For the first half of 2005
Mood:  chatty
Topic: A Chapter Begins
Life of a Friar in Initial Formation
Since our move into out new premises in Bukit Batok...

Life had took on a dramatic change from that of my 2 years spent in Chestnut Drive. (Postulancy and 1st year of simple vows)

Studies in the seminary saw me taking a full load of subjects. Although I had put in more effort than I did last year, time still seems to be 'leaking' away and yet the last quarter of my studies from April to June seems like an eternity. Partly due to metaphysics being extended for another quarter and having to take on another subject Phenomenology.

House cleaning duties, church devotion services, special house prayer services which all have to be added on to that of time spent in seminary and time to study.

Life indeed is different from last year. Learning how to be a Friar and experiencing the realities of studies/ministry, prayer and house matters.

Some days I would fail to wake up in time for morning prayer and mass for working up to the late morning hours.

Indeed the path to follow after the footsteps of Christ is not something in one's head or in theory. it has to be lived out and to be experienced.

Sometimes the reality is also about learning to live life keeping in mind the 'Whole', the other brothers and life in the coummunity and not about 'myself' anymore.

Cycling on weekends which is what I enjoy sometimes has to be cut and the nights which the community went for 'recreation' like movies I choose to stay at home to catch up on assignments and study for examinations.

As one who enjoys taking life slow in order to smell, touch and soak in the experiences it has to offer, the irony is that when it comes to learning and examinations, I may have the tendency to retreat into my 'shell'.

As one who had the privelege to experience what is True Learning and how it can be conducted in our modern world, I can be quite critical of the way lessons are conducted (instruction 'teacher-centered' vs 'student-centered').

However all these experiences perhaps has a purpose for me to learn how to live with the realities and imperfections of myself, others and the world.

The world has 'shrunk'through Globalisation, distances are no longer a barrier for travelling.
Communication has never been so easy before and Knowledge so widely available and I am hopeful, awaiting the day when one can learn more knowledge in a faster way and in various ways which a person is more adapt or suited for.

"I see reality as it has been for me and what is actually taking place. I cannot tell others that which is not what had happened."

"Some would never dare to talk about what is real and prefer to retreat into their world which exists only in their mind."

The way of St. Francis is still relevant in today's world. I hope to live it everyday and especially during the coming exposure trip to East Timor with the Friars there.

Till then,
more coming up in the month to come
with experiences from my trip to share...
in end July.