Huna principle #4 (Manawa)
Now is all we have. The ghosts of yesterday and the illusions of tomorrow intersect and manifest in the Here and Now.
That much is intellectually understood. But really, are we actually here at any given time? There is always something else to think about, something else to worry about and something else to plan for.
So what we're doing is actually destroying "Now', which is the only place we have Power. Power to change, power to create and power to act.
Yes, it's good sometimes to visualize and dream, it's good to contemplate and postulate.
But that has to be a conscious decision on our part to do so.
In the Present.
So be present, be here now and decide consciously what you want to do...
Right now.
I like this REM song called "Stand" that comes to me when I'm absent which is actually quite often!
"Stand"
Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before
If you are confused check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
.....
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Energy Flows where Attention Goes
Huna Principle # 3 (Makia)
Well, to me this is pretty obvious. It's all about Focus. When we were young we played this game where we would take a magnifying glass and focus the sun's rays on to a piece of paper. In a few seconds the paper was toast...or rather, ash.
So to the degree that we focus, that is to the degree that our attention goes, our energy follows. This is great when we want to learn something new or complete tasks we find are boring or dull.
Now, if Energy flows where Attention goes, then it also means that:
Attention goes where Energy Flows. With this, we can see that if we really try to do something (put our energy into it) our focus is automatic. Which means that if there is motivation to achieve, we find it easy to focus.
Which in turn helps us succeed in anything we set our minds on.
Now for the cool part:
According to Huna, there is something called the duplication effect. That is, if we focus on a particular object, we find that within 2 or 3 days, something equivalent is manifested. In other words
We get what we focus on (!!)
Now it could be the case of our subconscious doing what psychologists call selective perception but whatever, it works in the most mind blowing way.
In the first lesson of Hunatrainer, Pohaku tells us to focus on a blue feather. He says that when do this, in about 2 or 3 days, a blue feather will turn up in some form in our lives.
Mine did on the second day. It was in a book I was reading.
So, and again, to paraphrase Pohaku, don't take my word for it. Just try it for yourself and see.
Let's try to create a Purple Pony. How about that. It's something that is pretty rare. Try it and leave your comments and tell me how long it took you and in what form it manifested.
Well, to me this is pretty obvious. It's all about Focus. When we were young we played this game where we would take a magnifying glass and focus the sun's rays on to a piece of paper. In a few seconds the paper was toast...or rather, ash.
So to the degree that we focus, that is to the degree that our attention goes, our energy follows. This is great when we want to learn something new or complete tasks we find are boring or dull.
Now, if Energy flows where Attention goes, then it also means that:
Attention goes where Energy Flows. With this, we can see that if we really try to do something (put our energy into it) our focus is automatic. Which means that if there is motivation to achieve, we find it easy to focus.
Which in turn helps us succeed in anything we set our minds on.
Now for the cool part:
According to Huna, there is something called the duplication effect. That is, if we focus on a particular object, we find that within 2 or 3 days, something equivalent is manifested. In other words
We get what we focus on (!!)
Now it could be the case of our subconscious doing what psychologists call selective perception but whatever, it works in the most mind blowing way.
In the first lesson of Hunatrainer, Pohaku tells us to focus on a blue feather. He says that when do this, in about 2 or 3 days, a blue feather will turn up in some form in our lives.
Mine did on the second day. It was in a book I was reading.
So, and again, to paraphrase Pohaku, don't take my word for it. Just try it for yourself and see.
Let's try to create a Purple Pony. How about that. It's something that is pretty rare. Try it and leave your comments and tell me how long it took you and in what form it manifested.
Monday, May 25, 2009
There are no Limits
Huna principle # 2 (KALA)
In this world of infinite possibilities and potential, there are no limits. The only limits are what has been set by us, either consciously or subconsciously.
So what this principle gives us is FREEDOM. We are free to decide anything about anything.
Free to live our lives the way we want to, free to expand our possibilities and potential, free to believe in what we believe in and free to change our minds and lives when the circumstances change.
It also gives us the freedom to actually impose limits when we feel it is appropriate. After all, rules and limitations are there to make sure that systems work a certain way. We classify things into neat tables to increase our understanding and to improve our effectiveness.
