Konsekuensinya, seluruh produk kebudayaan apa pun bentuknya diperkenankan tampil kembali menghiasai ruang publik, dan diserahkan kepada pasar politik untuk memberikan penilaian. Itu artinya, produk-produk kebudayaan yang pada masa lalu dikambinghitamkan tanpa argumentasi mestinya diberikan ruang pemulihan kembali untuk tampil mengisi khazanah kebudayaan Indonesia. Sebagai contoh yang paling nyata adalah kesenian genjer-genjer.

Kedua, negara melalui otoritas regulasinya semata-mata diletakkan sebagai fasilitator yang menaungi seluruh produk kebudayaan yang muncul dan dikembangbiakkan oleh rakyat. Regulasi negara tidak lagi menjadi mesin pemangkas yang setiap saat menghabisi produk-produk kesenian rakyat. Dalam rangka sebagai fasilitator itu, negara selayaknya menaruh jarak yang sama dengan semua produk kebudayaan rakyat.

Penulis adalah Direktur Pusat Studi dan Pengembangan Kebudayaan (Puspek) Averroes, Malang.

http://www.sinarharapan.co.id/hiburan/budaya/2005/0423/bud2.html

taken from http://www.mail-archive.com/jaker@yahoogroups.com/msg00624.html

Born with wrong body

I have been working in children issues for more than 2 years now. I have been dealing a lot with Child Rights, Child Protection Policy and Laws. There are 4 major points in the child rights, those are child right for survival to live, child right to grow and develop, child right for protection and the last but not the least is child right to participate.

I would like to highlight two articles in Indonesian Child Protection Law No. 23 year 2002.

Pasal 10 (Article 10)

Setiap anak berhak menyatakan dan didengar pendapatnya, menerima, mencari, dan memberikan informasi sesuai dengan tingkat kecerdasan dan usianya demi pengembangan dirinya sesuai dengan nilai-nilai kesusilaan dan kepatutan.

This article corresponds to the Convention on the Rights of the Child article 12 verse 1:

“State Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child”


Pasal 11 (Article 11)

Setiap anak berhak untuk beristirahat dan memanfaatkan waktu luang, bergaul dengan anak yang sebaya, bermain, berekreasi, dan berkreasi sesuai dengan minat, bakat, dan tingkat kecerdasannya demi pengembangan diri.

This article corresponds to the Convention on the Rights of the Child article 31 verse 1

“State parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”

And article 29 verse 1 (a)

1. “State Parties agree that education of the child shall be directed to: (a) the development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential;

Now, you might be wondering of what I am trying to do here. OK, I focused my mind this morning on child right to express his or her views and child rights to develop based on their mental.

This idea came when I watched Oprah Show this morning at 0800 A.M in Star World Channel. The title was born with the wrong sex. So, there are a couple of children who think that they were born in the wrong body. One of the children was born as a girl. As we all know usually girls play with dolls, wear skirts and play with girls. This girl hardly ever did such things. She (he) has been thinking that she (he) was born in the wrong body and started to think of changing her (his) sex. I will now call her as him though I am not sure whether he has changed her sex since I did not finish watching the show.

The other child was born a boy. He keeps saying that he wants to have boops and be like his mummy. I think he’s about 5 or 6 years old (as shown at first in the show). I do not know if he’s now grown up or not. Yet, there is a consultation for this transsexual thing in America. They provide consultants for people thinking or maybe realizing that they were born with the wrong sex.

This might not be a big issue, but what about the parents who have children with this thinking?

What makes these children think that they’re born with wrong sex?

Combined Opposites

I was in Medan for the weekend to meet my wonderful friends who are working for a humanitarian organization which I was working for. We spent the weekend just to be together. We had lunch together, took pictures, and went for a karaoke and clubbing. The next day, we decided to cool down for some so called beauty treatment. My friends went for facial while I went for a body scrub.

I was asked what kind of body mask that I would like to have and I chose full detox. There were three choices and the other two had something to do with whitening which I try so hard to avoid. So, I only had one choice and that was full detox. The woman that took care of me was a bit thin and so soft speaking person. So, I changed into proper clothing that they have prepared for the “ritual”. At first, she asked me to get into a sauna machine before the scrubbing.

