Buddha’s Sutras have brought me comfort and given insight again and again. His subtlety may mean that people miss the depth of his teachings, yet they have persisted for thousands of years. His face or rather what we think is his face, is often used for decoration in our age of spiritual materialism, yet he symbolizes the hope that we may indeed awaken. But, far more powerful than his image, is his thought–it is a prescription for wellness. Non-truth makes us unwell and his prescription is like a dose of truth medicine:) I hope that one day I will no longer need the prescription, but until then I gladly take this medicine as needed.
- Everything is changing all the time
- The impact of what we think and say is far reaching.
- We do not live or die, we simply exchange states. Life and death are continuums of awareness in a stream of consciousness.
- Everything is connected to everything else. To try and examine phenomena by separating them leads to faulty theories and outcomes.
- Life involves unpleasantness. It is natural. But, since nothing is permanent, unpleasantness is also temporary
- Letting go of our reaction to unpleasantness and pleasantness is really important for happiness.
- Sustained long-term happiness is possible, but only through right mental habits
- Whatever we desire gives us pain. But the absence of desire–its opposite will also give us pain.
- Whatever negativity you feel about another person reflects a fear about yourself
10. Judgements come from ignorance and thus they lead to learning.
11. You cannot know everything and cannot be wise before you are indeed wise. Don’t hurry, go at your own pace.
12. Your greatest anger is always towards yourself.
13. You must forgive, because otherwise you become like that very thing that gave you suffering.
14. You are your own worst enemy, nobody can harm you as much as you can.
15. The only way to heal yourself and others is Metta or loving kindness.
16. Loving kindness leads to happiness.
17. Practice happiness and it becomes reality
18. Forgiveness does not mean sacrificing truth, instead it is about trusting a bigger truth-that we are one.
19. Kindness is the most courageous and brave action.
20. Giving is receiving in human services.
Saima Shah–March 18th, 2015