Following this thought a little farther, we find that if there are no limits, then it follows that we are all connected. Not only are we connected to each other but we are also connected to trees, stars, the sun, the moon and the ocean, animals, rocks, computers and everything else.
Which in turn means...our thoughts and actions do count and they affect us as well as everything around us.
In this world of infinite possibilities and potential, there are no limits. The only limits are what has been set by us, either consciously or subconsciously.
So what this principle gives us is FREEDOM. We are free to decide anything about anything.
Free to live our lives the way we want to, free to expand our possibilities and potential, free to believe in what we believe in and free to change our minds and lives when the circumstances change.
It also gives us the freedom to actually impose limits when we feel it is appropriate. After all, rules and limitations are there to make sure that systems work a certain way. We classify things into neat tables to increase our understanding and to improve our effectiveness.
Following this thought a little farther, we find that if there are no limits, then it follows that we are all connected. Not only are we connected to each other but we are also connected to trees, stars, the sun, the moon and the ocean, animals, rocks, computers and everything else.
Which in turn means...our thoughts and actions do count and they affect us as well as everything around us.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The world is what you think it is (IKE)
Huna Principle # 1
The world is what YOU think it is. That is, we each create our own individual reality based on our own filters and perceptions. We decide if we want to feel happy, sad, angry or loving. Of course, circumstances are there to influence us but what we think and how we react to them is completely up to us.
Now: IF our world is what we think it is, and IF we create our own reality, then it follows that:
By changing our thoughts, we can actually change our reality.
In the beginning, I had a little issue with this principle. For example, is it classic denial? Do we turn a blind eye to all that's going around us and believe that it's not real?
Stuff like that.
But then, as i went on, i realized that yes, there are events outside our control and yes, there are situations that occur, that seem totally overwhelming.
But the thing is, we have a choice on how to react to these events. That is all we can actually control.
And when we do realize it and actually live it, we find that we really are the author of our own life story.
So decide for yourself right now what you want to think and believe for that is the only reality you will live in.
An interesting consequence of this principle is that everything is a dream. We are all dreaming this world into existence. So to make changes in your life (which is a dream), you consciously change your dreaming.
Try experimenting with this principle...you may find that the external world directly mirrors your internal world.
The world is what YOU think it is. That is, we each create our own individual reality based on our own filters and perceptions. We decide if we want to feel happy, sad, angry or loving. Of course, circumstances are there to influence us but what we think and how we react to them is completely up to us.
Now: IF our world is what we think it is, and IF we create our own reality, then it follows that:
By changing our thoughts, we can actually change our reality.
In the beginning, I had a little issue with this principle. For example, is it classic denial? Do we turn a blind eye to all that's going around us and believe that it's not real?
Stuff like that.
But then, as i went on, i realized that yes, there are events outside our control and yes, there are situations that occur, that seem totally overwhelming.
But the thing is, we have a choice on how to react to these events. That is all we can actually control.
And when we do realize it and actually live it, we find that we really are the author of our own life story.
So decide for yourself right now what you want to think and believe for that is the only reality you will live in.
An interesting consequence of this principle is that everything is a dream. We are all dreaming this world into existence. So to make changes in your life (which is a dream), you consciously change your dreaming.
Try experimenting with this principle...you may find that the external world directly mirrors your internal world.
Huna
A couple of years ago i read some books by Serge Kahili King that introduced me to an ancient Polynesian philosophy called Huna.
This 'science of living' as i would like to call it has helped me make some very positive changes in my life. I'm definitely not any expert but in the next few posts, i would like to share with you (and myself) what I understand about this philosophy.
So let's travel together.
My thanks and appreciation to Serge King (www.huna.org) and to Pohaku and the folks at Hunatrainer (www.hunatrainer.com) who helped me start on this path.
Mahalo nui loa.
This 'science of living' as i would like to call it has helped me make some very positive changes in my life. I'm definitely not any expert but in the next few posts, i would like to share with you (and myself) what I understand about this philosophy.
So let's travel together.
My thanks and appreciation to Serge King (www.huna.org) and to Pohaku and the folks at Hunatrainer (www.hunatrainer.com) who helped me start on this path.
Mahalo nui loa.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Resolution!
I'm done with pessimism.
And cynicism.
And fear and anger and loathing.