So, when it came to the body scrubbing, I was so surprised finding out that this little and soft speaking woman scrub me so well with strong yet gentle and rhythmic movements. In addition to that, I was so soothed with the slow-melodious Sarah Brightman singing and the aromatherapy. More surprisingly, she still could talk to me with her soft and gentle voices. Her tunes of her voice did not change while scrubbing and talking to me in the same time. She worked thoroughly for around an hour of scrubbing. It was strong yet gentle. I could feel the combinations so clearly and so awakening. Then, she asked me to bathe and changed with clean outfits that they have prepared as well.

After I changed then came the massage. Once again, I enjoyed the strong and gentle hands of this small woman. It took another hour for me to enjoy. After the massage, came to the core treatment and that was the detox process. The whole process took approximately 4 hours. I even fell asleep for one or two times. I forgot all of my worries and why I came here. What I remember was the soothing massage, the aromatherapy, Sarah Brightman and the soft and gentle voice of the small lady.

I hardly ever give tips when I came to Salon or restaurants, but since I was so satisfied I decided to give tips to this small lady. It came to my surprise that there’s a sign on the door saying “NO TIPS PLEASE”. Well, well, I guess I have found out a beauty treatment place where I can be darn satisfied without worrying of giving tips.

I have been annoyed actually with this western custom. Because the night we were karakoeing, there was a staff who came into our karaoke room bringing some small warm towels for us. When we’re finished cleaning our hands with the towels, he kept standing there doing nothing. We found out that he was waiting for the tip. In fact, the service that they gave was not like so satisfactory. It was just OK. Nothing’s special about their service. I do not really understand this. Some people can be very clever in doing business; some people are just messing with the customers. I know that I had to spend like 250 thousands for the body scrub, but it’s worthed because I spent 4 hours in there with the services and the full care from the salon staff. The karaoke took around 2 hours and we had to be charged for more than 10,000 just for a bottle of aqua and the room fee itself. It was almost a million for me to be two hours in the karaoke room.

Well, everything has to be paid. If you desire to go karaoke, then pay based on the rate.

I do not really bother about the amount of money but do you get satisfactory?

It’s all about the service and tipping sh*t.

Songs for those who are (really) in love

Hi friend, how have you been? You look so sad, exhausted and tired.
Why? Have you tried to listen to yourself?
Have you tried to listen to what your heart says?
Is it really love that you’re feeling?
Or it’s merely luct?
Do not hurt yourself, will you?
Do not ignore your heart. It’s your best and most loyal companion in any seasons, in any time and in any life.
Yes, we need to be logical, indeed. But not everything can be solved logically. Anyway, let me give you these songs for you. Hope the words sooth you, give you strength and calm you.


Tell him
Sang by: Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand

I'm scared
So afraid to show I care
Will he think me weak
If I tremble when I speak
Oooh - what if
There's another one he's thinking of
Maybe he's in love
I'd feel like a fool
Life can be so cruel
I don't know what to do

I've been there
With my heart out in my hand
But what you must understand
You can't let the chance
To love him pass you by

Should I

Tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes
Reach out to him
And whisper
Tender words so soft and sweet
Hold him close to feel his heart beat
Love will be the gift you give yourself

Touch him
With the gentleness you feel inside
Your love can't be denied
The truth will set you free
You'll have what's mean to be
All in time you'll see

I love him
Of that much I can be sure
I don't think I could endure
If I let him walk away
When I have so much to say

I'll

Love is light that surely glows
In the hearts of those who know
It's a steady flame that grows
Feed the fire with all the passion you can show
Tonight love will assume its place
This memory time cannot erase
Blind faith will lead love where it has to go

Never let him go


WHEN YOU BELIEVE
Sang by: Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey

Many nights we pray
With no proof anyone could hear
And our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understand
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we know we could

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who know what miracle
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
And now I am standing here
My heart's so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who know what miracle
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fear
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see you way safe through the rain
Thought of a still resilient voice
Says love is very near

There can be miracles (miracles)
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who know what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe
You will when you believe
You will when you believe
Just believe
You will when you believe

Naysayers and Judges of the World

“Your educational and or background affected the way you think, react, behave and talk” (RM)

People with teacher training background will make everything in order and plan things step by step. They write the syllabus. They write the lesson plans. They teach people about things. They lecture people. Sometimes, they talk a lot and more often, too much. “People with psychology background will think that they know everything about other people. They think that their analysis towards someone will always be correct and right to the point just looking at the way others react, dress, and talk. There's an old saying "Psychology for you". There has never been psychology for myself. It's always about someone else, others and them. It's never about me, myself and I. “(quoted from some friends)

“People with anthropology background think that we should see people from its culture, background and take them for granted.” (Quoted from a friend) They think that people always have reasons in doing things. They are more analytical. They are a bit more permissive for everything including what they want and desire at any time. In my understanding, I could say that people with this background tend to have no-rules-life since there are always reasons. What about people with community development background?

