Crypto Monotheism Versus Polytheism

 

I don't own cryptos or shares of companies related to cryptos.

Hence, I'm not talking my own book here.

But I'm impressed with the price action of cryptos recently during the banking troubles in US and Switzerland. 

Aren't you?

I've noticed an interesting phenomenon amongst the crypto believers. There are 2 major camps - the Monotheists and the Polytheists.

The Monotheists believe there is only ONE true crypto. Everything else is just bullshit. 

The Polytheists believe in anything and everything. Just as long the story is compelling! 

As a crypto "atheist", I'll just stand aside and watch from the opposite bank with interest.

I mean even if you into crypto, it's something you ultimately have to resolve amongst the believers.

Crypto believers out there, are you a Monotheist or Polytheist?

It's like real life.

Even if you believed in religion, your fate isn't better than the atheists and agnostics out there if you died and discover,

"Shit! Wrong religion!"

 

Correct Belief vs Correct Practice

I'll steal with pride from CW and do a blast from the past.

When I first wrote it in 2013, you could hear a pin drop... LOL!



Now, maybe some can appreciate it better, having gone through both bull and bear phases in their financial journeys.



Here's the post:


Orthodoxy versus Orthopraxy








When we started out, without any track record to our name, we have to rely on some theories as our foundation. And more frequently than not, these theories or "correct beliefts" were implanted into us from outside in.

It could be a book we read , a class we paid for, an advice from someone we trusted, or even an anonymois source we swallowed hook, line, and sinker nevetherless!? Hey! Its "free" what!?

  

How did all those "correct beliefs" done recently?

Some are not shaken. Their "faith" strong as ever. Unrealised losses are not "real"...

Some are having their cognitive dissonance moment. 

Some are not letting this crisis go to waste. They are thinking for themselves and making adjustments to their "correct beliefs". 

No need to consult others as they have their own track records to do their own "trust but verify" due diligence. 

Some "beliefs" they had held dear for so many years may have to be thrown out...



Its the transition to grey. 

Where "labels" matter less. Just like you don't care whether the cat is black or white, can catch mice that's what important!

"Correct practice" can also be more apealing to those who thrive on feedback from reality. 

When we do something, there will always be "crash got sound" feedback. 

When all one does is "believe" but never do anything abougt it, how to verify whether its true or not? Wink.








  



  

Zen Wisdom From A Hawker

This morning, I overheard a conversation from a wanton mee hawker to his customer,

"Can move in or not I don't even know!"



It suddenly struck me as a pearl of wisdom no different from the Zen quotes I've read.



First, the context.

This hawker is in his 70s. 

He stays in one of the Tanglin Halt HDB flats, and his hawker stall is also located at the Tanglin Halt Food Centre. 

In case you didn't know, the whole Tangling Halt "10 storey" area is under en-bloc. We would be moving out to our new replacement flats by end of this year.

For young people, en-bloc is good, better, best! 

Its a windfall and the oportunity to change old lamp to new lamp - just like that, the HDB lease is refreshed to 99 years again. Magic or what!? Talk about being blessed by the big daddy genie!

However, if you are in your 70s or 80s, not everyone is thrilled. Especially if you are not cash strapped for retirement.

I mean at that advanced age, wouldn't you prefer to stay in a familiar surrounding with your existing group of friends and neighbours? A place where you moved in just after marriage, have children, and brought them up to adults. Throw all these memories away just to make a buck?

Since our en-bloc was announced 5 years ago, every other month, there's always a funeral.

Which means not everyone can live till they've moved into their new place....



Nowadays, when I meet neighbours in the mornings buying breakfast, we would often ask each other when we would be moving out.

I guess this wanton hawker is a bit upset being asked for the umpteen time...

Hence his remark above.



But when you pause an think about it, there's a lot Zen in that statement.

Peace be with you

I've picked up this phrase from my Christian friend who loves to invite me to church during my days in Shanghai.

You can see me using it quite often in this watering hole.



You know what?

Only this year did I truely experienced what it really meant.



Its like trying to describe the taste of durian to people who have never tasted it.

We'll only know when we have experiend it for ourselves.



