Some Sri Lankan's can't swim. Maybe they never want to leave. |
Just a little history to point me the need to tell my story, and points to interconnectedness of people where a single incident of delight can trigger others.
I was in a
jovial mood after Sri Lanka(thinking of seeing my partner after a 2nd trip solo) and making connections both with the security and a
man who both happened to see my Buddha amulet once I took it from out of my
shirt to show that it was no weapon when I was individually patted down. All the security
were very happy to find out I am Buddhist(or more correct, I try to follow the
Buddhist path), and then I showed them on my phone a photo of me when I
ordained in Thailand. Instantly, I felt like I just got accepted into a big family, and
everyone came to look. One gentleman who was a witness to this as well,
wrote on a card of a monk and temple I need to go and meditate in when I
return. As well, when I arrived there three weeks
earlier, the staff of Sri Lankan Airline's offered me a ride in their van to the
local bus stop, even though the bus stops there, just a friendly goodwill
offering to beat the rain that was soon going to follow. The new airport in Hambantota made me really not want to leave, I guess because more goodwill incidents kept happening.
All these special moments really do
make one happier, setting off a chain reaction and thus when I arrived in Bangkok I was caring their good
will in my heart. I chatted up one man waiting in the skytrain and he ignored
me(possibly language reason), then quickly on to another who was Sikh trying to use a famous
voice(Snatam Kaur) as a way to break the ice. There was no wall of separation between us as with most strangers. Yes, of course he had heard of her and seen her sing live. Although she was not needed, this
particular gentleman had a clear heart and thus launched us into almost an hour
long conversation. And this is how I return to the need to share my story,
which we had talked about on the ride. He planted a seed. That it is and was unique
enough with my near death. I am guessing he was a Dr, and a
speaker who flew there for a talk that he was giving. I said that I am still trying to figure out
which points to bring up that would help others grow in their own life. Here a
few ideas of what I may discuss in my "broken voice" that will
hopefully not convey pity but fearlessness in the near future.
Wewurukannala Vihara Temple |
WAS ONCE'S Healing Hints:
— There are no guarantees in life or birthrights for that matter.
— When bad things happen don't
compound them by taking on blame or assigning it to others, for that matter. Still working on this one.
— Turn “why me?” to “why not, me?” That took me at least a year!
— Turn “why me?” to “why not, me?” That took me at least a year!
— Raise your goals. When don't meet
them, use them to inspire you for the following day.
— Believe it or not…you may have to
use “making others happy” to access your own healing. That will
become obvious with time.
—Examine your thinking at every level,
even a slight negative mind state will become a cesspool of misery. (This lead
me to meditation)
— Relaxing is the greatest skill
you could learn in this lifetime.(learned from an ex-monk)
— Fall in love with your illness or
disease. If that doesn’t work then fall in love with the wisdom you have gathered
from it. I got to that point in a few years, that I now longer wanted my old life back.
— Be grateful for those that reject you, but be forever indebted to those that stick around.
— Be grateful for those that reject you, but be forever indebted to those that stick around.
— Admit your failures or laugh at
them.(Jump start it by laughing at your past egocentric perfections)
— TRY EVERYTHING, it will
eventually trigger the hope energy to blossom, and give you more reasons to continue thus allowing more healing. Let go of things that “should” work, and move on…we are each a unique being with a mish-mash of life experiences.
— Stop comparing yourself to others perceived as “bette” than you and actually see how lucky you are. You obviously are still here because you have more to learn before you die.
— Stop comparing yourself to others perceived as “bette” than you and actually see how lucky you are. You obviously are still here because you have more to learn before you die.
— No one will fully understand your
suffering, flip it ...try to understand others suffering or just be quiet and observe.
1 comment:
Your list contains a lot of good wisdom. Sharing your personal story makes the lessons more powerful.
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