Aren’t you happy for me? Does it make you smile, knowing that I am simply overjoyed right now?
Would you like to know my secret to this tremendous happiness, and how to make it last?
Acceptance (khanti) and non-attachment (nekkhamma).
Two simple words, but with such a deep and powerful meaning.
And if it were not for my Teacher (Bhante Sujatha), I might find this very hard to believe. Just by seeing that two words, rather the understanding and acceptance of two words, can be the key to abundant and lasting happiness.
Every day I bear witness to this wisp of man generate so much love and compassion for every living being. Whether you are tall or short, fat or thin, happy or angry. Regardless of your sexual orientation, race, religion, politics or your past actions. Here is a human being, just like you and me, who has nothing but acceptance and love for you.
And yet, he is not attached to any of us!
Attachment would only mean expectation, clinging (tanha), and the arising of suffering (dukkha).
Instead, even if any of us were to move away and never see him again, still his love and compassion for us remains intact. Truly unconditional.
So do I have these qualities myself right now? Yes. But with acceptance and non-attachment I see that I can have no expectation on the permanence of this. This is only one moment, and then it is gone. My greatest determination is to see this reality and live it lovingly.
And with practice, I hope that one day I may be the great example of compassion (karuna) and equanimity (upekkha) that my Teacher lives and breathes every day.
It truly exists for each of us.
May you be well, happy and peaceful.