Its uneventful year for me in many areas. Yet the peace and serenity I've enjoyed were amazing! 

On that note, I'm wishing everyone of you who comes to this watering hole a Merry Christmas and a Super New Year!



Peace be with you all.

My reflections for the past 11 months that have passed...

Death and Sickness - Spanners in the Works.

Yesterday, I've received word that my ex-colleague has recently passed away in Switzerland.

This is the third colleague from my previous life as a sellsword.

And all 3 of them moved on before age 50...



I guess now that I'm 51 years young, I would hear more about such cases as in serious injuries, major sickness, and eventually death.

Funny how when I looked back into my early 20s and 30s, I was "male chicken" sure of myself. Even when I was in that dark phase of perpetual job-hopping, I never lost hope or faith that eventually something good will turn up. 

I'm still young! Lots of opportunities ahead! I got time on my side!

That's the strength of youth! I didn't know what I knew now.



Just because we have a dream, developed SMART goals, and drafted detailed kickass plans up to 2 decimal places; none of them "entitled" us to what we think we "deserve" in life - even if you are Singapore born and raised!



No, this is not a pessimistic or fatalistic reflection.

On the contrary, its about gratitude and joy in the greatest gift I have today - life!

Its like as an atheist, its precisely I have this one and only life that I have everything to live for!

I don't have the luxury of multiple lifetimes like in reincarnations.

Nor do I have the "consolation" this present life is only a full dress rehearsal, and eternal real living is the one coming here after... 



You know what? I just wanted to poke those who are constantly living in the future by worrying and planning how much financial resources they would need if they lived till 95 and beyond...

Then I realised there are those who are more concerned with life in the hereafter than living in the present!? OK, better stop. Don't mess with those who are super confident where they will end up. For these people are even more sure where I'll end up!!!

I've no heart to tell them I'll end up to the place before I was born. I'm made up of stardusts; I'll end up being with the stars. Wink.

When I started to sing...

No lah!

I'm not so bad. I'm not tone deaf OK?

I can sing in tune; most of the time anyways... (hee, hee)



Its around secondary 3 that I first discovered I can sing.

And it was in my Gan Eng Seng School's toilet... Of all places!!!

During the previous night, I was watching the Country Music Associations award ceremony on TV, and Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind" won the song of the year.

The chorus was very catchy so as I sat down in the toilet cubicle doing my no. 2, I started singing it out loud thinking I was alone.

You know why we love singng in the toilet or shower?  

The echo acoustics!



So imagine my surprise and embarrassment as I flushed and opened the cubicle door, there stood 5-6 schoolmates clapping and cheering me on!?

Yah, I was blushing like a little school girl while washing my hands... 

It felt good. Its always a wonderful feeling to be acknowledged for a competence or ability we have.



Over the years, as I kept singing for the fun of it - usually in the shower and in the toilet - I noticed I've become better at it. (Mom may have another opinion though)

That 10,000 hours thing is true.

From mimicry to experimentations, I've discovered singing techniques like vibrato and falsetto on my own.

Now I'm trying to sing like those Japanese enka or Taiwanese hokkien song singers. I tell you, those voice transitions are damn hard man! 

But that's what makes it fun and challenging! No?

When was the last time you felt proud doing something that anyone and everyone can do?



Its good to have hobbies and other interests. 

Danger signs should be flashing if you have no interests or hobbies outside of work. Especially if you are nearing your retirement.

Double-confirmed if you are one of those who often question what to do after retirement or achieving financial independence, early retirement (FIRE)?



Seeking FIRE without hobbies and interests is like setting a goal to have landed property or private condominium.

Contrast this with someone having a cherished dream of having a home of their own.

If you can't tell the difference, never mind.



Oh! Why do I sing?

Because I feel good doing it!

Wink.

Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy Revisited

Recent events and a fun discussion with a landowner yesterday made me realise I can resurrect this old post below.

But be warned. Its not light reading. Move on if you're not into critical thinking.


Orthodoxy vs Orthopraxy 





Most of us do not have the time, competence, or right attributes to be intraday traders. Its just too damn difficult!

What do most people do when we find we suck at something? We demonise it of course! 

