Resistance and the Wheel of Life

I came across an explanation of the Buddha’s core message that humankind suffers that made everything clearer by author Peter Russell in the article, Not Resisting Resistance.  To paraphrase, Russell explains that when you translate the terms used by the Buddha in his native tongue, Pali, a more concise picture is painted.  The Buddha spoke of “sukha” and “dukkha” when referring to the common state of the mind.

The term “sukha” literally means “good axle hole”.  It alluded to the need for a proper balanced axle hole in order for a wheel to turn with ease, without resistance, to give an easier and more pleasant journey.  If the hole is out of kilter, the wheel doesn’t turn freely, meets resistance, and the ride becomes bumpy.

Which brings us to its counterpart, “dukkha”.  “Dukkha” translates to “bad axle hole”.  An axle that meets any form of resistance cannot turn with ease.  It rattles.  It shakes.  It squeaks.  It doesn’t give a pleasant ride at all.   It makes it almost impossible for a passenger to relax.

So, considering these terms, we can see what the Buddha meant when he spoke of the resistance in the mind and how it causes a state of tension, a state of disharmony, a state of suffering.  When our thoughts are thoughts of resisting an experience, a situation, or even ourselves and others, we’ve created a dukkha.  The longer it persists, the less we are able to relax and the longer we experience a perception of suffering.  When we stop this internal resistance, when we flow with life, we create the sukha and our journey becomes peaceful.

The Buddha knew and taught that the act of internal resistance is not our natural state of being.  The discord it causes creates our mental and emotional suffering as we move through life.  When the resistance is dropped, or when the experiences life brings are no longer met with resistance but accepted completely without judgement, we then are able to be at peace amidst any storm.  We enter our natural state and simply flow with the rest of existence, with the wheel of life.

Unbound Peace

This is a wonderful video.  If you’re feeling disturbed and wanting to feel relaxed or simply wanting to touch your natural inner peace, this may help guide you there.

“You cannot come to the edge of Peace.  There is just Peace…”  — Mooji

To know more about Anthony Paul Moo-Young, also known as Mooji, visit:  Satsang with Mooji

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Mankind: The Hush

I originally posted this a year ago and it ended up being one of my most popular posts.  Because it seemed to touch people I’m going to post it again with my peaceful and happy holiday wishes to you.

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Now has come the time for the brief hush that falls over much of the world.  It may not be anything you hear with your ears or see with your eyes.  It’s easy to become lost in the twinkling of lights, the rustling of colorful paper and expectant laughter of children.  But there is a moment that comes — the hush — and in that brief moment we are each given a glimpse of true peace.

It may come in the middle of the night when the house is quiet and the snow is silently falling.  It may happen in the glimpse of golden sunlight through frost-laced window panes.  It can ride on a puff of frozen breath or the warm remembering of a holiday past.  But it’s there — for all of us.

A hush.  A sacred moment.  A sudden silence that envelopes you so deeply you become unaware of anything but that moment; that feeling.  Like a sudden snow fall, it blankets you with the depth of ages as if all such moments past are present and being experienced once again; the breaths of eons held in awe.  Heart touching hearts, mind still as frozen water, you sigh in that moment filled with a peacefulness and understanding unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced; until it comes again next year.

This is the Gift of all gifts.  This is the gift of momentary grace, given to you without expectation.  This is the Touch of True Love.  In that moment, that hush, mankind becomes one and experiences that reality with such humble innocence it can only be held no longer than a breath.

You may not have been aware of the hush in the past, but it’s been there.  It will come again like an unexpected snowflake drifting so softly and gracefully you can’t help but pause to examine it’s exquisiteness.  Watch for it, be in it, and know that in that moment when the hush falls there is true Peace on Earth and Good Will to Mankind.

Happiest of Holiday Hushes to you and yours.

The Lotus: Open Your Light Heart

I’d recommend full screen for this one.  Enjoy.

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Mankind: The Hush

 

I originally posted this a year ago and it ended up being one of my most popular posts.  Because it seemed to touch people I’m going to post it again with my peaceful and happy holiday wishes to you.

*************

Now has come the time for the brief hush that falls over much of the world.  It may not be anything you hear with your ears or see with your eyes.  It’s easy to become lost in the twinkling of lights, the rustling of colorful paper and expectant laughter of children.  But there is a moment that comes — the hush — and in that brief moment we are each given a glimpse of true peace.

It may come in the middle of the night when the house is quiet and the snow is silently falling.  It may happen in the glimpse of golden sunlight through frost-laced window panes.  It can ride on a puff of frozen breath or the warm remembering of a holiday past.  But it’s there — for all of us.

A hush.  A sacred moment.  A sudden silence that envelopes you so deeply you become unaware of anything but that moment; that feeling.  Like a sudden snow fall, it blankets you with the depth of ages as if all such moments past are present and being experienced once again; the breaths of eons held in awe.  Heart touching hearts, mind still as frozen water, you sigh in that moment filled with a peacefulness and understanding unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced; until it comes again next year.

This is the Gift of all gifts.  This is the gift of momentary grace, given to you without expectation.  This is the Touch of True Love.  In that moment, that hush, mankind becomes one and experiences that reality with such humble innocence it can only be held no longer than a breath.

You may not have been aware of the hush in the past, but it’s been there.  It will come again like an unexpected snowflake drifting so softly and gracefully you can’t help but pause to examine it’s exquisiteness.  Watch for it, be in it, and know that in that moment when the hush falls there is true Peace on Earth and Good Will to Mankind.

Happiest of Holiday Hushes to you and yours.