The first noble truth says simply that it's part of being human to feel discomfort. We don't even have to call it suffering anymore; we don't even have to call it discomfort. It's simply coming to know the fireyness of fire, the wildness of wind, the turbulence of water, the upheaval of earth, as well as the warmth of fire, the coolness and smoothness of water, the gentleness of the breezes, and the goodness, solidness, and dependability of the earth. Nothing in its essence is one way or the other. The four elements take on different qualities; they're like magicians. Sometimes they manifest in one form and sometimes in another.... The first noble truth recognizes that we also change like the weather, we ebb and flow like the tides, we wax and wane like the moon.--Pema Chodron, Awakening Loving-Kindness
James: Change is a great check and balance to the unbridled ego. And more importantly without change this beautiful life would not be possible. It is important to see change as a friend and not an enemy. Too often I curse change and see it as an obstacle rather then a Great Teacher and guide along the path.
Every element in existence and non-existence is within this body labeled by some as "James." The truth that I am apart of a large web of inter-being gives me great peace realizing that I'm not alone no matter how alone I might feel at the time. I'm am just one spoke in the wheel of a great vehicle (in fact Mahayana translates roughly to "the greater vehicle") that no one started, can name, label or end and being a small yet not insignificant part of that brings great understanding and grounding of what life is about. The Great Project. It gives one profound peace knowing that the Universe is unfolding as it should. There is nothing to do or undo. Things are going to go the way they are going to go and there is frankly not much that we can control. I like being apart of something that is bigger then my whiny ego.
It is very comforting to sit and breath just like the Buddha some 2500 years ago. It is humbling and empowering to know that even the Great Shakyamuni is just another cog in the wheel. It shows just how much we are all in this together. It says a lot about the Buddha that he faced his awesome nature, potential and mission in this life (and others) and knew not to grab hold of that importance and make it his own and say things begin and end with him. Many others who have developed a similar energy have sadly chosen the way of self importance over the many.
How rare an energy (and great gift to all beings) in the Buddha to have realized the Ultimate and given it away to everyone that all might be that bliss.
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha
~Peace to all beings~
