I started thinking about singing mice today at work, and they reminded me of so many things and I started crying. It is sometimes hard to tell when you are about to be ambushed by your tears. I sat in the bathroom for about five minutes just letting it all out. It was mainly because the people that I care about most in the world are far away from me, either physically or spiritually. I didn't know if I was going to be able to stop, and I thought I might have to leave work. But then I reached deeply into my being and was able to find peace with the help of the bodhisattvas.
A bodhisattva is the Buddhist equivalent of a saint. It is a being who, instead attaining nirvana, chooses to remain of this world of form in order to relieve the suffering of creatures everywhere. At least, this is the first definition I learned of. We can see this represented in the stories of Kshitigarbha, the bodhisattva who always goes to the darkest places, where suffering is unbearable, to help all people.
But as Thich Nhat Hahn says, "There are also countless unknown bodhisattvas everywhere whose work expresses their love, compassion, and deep commitment to the world".
"There are bodhisattvas who do not seem to be very active, but they are calm and kind and their presence inspires us with love, understanding and tolerance".
We touch these bodhisattvas all the time. They are our physical and spiritual ancestors. I am Gadgadashvara, the bodhisattva of wonderful sound, music, poetry, and writing, because I am able to spread understanding through my writing. Bodhisattvas are not mythical beings. They are flesh and blood people around us all the time. I am a bodhisattva, and so are you.
The sun is very far away from me in terms of physical distance, but I am still able to feel its warmth, to be illuminated by its beautiful light. I am the sun's continuation because its energy nourishes me and I could not be without it. My loved ones who are far are like the sun to me.
When you feel overwhelmed by darkness, you must remember that you cannot fight the darkness. That darkness is your pain. You cannot fight pain. Fighting only creates more pain. Pain, like darkness, can only be dispelled by light, the light of your understanding and vision. When you shed the light of vision and understanding onto your pain, you will see the truth of your nature, of your being, of all that is really important to you in this world.
The truth will be to you like a child, like your own child, and you will feel deeply how important it is to protect the truth by creating a world where it can flourish in the hearts of everyone, the same way you would act for your child. It will help you if you look at all people this way, no matter how wicked or annoying they may seem. Every single one of us was a child once. We were innocent, and at the mercy of all the world around us to guide us and shape us. Some of those children were neglected, and grew up with all kinds of unpleasant layers piled on top of them, but trust me, the child is still there underneath all of those layers.
Let me leave you now with first an oath:
In brightest day, in blackest night
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might
Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!
Maybe you think it is cheesey. No such thing. Lastly, may the song that made me cry today be a comfort to children and people seperated from their loved ones:
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
A bodhisattva is the Buddhist equivalent of a saint. It is a being who, instead attaining nirvana, chooses to remain of this world of form in order to relieve the suffering of creatures everywhere. At least, this is the first definition I learned of. We can see this represented in the stories of Kshitigarbha, the bodhisattva who always goes to the darkest places, where suffering is unbearable, to help all people.
But as Thich Nhat Hahn says, "There are also countless unknown bodhisattvas everywhere whose work expresses their love, compassion, and deep commitment to the world".
"There are bodhisattvas who do not seem to be very active, but they are calm and kind and their presence inspires us with love, understanding and tolerance".
We touch these bodhisattvas all the time. They are our physical and spiritual ancestors. I am Gadgadashvara, the bodhisattva of wonderful sound, music, poetry, and writing, because I am able to spread understanding through my writing. Bodhisattvas are not mythical beings. They are flesh and blood people around us all the time. I am a bodhisattva, and so are you.
The sun is very far away from me in terms of physical distance, but I am still able to feel its warmth, to be illuminated by its beautiful light. I am the sun's continuation because its energy nourishes me and I could not be without it. My loved ones who are far are like the sun to me.
When you feel overwhelmed by darkness, you must remember that you cannot fight the darkness. That darkness is your pain. You cannot fight pain. Fighting only creates more pain. Pain, like darkness, can only be dispelled by light, the light of your understanding and vision. When you shed the light of vision and understanding onto your pain, you will see the truth of your nature, of your being, of all that is really important to you in this world.
The truth will be to you like a child, like your own child, and you will feel deeply how important it is to protect the truth by creating a world where it can flourish in the hearts of everyone, the same way you would act for your child. It will help you if you look at all people this way, no matter how wicked or annoying they may seem. Every single one of us was a child once. We were innocent, and at the mercy of all the world around us to guide us and shape us. Some of those children were neglected, and grew up with all kinds of unpleasant layers piled on top of them, but trust me, the child is still there underneath all of those layers.
Let me leave you now with first an oath:
In brightest day, in blackest night
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might
Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!
Maybe you think it is cheesey. No such thing. Lastly, may the song that made me cry today be a comfort to children and people seperated from their loved ones:
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
bella_silencia:
I really enjoyed reading this. Your writing is very moving.
bella_silencia:
Thank you, sweetness. I just realized that I never responded to the lovely birthday message you sent me. That message was truly beautiful and totally made my day- thank you. 