Billows Her Skirt

          After completing the book Becoming Enlightened by Dalai Lama, I desire to reflect on the many things I learned. I’m still researching about all kinds of religions and spiritual paths which is why I initially read the book. Buddhism has always fascinated me. I feel like there are points in every religion that I agree with and can apply to my own belief systems.
          Buddhism is basically the pathway to escape suffering. Suffering is caused by many things including mundane pursuits, counter proactive emotions, narrow-mindedness, and karma. I’m not an expert on Buddhism but this is just what I absorbed. Altruism is the main way in which to alleviate suffering and obtain nirvana. It encourages love of others, selflessness, and acts of kindness. I realized that that is the life I wish to pursue; I want to share my knowledge, affection, and sympathy with everyone. I want to aid others in their quest for wisdom and joy. After a year of recovery, I have progressed significantly and now I am capable of sharing with others because I am stable and healthy.
          Ignorance is perhaps the greatest obstacle. With ignorance, there is bigotry, narrow-mindedness, misunderstanding, hatred, and prejudice. External qualities are only an allusion and are usually inaccurate. I realize that I must reject appearances and “first impressions” and seek truth. I must learn to treat all people equality and wish everyone happiness and freedom from suffering. Dalai Lama made an interesting point when he questioned how most people treat their friends, acquaintances, and enemies. We often elevate friends onto a pedestal because we love and cherish them more than others. Yet in regards to our enemies, some enjoy when they are miserable. Although I use the word “hate” quite freely, I truly do not hate anything or anyone. There have been people in my life that have caused me great pain. But through time, therapy, and meditation, I have forgiven all of them. They deserve compassion, patience, and sympathy just as a friend or family member deserves it. For truly, the ones that hurt others are the ones that suffer the most. I have this insight because I used to purposely hurt others as well. During my eating disorder, there were times when I felt so low that the only solace I could acquire was by unleashing my hatred upon innocent people. The relief such actions brought be were merely temporary allusions. Enemies, also, are the ideal practice for compassion, patience, and love anyway. When you began to identify how every human being is dependent upon one another, you began to formulate a better appreciation for them. Everyone possess an intrinsic quality or skill that will eventually bring joy or solace to someone else. That made me think of what mine was and influenced me to dedicate my life to aiding the development of the human race. Buddhism promises that such altruistic endeavors will bring great rewards and bring a person closer to Nirvana.
          It’s important to remove bias in order to wish happiness and health for all people. In the book, there was a suggested meditation practice that required me to think of three people: a close friend, a detested enemy, and an acquaintance. It made me wish all of them peace, prosperity, and freedom of suffering regardless of my previous dispositions. Upon doing this, it dawned on me how ridiculous it is to discriminate against others! People’s actions do not always reflect their true character and everyone can change as long as are able to identify their wrongdoings. And lastly, all things are not permanent. The person who is your friend may not always be your friend and vise versa for the enemy and acquaintance.
          I now understand what I must do. I must question hatred and in order to be omniscient. I must love all in order to learn patience, tolerance, and peace. I truly hope that you, my lovely readers, benefit from my loquacious ramblings. I believe that blogging has given me the opportunity to be altruistic in my own way. I aspire to be a catalyst for change and I hope I inspire you to pursue your own journey of self-discovery and wisdom.

“Even if I have to do it alone, I will free all sentient beings from suffering and the causes of suffering, and connect all sentient beings with happiness and it's causes."