I wish for my life to be of service and to be compassionate and loving. I have a lovely neighbor who recently lost her husband. We moved here not long ago so we are only getting know each other. I was chatting with her yesterday about my life and we have much in common. She is deeply grieving her husband and is so very lonely. She brightens when we speak together and even has a chuckle now and then. I hope to be a light on her path to finding herself and happiness again. I feel somewhat that it is my ego wanting to be helpful so I must be careful. I truly want to ease this woman's pain, though.
Beautiful, thank you for the quotes!
I tend to lean the way of this thinking as well. I went through cancer treatment/chemo/surgeries and just learn to embrace what is. I learned to be thankful and grateful for everything, including the treatments.
At 101 yrs. old, I can only imagine the stories you have to tell. I've always enjoyed your posts here as they are so reflective, thank you for being you and being here, Jagdish! If I may be so bold to call you by your first name.
Interesting perspective, thank you for sharing!
Nature's creatures are wonderful lessons of bringing us back home to ourselves. I love to watch our local birds, lizards, and wildlife we have here. It truly is special to just be in the moment, in awe of in the interconnectedness of it all.
What a special time for you and your sweet dog. Being in the moment of mindfulness and love and compassion. Beautiful life lessons 🙏
That is beautiful, thank you for sharing!
When we look out at the world and only see the negative aspects, the hate, the greed, the pain, we tend to only see that. I know someone who basically felt the world was out to get her and then she seemed to attract negative events and happenings. When I was young I didn't have a good health esteem for myself but came to realize we are all manifestations of the Divine and we are beauty in and of itself. We are all trying to do and be the best we can. I wish to be a peaceful vibrational being and be of service to others. Be Loving Awareness as Ram Dass says. Be present in the moment.
Dear Allie, thank you for this thoughtful post. It reminds me of Ram Das who spoke of caring for his father in his end of life phase and others who he was with at the end. He went from caregiver to being a human being sharing in this experience and understanding the suffering that was happening. He then was able to sit with them and help them come to terms peacefully. From caregiver role to human role of sharing this experience.
I love this analogy of transformation. Watching the wonderful video that Saroj provided was poignant for me in that as the chrysalis emerges from the catepillar it looks rather painful then becomes freeing and comfortable from the skin of the catepillar as it goes within to become silent and reflective as we do spiritually in our own growth. Then the shell hardens and softens within itself to change again to begin anew. I think we go through these transformations throughout life and we learn and grow on our journey.
I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer a few years back and that cracked me wide open. All those months of going through treatment gave me time to reflect on how fleeting life can be. But also how precious and glorious it is. It was at this time that I discovered Thich Nhat Hanh and I dove into No Mud No Lotus. We must all go through things that will then turn out to be blessings. I grew to have peace and no fear of leaving this life. At that time, I was grieving what my loved ones will deal with after my passing. I am so blessed to be healthy now and do not want to ever take life for granted. I try to keep reminding myself to stay present in this moment, love this moment no matter what, through the pain, through the joy. Thank you, Pema, for your wise words. Namaste~
All of these responses/reflections here are wonderfully stated. Having hope curiosity in life, in others to see situations clearly. What can be learned from this situation? What am I supposed to see, do, or act upon, or just observe? Skepticism, criticism, optimism are explained in simple well thought out way, here. Thank you!
What a beautiful story of your landlady/owner taking you under her wing as family then adopting your family. Thank you for sharing!
We delude ourselves when we use separation of us/them in order to protect ourselves. If we can begin to look at all beings, all phenomena as part of the Whole, part of God, we can then love it all. Love them all as we love God because we are all a manifestation of God, fingers of the same hand. Interconnected. I am sorry to hear of Ted's passing. I didn't know of his work but will look further into it. May his family find comfort and peace. Namaste~
I am reading The Heartfulness Way by Kamlesh Patel and he talks of mediation is when we go inward to connect with God/Source. Our souls are longing for that connection. Home with God is within. As we practice meditation as a beginner, it is not always the same. Sometimes, we get so connected to God and long for that experience each time but in longing for something we are cutting ourselves off of learning something new because we are expecting the same results. Being open to each and every experience even when mediating, I feel is essential. Hope that makes sense.
I feel the same! I grew up Christian but am drawn to Buddhism and all spirituality.
Interesting how when you dropped your own religious identity and embraced other's caused you to be unsettled. We do need to explore our own beliefs/identities to then see the commonality of each others and be fully aligned in your own.
I couldn't have expressed this any better, thank you! Yes, we need to absolutely start to look at each other as part of the whole and not cause pain and suffering to others as it hurts ourselves as well. Interconnected in this world. Even if we adhere to a religion but we must also be open to others' religions as well as inclusive and find the commonalities they embody.
Greatness, to me, is defined in how a person lives. Living with compassion and kindness and love. I've been reading a biography of Fred Rogers from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and he embodies these qualities. I consider him to be "greatness". Someone mentioned TNH, Gandhi, Martin Luther King as they embody greatness. Wealth does not equal greatness.
Life is a pilgrimage for sure. We are all wanting and searching for peace, love, security and happiness. If we are aware/awake, we can treasure all the things that come along the way as teaching tools to help us. I am grateful for this journey and to have wonderful souls along the way to help guide me.