For those of you who know me, please don't be alarmed. I've not grown all sappy and sentimental.
I do think however, that there's way too much negativity in the world. Look at any newspaper and you'd be hard pressed to find anything to be hopeful about.
And I'm so done with that.
So, from now on, I resolve to try my best to only write on this blog about the positive side of things and about how the good and even great times are indeed on its way.
Who knows? Maybe like the proverbial butterfly flapping its wings, my small effort might even affect the collective web consciousness with a sense of...Hope.
And cynicism.
And fear and anger and loathing.
For those of you who know me, please don't be alarmed. I've not grown all sappy and sentimental.
I do think however, that there's way too much negativity in the world. Look at any newspaper and you'd be hard pressed to find anything to be hopeful about.
And I'm so done with that.
So, from now on, I resolve to try my best to only write on this blog about the positive side of things and about how the good and even great times are indeed on its way.
Who knows? Maybe like the proverbial butterfly flapping its wings, my small effort might even affect the collective web consciousness with a sense of...Hope.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Don't forget to Smile
Amidst all the gloom and doom surrounding us, a message from the heavens reminding us to smile, to bless the present and to be happy.
Check out Jupiter, Venus and the Moon in a rare event.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Ch Ch Ch Changes
The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.
— Isaac Asimov
Change as in Obama and the NY Giants,
Change as in Deleveraging and the vaporization of trillions of dollars.
Change as in the PAD annexing Suvarnabhumi airport,
Change as in Russia sending warships to Venezuela and waltzing into Georgia
Change as in the rise again of pirates of the high seas,
Change as in developed countries asking for financial help from "emerging" ones.
I was just listening to the great poet and philosopher Bob Dylan and although written in 1963, his words are simply timeless:
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
— Isaac Asimov
Change as in Obama and the NY Giants,
Change as in Deleveraging and the vaporization of trillions of dollars.
Change as in the PAD annexing Suvarnabhumi airport,
Change as in Russia sending warships to Venezuela and waltzing into Georgia
Change as in the rise again of pirates of the high seas,
Change as in developed countries asking for financial help from "emerging" ones.
I was just listening to the great poet and philosopher Bob Dylan and although written in 1963, his words are simply timeless:
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
But where did it go?
Just to put things in perspective, the following article from Bespoke Investment Group
http://bespokeinvest.typepad.com/bespoke/2008/10/world-equity-ma.html
World Equity Market Declines:
-$26,000,000,000,000
Here’s one to take home with you tonight, although it might make it tough to keep your dinner down. Since last October, the value of stocks worldwide has fallen 41%, or $25.9 trillion. Bloomberg’s World Market Cap index has fallen from $62.5 trillion at its peak on October 31st, 2007 to its current level of $36.6 trillion. On an individual country basis, the US has lost by far the most at nearly $7 trillion. China ranks second at -$1.77 trillion, followed by the UK (-$1.72 trillion), Japan (-$1.54 trillion), and Hong Kong (-$1.47 trillion).”
http://bespokeinvest.typepad.com/bespoke/2008/10/world-equity-ma.html
World Equity Market Declines:
-$26,000,000,000,000
Here’s one to take home with you tonight, although it might make it tough to keep your dinner down. Since last October, the value of stocks worldwide has fallen 41%, or $25.9 trillion. Bloomberg’s World Market Cap index has fallen from $62.5 trillion at its peak on October 31st, 2007 to its current level of $36.6 trillion. On an individual country basis, the US has lost by far the most at nearly $7 trillion. China ranks second at -$1.77 trillion, followed by the UK (-$1.72 trillion), Japan (-$1.54 trillion), and Hong Kong (-$1.47 trillion).”
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Slack and Sloth
I've been slack in putting out details of our trip to Spain but sometimes words fail me. They fail for a long time. Or maybe sloth drowns the words.
Whatever, i think I will just put up some pics of the trip to Spain and call it a vacation.
Whatever, i think I will just put up some pics of the trip to Spain and call it a vacation.
Afraid of Everything
On any given day, it seems that we're bombarded with bad news wherever we go. A quick sweep of the paper tells us that we must be afraid and that's the only way to be. Let me list some fears that are put into us on a daily basis by the media.
