Hello everyone,
This week we read up to page 95 "the Noble Eightfold path is less...."
So we've begun our study of the Noble Eightfold Path!!
We talked about the dharma, letting go, faith, and the concept of taking refuge in Buddhism.
This week's contemplative question comes from the last paragraph we read on p95, " Turning my will and my life over to the Eightfold Path is the same process as turning it over to God.. In neither case am I expecting God to fix or solve my problems. Really what I'm doing is trying to live in harmony with God, or in the case of Buddhism, with the Dharma. Either one is a relinquishment of ego, or preferences and reactivity, a turning toward a set of wise, guiding principles."
How do you see turning it over as a "relinquishment of ego" and a "turning towards"? Can you relate to this as a path towards ending suffering?
For me, I know that the more I let go of my ego and my reactivity the more peaceful I feel, regardless of the situation. When I can make it not be all about me, and not try to control the outcomes but instead "turn towards" a set of principles that creates less clinging and craving and more compassion and mindfulness, I benefit and everyone around me benefits. This to me is harmony.
It doesn't mean that I don't have problems, I just don't live in a mindset of poor me or victimhood. Instead, I aim to live in acceptance of how things are and act with the "wise" and "skillful" actions of someone who is doing no harm. This is an ongoing practice and I'm grateful for meetings like this and the teachings that help me to stay grounded in the present moment and be grateful for all I have so that I can show up with compassion and loving kindness for others.
