Friday Night Zen #25
Buddhist sentiments are not just for meditators and robe wearers. The principals found in the teaching of the historical Buddha, are found in many places, from many different sources. That’s because the Buddha didn’t teach a religion, he taught philosophy and a direct application of self awareness that reinforces the message because the teaching emanated from self inspection. This philosophy is based upon being human, what it means to be human , and how to live as a human. As such, it is universal to all people everywhere.
Still it surprises people to find harmonious teachings coming from Western sources. I shouldn’t, but it does. That’s why I feature these sources specifically: to shed light upon the universality of the Dharma.
The following quote comes from world class social advocate Dawna Markova, CEO of Professional Thinking Partners, author and guiding light behind Smart Wired, an organization devoted to teach future generations to live purposeful, enlightened lifestyles. Her focus is teaching others to live meaningful lives. Her message is sorely needed.
I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
Of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
To allow my living to open me,
To make me less afraid,
More accessible;
To loosen my heart,
until it becomes a wing
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.~ by Dawna Markova
For us to change the future into a more ideal vision of peace, ecological stewardship, justice and equality, we must teach this vision to our children, contrast current reality with future possibility and stress that they are the architects of change. Instill fearlessness in our kids, instill compassion, but mostly promote a sense of urgency, so they use their short lives well and unhesitatingly work to make their world better. Doing so manifests Dharma by improving well being of all living creatures, which is exactly what Buddhism aims for.