Fear of travel,
Fear of staying indoors
Fear of outdoors,
Fear of cell phones,
Fear of being out of touch
Fear of food
Fear of eating too much food
Fear of eating too less
Fear of medicines,
Fear of not taking enough meds
Fear of not having enough money
Fear of losing money
Fear of banks failing
Fear of property crashing
Fear of flood,
Fear of not enough rain,
Fear of authority,
Fear of indiscipline,
Fear of the law
Fear of lawlessness
Fear of unvaccinated pets
Fear of sickeness from flying birds and flying bugs
Fear of no information
Fear of too much information
Fear of earthquakes
Fear of forest fires,
Fear for the environment,
Fear of the environment,
Fear of being watched
Fear of not being watched enough
Fear of crazy dictators,
Fear of crazy presidents
Fear of crazy religous leaders
Fear of change,
Fear of not changing,
Fear of God
Fear of the Devil
Well, I could go on.
Is it any wonder then that our brain simply refuses to process most of the information that passes our senses?
Fear of travel,
Fear of staying indoors
Fear of outdoors,
Fear of cell phones,
Fear of being out of touch
Fear of food
Fear of eating too much food
Fear of eating too less
Fear of medicines,
Fear of not taking enough meds
Fear of not having enough money
Fear of losing money
Fear of banks failing
Fear of property crashing
Fear of flood,
Fear of not enough rain,
Fear of authority,
Fear of indiscipline,
Fear of the law
Fear of lawlessness
Fear of unvaccinated pets
Fear of sickeness from flying birds and flying bugs
Fear of no information
Fear of too much information
Fear of earthquakes
Fear of forest fires,
Fear for the environment,
Fear of the environment,
Fear of being watched
Fear of not being watched enough
Fear of crazy dictators,
Fear of crazy presidents
Fear of crazy religous leaders
Fear of change,
Fear of not changing,
Fear of God
Fear of the Devil
Well, I could go on.
Is it any wonder then that our brain simply refuses to process most of the information that passes our senses?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Ancient Marketplace
The Empurias archeological site is where the Greeks set up a trading outpost in the 6th century BC. The name came from the Greek word 'Emporion' which means 'Market place'. This port really flourished and became the ancient world's major Mediterranean trading towns.
Great place to visit and can be combined with a trip to the beach.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Gala Dali Castle
About 10 minutes drive from Madremanya is the village of Pubol where Salvador Dali made and dedicated a castle to Gala, the love of his life.
If you think that the Taj Mahal is a monument of love that a man had for his wife, then the castle of Pubol is a monument of obsession.
The castle was a ruined mansion which Dali bought and refurbished to Gala's taste before presenting it to her.
And what taste.
Opulent meets the surreal, everything is gold, blue, and red...there is even a gold throne where they presumably received guests. When she was alive, Dali used this castle as a private retreat but he could not visit unless he had a personal engraved invation from Gala.
She died in June 1982 and is buried in the basement of the castle. A depressed Dali tried to live there after her death but there was a fire and he had to move to an apartment in Figueres.
Interesting place with some interesting art but my favourite was the Dali-esque garden.
Is it just me who thinks that his art and style resembles the illustrations from Dr. Suess books?
If you think that the Taj Mahal is a monument of love that a man had for his wife, then the castle of Pubol is a monument of obsession.
The castle was a ruined mansion which Dali bought and refurbished to Gala's taste before presenting it to her.
And what taste.
Opulent meets the surreal, everything is gold, blue, and red...there is even a gold throne where they presumably received guests. When she was alive, Dali used this castle as a private retreat but he could not visit unless he had a personal engraved invation from Gala.
She died in June 1982 and is buried in the basement of the castle. A depressed Dali tried to live there after her death but there was a fire and he had to move to an apartment in Figueres.
Interesting place with some interesting art but my favourite was the Dali-esque garden.
Is it just me who thinks that his art and style resembles the illustrations from Dr. Suess books?
Monday, August 18, 2008
Over the hills and far away
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About 25 minutes northeast of Girona, on a small country road along rolling hills, is the little village of Madremanya. And when I say little, I mean little.
There's really not much information about it on the internet and even the car rental people did not know anything about it
Perfect.
