One aspect of the Islamic faith that I have always appreciated is the Salat times, otherwise known as the call to prayer, which is observed five times each day. When I was over in the Mid-East during Desert Shield/Storm, I was able to observe personally how this culture paused, no matter what they were all doing, to stop, & make time to concentrate on their 'Great Mystery'. The Osage Nation traditionally did the same.
Like the Muslims, the Osage woke & gave thanks each dawn for another day of life. Most days I go about my morning routine of making coffee, checking the internet, doing chores, etc... & am amiss at thanking the Great Mystery for the gift of another day. Sounds like another goal for me to think about. Too often I stumble through my days, not appreciating what I do have & how many people cherish another day of life.
Despite my tendencies to put more thought into what I perceive as 'missing' in my life, I am filled with gratitude for the many gifts I've received, not necessarily during these holidays, but throughout this past year. I've been actively working on concentrating on what I am grateful for instead of "feeding" any negative thoughts.
Almost every night when laying in bed those last moments before one slips into dreamtime, I try to reflect on how very fortunate I am to be in a warm, comfortable bed, in a dry, snug home, not hungry, not sick & living in a place where I feel part of a community. Of course those negative thoughts that 'nirvana' still eludes me creep into my brain! I really want to change this thought pattern of mine.
With humble apologies to my Buddhist friends, as one who that tries to be open to learn about the many aspects of all organized & unorganized "religions", I do like the idea of actively seeking to be more aware & to be seeking to improved one's state of mind. The hard part is actually consciously doing this!
Right now I wish I had my Buddhist
friend, Joey, to give me some guidance on how to correctly phase what I'm trying to communicate. Good thing we all have "google". Anyway, I would like to imitate their mindset in striving to obtain the "right" thinking, as illustrated in this picture of the Eightfold Path.
One aspect of Buddhism I feel that I have learned about this past year is the concept of 'non attachment', nothing is permanent. We are all passing thru & this too shall pass. This concept is not new to me & I always admired George Harrison who seemed to actually get it & live it. Yet it seems I must learn this repeatedly. I am happy to report that I am 'getting it' more, as I age.
This concept is explained much better than I could do by the Buddha Guy at:
One of the primary causes of unhappiness is our tendency to cling to things, thoughts, actions and desires. Shakyamuni Buddha realized that everything is impermanent, all arises and passes away. When we fail to understand this fact, and base our happiness on things not changing, we are certain to suffer. The same is true if we choose to wallow in our misery. Misfortune befalls us and we can see no end to our despair. This attachment to our pain is certain to guarantee continued suffering.
Our relationships with other people, both as individuals and communities, are filled with negative attachments. How often have you been mad at, or held a grudge against, a relative or former friend because of something they said or did years ago? How much of the turmoil in the world is the result of incidents that occurred long before anyone alive today was born? By clinging to these emotions we make impossible the forgiveness that leads to happiness.
Life is a collection of goals and desires. As taught, we strive wholeheartedly to achieve them. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we often reach the point where these are unachievable. Accepting that we did our best and letting go allows us to move on with joy to the next stage of our life. Bemoaning our fate and feeling anger only leads to resentment and sorrow.
December is a time when many of the religious traditions celebrate a holiday or significant event. The prevailing sentiment is one of peace on Earth, goodwill towards others. As the year draws to a close we eagerly anticipate the new year. This year, in preparation for the new, why not hold your own mental “throw out day?” Look at your life. Cherish the good times now, knowing that they will pass. Realize that you can overcome current misfortunes. As you spend time with friends and relatives, think of the ones to whom you no longer speak. Resolve to be the one that reaches out to heal old wounds. Reflect upon the goals and desires you have achieved and let go of the ones no longer attainable. Free yourself from old attachments and enter the new year prepared to find happiness.
Our relationships with other people, both as individuals and communities, are filled with negative attachments. How often have you been mad at, or held a grudge against, a relative or former friend because of something they said or did years ago? How much of the turmoil in the world is the result of incidents that occurred long before anyone alive today was born? By clinging to these emotions we make impossible the forgiveness that leads to happiness.
Life is a collection of goals and desires. As taught, we strive wholeheartedly to achieve them. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we often reach the point where these are unachievable. Accepting that we did our best and letting go allows us to move on with joy to the next stage of our life. Bemoaning our fate and feeling anger only leads to resentment and sorrow.
December is a time when many of the religious traditions celebrate a holiday or significant event. The prevailing sentiment is one of peace on Earth, goodwill towards others. As the year draws to a close we eagerly anticipate the new year. This year, in preparation for the new, why not hold your own mental “throw out day?” Look at your life. Cherish the good times now, knowing that they will pass. Realize that you can overcome current misfortunes. As you spend time with friends and relatives, think of the ones to whom you no longer speak. Resolve to be the one that reaches out to heal old wounds. Reflect upon the goals and desires you have achieved and let go of the ones no longer attainable. Free yourself from old attachments and enter the new year prepared to find happiness.
I will close with another good story from the Buddha Guy, who reminds us to "leave it at the river" or drop the emotional baggage we (or at least I do) tend to hang on to, far too long.....
The story of a monk and a novice provides an illustration. The early monastic tradition in Buddhism discouraged monks from any physical contact with women. Even today, in the Theravadan tradition common in Southeast Asia, this prohibition continues. Physical contact is believed to cause a rising of lust and desire. This, in turn, hinders the path to enlightenment.
One day, a monk and a novice were walking through the countryside. They came upon a young woman standing by a stream. “I must cross the stream,” she said,” but my fine clothes will be ruined and I fear that the current might sweep me away.” Saying nothing, the monk lifted the woman and carried her to the other shore. Reaching the other shore, he bowed and continued on his way. This shocked the novice. Were not they to avoid touching women? Why had the monk violated this rule? As they continued walking, the novice became increasingly agitated. Finally, he could restrain himself no longer. “Master, are we not to refrain from touching women. Why did you carry her across the stream?” The monk replied, ”You fool, are you still carrying the woman. I left her at the river.”
