Walking The Path of Liberation and Enlightenment requires a path on which to walk. Unless you set a direction for the path, you may not end up at your desired destination. Without direction, you may be walking into a path of thorns. In Zen Buddhism, the goal is to walk aimlessly, with a clear and set path.
The Path can be discussed; Walking is something that everyone must do themselves. The Path is described as the theory, the walking as the practical. “I can show you the door. But you must walk through it” is another way separating the path and walking it. The right path is something that is worked upon, to keep us clear from the thorns.
We as humans are influenced by our environment. If we are around negative people, places or things, this will affect us. Remove these distractions and negatives from our path allow more positive seeds to flower. If favorable conditions are present, a beautiful flower will grow. Once this beautiful flower has bloomed it will be strong enough to begin supporting and helping others. First, we must grow our own selves and positive qualities, before coming to the rescue of others.
Rick suggests an active process called the “Undo List” to allow your flower to bloom. “Write down up to 5 people, places, or things that you need to minimize or eliminate from your life in order to make meaningful progress. For each one, brainstorm how to go about “undoing†them, and by when it will be done.” Once your flower has bloomed, you will then be able to help those people, places and things that require help. If you stay with them before you’ve grown, you will be unable to help them, and unable to help yourself. After helping yourself, you will have the tools to help others. In airplanes, the message is to place on your oxygen before that of a child; if you can not breathe, you can not help someone else.
Placing yourself on the most positive path and then walking it come what may, is not restricted to eastern philosophy. Western philosophy attributed this concept to Stoic philosophers. “If I am going to sail, says Epictetus, I choose the best ship and the best pilot, and I wait for the fairest weather that my circumstances and duty will allow. Prudence and propriety, the principles which the Gods have given me for the direction of my conduct, require this of me; but they require no more: and if, notwithstanding, a storm arises, which neither the strength of the vessel nor the skill of the pilot are likely to withstand, I give myself no trouble about the consequence. All that I had to do is done already. The directors of my conduct never command me to be miserable, to be anxious, desponding, or afraid. Whether we are to be drowned, or to come to a harbor, is the business of Jupiter, not mine. I leave it entirely to his determination, nor ever break my rest with considering which way he is likely to decide it, but receive whatever comes with equal indifference and security.”
Create yourself a clear and peaceful path, walk it with equanimity, and you are walking the path of liberation and enlightenment.
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Somehow, all of the ads take away from the “Commentries on Buddhism, Meditation, Philosophy, Psychology, Zen & Mindfulness.”
Think Buddha would have advertised? Something like: this enlightenment lecture brought to you by “Buddha Ringtones. Click here to send a Buddha rington to your phone now!.”
Hi Al,
Money raised through the advertising on this site is donated back as dana to Buddhist Communities/Resources such as Zencast, InfinteSmile, AlanWatts Podcast, Shasta Abbey and Insight Meditation Center.
This site is not being run to line my pockets. You will also note my buddihst ringtones/logos/resources/timers/chimes/mp3s are all free.
Peace,
Wade
“Aligning myself with the path†is something I struggle with. I ask myself, should I stay the course with the challenges placed in front of me because they may contain lessons I need or should I make a change to a more peaceful path to facilitate my studies. Sometimes it is difficult to tell which is better…taking the risk of missing out on an important lesson or finding a peaceful place. Perhaps it does not matter in the end because the lessons always seem to find you again.
PS – The ads don’t bother me. I didn’t really notice them until they were pointed out.
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the comments on the ads, it’s great to know they are not too intrusive. It’s great to be able to provide Dana for the real world Sangha from time to time using ads on this site. It’s like a double win to me
When I’ve been stuck previously, like when I posted this initially, I really asked myself, what am I lacking. I sat with it, and didn’t try do anything. Just listened. I already knew what was needed, I just needed to listen.
From what I understand this is always the case. We always know what we need if we listen and trust our selves.
Peace,
Wade