HOLY
The last few days in Kuala Lumpur were a real scorcher. I did not bother to check the daytime high. Along with the potent humidity, anything above 90 degrees would make anyone’s sweat glands unlatched and sweat profusely. I walked out of the air-conditioned mall only to be welcomed with everything high: temperature, humidity, and UV. The top of my hatless clean-shaven dome was sizzling, and I knew I had to get to a café as soon as possible from an unforgiving sun. Heaven knows how hot and unbearable it can get here so it brings thunder and lightning show followed by sky faucet opening almost every day. I came to love this kind of weather either to watch the spectacular sound, light, and water show from inside or just to be showered upon.
Temperature-wise, the best time of the day is the balmy mid-70s mornings. Almost every morning, I roll out of bed, gulp down a cup of cold water like a parched cactus, and hit the street right behind our apartment. The street behind us is not only wider than others but also a dead-end street so there are ample walkers mixed with occasional runners every morning. As soon as I get out and press my Apple watch’s “outdoor walk” workout button, I spring into action from my half-asleep mode. It is as if my habitual body awakens into action much quicker than my brain.
We are right in the middle of Ramadan, so I don’t see any Muslims walking these days as many of them would lay low from active movements to conserve their energy until they break their fast right at sundown. Even if there are, the non-Muslim walkers and runners dominate the streets. Back in the US, I am used to recognizing other walkers by waving or saying, “Good morning.” Here, it is rare that people would make eye contact with you and say hi. So rather than pushing my “Americanness” in Malaysia, I decided to blend in lest I scare people away. One of the men I see almost every day is an older white man. My best guess is that he is in his early 70s and his hairstyle or lack thereof is the same as mine. Naturally, I feel the connection. His pace is unusually brisk for his age, probably clipping at around 14:30 minutes per mile, with short and tight strides. One of his arms is swinging bigger than the other and his face wears grimaces as he walks. When we lived here in this area for a month last year, I noticed his peculiar walk right away.
My wife and I joined our good friends for dinner last night at a gourmet pizza joint inside our building. We ordered two pizzas: quattro formaggi and frutti di mare for a mere $13! As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed most of the tables being reserved. As we did not make a reservation earlier, we were led to a corner table not reserved. As we were enjoying our pizzas, the reserved tables began to be filled with Muslims who were about to break their fast. Yesterday, the fast would break right at 7:22 pm and the restaurant would coordinate their dinner so that they can eat right at the end of their fast. As the Muslims have been fasting since sunrise, every minute or second counts until they put food into their mouths.
This week is undoubtedly the most “holy” week of the year as Christians all over the world are celebrating the Passion or the Holy Week and Muslims are still in the middle of their Ramadan. In broad terms, it is a grand reminder that we find meaning in life by seeking after God, however, and whatever God means to us. Our visible and earthly life is connected and enjoined by the invisible and heavenly Grand Reality. Our tangible life is somehow made meaningful by the intangible Source of Life. Our material life is somehow infused with holy meditations through the immaterial Force of Life. The mundaneness combined with the free-flowing movements of life filled with changing weather, exercises, meditations, and enjoying food and friendship is somehow all governed and directed by God who Loves and Cares. God is a god who loves extraordinarily and with the ultimate sacrifice known to man. God is also a god who loves from the ordinary. God is not only “holy” because of the meaning and impact of the Passion Week, but also holy, rubbing shoulder to shoulder, with the ordinary and mundane. Perhaps, holiness can be defined by how close we feel God is to us.