Our identity is linked to our inner self. We journey through and experience the different dimensions of life, sometimes in a painful and incomprehensible way. If we are truly lucky we grow along the way and become enriched but, unfortunately, there are those who learn very little or nothing from their existence. For some life's journey is limited in either duration or depth.
True satisfaction in this life lies in self-understanding, including the way in which we connect to the wider world. If we fail to connect then we are resigned to insularity. On the other hand, however, if we take the opportunity to learn from our experiences we can benefit from a more fulfilling existence.
Controversy surrounds the existence of soul. Whether there is a metaphysical part of us which exists beyond this life cannot be proved. All that we have to go on is what we see and many of us remain unconvinced of evidence of an after-life. Nevertheless, given that the human race has changed little in its basic needs over time, and that humans have a preoccupation with times gone by, it seems that we are inextricably linked both to the past and the future.
Belonging, belief and identity matter to us in our lives, either in a positive or negative way. For our lives to be as happy and satisfying as possible it seems that we need to interact with our fellow human beings. Peace and harmony in our world surely, therefore, lies in how we can maximise the ways in which interaction occurs.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Day Two - Better day,busier day.
Life is certainly more bearable when there is not too much time to stop and think.
Is money the root of all evil? Without it our existence is severely limited but it cannot buy genuine satisfaction in life so, once again, it is just a case of getting the balance right.
Is it madness or sanity to give up a multi-thousand pounds salary in order to rediscover life's balance? In reality it is a luxury to be in a position to make such a choice and yet I'm not sure I fully grasp the situation in which I find myself.
During the last two days I have read writings by two other women which have touched me.
Firstly, an expressed wish to make the world a better place and, secondly, dealing with the loss of a beloved daughter and, in turn, proximity to a grandson.
Had they not shared their stories I would not have been privileged to have read them and consider once again (please excuse me for mentioning him again today) the story of the Buddha about Kisogotami. Beside herself with despair following the death of her child, Kisogotami went to Buddha for help. He, knowing that it would not be possible to do so, told her to bring him a mustard seed from the house of someone who had not been affected by the loss of a loved one. After visiting a few homes Kisogotami quickly realised the wisdom of the Buddha's advice - it is not possible to find a family who have not suffered a sense of loss caused by death.
It is, at the same time, both humbling and comforting to realise that one does not have the monopoly on suffering and that, indeed, it seems impossible to comprehend the suffering endured by some. There is a saying that what does not kill you makes you stronger and that people will not be exposed to events in life with which they cannot cope. However, sometimes it does seem difficult to get through the day and at these times it is helpful to remember that one does not have the monopoly on hard times and that there is always someone who is worse off than you.
Enough outpourings for today. Goodnight and sleep well.
Life is certainly more bearable when there is not too much time to stop and think.
Is money the root of all evil? Without it our existence is severely limited but it cannot buy genuine satisfaction in life so, once again, it is just a case of getting the balance right.
Is it madness or sanity to give up a multi-thousand pounds salary in order to rediscover life's balance? In reality it is a luxury to be in a position to make such a choice and yet I'm not sure I fully grasp the situation in which I find myself.
During the last two days I have read writings by two other women which have touched me.
Firstly, an expressed wish to make the world a better place and, secondly, dealing with the loss of a beloved daughter and, in turn, proximity to a grandson.
Had they not shared their stories I would not have been privileged to have read them and consider once again (please excuse me for mentioning him again today) the story of the Buddha about Kisogotami. Beside herself with despair following the death of her child, Kisogotami went to Buddha for help. He, knowing that it would not be possible to do so, told her to bring him a mustard seed from the house of someone who had not been affected by the loss of a loved one. After visiting a few homes Kisogotami quickly realised the wisdom of the Buddha's advice - it is not possible to find a family who have not suffered a sense of loss caused by death.
It is, at the same time, both humbling and comforting to realise that one does not have the monopoly on suffering and that, indeed, it seems impossible to comprehend the suffering endured by some. There is a saying that what does not kill you makes you stronger and that people will not be exposed to events in life with which they cannot cope. However, sometimes it does seem difficult to get through the day and at these times it is helpful to remember that one does not have the monopoly on hard times and that there is always someone who is worse off than you.
Enough outpourings for today. Goodnight and sleep well.
Monday, 3 March 2008
March 3rd 2008
I thought blogging would be easy but it is a lot more difficult than I expected. Where shall I begin?
After teaching about values and beliefs for more than ten years I thought I knew about life, the universe and everything but obviously not.
At my age I should have it all sorted but things still jump up and bite you.
Siddartha, the first Buddha, discovered that satisfaction lies in the middle way - the opposite of extremes - but finding the middle way is harder than it seems. How come it is so difficult to avoid the distractions of temptation and to accept that change is inevitable?
Is the world in which we are living today any worse than it has ever been before?
Now, please do not get the wrong idea. It is not my intention to inflict a religious rant but rather to engage in philosophical debate about the whys and wherefores of twenty-first century existence.
Why have human beings not learned to live together more harmoniously? Why is it still better to waste millions on destructive weapons of war than to reach out and build a bridge?
After teaching about values and beliefs for more than ten years I thought I knew about life, the universe and everything but obviously not.
At my age I should have it all sorted but things still jump up and bite you.
Siddartha, the first Buddha, discovered that satisfaction lies in the middle way - the opposite of extremes - but finding the middle way is harder than it seems. How come it is so difficult to avoid the distractions of temptation and to accept that change is inevitable?
Is the world in which we are living today any worse than it has ever been before?
Now, please do not get the wrong idea. It is not my intention to inflict a religious rant but rather to engage in philosophical debate about the whys and wherefores of twenty-first century existence.
Why have human beings not learned to live together more harmoniously? Why is it still better to waste millions on destructive weapons of war than to reach out and build a bridge?
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