I got to know about Buddhism from the movie Little Buddha (1993). It kindled my curiosity to study more about this philosophy of existence so I started my spiritual journey to acquiring the eternal Buddhist wisdom. However, buddhists say that we are pure illusion, we do not exist. The earth is our witness.
I would like to share with you what else I have learned. Here are my 10 universal truths, that are applicable in our daily lives in order to find inner peace.1. Always Take the Middle Way. Do not go to extremes.
One day Siddhartha witnessed something that deeply impressed him. He heard an old musician who was standing on a boat talking to a group of men.'' If you tighten the string of that musical instrument too much, it will snap and won't be able to use it anymore. If you leave it too slack, it won't play. The truth is in the Golden Middle Way of Moderation.
Out of a suddenly, Siddhartha realized that these simple words contained such a great wisdom, and that in all these years he had been following the wrong path.
2. Be Awake.
One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the messiah?"
"No", answered Buddha.
"Then are you a healer?"
"No", Buddha replied.
"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.
"No, I am not a teacher."
"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.
"I am awake", Buddha replied.
Love yourself and be awake -
today, tomorrow, always.First establish yourself in the way,
then teach others,
and so defeat sorrow.
To straighten the crooked
you must first do a harder thing -
straighten yourself.
You are the only master. Who else?
Subdue yourself,
and discover your master.
3. Be positive. Trust the Universal Power and Wisdom.
Every time I feel stressed out or worried too much I say to myself, Just keep calm and trust the universe. When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask and gives more than we imagine but in His own time and His own way. Sometimes God does not change the situation because He is trying to change something about your ways. Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.4. Be good. Fill yourself with love and light. Follow your Divine Nature that sparkles and blazes with the flames of love, compassion and devotion.
When a bird is alive it eats ants, when the bird dies, the ants eat the bird. One tree makes a million match sticks, yet when the time comes then only a single match is needed to burn a million trees. Time and circumstances can change at any moment. Do not devalue or hurt anyone in life. You may be powerful this time but remember that Time is more powerful than you. So be good and do good.5. Master Inner Peace. Be composed no matter what happens around you.
Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.On life's journey
Faith is nourishment,
Virtuous deeds are a shelter,
Wisdom is the light by day and
Right mindfulness is the protection by night.
If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;
If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom.
6. Use your time on earth to examine the nature of things and learn.
''Believe nothing on the faith of traditions,even though they have been held in honor
for many generations and in diverse places.
Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it.
Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past.
Do not believe what you yourself have imagined,
persuading yourself that a God inspires you.
Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests.
After examination, believe what you yourself have tested
and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.''
7. There is no empty room when the soul is full.
8. Find comfort and solace in meditation.
Meditation is being totally quiet and relaxed, separating yourself from everything around you, setting your mind free like a bird, and you can then see your thoughts as if they were passing clouds.
9. Avoid negative thoughts and feelings.
''There is no fire like greed,
No crime like hatred,No sorrow like separation,
No sickness like hunger of heart,
And no joy like the joy of freedom.
Health, contentment and trust
Are your greatest possessions,And freedom your greatest joy.
Look within. Be still.
Free from fear and attachment,Know the sweet joy of living in the way.''
from the Dhammapada, Words of the Buddha
10. Live in Joy
''Live in Joy, In love,
Even among those who hate.Live in joy, In health,
Even among the afflicted.Live in joy, In peace,
Even among the troubled.Look within. Be still.
Free from fear and attachment,Know the sweet joy of living in the way.''
from the Dhammapada, Words of the Buddha
To end up, here is my favorite and
very useful spiritual practice of keeping calm and alert.1. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each day remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and be loved) and we are all connected to one another.
2. Spend 5 minutes breathing in, cherishing yourself; and, breathing out cherishing others. If you think about people you have difficulty cherishing, extend your cherishing to them anyway.
3. During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet. Practice cherishing the "simplest" person (clerks, attendants, etc) or people you dislike.
4. Continue this practice no matter what happens or what anyone does to you.
These thoughts are very simple, inspiring and helpful.
The practice of cherishing can be taken very deeply if done wordlessly,Allowing yourself to feel the love and appreciation that already exists in your heart. Remember Love has already been there. Just go find it, or rediscover it.