This is going to be a more spiritual message. I did the message of the week today using Buddha Discovery Deck. As many of you know, I study Zen as it is the only teachings that made sense to me. I was raised Catholic and never connected to that religion. However Zen attracted me; it talked to me.
Today's message was about men being born unconsciously, although he has the potential to become conscious.
This message made me think a lot. It resonates and it is so true. We look to the outside world, people, titles, experiences, achievements for validation. But what we chase is truly the broken part in ourselves. In other words, what is broken within ourselves is what we look to the outside to fix. Possible? Of course not. Since the titles, achievements, people, ego can never fix what is broken from within you. Only YOU can do that.
However in order to truly fix what is broken within yourself, you will need to become conscious and work at it. Take full accountability for it without directing your anger, frustration, disappointment and judgment to the outside world. You will need to forgive and forgive yourself. You will need to awaken to the broken parts inside of you so you can release the pain and sadness.
Being awaken is not about social status, or watching Youtube videos, or judging others. Being awaken is about finding strength and acceptance within yourself. Being awaken is the ability to learn from everything and everyone without any other motives or any other expectations but being a student.
It is so much easier to blame others, to get mad at the past, or chase fame and money than going from within and doing the work. The hard work is about letting go of the victim attitude, control and judgement... Letting go of past disappointments and pain.... Letting go of anger and guilt... To learn to say "I am sorry" without a "but" and without any other expectations. Learning to say "I love you" without judgment.
Become one with nature, the flow, the ups and downs of life and allow the energy to flow to you, from you and through you with a confidence that it will all settle down again. No need to ask "why" as the torments of life happen to everyone. No need to fight it as it will pass. No need to stay stuck in it, as the energy will keep on flowing; just float with it, feel it, allow it, and release it if needed.
The way of the Buddha is not easy, and most of us will never achieve it continuously, however it is something that we can learn from it and regularly challenge ourselves to live by it.
You have everything you need right inside of you. Whether you will want to reach for it and awaken it, is entirely up to you...
