Move Beyond the Past

A new year brings a new beginning. This is the time when we reflect upon the past year, the good times and the bad. Hopes for the future become resolutions; so easy to make, so hard to keep.

A common sentiment at New Years is to let bygones be bygones. Too often, we cling to what we perceive as the insults, slights and abuse done to us by others. We remain attached to these negative thoughts and prolong our misery. The New Year is a perfect time to time to look at how we are a cause of much of our suffering. Then, when we are aware of these attachments, we can resolve to let them go. The Dhammapada, a collection of the basic teachings of Gautama Buddha, expresses this idea.

“He abused me. He defeated me. He robbed me. Live with such thoughts and you live in hate.” Who suffers when these thoughts consume you? Is it the person at whom they are directed? On the other hand, is it yourself, as distress, anger and plans for revenge fill your day? Anger is a natural human emotion. It is inevitable. The Buddhadharma recognizes this and stresses that it is what you do when you become angry that is important.

Shortly after the death of the Buddha, a young novice asked a question of Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin. He asked, ‘Did the Buddha ever become angry.’ Ananda replied, ‘Of course he did, he was only human. But he forgot it immediately.’ This immediate letting go of anger eliminates self-caused suffering.

Letting go is not limited to anger. We also need to let go of unfulfilled hopes and wishes. This does not mean we should not have plans and dreams. The desire of all living things is to be happy. Our plans and dreams are the means by which we move along the path to this happiness. However, clinging to these dreams, when we know they cannot come true, only leads to misery. More and more we feel cheated and resentful. Sometimes, if our dream goes unfulfilled, we become jealous of others who seem to have succeeded. Our ego tells us that we are more deserving. Rather than feeling sympathetic joy for the good fortune of others, we let their happiness cause us misery.

This year, resolve to look within. Search within yourself to find the cause of your happiness and suffering. As you discover the source of your happiness nurture it, build upon it. Likewise, as you uncover the cause of your suffering, move beyond this attachment. Only when you truly move beyond the old will you be able to ring in the new. Celebrate a new life, every day, springing from the truth of your personal spiritual path.

May the New Year bring joy and peace to all sentient beings.

For more information about Buddhism, and Tuesday meditation, contact me at BASEWI@aol.com.
Move Beyond the Past

A new year brings a new beginning. This is the time when we reflect upon the past year, the good times and the bad. Hopes for the future become resolutions; so easy to make, so hard to keep.

A common sentiment at New Years is to let bygones be bygones. Too often, we cling to what we perceive as the insults, slights and abuse done to us by others. We remain attached to these negative thoughts and prolong our misery. The New Year is a perfect time to time to look at how we are a cause of much of our suffering. Then, when we are aware of these attachments, we can resolve to let them go. The Dhammapada, a collection of the basic teachings of Gautama Buddha, expresses this idea.

“He abused me. He defeated me. He robbed me. Live with such thoughts and you live in hate.” Who suffers when these thoughts consume you? Is it the person at whom they are directed? On the other hand, is it yourself, as distress, anger and plans for revenge fill your day? Anger is a natural human emotion. It is inevitable. The Buddhadharma recognizes this and stresses that it is what you do when you become angry that is important.

Shortly after the death of the Buddha, a young novice asked a question of Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin. He asked, ‘Did the Buddha ever become angry.’ Ananda replied, ‘Of course he did, he was only human. But he forgot it immediately.’ This immediate letting go of anger eliminates self-caused suffering.

Letting go is not limited to anger. We also need to let go of unfulfilled hopes and wishes. This does not mean we should not have plans and dreams. The desire of all living things is to be happy. Our plans and dreams are the means by which we move along the path to this happiness. However, clinging to these dreams, when we know they cannot come true, only leads to misery. More and more we feel cheated and resentful. Sometimes, if our dream goes unfulfilled, we become jealous of others who seem to have succeeded. Our ego tells us that we are more deserving. Rather than feeling sympathetic joy for the good fortune of others, we let their happiness cause us misery.

This year, resolve to look within. Search within yourself to find the cause of your happiness and suffering. As you discover the source of your happiness nurture it, build upon it. Likewise, as you uncover the cause of your suffering, move beyond this attachment. Only when you truly move beyond the old will you be able to ring in the new. Celebrate a new life, every day, springing from the truth of your personal spiritual path.

May the New Year bring joy and peace to all sentient beings.

For more information about Buddhism, and Tuesday meditation, contact me at BASEWI@aol.com.