These people will always involve others in deciding things. Take others to a discussion to find out what’s best. There are always meetings even to find out how to start, how the process is, how the monitoring and evaluation system is and also how to make sure there are lessons learned and how to improve them. There are discussions before they start, discussions as the process moves, discussions when the activities are over and discussions to plan for the lessons learned. They facilitate people to go forward, they are more like motivator, and they also sometimes direct people to some directions based on what the project mandate is. They are sometimes found to be provocateur or “dalang” behind what’s going on.

This one might be a sensitive issue, but what about people with religious background?

Hmmm ….

These people are very loyal to what they believe. They hold tight what they believe. They are certain, strict, tough and they seem to know where to go after death. They are, for me, full of borders, restrictions and rules. There is always to love when there is hate. There is always goodness when there is evil. There is always honesty when there are lies.

So, is your educational and or background is your religion? Or your religion is your educational and or background?

Hey, I am just a naysayer and a judgemental person.

Like you all are.

Munggah Gunung

Naik naik ke puncak gunung
Tinggi tinggi sekali
Kiri kanan kulihat saja
Banyak pohon cemara

I am sure that you have ever heard this song, especially for Indonesian. It is a very common song for kindergarten or elementary school students. It’s like an anthem.

Now, I started with that song because suddenly I remember when I used to go hiking to some mountains in Java. I was not so great. I was not “Macan Gunung”. I was just fine. I did sometimes complain during the walks, I fell once or so, I shivered terribly because of the cold, and I even was carried by a friend because I could not walk anymore. I went to Sumbing at first. It was very tough for an amateur mountain hiker like me. Yet, it did not make me hold myself to have a try to another mountain. So I went to Sindoro, Lawu and Merbabu. I just reached Sumbing’s and Lawu’s top. I never made it for Sindoro and Merbabu. I do not know why, maybe I am too weak and not patient enough to reach to the top. The only reason for me to go hiking again and again was just to have another climate, another view and another rare feeling.

It was the feeling of being grateful to be created into this world, the feeling of being able to see down below, the feeling of being small and nothing, the striking touch of the cold at night sleeping under sleeping bag and to feel the heat when we went down from dawn to afternoon on the back of your neck.

Just like in the song, a long the way you could see what’s on the side, and down after you. There were so many things that you could see; the stars above you, the lights from the cities and another mountain across. At dawn, you could see the sun rise, the green trees, and the fields down before you, the narrow path, the cliffs and the shadows of the clouds. How grateful it was to feel the sun ray on your face and the fresh chilling air into your body. They’re so soothing and awakening. Then there we went again and again. We knew which part was difficult. We knew which part had perfect views. We knew which area was the best one to put up a tent. There are no surprises anymore. Things are just usual and plain now.

I hardly can see those figures. I hardly can hear sounds of the earth and heaven. I hardly can feel a thing. Feeling like you’re flying up to the sky to see more yet your feet are rooted on the ground.

Have I come to the point?

It is unexpectedly expected.

Help me up, G!

Dhammapada XVII

CHAPTER XVII.

ANGER.

221. Let a man leave anger, let him forsake pride, let him overcome all bondage! No sufferings befall the man who is not attached to name and form, and who calls nothing his own.

222. He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver; other people are but holding the reins.

223. Let a man overcome anger by love, let him overcome evil by good; let him overcome the greedy by liberality, the liar by truth!

224. Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

225. The sages who injure nobody, and who always control their body, they will go to the unchangeable place (Nirvâna), where, if they have gone, they will suffer no more.

226. Those who are ever watchful, who study day and night, and who strive after Nirvâna, their passions will come to an end.

227. This is an old saying, O Atula, this is not only of to-day: 'They blame him who sits silent, they blame him who speaks much, they also blame him who says little; there is no one on earth who is not blamed.'

228. There never was, there never will be, nor is there now, a man who is always blamed, or a man who is always praised.

229., 230. But he whom those who discriminate praise continually day after day, as without blemish, wise, rich in knowledge and virtue, who would dare to blame him, like a coin made of gold from the Gambû river? Even the gods praise him, he is praised even by Brahman.

