The current disaster in Japan is a striking reminder to us of life's fragility and how urgent it is not to put off what is important. The situation many residents in Japan find themselves in is the one that Buddhism constantly is reminding us of... life is impermanent and can change in an instant. The changes we may face vary in their severity, but whether they be the loss of a loved one, an unexpected life change or being confronted with death itself, we must not put off what has meaning until later. Whether that is spending quality time with family, letting bygones be bygones or just taking time out to do what you love is a type of spiritual practice.
Buddha said that of all meditations, meditation on death is the ultimate one. When we commit to being true to ourselves in spite of the busyness of the world, which tries to rob us of our time and trick us into spending it on other things, we are participating in this important meditation. The realization that you don't have a lot of time makes you spend it more wisely and this leads to maturity and wisdom in your actions. The tragedy in Japan and in other places in the world is a reminder to us that these things happen to all people. What matters is not avoiding these disasters, as that is impossible. What truly is important is that you be prepared if that disaster strikes and don't leave a lot of things undone.
The reminder of the fragility of life should also be used to have empathy and concern for our fellow beings who want to be happy and avoid tragedy just like us. Please keep the people of Japan in your thoughts. Send them your compassion and/or your prayers and hope that whatever good can come out of this situation will.
Here is a link a friend of mine provided to donate to the Red Cross, put "aid to Japan" with your donation to make sure it goes there. http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=38380&tid=001
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Rational Desire for Other's Happiness
As we continue reading the Way of the Bodhisattva, I find myself thinking about the idea of aspiring for the happiness of others and what that means. It occurred to me this week that achieving your own happiness is like hoping to fill a small shot glass full of water. Whereas wanting happiness for all of humanity (or even beyond that for all sentient beings) is like aspiring for the ocean to be full of water.
It follows then that the water in a small glass of water can be quickly lost. However, the water in the ocean will take thousands of years to dry up, assuming it ever will. It is not a perfect analogy, but if you move your aspiration to the happiness of others, and put less focus on the water in your own glass, so to speak, you will be less affected by the constant fluctuations of fortune that we all experience.
Also, this seems to me to be a very rational approach. Conscious investment in one individual's happiness puts a lot of your energy in one basket. Let's face it, a lot of life is chance. We all like to think that we are happy or successful by our own efforts alone, but it is probable that just as much is influenced by luck. Therefore spending your energy on a larger pool is a way to make a wiser investment.
After all, the final argument one could make is that if you spend your life pursuing happiness for yourself, at the moment of your death that happiness will expire totally. On the other hand, if we concern ourselves with the well being of others, we can rest assured that it will definitely out live us. And the bigger our circle of care and compassion is, the more confident we can be that it will last long beyond our individual lives.
It follows then that the water in a small glass of water can be quickly lost. However, the water in the ocean will take thousands of years to dry up, assuming it ever will. It is not a perfect analogy, but if you move your aspiration to the happiness of others, and put less focus on the water in your own glass, so to speak, you will be less affected by the constant fluctuations of fortune that we all experience.
Also, this seems to me to be a very rational approach. Conscious investment in one individual's happiness puts a lot of your energy in one basket. Let's face it, a lot of life is chance. We all like to think that we are happy or successful by our own efforts alone, but it is probable that just as much is influenced by luck. Therefore spending your energy on a larger pool is a way to make a wiser investment.
After all, the final argument one could make is that if you spend your life pursuing happiness for yourself, at the moment of your death that happiness will expire totally. On the other hand, if we concern ourselves with the well being of others, we can rest assured that it will definitely out live us. And the bigger our circle of care and compassion is, the more confident we can be that it will last long beyond our individual lives.
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