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Below is my reflection to the article written by Melvin McLeod:
According to my understanding, arriving at enlightenment means finding my true nature of mind, the basic ground of reality in progress. True nature of mind is emptiness-empty of craving and clinging, free from judging mind, free from selfishness and self-will, free of all my projections. Such a pure mind is replete with wisdom, joy, compassion, peace and enlightenment. I remember a story in which a Zen master was asked a question "What is Enlightenment?" To which the Zen master responded: "I drink water when I am thirsty. I eat food when I am hungry. I sleep when I am tired." When our attachment to material and spiritual strivings and struggles ceases, our mind gets deep joy and peace. We are free. We are Enlightened. In my spiritual journey I have been learning that the true inner freedom arises not by struggling to achieve freedom, joy, peace, compassion and enlightenment but by sitting down letting go of my cravings and attachments. I put in action three words in my daily journey of spiritual life: Mindfulness, Awakening and Meditation. Applying these these three spiritual values in my everyday transactions helps me reconcile not striving with other dictums of continuous improvement. Namaste!
1 Comment
Debbie Podwika
1/29/2022 01:59:20 pm
Very interesting piece. Certainly, an "easier said than done" situation. One certainly can see that those who strive for happiness through money & material things are not always happy or not for long. Research shows this certainly and you can just see it. You also see unhappiness with family who jam-pack their time with all kinds of sports and activities. My struggle is I feel like I'm wasting my time and not making the world a better place is I'm not doing something to help it, especially when it comes to the environment. Oh I'm not saying I don't find the value from getting sleep, doing Qi Going, Tai Chi, Mindfulness Meditation, but then I gotta get going on making this planet sustainable for my little niece. :-) Leave a Reply. |
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