Kung Fu Chef: the grand soup finale

For our last week of term, Kung Fu Chef explained that if we put all the Panyaden 12 Wise Habits together and practice them, the results will see us ‘using our minds skillfully’ (Yonisomanasikara, การคิดเป็น). Our lives can be enriched if we study and understand our minds and learn to use them wisely – from breaking bad habits to maintaining calm in a trying situation. To use our mind well, we should first know what it is like and how it works. This is the 12th wise habit.

So this week the Kung Fu Chef asked us to practise wise decision making. We should weigh up the pros and cons, the causes and effects of our words or actions before deciding which option to take. And if we make mistakes, instead of being downhearted, we should always reflect and see how we can do things better next time. We should understand that nothing is permanent. Like our bodies, our moods and feelings also change and so we should learn not to react negatively to difficulties.

Having practised Yonisomanasikara (or Yo for short!) all week, the Kung Fu Chef rewarded us all with a delicious soup from all the ingredients we have been collected this week. Into the pot went Awihinsa, Mattanuta, Chanta and every wise habit we have learned. Next term the Kung Fu Chef promises to return to teach us more fun and innovative ways to learn, practise and remember these wise habits for life. To remind you, here they are again:

1. Using the senses wisely, Indriyasamvara, การสำรวมระวังอินทรีย์
2. Knowing the right amount, Mattannuta, การเป็นผู้รู้จักประมาณ (มัตตัญญุตา)
3. Not harming, Awihimsa, การไม่เบียดเบียน (อวิหิงสา)
4. Being patient and tolerant, Khanti, การอดทนอดกลั้น (ขันติ)
5. Desiring knowledge, truth and goodness, Chanta, ความยินดีในกิจที่ทำ (ฉันทะ)
6. Being truthful, Sacca, ความซื่อสัตย์ (สัจจะ)
7. Persevering, Wiriya Chakriyanuyok, ความเพียร (วิริยะ)
8. Being generous, Caga, การเสียสละ (จาคะ)
9. Being kind and compassionate, Metta Karuna, เมตตากรุณา
10. Being mindful and alert, Sati, การมีสติ
11. Being calm and focused, Samati, การมีจิตแน่วแน่ (สมาธิ)
12. Applying the mind skillfully, Yonisomanasikara, การคิดเป็น (โยนิโสมนสิการ)