Lately I've been feeling bad. Things just didn't seem to be going my way. I broke up with my girlfriend, I noticed the way I could be rude, sarcastic, and snide to people, and I've felt a lack of purpose in my own life. But now I've decided to change all that and lead a more fulfilling life. I've become Buddhist.
I've been practicing some Buddhist principals in my own life for quite some time now, but I've never quite "committed" myself to the religion. I always thought committing myself would be too difficult. I thought that everything in Buddhism sounds nice, but the "requirements" were too difficult. I'd have to be nice to all (even those that I regard as enemies), not overindulge in anything (like food, which honestly been most difficult), not hurt anyone (not difficult since I was already pacifist), and completely remove swearing from my lexicon (also difficult, as my friends can attest that I used to swear like a drunken sailor).
I got off to a bit of a rocky start, getting easily distracted in my meditations, and having a few *ahem* "overly spiced sentence sandwiches," but it gets easier every day. My meditations have become more focussed and I have begun meditating on lovingkindness, which I suppose would be the Christian equivalent of saying prayers to the good health of friends, family, teachers, and even enemies. I've found myself to be more pleasant, I smile naturally now, and I now feel emotions, both good and bad, blow past me as if I were a stone in the desert. I feel more at peace with the world.
Allow me to say right here that this is NOT a blog meant to convert anybody from their own respective religions. I'm just telling a story that I felt the need to tell because I am excited about this new direction in my life. For those of you reading this I hope you enjoy my blogs. I can honestly say now that I hope you all find peace in your own way. I'll end this on a quote from the venerable Dalai Lama: "Kindness is my religion." I hope you all have a great evening, and may everybody have peace.
Very interesting. I am glad you have found peace with yourself and the world, and I totally agree with the idea that everyone should find peace in their own way.
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