How I became a Baha'i

Everyone has his or her unique story…

I always tell people it was a chance encounter. I was reading the book Business Stripped Bare by Richard Branson and one of the short stories talked about the SOHO founder, Zhang Xin. Being in the property line, I was curious to know more about this lady tycoon. I googled her profile and found out that she’s graduated with a Master’s degree from Cambridge and worked in Goldman Sachs before quitting her job to found SOHO in China. Towards the end of her biodata, it spells, “Zhang Xin and her husband, Pan Shiyi, have been members of the Baha’i Faith since 2005.”

I was intrigued. What is this Baha’i Faith which I have never heard of?  So next, I googled Baha’i Faith and learnt that the founder, Baha’u’llah teaches that God is one, Religion is one and mankind is one. There are many principles that the Baha’is uphold such as equality of man and woman, science and religion must go hand in hand and universal language etc. I have always believed in these principles as the way of life and got very excited that such a religion exists.

After that, I googled Baha’i Malaysia to see if this Faith is in my country. Lo and behold, the national centre is just situated near Old Klang Road. The day after, I dropped by the centre and met with Uncle Sinna who was then a National Spiritual Assembly member. He expounded the Faith more and introduced me to a family in the immediate neighbourhood where I was staying. I began to study more about the Faith and the Baha’i community and the rest is history…

What a coincidence right? From a business book to a new found religion. What I seldom tell people is before I came across the Baha’i Faith, I have been praying to God. I was a free thinker in the sense that I believe every religion intends to promote good. You can also call me agnostic because I believe that God may or may not exist but since we cannot prove it, why worry about it. Though, based on my little logic;

1.      If energy cannot be created or destroyed, then where do all the matter and energies in the universe come from?

2.      If we look at the sun, the stars and the planets, everything is in order, one is orbiting another.

3.      If we look at the Earth and its fragile ecosystem, it’s hard to imagine how random energy which forms random masses (atoms and molecules) can lead to life on Earth as we know today.

I think the probably of a higher intelligent Being created the universe and the Earth is much higher than the universe and the Earth to form on its own. After all, human beings can program the whole universe and the Earth using a super computer. So why can’t we be a product of a creator called God? So, I prayed to God. I prayed for God to lead me to Him and to lead me to the right path.

To share a bit of a background: When I started the real estate business, things were tough. On top of that, there were many temptations for vice activities and corruptions. I didn't want to fall into the abyss and hence I prayed even though I didn't have a religion. I prayed because logically it was win-win. If God exists, I’m sure He would answer my prayer but if He doesn't, it would be auto-suggestion to my sub-conscious mind to walk the right path.

The Baha’i Faith came to me in a manner I was more receptive in. I’m the kind of person that;

If you tell me, I would listen but I may not believe you;

If you show me, I would observe but I may not follow;

But if it was “self-discovery”, it’s a completely different story.

So friends, is it a chance encounter or a prayer answered?

My first home part 2

On Nov 20th, I paid for my my first house. It was quite a drama as I almost couldn't get my bank loan to finance the purchase.

Right on the deadline when I had decided to cancel the purchase, the Uob banker called me and said my application will be perfectly fine. I trusted her and withdrawn my cancellation. I proceeded with the deal and considered the last resort of financing the purchase by cash.

The next day, my loan was approved and everything went smoothly after that. Today, I took vacant possession of the house. There seem to have quite a bit of reno to be done. I'm not quite prepared for it but what that had got to be done, has got to be done.

I an grateful of everything that has happened to me.

Gaming and I

I cannot play game. When I play game, I simply cannot stop until I stop completely. In fact, I will think about the game all day long, often more than anything else.

I kept telling myself that this is not spiritual at all. I am being absent minded. However, I tend to get pretty competitive when it comes to games. If only, I can transfer the passion in gaming to activities which are more beneficial to mankind...

Fasting Month

The Baha'is fast for 19 days in March before celebrating the New Year, Nawruz, when the sun is right at the equinoxes. Usually, that falls on the 21st March. The fasting time is from sunrise to sunset.

I have been enjoying fasting month this year because there are many open houses by the friends. I believe I have been overeating during breaking of fast. I feel healthier too as I observe my eating and drinking time properly.

Other than the spiritual benefits, there are also many physical benefits of fasting. When the body is starved of food, it starts to burn fat so that it can make energy. This can lead to weight loss. However, if you fast for too long your body will eventually start breaking down muscle protein for energy, which is unhealthy.

There are many other benefits of fasting. You can easily google it online. I’m too lazy to read the articles now.

A traffic jam rant

I would have been very grateful and thankful if Malaysia is a safe and secure country. Unfortunately, the crime rate has been troublesome and worrisome.

So, I'm really pissed when I'm stuck in the traffic jam on the North South highway and the police are catching the motorist who used the emergency lane. Shouldn't the police be directing the cars to ease traffic instead?