Good friends of ours have a beautiful house there and they kindly let us make it or home for the ten days we spent in Catalunya...Imagine waking up in the morning and looking outside your window and seeing fields of sunflowers everywhere.
After Bangkok, this is simply unreal.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
And Then
Confucius Say : Man who complains too much shall eat his own words
After the experience at the Spanish embassy, i must say that i was pleasantly surprised to have had one of the best travel experiences ever in Spain.
Nice easy going people, good weather (except when i got very hot in the south), good food and wine, efficient public transport....the works.
Details to follow.
After the experience at the Spanish embassy, i must say that i was pleasantly surprised to have had one of the best travel experiences ever in Spain.
Nice easy going people, good weather (except when i got very hot in the south), good food and wine, efficient public transport....the works.
Details to follow.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Smile
If first impressions are last impressions then I'm not so impressed.
I mean isn't an embassy supposed to be a representative of a country? Their attitudes, mannerisms, efficiency (or lack thereof) pretty much predicts how one can expect to be treated during one's trip there?
No?
But it should be.
Case in point is the Spanish Embassy in Thailand.
Besides requiring every single paper you can produce to substantiate your existence, besides having only 4 waiting chairs, besides saying things like "I don't make the rules"; they are excruciatingly slow.
I mean S L O W .
What does an embassy do besides...well...ambassador-ing? Shouldn't they be spreading goodwill and cheer and joy between countries rather than looking stern and important and finding ways to prevent natives from coming into their country? Isn't this the complete opposite of what embassies and ambassadors are supposed to do?
Visas do nothing to prevent illegals and other undesirables...those people always find their way. Instead they discourage and degrade people who have a valid reason to enter a country.
Passports, visas, lines drawn in the sand --- it seems like an extremely inefficient way for the world to function.
I mean if people want to move from one country to the next, they will do so due to economic reasons. For an Asian to move to the EU and suffer under high taxes and low employment is to me unthinkable. And if they do, they would have to really outperform to survive which can only be beneficial to the host country.
I read a report in the Economist Magazine about how the Mexicans who entered the United States illegally are now moving back due to better prospects at home. This is even true of legal migrants like the Indians.
I think it really is that simple.
People are motivated by economics.
Consider all the foreigners who are traveling and even moving to places like China forgetting that just a short while ago they were the evil and dreaded communists.
Ah...but look now at what the Dragon is doing...
It's making it harder for people to visit the country due to security reasons during the Olympics.
So there we have it ---- Security is what makes the world go round.
After all, it's for our own good to have our thumbs scanned, record our life stories on a computer chip and have cameras tracking our every movement.
Anyway, my musings were interrupted when it was finally my turn to collect my passport now newly upgraded with the Schengen stamp.
Three months multiple entry.
Gee, thanks.
Let's do this again.
I mean isn't an embassy supposed to be a representative of a country? Their attitudes, mannerisms, efficiency (or lack thereof) pretty much predicts how one can expect to be treated during one's trip there?
No?
But it should be.
Case in point is the Spanish Embassy in Thailand.
Besides requiring every single paper you can produce to substantiate your existence, besides having only 4 waiting chairs, besides saying things like "I don't make the rules"; they are excruciatingly slow.
I mean S L O W .
What does an embassy do besides...well...ambassador-ing? Shouldn't they be spreading goodwill and cheer and joy between countries rather than looking stern and important and finding ways to prevent natives from coming into their country? Isn't this the complete opposite of what embassies and ambassadors are supposed to do?
Visas do nothing to prevent illegals and other undesirables...those people always find their way. Instead they discourage and degrade people who have a valid reason to enter a country.
Passports, visas, lines drawn in the sand --- it seems like an extremely inefficient way for the world to function.
I mean if people want to move from one country to the next, they will do so due to economic reasons. For an Asian to move to the EU and suffer under high taxes and low employment is to me unthinkable. And if they do, they would have to really outperform to survive which can only be beneficial to the host country.
I read a report in the Economist Magazine about how the Mexicans who entered the United States illegally are now moving back due to better prospects at home. This is even true of legal migrants like the Indians.
I think it really is that simple.
People are motivated by economics.
Consider all the foreigners who are traveling and even moving to places like China forgetting that just a short while ago they were the evil and dreaded communists.
Ah...but look now at what the Dragon is doing...