231. Beware of bodily anger, and control thy body! Leave the sins of the body, and with thy body practise virtue!

232. Beware of the anger of the tongue, and control thy tongue! Leave the sins of the tongue, and practise virtue with thy tongue!

233. Beware of the anger of the mind, and control thy mind! Leave the sins of the mind, and practise virtue with thy mind!

234. The wise who control their body, who control their tongue, the wise who control their mind, are indeed well controlled.

APAKAH TUHAN MENCIPTAKAN KEJAHATAN? (Kisah Nyata)

Apakah Tuhan menciptakan segala yang ada? Apakah kejahatan itu ada?
Apakah Tuhan menciptakan kejahatan? Seorang Profesor dari sebuah universitas terkenal menantang mahasiswa-mahasiswanya dengan pertanyaan ini, "Apakah Tuhan menciptakan segala yang ada?".

Seorang mahasiswa dengan berani menjawab, "Betul, Dia yang menciptakan semuanya".

"Tuhan menciptakan semuanya?" Tanya professor sekali lagi.

"Ya, Pak, semuanya" kata mahasiswa tersebut.

Profesor itu menjawab, "Jika Tuhan menciptakan segalanya, berarti Tuhan menciptakan Kejahatan. Karena kejahatan itu ada, dan menurut prinsip kita bahwa pekerjaan kita menjelaskan siapa kita, jadi kita bisa berasumsi bahwa Tuhan itu adalah kejahatan."


Mahasiswa itu terdiam dan tidak bisa menjawab hipotesis professor tersebut. Profesor itu merasa menang dan menyombongkan diri bahwa sekali lagi dia telah membuktikan kalau agama itu adalah sebuah mitos.

Mahasiswa lain mengangkat tangan dan berkata, "Profesor, boleh saya bertanya sesuatu?"

"Tentu saja," jawab si Profesor

Mahasiswa itu berdiri dan bertanya, "Profesor, apakah dingin itu ada?"

"Pertanyaan macam apa itu? Tentu saja dingin itu ada. Kamu tidak pernah sakit flu?" Tanya si professor diiringi tawa mahasiswa lainnya.

Mahasiswa itu menjawab, "Kenyataannya, Pak, dingin itu tidak ada. Menurut hukum fisika, yang kita anggap dingin itu adalah ketiadaan panas. Suhu -460F adalah ketiadaan panas sama sekali. Dan semua partikel menjadi diam dan tidak bisa bereaksi pada suhu tersebut. Kita menciptakan kata dingin untuk mendeskripsikan ketiadaan panas.

Mahasiswa itu melanjutkan, "Profesor, apakah gelap itu ada?"

Profesor itu menjawab, "Tentu saja itu ada."

Mahasiswa itu menjawab, "Sekali lagi anda salah, Pak. Gelap itu juga tidak ada. Gelap adalah keadaan dimana tidak ada cahaya. Cahaya bisa kita pelajari, gelap tidak. Kita bisa enggunakan prisma Newton untuk memecahkan cahaya menjadi beberapa warna dan mempelajari berbagai panjang gelombang setiap warna. Tapi Anda tidak bisa mengukur gelap. Seberapa gelap suatu ruangan diukur dengan berapa intensitas cahaya di ruangan tersebut. Kata gelap dipakai manusia untuk mendeskripsikan ketiadaan cahaya."

Akhirnya mahasiswa itu bertanya, "Profesor, apakah kejahatan itu ada?"

Dengan bimbang professor itu menjawab, "Tentu saja, seperti yang telah kukatakan sebelumnya. Kita melihat setiap hari di Koran dan TV. Banyak perkara kriminal dan kekerasan di antara manusia. Perkara-perkara tersebut adalah manifestasi dari kejahatan."

Terhadap pernyataan ini mahasiswa itu menjawab, "Sekali lagi Anda salah, Pak. Kejahatan itu tidak ada. Kejahatan adalah ketiadaan Tuhan. Seperti dingin atau gelap, kejahatan adalah kata yang dipakai manusia untuk mendeskripsikan ketiadaan Tuhan. Tuhan tidak menciptakan kejahatan. Kejahatan adalah hasil dari tidak adanya kasih Tuhan dihati manusia. Seperti dingin yang timbul dari ketiadaan panas dan gelap yang timbul dari ketiadaan cahaya."

Profesor itu terdiam.

Nama mahasiswa itu adalah Albert Einstein.

Thanks to Mbak Shinta Hapsarinetra who has emailed this inspiring story to me.