I typed the above when during the traffic jam about a week ago. Now that my head has cooled down, I really want to be thankful for everyone who has offered their service to maintain the peace in the country. I wish that there’s more I could do help the situation but the situation looks pretty grim.


I do hope that one of my children will join the police force and restore the confidence towards the authority. We all need to remember that our purpose in life is to serve mankind.

Lesson I learnt

My life can be divided to a few major phases; childhood, college, university and the present.

My time in Taylor’s college was the worst. People gained freedom after leaving their homes and losing their parents’ 24/7 supervision. But me? I lost freedom after leaving my home. Before, I could go anywhere I wanted. I could hang out with anyone I wanted. I could do anything I wanted. In college, I couldn’t go anywhere and do much. i had no transport and no money. I kept living in the good ol’ days and didn’t realize the friends in college are some of the best people I have ever met. There were only 6 boys in my class and the rest were chicks. Looking back, I could have done so much more. Lesson learnt; live in the present, not in the past.

Shortly after college, I flew to one of the most vibrant metropolitan in the world, London. Life was more enjoyable as there were a lot more to do. However, I knew my time there was limited and I would return to Malaysia. I ended up hanging out with our fellow Malaysians mostly. I did not make any special relationships for fearing the short future. 4 years in London and I cannot recall any sweet, impactful and memorable memory. Looking back, I could have achieved so much more. Lesson learnt; live in the present, not in the future.

Working life started after returning to Malaysia. Guess what? Life only gets more challenging. There are traffic jams to brave every day, humongous credit card bills at your door step every month and we are not getting younger every year. However, I have learnt to live in the present. I do the things my heart leads me to. I quit the corporate to be an entrepreneur. I give and share my time and energy to build a closer and happier community. Yes, the future is uncertain but I’m 100% sure I will not wake up tomorrow regretting the things I didn’t do today. A friend, Wai Lek asked if I have found true joy. I said I don’t know if its true joy but I have found joy I have never known. There are so many more wonderful things I wish to share with you all here but there is so little time. I can only sum it to one lesson learnt; live in the present, not in the past or in the future.

We cannot change the past. Why cry over spilt milk? We cannot know what the future behold, why worry when we might not have tomorrow? Friends, what we have is today, you and me and our loved ones. Cherish what we have, do what matter most and tell the people we love, we love them. Live life to the fullest, life the present. 

Besting oneself

Since I stopped running, my energy level has dropped significantly. Exercise is so important and yet, like many others, I can't get my ass up and make my body sweat.

Completing marathons some time back ago seem like such a miracle to achieve today. I definitely have taken the goals I set for myself for granted. Perhaps life has gotten too comfortable but being able to continue besting oneself is how we progress ourselves.

The better half

It all started from a chance meeting. A meeting which I should have missed. Fate had it that I managed to join the study circle 30 minutes before it ended. There, I met her for the first time.

I wondered if I would meet her again as she was visiting from another country. She added me as fb friend upon returning to Jakarta. I thanked her for adding as friend and swift as the blinking of an eye, we chat like best friends from childhood since then.

Everything feels so right. I supplicate for confirmation.

Ushering 2015

Looking back the past 2 months, I have not been achieving much. I have gotten much lazier and not following my goals. On top of that, my 2015 resolution has long overdue. Perhaps my life has gotten a little too comfortable.

Anyway, it is really time to gird up my loins and start working hard. Can't be daydreaming all the time without any effort. Motivation! Motivation! Motivation! How can I motivate myself?

My first home

Finally, I bought my rightfully first home. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly from the bank loan application to renovation to moving into it. Can't wait for this to be over and done with.

10 Days Trip across half of Taiwan

This is already the third night of my 10 day trip in Taiwan. We touched down in Taoyuan International Airport 30 minutes late due to a delay in KLIA but Mars from Chailease Auto was patiently waiting at the airport. I'm happy with the car and service provided by Mars. 

After checking the car, we officially started the trip around Taiwan by driving south to our first destination, the Fengchia night market. I used to think that the street food in Malaysia and Thailand are unrivalled but the amount of stalls, varieties of food and sea of visitors here are no less happening compared to the 2 countries aforementioned. 

We left our hostel early to head to one of the oldest city in Taiwan, Lukang. Our main destination is the Tian Hou temple. Popular along the Taiwanese, the crowd already starting to build at 10am. 

Again, the were plenty of food stalls along the popular tourist streets. The buildings, temples and settlements are more or less similar to the old cities Malacca in Malaysia and Hoi An in Vietnam. All the 3 cities were once flourishing harbours a few centuries ago.

I managed to grab some local duck dish at Old Chef's Duck Thick Soup. 
Old Chef's Thick Duck Soup
Simple and simply delicious. I would recommend this for some quality local delights. 

We would have spent more time in Lukang but the next destination to Alishan is quite a long drive. Stay tuned for my next sharings.

Baha'u'llah's Teachings on Spiritual Reality

I have finally finished reading this book by Palabra Publications. As the book is a compilation of the selected writings of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, it contains a lot of useful information. It is not an easy read but a very good one for reference.

