“I teach about suffering and the way to end it,” Buddha Sakyamuni said, “Conquer the angry person by love. Conquer the ill-natured person by goodness. Conquer the miser with generosity. Conquer the liar with the truth.”
Buddha taught the the secret for both a healthy body and mind is not to mourn what happened in the past, nor cry over what could have been… not to become angst over what might happen in the future, or grasp at what we think will make us happy, but simply to live in the present moment with awareness.
At first, this might seem like a difficult path. We must begin by embracing the Four Noble Truths and actually come to understand them intellectually. As we grow in that understanding, we begin to practice (by means of the Noble Eightfold Path and our sadhana). With practice, we begin to see the Dharma, and from that clear sight, we realise awakening and the pervasive joy of Enlightenment.
Every child is a bit awkward the first time they get on a bicycle and attempt to ride. But they persevere, and with practice (and a few falls here and there) they develop the skills needed to ride. The Dharma is not unlike learning to ride that bike. Perhaps you and I will feel moments of awkwardness, uncertainty or fear from time to time. We may fall, and at times, get a bit scraped up. Yet our perseverance, daily practice and effort will yield skilful results in time.
Namasté
khenpo gurudas sunyatananda
Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
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