22 June—There is nothing more important or wondrous than whatever it is you are doing and experiencing right now. Which is to say, at any given moment. And that is true no matter what. There is no more important person to be with or to be listening to than the person you are with right now. Even if that person is a driver in another car and she just gave you the middle finger.
Ah, you have absorbed the Buddha's teachings well my young padawan learner. That's a good thing. "If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him." and "the truth wears bright colors spring, summer, winter, and fall." Personally, I think of myself as an improvement project. Not fundamentally, but I will never stop asking myself if I couldn't have done something better or done more of something.
Hey, Jeff! Thanks for the sweet comment. Re: "Personally, I think of myself as an improvement project. Not fundamentally, but I will never stop asking myself if I couldn't have done something better or done more of something." Yup. I get it. Buddhism asserts two truths, as I assume you must know: the relative and absolute. From the perspective of the relative truth there is something to be done, which is another way of saying that there are improvements to be made. From the perspective of the absolute ("fundamentally" is the word you used) our nature is that of a perfect Buddha and there is no improvement needed. It's a mind twisting paradox, like a koan. Hope all is well in Idaho.
Wonderful advice and nicely stated, Cara! It's in Buddhist philosophy as well. What counts is HERE, NOW, not a day ago or tomorrow, but at the present.
I drove my poor wife crazy and myself, with so many of my angry pronouncements of punishment towards politicians, war-mongers, and he greedsters at the top while watching the news on television or listening to it on the radio., knowing how harmful it was, and I didn't change one thing.
Now, at least I have a semblance of inner peace taking care of myself in my senior years and helping others as best as I can. It's not how we start out in life, but how we wind up, meaning did we make any progress in our own personal development in attaining Wisdom & Understanding and practicing self-government in our life and affairs. I'm a late-bloomer!
Frank, thank you for the nice comment. I've spent much of my life driving myself and others crazy. To the extent that we continue to learn and grow and evolve we are all late bloomers. What a good thing! Cheers, Friend!
Thank you, dear Cara. You have absorbed the teachings and express these inexpressible ideas with such beauty and clarity. This post is a keeper. I miss you! Sending you love.
Thank you, J.R., for taking the time to comment. Glad you found the message useful.
Three days ago in my morning meditation I was sitting with a lot of uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. It came to me how tired I am of feeing like I'm an improvement project, and that there's something fundamentally wrong with me that needs fixing, and how much that idea (a mistaken idea) causes me to suffer. It seemed an insight worth sharing.
Love this, Cara!
Thanks, Roxanne! xoxo
Ah, you have absorbed the Buddha's teachings well my young padawan learner. That's a good thing. "If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him." and "the truth wears bright colors spring, summer, winter, and fall." Personally, I think of myself as an improvement project. Not fundamentally, but I will never stop asking myself if I couldn't have done something better or done more of something.
Namaste.
Hey, Jeff! Thanks for the sweet comment. Re: "Personally, I think of myself as an improvement project. Not fundamentally, but I will never stop asking myself if I couldn't have done something better or done more of something." Yup. I get it. Buddhism asserts two truths, as I assume you must know: the relative and absolute. From the perspective of the relative truth there is something to be done, which is another way of saying that there are improvements to be made. From the perspective of the absolute ("fundamentally" is the word you used) our nature is that of a perfect Buddha and there is no improvement needed. It's a mind twisting paradox, like a koan. Hope all is well in Idaho.
Wonderful advice and nicely stated, Cara! It's in Buddhist philosophy as well. What counts is HERE, NOW, not a day ago or tomorrow, but at the present.
I drove my poor wife crazy and myself, with so many of my angry pronouncements of punishment towards politicians, war-mongers, and he greedsters at the top while watching the news on television or listening to it on the radio., knowing how harmful it was, and I didn't change one thing.
Now, at least I have a semblance of inner peace taking care of myself in my senior years and helping others as best as I can. It's not how we start out in life, but how we wind up, meaning did we make any progress in our own personal development in attaining Wisdom & Understanding and practicing self-government in our life and affairs. I'm a late-bloomer!
Frank, thank you for the nice comment. I've spent much of my life driving myself and others crazy. To the extent that we continue to learn and grow and evolve we are all late bloomers. What a good thing! Cheers, Friend!
Thank you, dear Cara. You have absorbed the teachings and express these inexpressible ideas with such beauty and clarity. This post is a keeper. I miss you! Sending you love.
Hello, Dear Friend. I thought of you as I wrote it... so we are never very far apart. How grateful I am for you. Sending love your way.
Thank you, J.R., for taking the time to comment. Glad you found the message useful.
Three days ago in my morning meditation I was sitting with a lot of uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. It came to me how tired I am of feeing like I'm an improvement project, and that there's something fundamentally wrong with me that needs fixing, and how much that idea (a mistaken idea) causes me to suffer. It seemed an insight worth sharing.
Sending all good wishes your way...