Saw the US indexes last night?

When I went to sleep around midnight, it was all green. What do I see this morning? Man! Talk about heart stopping reversals!



My long held "Correct Belief" is: Real money is made on the longer term trending trades.

My "Correct Practice" recently is: Close all my freaking positions every night!

(Of course that's until things calmed down so I can go back to holding my trading positions for multimonth periods)



Why? Because I've been brutalised by the wild volatility in recent weeks! 

I not smart. I learn from crash got sound.



If the mountain don't turn, I turn.





Oh! We were talking about Warren Buffett yesterday and I just remembered the question I posed for Warren Buffettt acolytes in my old post:

If your "Correct Belief" is Buy and Hold, and you swear by Warren Buffett's remember rule 1 and 2....

How do you reconcile the two with your "Correct Practice"?

Buddhism is a practice like yoga

That is why during my Buddhist course, our teacher makes a distinction between 拜佛 (worshipping Buddha) and 学佛 (practicing Buddhism).

Of course it does not help when some religious "shepherds" consider yoga a "religion"!?

Its awkward moments like these that I keep my mouth shut and walk away.

Having a philosophy makes life a lot easier. 

Especially when things happen and you don't know whether to cry or laugh...

Alan Watts ~ How To Enjoy Life

When we are skilled in something, there's a quiet sense of accomplishment in us.

That's why our moms and grandmothers love to cook us our favourite dishes during CNY even though its time consuming and hard work. 

I know. Can outsource to "atas" restaurants but its not the same.

Boys know early that if we can play the guitar or excel in sports, girls come right?

Craftsmanship.

Squaring the Circle

In most cultures and spiritualities, the single-minded pursuit and obsession with money is considered crass.

It does not matter whether we are in the Earn More or Save More camps - we know in our hearts we are merely telling little lies to ourselves...

We admonish others for coveting material possessions, yet isn't it the same when we covet income producing assets and financial wealth?

Is it not just 50 steps laughing at 100 steps? The pot calling the kettle black?

Although I'm agnostic, I'm quite influenced by Oriental philosophies like Zen and Taoism.

Which does not make things easy with concepts like "letting go", "non action", "non attachment", and what not...

How do you embark on your journey towards financial freedom with anchor weights like these?

No wonder some gravitate towards the prosperity gospel... 

I've resolved my cognitive dissonance by focusing on what I can control and influence - the mastery of my chosen craft - be it for career or trading.

This way, money is just a by-product; a way of keeping score. 

For eg, in Trading, I've only goals (mostly grey and murky qualitative ones at that) for my entries and exits; there're no monetary goals like X $ amounts in Y years. 

I'll take what the Markets are willing to give me. (As if I had a choice!)

The benefit of blogging is getting to know the various snakes and dragons in our community.

Some are a lot of "hot air" (like me); while some are so low-keyed you'll miss these dragons if you only pay attention to the blinding neon lights and booming loud speakers of snake oils.

Its quite refreshing to to discover someone on the Abrahamic path has a similar outlook as mine - even though we are on different paths...

The Parable of the Rich Fool

You fill in the blanks - anything!

Do you drink beer?

Saw this great parody video in Facebook!

Especially when you have seemingly "financially literate" friends who like to bug you with silly exhortations to do away with the little things in life that make you happy.

Do you drink beer?  (You may need Facebook access)

Focus on ruining your own happiness (in the here and now) by skimping and scrounging before you try to make others as miserable as you.

This is the little test to see if you have conviction of your beliefs.

If you don't drink beer and all your friends do, and it doesn't affect you one bit, then that's conviction!

But if you need to mould others to your image, or will only mix with other friends who don't drink, well, your conviction may not be as strong as you think... Wink.

Perhaps that's why someone long ago don't mind to mix with prostitutes and tax collectors; and why the lotus flower has no issues with blooming in the midst of mud.

  

The River Story if you don't like Up Mountain; Down Mountain

Imagine our lives' starting point to be the snow-capped mountain tops.

As the snow melts, it forms little brooks we can step over; then into creeks we can jump over; blend into streams we can wade across; and finally merging into rivers we can swim across...

