The precepts of Buddhism help many people meet terrible challenges with decency and calm; hospitals across the nation now offer a form of Buddhist training called mindfulness to patients, helping them face health crises, pain and even death with as much serenity as they can muster.
These monks at a Zen monastery in Big Sur show us how it's done:
Tassajara monks practice Zen of firefighting.
Whatever the fire - a metastatic cancer diagnosis, a war, an impending economic or environmental crisis - we can all use some mindfulness to bring us back to what is happening in this moment. Right now my son is sleeping, my husband has returned from taking the other son to day camp and is starting his work day, the garbage truck roars as it patrols the neighborhood, and a mockingbird chortles loudly from the telephone pole. I am alive and breathing and enjoying this moment. That's all I've got. Thank you."We don't want to jump into the fire; we don't want to run from it either," said Joseph Schommer, 25. "We're peacefully aware of the fire and prepared for it."
Yes, yes, yes.
I find it amazing how much peace I have when I can let go and just be. If I allow it to, even building legos with my son or washing the dishes can give me such peace. What's even better is when I take that peace a step further and have gratitude for the moment. I truly think gratitude might the gateway to joy.
Posted by: Val | July 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
a decent person like you is an improvement over Buddhism.
the real knowledge is also a help to stay calm.
i am your ally to get the people calm down....
Posted by: Dove's Friend | July 12, 2008 at 07:23 AM