I’m not gonna say I’m a big, Sci-fi geek,
but when I hear the term “Precious Human Life”
I can’t help but think of Gollum from JR Tolken’s "The Hobbit".
But when we use the phrase “Precious Human Life”
what we’re really talking about is:
#1 possessing a golden opportunity and
#2 making the most of it.
By now you’ve heard me teach you many, many times,
NOT to rely upon faith, for:
• it is connected to fear,
• it feeds on rigidity,
• it gives birth to aggression and
• leads to suffering.
So instead of taking the traditional approach,
which is steeped in fear and dogma
let’s explore a more pragmatic approach.
Yes, if you look hard enough
we can always contrive reasons for resentment and despair.
Yes, the argument could be made that neither,
our minds, hearts, bodies or circumstances are perfect.
So what?
Wouldn’t it be cool…
wouldn’t it be delightfully subversive
if our flawed, silly lives were golden opportunities for
rapidly accomplishing full enlightenment and
then helping others do likewise?
It could be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
we lived in a war zone, or
our family was a war zone, or
our hearts and minds were filled with intense violence.
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
It could be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
we were dying of dehydration or
if we were enfeebled by the lethargy that comes from utter starvation.
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
It could be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
we were animals, with out the neurological capacity or even the
physiological capacity to do so.
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
It could be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
we were utter slaves, totally exploited and horribly taken advantage of.
In the 20th century in America we have it really good, don’t we?
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
It would be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
we were greedy, cruel and exploitive predators.
Then the very notion of love and compassion could be physically repulsive.
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
It could be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
we were utterly obsessed with competition and pettiness.
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
It could be very difficult to both learn and practice Dharma if
like Thurston Howel the Third
we had no real personal experience of suffering to
nudge us forward on the spiritual path or
no real awareness of other people’s sufferings to
give birth to love or compassion in our hearts.
If right now, we enjoy freedom from those obstacles then
we have a golden opportunity.
Come, let us make the most of the golden opportunity we've received!
Have you registered for the Friday series of weekly webinars?
It begins January 7th.
May you and yours be
happy and healthy!
Om Mani Padme Hum,
.
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