 

No, the journey does not end in the warm embrace of the oceans.

That's just a comfortable temporary holding area.

For those droplets of water who can let it go, they'll float into the skies.

And be the carefree clouds ;)

There!

This river allegory is "less taxing" since it's about "going with the flow". The "hard" part though is the "letting go" bit...

As you may have discovered, ants prefer the mountain story, while grasshoppers would prefer the river story ;)






This post was inspired by WolfT during our discussions in my previous post:

The Allure And Alternative Path To Passive Income - Part 2 of 2


This River allegory borrows from what Bruce Lee had said about water and the non-action philosophies of Taoism.


Ever noticed the duality and polarity of Life?

Remember Newton's Third Law of Motion?

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  

On one hand, there is the delayed gratification exhortations of study and work hard so we can enjoy our later years - Up Mountain; Down Mountain.

Then there is the enjoy the moment go with the flow take it easy bohemian hippie River Story...


Do you remember the angst and behavioural challenges you faced during your teenage years? 

It's a time of discovering your identity and how you would like to fit in with the adult world.... Its either you just do as you were told, or listen to that little murmur in your heart...


And what happens during your mid-life crisis?

You may have second thoughts on the choices you've made, discover you were lied to, or just come to the realisation - is this it?  

Financial advice from Spiritual Leaders

I'm agnostic (I can't verify whether there's God or no God), with a bias towards Oriental philosophies like Zen and Taoism.

Whenever I find people lamenting or complaining that Big Daddy should have taught us financial literacy in schools, I always have a wry smile. 

These people must be atheists!


Since I can bluff my way through Buddhism and Christianity (I even found time to learn about Orthodox Christianity during my time in Athens), let me share with you 2 snippets:


1) The Sigalovata Sutra and Buddha's advice on money.

2) Parable of the Talents - Mathew 25:14-30



For those who are believers, well, something for you to ask your shepherd this weekend!

For those who are atheists, let me remind you there were a choice during school for you to take up Business and/or Financial studies. Why didn't you?

If you are graduates, there's Graduate Diploma in Financial Management and similar post-graduate qualifications from many tertiary institutions.

And non-graduates like me, there are lots of books like Finance for non-accounting managers, or Finance for dummies, and other similar titles. What's stopping you from life long learning?




P.S.  Muslim and Hindu friends out there, if you can share a snippet from your faith on money management in the comments section, that would be very much appreciated!

I know the Koran must have; if not there would not be Shariah compliant investment funds.

只为了争一口气

The pursuit of our next breath.

Isn't that the essence of living?


Everything else is just smoke and mirrors. And noise. 



Active

We are most aware of our breathing when we are engaged in exercise like jogging, brisk walking, aerobics, sports, etc.

Hard breathing.



Passive

Interestingly, we are even more conscious of our breathing when we are trying to still the mind with yoga, meditation, doing relaxation exercises, etc.

Deep breathing.



Candle in the wind

Let's not even talk about critical illnesses where we see our loves ones wearing oxygen masks trying to catch their next breath.

Just take a common illness like the flu.

With a blocked nose, sore throat, and a heavy head, we are suddenly living in the moment!

We can't picture beyond our next thunderous blow of our mucus. How's thinking coming along?

What was that "one thing" we only care about when we are sick?

One more breath. 

无常

It's how I React that matters

"No one reacts to things as they are but to one's own mental images; Keep me aware that it is not what happens to me in life that matters, but how i react to what happens."
 
Amen.

By an anonymous Christian.


This post is a dedication to temperament who has tirelessly spread the above saying in quite a few blogs and forum already.


Buddhist friends can easily identify with the above saying - it's about Awareness isn't it?

If we are not in the here and now, how do we see things as they are? And not misled into thinking it's the wind moving or the flag flapping in the wind; it's our hearts moving...


This is the time of year where many will start planning new goals and new year resolutions for 2015. That's the easy part. 

Why easy? 

Everyone and anyone and do goal settings and planning. And if everyone and anyone can do it, it's a low level skill. No? Think about it for a moment. 