What do we want from education in school?

What is the purpose of education?

Consider the following passages quoted from the book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Dr Cialdini regarding education proceeding in the standard classroom that could apply to nearly any public school in the United States:

In general, here is how it works: The teacher stands in front of the class and asks a question. Six to ten children strain in their seats and wave their hands in the teacher’s face, eager to be called in and show how smart they are. Several others sit quietly with eyes averted, trying to become invisible. When the teacher calls on one child, you see looks of disappointment and dismay on the faces of the eager students, who missed a chance to get the teacher’s approval; and you will see relief on the faces of the others who didn’t know the answer…. This game is fiercely competitive and the stakes are high, because the kids are competing for the love and approval of one of the two or three most important people in their world.

                Further, this teaching process guarantees that the children will not learn to like and understand each other. Conjure up your own experience. If you knew the right answer and the teacher called on someone else, you probably hoped that he or she would make a mistake so that you would have a chance to display your knowledge. If you were called on and failed, or if you didn’t even raise your hand to compete, you probably envied and resented your classmates who knew the answer. Children who fail in this system become jealous and resentful of the successes, putting them down as teacher’s pets or even resorting to violence against them in the school yard. The successful students, for their part, often hold the unsuccessful children in contempt, calling them “dumb” or “stupid”.

                This competitive process does not encourage anyone to look benevolently and happily upon his fellow students.

What kind of individuals are we trying to raise here? Are we trying to educate our children to be competitive individuals that only care about winning? Is this how humanity works?

Napoleon Hill states, “An educated man is not, necessarily, one who has an abundance of general or specialized knowledge. An educated man is one who has so developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants, or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others.”

While having knowledge is important, we all agree that having good characters are even more important. The most successful people have always been the ones who care for others, always add value and bring progress to the society. The primary focus of education whether in school or at home, should be to bring out the best of an individual. The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.

This is why spiritual education must be given to a child at a very young age. Children need to be taught of the heavenly attributes and to love their fellow mankind. Cooperation will bring greater progress to everybody than competition.

Jenjarom Learning Centre

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to accompany James to visit the Jenjarom Learning Centre. It is a centre busy with children classes on a typical Saturday afternoon.

Children came from the surrounding neighborhood to read, sing and play games. The purpose of the children class is to educate the children so that they learn about God's Teachings and love and fear God. Dr Soon Kam mentioned that currently they have more than 150 children attending the children classes at various times and sessions. A truly inspiring activity to build a united community.

JY Weekend

This weekend was really a JY weekend for me. One was for my own group and the other 2 were replacing the animators who were not available. The third one didn't happen but I ended up co-animating with another animator.

Furthermore, I hosted a home devotion to study the UHJ message regarding implementation of the Badi calendar. With the implementation of the new calendar, it marks the end of the prophetic cycle and the inauguration of the Baha'i cycle. The truth of Baha'u'llah is indisputable and I pray that more people will see and embrace this Truth.

Getting Rid of Old Habits

I thought that I have gotten rid of some bad old habits but sometimes it will just come back. Just like the weeds in the garden. No matter how many times we remove the weeds, after some time they will grow back. The only way to stop the weeds from growing is to grow the grass we want and cover up the whole garden.

Similarly, the only way to stop falling back to the old habits is to substitute them with healthy and empowering habits. I am well aware that I normally fall back to the bad habits when I am feeling lonely or don't know what to do with my time...

Feeling lonely

Even though I usually spend time on my own, I tend to get lonely especially during festive period. Even though I hardly talk to my housemates, the house feels quieter when they are not around. Even though I don't have time for many things, suddenly time seems to be flowing so slowly.

Don't be overly emotional, Have Faith

Once again I have not been successful in getting a soul mate. It was heart breaking and I thought I had been doing the right thing. As I was looking for some answers to face this disappointment, lo and behold, the answers appeared in the least expected but most receptive manners.

I woke up this morning and the first message I saw on my phone was the above. Rule number 1 immediately hit me, became a wake up call and reassures me what it is all God's Will. Have Faith and put complete trust in God.

Mid of July

Time flies...in the blink of an eye it is now mid of July already. I feel that I have not done anything in the past one to two months. In less than a month time, I will be having my real estate license exams.

I don't remember feeling having not enough time before but now I am feeling it...

Bounty of God

After making my first contribution to the Baha'i Fund in Aug 2013, business opportunities started pouring in. I can remember clearly that time because I was running out of cash to go for a business trip in Kota Kinabalu. Despite having little, I contributed the remaining cash I had and expected money to come in before flying. Lo and behold, some cash came in the day before I took the flight. After that, I began to close more deals and even had the opportunity to do project marketing.

Therefore, I always believe that all I have is the bounty of God and His generosity towards me. None belongs to me and I have the responsibility to share this bounty with the needy ones. Just like how the Lord has been generous to me, I must also be generous to others.