”The purpose of our life needs to be positive. We weren’t born with the purpose of causing trouble, harming others. For our life to be of value, I think we must develop basic good human qualities – warmth, kindness, compassion. Then our life becomes meaningful and more peaceful – happier.”
~~~ Dalai Lama
I can easily remember back to the days when I was first putting some serious effort into the study of Buddhist Belief, and discovering most folks considered my efforts to be another one of those “new-Agey, Hippy” things. I do understand part of why they thought this way – I was a new-age hippy at the time. Well, I guess I still am in many ways. But back then (this was many years ago – I won’t say how many!) what people thought about Buddhism was usually something like a form of withdrawal from the real world. Those of us looking seriously into Buddhism were seen as a bunch of spaced out freaks who sat around chanting “Ohm” all the time.
Even though I did tell you my studies began many years ago, I also am noticing how far the teachings of Buddha have become a part of our society today. You don’t have to look too far to find a Buddhist Center – or travel to get to a Buddhist retreat – or find a place where you can take part in a Buddhist meditation group. I’m delighted this is happening. I’m delighted to see more and more people discovering the teachings and seeing the good in them. It tells me how there is a chance for the world to be a better place.
However – (yep, I’ve got a “however” here) – if all the study and reading of books and blogs like this one are going to do any good in the long run, we have to do what the teachings say – practice! And then we have to practice some more – and then we have to put our practices into practice in our everyday lives. We have to teach ourselves to live the teachings.
When I was a young man and still able to be a pretty good classical pianist, my teachers and coaches would always remind me that way to get to Carnegie Hall was to Practice! Practice! Practice! Well, the same is true for being a Buddhist. Our study and reading may be great for providing us with inspiration, but unless we put what we learn into our permanent lifestyle – sure, we’ll be more educated about the Buddhist principles — but our effect on our fellow humans will be minimal.
Once we decide that compassion is a good thing – and how learning that being mindful can make us healthier – or we come to understand how there is no separate self – we’ve accomplished something positive. But to make it an even better accomplishment, we need to develop a lifestyle of being compassionate as well as daily practicing mindfulness and selflessness. This isn’t an easy thing to do, as I’ve come to realize every day. Let’s face it – our bodies and brains have been evolving for millions of years. We’re programmed to behave just the opposite of what Buddhism is teaching. These are lifestyle habits we live with and like any habit they’re not easy to change.
We all know about the Four Noble Truths. We all know how these truths show us the path to developing more clarity, more happiness and contentment and more actions based on wisdom. The path Buddha taught has been proven over and over for many generations to be the way to travel through our lives. What it also teaches us is how we have to go beyond just reading about it. We won’t find the clarity, contentment and wisdom until we put these practices into action in our lives. This is a huge commitment. As I am learning more and more every day, if I follow the teachings only when it’s convenient for me to do so, the choices I make don’t have much of a lasting effect. It’s still too easy to slip back into the “old ways” of living.
Over these past few months I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to share time with my friend and fellow Buddhist meditator, Bill Bogan, via a personal visit to his home – seeing each other in our church when he was still able to travel – some phone conversations – this blog – and the sharing of emails. Bill was enduring the suffering of invasive surgeries, the discovery of cancer in his body, and the mental anguish of his anger in facing end-of-life issues. Bill was also aware of the seriousness of my own incurable illness and could see the rapid progression on my body when we would see each other, as I was able to see his. We began to teach each other by putting what we’d learned into practice. As the days went by, we both gradually become kinder, gentler, more connected and more able to drop the hard exteriors we had used to protect ourselves from the challenges ahead.
I began to write some of the recent postings in this blog with Bill in mind. By listening to what we each had to say to each other, I would write from whatever knowledge I had acquired over the years. The discovery I made is how I realized I was writing not only with Bill in mind, I was also writing to myself. I was hoping to reinforce for both of us what Buddha taught – there is nothing other than the moment we’re in. We can choose to resist what is – or we can choose to accept it.
Fortunately, in one of Bill’s last emails to me, I could see where he had found the courage to accept what is. Bill showed me how acceptance and living the teachings can make a difference. What a gift he gave – not only to me – but to the many others with whom he was sharing time in his last days.
I know there needs to be a major shift in our lives if we are to see a shift to the positive in our societies. This is huge – it is so daunting – but it has to start somewhere. As Buddha once said,
“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth — not going all the way, and not starting.~~~ Buddha
The place to start is with each of us.
Metta ….May I be well and happy. My I live in safety. May I be healthy and strong. May I live with ease. May all beings be well and happy. May all beings live in safety. May all beings be healthy and strong. May all beings live with ease.
Namaste — Be in Peace.
Ron Rink
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Just click the links that are sort of Grey in color to take you to where you can learn more about each book and how you can purchase a copy for your own library.
Stephanie Kaza — Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume
Stephanie Kaza, an amazing writer and Buddhist teacher I knew from my 36 years living in Vermont, gathers key Buddhist thinkers to reflect upon aspects of consumerism, greed and economics. Certainly, many other authors have examined consumerism from the lens of their religious traditions, but this book’s Buddhist perspective is unusual, and its pairing of consumerist critiques with core Buddhist concepts is generally fruitful. Check this one out! Hooked!
Stephanie Kaza — Mindfully Green: A Personal and Spiritual Guide to Whole Earth Thinking
Another one from my Vermont friend — Stephanie Kaza, a biologist and professor of Environmental Studies at University of Vermont, combines Zen Buddhist practices and teachings with her 40 years as an environmentalist for this guide to enlightened environmentalism, proposing a belief in the interdependence of people and nature as the genuine way to “go green”: “When we come to see ourselves as part of the green web of life… we are naturally drawn to respond with compassion.” A good read for Buddhists or anyone from any religion. Mindfully Green
Anam Thubten — No Self – No Problem
No Self – No Problem
shows how to realize the ultimate meaning of life in each moment by dissolving all notions of ego-identity. It asks that spiritual seekers wake up to their true nature, which is already enlightened. Based on Buddhist wisdom traditions, this easy-to-read book discusses in simple, but profound and inspiring language, how we can live a life full of love, satisfaction, and happiness. No Self – No Problem
Sharon Salzberg — The Kindness Handbook
“It takes boldness, even audacity, to step out of our habitual patterns and experiment with a quality like kindness–to work with it and see just how it might shift and open up our lives. This book is an invitation to do just that. — From The Kindness Handbook
Eckhart Tolle’s amazing best seller, A New Earth
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s wonderful book, My Stroke of Insight: Nirvana is just a breath away!
And this one by Sharon Salzberg and is entitled: A Heart as Wide as the World: Living with Mindfulness, Wisdom and Compassion“.
This is a new one for you by Pema Chodron entitled: When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
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Always remember this wonderful quote from Buddha ….
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”~~~ Buddha
Shanti everyone, … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”~~~ Buddha
Have a peaceful day!! —
Ron Rink
P.S. If you’d like to read my memoir/novel, you can access it here:
http://www.wecould2.com