Now review 2014 - are there any instances you wished you had responded or reacted better to what had happened to you? You didn't plan that, did you?

See the difference?


LOL! Don't think too hard!





P.S.  I'll be working this Christmas and New Year to contribute my part to servicing the general public during the holidays - I guess that's why they call it the service industry - someone has to do it.

I sincerely hope we can spread the holiday cheers to all co-workers and professionals working during the holidays.

A Merry Christmas to our Bus Captains, a Happy Holidays greeting to the salesperson or waiter serving you, a hug to our angelic nurses and doctors on duty, and if you are shy, a simple Smile will do just fine. We appreciate it.

And do be a little patient, a little bit more understanding if we fail to live up to your expectations - more customers and reduced manpower are not exactly helping.

Happy Holidays everyone! 

Trading and Zen

Don't worry. I am not a bleeding heart so no proselytising from me!


For newer readers, I am agnostic.

However, I do use Zen as my spiritual and philosophical anchor. It's the closest metaphysics I can find that's has the least conflict with Science.

I'm into verification that sort of thing...


This post is not about sharing how to apply Zen into your trading. For that, you can easily search under Google and many others (bloggers/traders) who have already done so.

I shall instead share how trading has helped me in my understanding of Zen, and in turn, myself.


Do we want too see the truth?

For some of us trading for some years, we can see this phenomenon quite often: 

Entering a good trade yet lost money; and winning money with a bad trade.

Yet there are traders who will never admit to it or are puzzled how can it be?

Seeing and admitting the truth takes courage.   

With trading, the feedback is a lot quicker since we practice mark-to-market every closing. 

In real life, we do have an "inkling" how the world works, where we fit into this pecking order, and how we are all different from one another. Yet we tell little lies and make up fantasies not only to ourselves, we tell them to our children and share it with other people!?

We do this as it feels comfortable when more people believe the same shit we do. 

That's why we have people eager to share with others how easy it is to make money without realising they were already a "victim" of a financial scam.... Or to recruit you into MLM, or cell group, or political party. 

By applying the trading process of constant reviews, re-evaluations, and reflections - it helps me see the world as it is; not what I wished it to be.  


How do we know we know?

In school, we do it through tests and exams. 

That was easy!


How do we know we can do it?

Professionals do it via articleships or housemanships and acceptance by professional bodies. You don't call yourself a practicing lawyer or registered accountant just by having a relevant degree do we?

There are quite a few engineers in our financial blogosphere. Many have engineering degrees, but how many are certified professional engineers? 


Outward manifestation of Zen

Mindfulness, living in the here and now, no mind - all wonderful concepts to show off and pretend I know.

But when I started trading... Shit! 

Knowing and doing are not the same!!!

That's where I go, "Jared, you are such a fraud!"

I don't make money with knowledge (unless I teach); I make money with execution.

In trading, it's all about execution - entries and exits. 


If I can't tell whether I've made a good trade or bad trade (what has profit or loss got to do with it?) what's the point with Zen again?

Running in the Maze of Life

Have you noticed this phenomenon when shopping in IKEA?

Don't laugh! There's a lot of science and understanding of consumer behaviours that's gone into the design of the maze.


Isn't it true pretty much of most things in Life?


After going through one meaningless relationship to another, we finally realised The One for us has all along been in our midst near us. It's just that we didn't notice.


After jumping through hoops and rings, and attending courses and seminars for the Holy Grail to Riches, we finally realise Buying is not the answer; it's Selling that makes us rich!


After spending loads to buy Happiness, we finally realise Happiness is a choice we can make.


After searching high and low for the answer, we discover we already have it all along. 

If we are spiritual, now why would our Creator create a "defective" specimen? The Creator can't be so petty and insecure as to be like our Chinese Kung Fu master who always kept 1 secret stroke from his students? Just in case?

If we are non-spiritual, Nature will take care of everything. If we don't have what it takes to survive, we will become extinct. Do the trees have goals to grow 10 metres taller the next year? Do the birds worry about their old age when they can't fly anymore?
 

What we need is frequently close at hand. The problem is either we create our own mazes to run for ourselves, or we run in the mazes others have created for us.

All in the name to "look busy".