It's making it harder for people to visit the country due to security reasons during the Olympics.
So there we have it ---- Security is what makes the world go round.
After all, it's for our own good to have our thumbs scanned, record our life stories on a computer chip and have cameras tracking our every movement.
Anyway, my musings were interrupted when it was finally my turn to collect my passport now newly upgraded with the Schengen stamp.
Three months multiple entry.
Gee, thanks.
Let's do this again.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Transformers T Shirt
While I've had my share of ridiculous experiences with gatekeeper idiots that adorn the various airports of the world, nothing tops the Transformer IT Consultant threat that was thwarted by the over zealous security officers at Heathrow's terminal 5... read the article below or click here to go the news site.
Transformer T-shirt passenger threatened with arrestMonday, June 2, 2008
An airline passenger claimed today that a security guard threatened to arrest him because he was wearing a T-shirt showing a cartoon robot with a gun.
Brad Jayakody, 30, from west London, said he was stopped from passing through security at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after his Transformers T-shirt was deemed "offensive".
The IT consultant was set to fly off on a business trip to Dusseldorf in Germany when he was pulled to one side.
Mr Jayakody said the first guard started joking with him about the Transformers character depicted on his French Connection T-shirt.
He wrote on his blog: "Then he explains that since Megatron is holding a gun, I'm not allowed to fly.
"It's a 40ft tall cartoon robot with a gun as an arm. There is no way this shirt is offensive in any way, and what I'm going to use the shirt to pretend I have a gun? (sic)
"Now here's the stupid part. I was only taking carry on luggage, so my clothes were in my bag, so I said I'd get changed. So I stripped off at security and changed T-shirts, putting the 'offensive' T-shirt in my bag.
"I've done what they've said. No point in arguing with the drones.
"The supervisor comes over and is now a dick to me, telling me if I put the shirt on I'll be arrested.
"I then told him that I wasn't going to waste time arguing with him and he wasn't worth the effort and didn't have any power to change anything anyway."
Mr Jayakody added that the character on his T-shirt was Optimus Prime.
A spokesman for Heathrow operator BAA said: "If a T-shirt had a rude word or a bomb on it, for example, a passenger may be asked to remove it.
"We are investigating what happened to see if it came under this category.
"If it's offensive, we don't want other passengers upset."
He said there was no record of the incident and the passenger "certainly didn't make a formal complaint at the time"
I'd better remember to leave my Green Lantern and Batman t shirts home before taking the next flight.
Transformer T-shirt passenger threatened with arrestMonday, June 2, 2008
An airline passenger claimed today that a security guard threatened to arrest him because he was wearing a T-shirt showing a cartoon robot with a gun.
Brad Jayakody, 30, from west London, said he was stopped from passing through security at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after his Transformers T-shirt was deemed "offensive".
The IT consultant was set to fly off on a business trip to Dusseldorf in Germany when he was pulled to one side.
Mr Jayakody said the first guard started joking with him about the Transformers character depicted on his French Connection T-shirt.
He wrote on his blog: "Then he explains that since Megatron is holding a gun, I'm not allowed to fly.
"It's a 40ft tall cartoon robot with a gun as an arm. There is no way this shirt is offensive in any way, and what I'm going to use the shirt to pretend I have a gun? (sic)
"Now here's the stupid part. I was only taking carry on luggage, so my clothes were in my bag, so I said I'd get changed. So I stripped off at security and changed T-shirts, putting the 'offensive' T-shirt in my bag.
"I've done what they've said. No point in arguing with the drones.
"The supervisor comes over and is now a dick to me, telling me if I put the shirt on I'll be arrested.
"I then told him that I wasn't going to waste time arguing with him and he wasn't worth the effort and didn't have any power to change anything anyway."
Mr Jayakody added that the character on his T-shirt was Optimus Prime.
A spokesman for Heathrow operator BAA said: "If a T-shirt had a rude word or a bomb on it, for example, a passenger may be asked to remove it.
"We are investigating what happened to see if it came under this category.
"If it's offensive, we don't want other passengers upset."
He said there was no record of the incident and the passenger "certainly didn't make a formal complaint at the time"
I'd better remember to leave my Green Lantern and Batman t shirts home before taking the next flight.
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