Awaken
Going back to the city and reality, the dome of the night comes and goes as if it never notices the suffering and changes that a myriad of living things are going through.
Who would recognize which light belongs to you besides yourself? Who would recognize a culture from skyscrapers? Who would recognize you as a screw in a big tech? Shenzhen, where both of us worked in, is one of the newborn tech cities that is only recognizable by its economic metrics and number of patents. We had all become screws for the perpetual motion machine. Whoever knows physics quickly pointed out that a perpetual motion machine is impossible to exist. No, it does not, but we are the fuel that supplies it forever.
People always behave positively as if it is how a normal person should act, but everyone has another side where more complex emotions deeply hide. It is always there that you cannot get away, and it becomes part of your inner self that you are afraid to share with anyone. As time goes by, it shatters.
Qi and Gen are given a group name of two psychopaths by the leaders, because they were always calm and rational but crazily challenging the “authorities” on their own beliefs about what's right. That is, of course, not the full picture-
Gen has experienced changes in relationships, from friendships to dates, since being young and learning to understand that these situations weren't a reflection of personal worth. Gen's parents encouraged self-reflection, which sometimes felt challenging but contributed to personal growth. Reaching out for support has been a journey, leading Gen to develop resilience. Over time, Gen has grown into someone who can stand strong when challenges arise, while still appreciating the support and connection with others.
People see Qi as a reliable problem-solver and determined goal-seeker with a clear plan for life, approaching it with discipline and focus. Although Qi doesn’t often share it, falling asleep easily can sometimes be a challenge. Qi finds therapies of ASMR and the energies from a crystal collection, which help create a sense of relaxation. This approach to maintaining balance also influences Qi's close relationships. At times, Qi values personal space, setting boundaries as needed to feel comfortable.
We are not only the “victims” but also witnesses of a pathetic suicide incidence that happened to our colleague because he suffered from depression out of the work and family pressure, ignored by the boss and unrealized by the colleagues. We have seen friends who were shattered in the darkness but always smile at the public until they are too sick to be functional…
If everyone has the “moments”, we thought, they need to be recognized, not hidden, before it gets too bad. Afterall, why not admit and forgive ourselves for being human with emotions?
The fortune tellers in China who studies I Ching (The Book of Changes) told people to live as they are supposed to - meaning that if you have certain traits, you should utilize them as advantages, instead of trying to develop something that you do not inherently carry, because in this way you can live with your full potentials. Similarly, in the US I heard teachers telling the children that they are all the best, in the ways they are. However, we have to admit that the core is hard to discover and built on, where tribulations are probably needed on the journey. We feel so empathetic that we would like to support people.
We were lucky that we “escaped” to the pure land and experienced the power, but not all of our colleagues could, and not all of our counterparts in Shenzhen could. In the vastness of the mountains and clouds on the pure land with scarce oxygen, we are reminded of the insignificance of humanity.
We resonate. We are inspired. And we want to bring the power to people in the “moments”.
