Get a grip!


Yes, I think I need to get a grip on reality. Perhaps many of us do.
Today I was thinking about how my mind can get so caught up in so many thoughts. Even in my practice, I have so many questions. I wrestle with gaining good understanding, I practice acceptance and loving kindness. Sometimes I even neglect meditating because I get too busy with my work and my life.
Throughout the day, my mind is constantly engorged with a cornucopia of thoughts and feelings. I spend a great deal of time observing and examine these. Even trivial thoughts like what we will eat for dinner, or what to watch on TV tonight.
Does most of this sound normal to you? Does it sound like I am being an average person, or a good practicing Buddhist?
Well, my dear friends, today I see that I do not have even the slightest grip on reality.

Last night, and today, my focus shifted to the reality of other beings. Families and children like those living in places like the Horn of Africa or Somalia. No food, no water, no clothing, no medical care. No shelter, no bed, no toilet, no sink. All the basic necessities of life that most of us take for granted, are luxuries that millions cannot even dream of.
With no way to provide food or water for your starving baby, would any of us care or put effort into any of things that I spend my time on? Would I care about meditation, reading the dhamma, or watching a good movie. Of course not. The reality of life, the essence of existence and survival are far more powerful once they become present in our lives.

I see this realization as an amazing gift. Not only in being thankful for what I have and the life that I am fortunate to live, but that I share this life with each of these human beings. They are my Mother and Father, my Sisters and Brothers, and my babies too.
And as long as there is suffering in this World that can be prevented, it is my calling as a living being to be of help to each one of them. In whatever way I am able, in my heart, my meditation, and in my financial abilities, I must be aware of my Family and help them in every way that I can.
I see now that the focus is to be on what I can do, not on what cannot be done. This is to live the dhamma.

We are all more connected than we often realize, and this is certainly true of the self.
None of this requires any of us to be sad or depressed, but simply be more aware and connected to one another. Both in our smiles and our tears, let us share all of this life with one another.
May each of you be safe, well, happy and peaceful.