A dialogue session between three wise men on life and healing

A group photo was taken after the end of the talk. Seated on sofa (from left): Dr Ngeow, Fong, Venerable Hui Min, Prof Dato’ Ewe and Department of Student Affairs of Sungai Long Campus Head Loh Nyuk Leung with UTAR staff and students

UTAR Centre for Healthy Minds and Wellbeing conducted a talk titled “心的淬炼：生活与疗愈的转化” on 8 April 2023 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. Three speakers were invited to share their insights and experience about life and healing.

The three speakers were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Venerable Hui Men and Xiao En’s grief counsellor Mr Fong Yee Leong. The talk was moderated by Centre for Curriculum Development and Innovation Head Dr Ngeow Yeok Meng. Over 120 participants were present to listen to the three wise men, who were experts in different areas — an academician, a religious expert and a counsellor.

From Left: Dr Ngeow, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Venerable Hui Men, Fong

Venerable Hui Men said, “You need to harden your heart but to do that you have to first find your mind and probe deeper so that the former thoughts will disappear and the latter thoughts will not interrupt. In this state, neither emotions nor fears will be able to invade your vajra.” He also advised everyone not to use a sick brain to heal a sick mind. He concluded, “When you encounter any difficulties, you should stop trying to solve it with your brain; let it have a gap, dissolve the emotions of uneasiness and fear, and transform yourself to be an open-minded person. That way, you can come out of it completely.”

Venerable Hui Men shared his view about heart healing

Prof Dato’ Ewe quoted the famous historian Yuval Noah Harari, saying, “One of the abilities that humans will need in the future is the ability to manage their emotions well. Hence, in an ever-changing world, one has to be focused. Focus enables us to quieten our minds to deal with everything.” “Research shows that a distracted mind is the unhappiest mind. One can only feel joy and happiness if they are focused on doing something well in the present.”

Mr Fong shared his experience and advised the audience, “We have to learn how to accept that powerlessness instead of always pursuing success. When we encounter failure, we should also try to accept it.” He added, “We must respect each person, face the pain in our own way, allow ourselves to be different from others and allow others to be different from us.”

The talk ended with a Q&A session and a souvenir exchange session.  

From left: Prof Dato’ Ewe and Mr Fong sharing their experience

Prof Dato’ Ewe presenting souvenirs to Venerable Hui Men