Sometimes we need absence to note presence. Absence of colors to see beyond the tangible, absence of sound to listen to our inner voice, absence of movement to experience stillness, absence of things to realize emptiness. Going back to daily life, when I have a cold and a congested nose, I remember how precious it is to breath. I have a small injury in my toe and remember how wonderful it is to go hiking in nature. I have stomach ache and remember how delightful it is to enjoy food. It gets more intense and painful when life takes away people’s health, beloved, marriage, job and possessions… I was wondering why this happens in different ways and different intensity to all of us. I realized that some painful experiences are a great gift to keep me awake and take me back to the track of consciousness. Otherwise, I may take life for granted and continue in my dream state, numbed by thoughts and rushing after something that I don’t know exactly what it is. I observed that the learning process happens through experiencing things by contrast. What does this mean? I only understand light if I experience darkness. I feel love because I also feel hate. I learn about right action if I take wrong decisions. So living every tiny experience, like a sip of water, with awareness and presence may help me to understand and accept the present moment as it is. I enjoy blissful moments gratefully and, however challenging, try to accept misfortune willingly. The suffering usually arises out of the conflict of what is and what I desire to be. When I trust that life brings me whatever experience is helpful for my development, I may find peace. No fight no blame.
“The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Precious things lead us astray. Therefore the wise are guided by what they feel and not by what they see. Letting go of that and choosing this.” Tao Te Ching
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