I am Trapped in the Hungry Ghost Realm
This month is the Hungry Ghost Festival. This is the period where the deceased are believed to visit the living. For the deceased who does not have a family, they will roam the earth, and some may be up to no good. The living will present food offerings, burn incense, and burn joss paper for the visiting spirits or the homeless spirits. In return, the livings will have smoother and less disrupting life.
Some would call these spirits without a family as Hungry Ghost. By offering them food and incense, they will be released from the hell realm and rebirth to a better realm. As I experience life, the Hungry Ghost Realm is also on earth, and I am living in it. It is a realm of unending craving, insatiable hunger, and constant dissatisfaction.
I am addicted to my work, and I constantly seek ways to win more business. I do not celebrate any of my wins. As soon as I secure a contract, I immediately move onto the next contract. I never thought of stopping. Winning has given me certain amount of happiness. However, I was never content from winning. My personality and frustrations fit perfectly like a Hungry Ghost.
How can I be liberated from the Hungry Ghost Realm? My commitment to the Mon Refugee School is one way to anchor down my greed and selfishness. Supporting my family ensure that I have my priorities right. Writing this blog, sharing my journey, inspiring my readers to take action to chase their dreams is also another way to focus my attention on my readers and not myself.
A friend remarked that by knowing I am trapped in the Hungry Ghost Realm is a good start to find an exit. It is those who are not aware, these are the ones who are permanently trapped. Many of us are trapped and many of us are Hungry Ghost. May you find the exit and reach the higher realm soon.