The ability to see and appreciate what there is.

Not what there isn't.

Not what I have...(Can we ever really have or posses anything?)

...But what is.

To be present.

To be alive.

To appreciate the is.

     Why do I always feel the need to apply order to things?  Apply rules?  "Oh, I should do daily paintings now"...Why the need to define?  "Here's what it is...Here's the conclusion...I've got the solution now...It's right...It's perfect...No more struggle".  But isn't the end of stuggle, the end?  Isn't struggle inherent in life?  Why do I insist on focusing on the outcome and not the journey?  Isn't the ultimate outcome death?  I want to be present.

     So off to my reading I went with these thoughts and focused on these excerpts..."1.  The Truth of Suffering The nature of conditioned existence is suffering.  Aside from the obvious suffering of physical pain, all of our experiences are based on impermanent and changing factors.  Due to that basic truth, suffering is inherent in everything we experience.  2.  The Truth of Cause Suffering is caused by "thirst"-craving or desire.  Because all desires are based on the faulty notion of a permanent and independently existing self, the real basis of suffering is ignorance of our true nature."...."In our practice of the Dharma, we seek to transcend the situation in which we all find ourselves:  victims of our own mental afflicitions, the enemies of our peace and serenity.  These afflictions-such as attachment, hatred, pride, greed, and so forth-are mental states that cuase us to behave in ways that bring about all our unhappiness and suffering." The Dalai Lama

Leave a Reply