SAMSARA

The karmic wheel spins again, like waiting for a number on the roulette table, which realm of samsara, will we take birth in this time?
From beginningless times, we’ve had to endure the suffering of countless rebirths and experience all kinds of karma, because we cannot control our mental afflictions of desire, attachment and ignorance.

We are blessed to be born as humans, rather then a hell being, or in the animal realm of ‘eat or be eaten’, but being born into a place of leisure and opportunity, do we use our time wisely?

We’re too concerned with money, sex and power!
These are the most important things to have, or are they?

We work all day, sleep all night and strive to have material possessions. This is what success is based on. But what is success really?

When we pass on from this life, will working hard all our life, until one is sick or old and having all the latest gadgets (that we’re constantly bombarded with by big corporations, that don’t care, who or what they destroy, because they are fueled by their own greed) really mean anything in the end? Is this real success?
Living a simple life and showing love and compassion to all beings, wouldn’t this be considered true success?

Actually making a difference in the world, by bringing love into the hearts of people and animals and respecting our land.

After all, it’s mother earth that supplies us with all our needs and resources, and we show our appreciation, by treating it, like it’s our own personal toilet! People seem to be more concerned with trivial things, such as their vanity or the pain in their little toe, rather than the important things going on in the world.
When we pass on from this life, we leave all our loved ones behind and our possessions, so why have attachment?
Love unconditionally, give generously without expectations.

For it is not us who dies, just the form we take on in this life. When we leave this life, who we are now, will NEVER be here again. We will never come back as the person we’re known to others today. We will be someone entirely different.
However, our mental continuum will carry on to take our next rebirth and depending on how we behave, will determine, how our next life will be and what form we take on.

We are in control of what happens to us, through our thoughts and actions. Karma will continue to exist while we live with cravings and attachment to things, including our own self cherishing (one who cherishes the self, cannot be trusted) The way we see ourselves, the ‘I’, that we so desperately grasp on too, doesn’t really exist, the way we perceive it.
We are but merely a name, that exists for only a certain amount of time.

Being born as a human, we have accumulated much merit. To be beautiful one has created much patience. From ethics comes happiness, joyous effort comes strength and generousity comes resources.

Another thing i'd like to say, is why do we hold on to the past? Would you go through yesterday’s garbage to make tonight’s meal?

And fantasising about the future can bring disappointment, when things don’t go our way.
As John Lennon said “Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans”

So live in the now and follow a virtuous path.

Karma is expantial No matter how small the deed (good or bad).
It’s like a seed that’s planted and grows into a huge tree, with many branches. Once planted, nothing can stop the seed, unless other factors come into play and prevent that from happening.
For eg. doing a negative action, will ripen, unless purified.

Search for happiness within, because external conditions or in another term, samsaric pleasures, will only bring temporary happiness.

When suffering from mental anguish or physical pain, know that it will pass, nothing is permanent. I have had my own experiences with this. If one is going through this, know that it will be temporary, no matter how permanent it may seem at the time.

Everything is transient.

Have faith in two of the 4 noble truths which is “there is a cause to suffering and there is cessation of suffering.”

I know, that by feeling depressed, frustrated or angry, will only create more negative karma for myself, therefore, more suffering.

Instead, by helping other’s, helps relieve one’s own pain, because it takes the focus off one’s self. It also teaches us kindness and brings much merit.

If someone behaves badly to another being, this shows a lack of inner contentment. Instead of retaliating in the same manner, and seeing the person as inherently bad or as an enemy, use this person to help develop patience and wisdom.
Practice equanimity to all beings.

All our experiences we go through, are due to our own karmic conditions, ripening at that particular time. Nothing can happen to us, unless we have created the cause to do so.
So stay positive with an open mind, show love and compassion, be generous and follow the path of morality.

Love and blessings

Written 17/03/07