Just A Tinge

16 Feb 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

Sadness On The Path To HappinessLife is a constant stream of changes, some small, others not so small. The manner in which we deal with these changes determines whether we are content with the final outcome, and Nichiren Buddhism is there to help ensure that all goes well.

I know that my Buddhist practice has changed the way I interact with everything and everyone in my own personal Universe.

The change is difficult to explain, and even more difficult to prove over the short term to others within that Universe. Those difficulties are still further compounded by the fact that no matter how radical the change, nothing can change the past. Like karma, my past was formed from the past causes I made. What I can do, is to try to make better causes now, and in the future. What I can not do, is influence the past.

That limitation is, I have to say, a very real sadness on this journey towards a happier and more enlightened future.

It’s All About Perspectives

15 Feb 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

UmbrellasThere was once an old lady who cried all the time. Her elder daughter was married to an umbrella merchant while the younger daughter was the wife of a noodle vendor. On sunny days, she worried, “Oh no! The weather is so nice and sunny. No one is going to buy any umbrellas. What will happen if the shop has to be closed?” These worries made her sad. She just could not help but cry.

When it rained, she would cry for the younger daughter. She thought, “Oh no! My younger daughter is married to a noodle vendor. You cannot dry noodles without the sun. Now there will be no noodles to sell. What should we do?” As a result, the old lady lived in sorrow everyday. Whether sunny or rainy, she grieved for one of her daughters. Her neighbours could not console her and jokingly called her “the crying lady.”

One day, she met a monk. He was very curious as to why she was always crying. She explained the problem to him. The monk smiled kindly and said, “Madam! You need not worry. I will show you a way to happiness, and you will need to grieve no more.”

The crying lady was very excited. She immediately asked the monk to show her what to do. The master replied, “It is very simple. You just need to change your perspective. On sunny days, do not think of your elder daughter not being able to sell umbrellas but the younger daughter being able to dry her noodles. With such good strong sunlight, she must be able to make plenty of noodles and her business must be very good. When it rains, think about the umbrella store of the elder daughter. With the rain, everyone must be buying umbrellas. She will sell a lot of umbrellas and her store will prosper.”

The old lady saw the light. She followed the monk’s instruction. After a while, she did not cry anymore; instead, she was smiling everyday. From that day on she was known as “the smiling lady.”

More Happiness Anyone?

13 Feb 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

More Happiness Anyone?What do we mean by happiness? There may be as many answers to that as there are stars in the night sky, everyone has their own idea of what makes them happy, and equally what doesn’t.

Maybe it is the love of a partner, being part of a family, the pay cheque at the end of the month or that new car you had always promised yourself. Whatever your idea of happiness, we all crave more of it.

We can probably agree that it is all too often a transitory state, punctuated by periods where we are unhappy, or at least a bit glum. So what would you give to have more of this illusive life-state, and how can you go about achieving a happier life?

Well speaking personally, I can almost guarantee happiness from my Buddhist practice. That might sound a little trite or even rather far-fetched, but for me it is true. My practice helps me see life from all angles, the ups and downs, from my view-point and from that of others, and it ‘smoothes’ out the emotional bumps we encounter each and every day.

The idea at the very core of Buddhism is the removal of suffering, and that in itself helps us to be happier. Seeing the beauty in nature, the best facets of another’s personality, the joy in helping others, happiness is there for us all, all of the time and all around us. Living a life that is more concerned with others than ourselves, giving more than we take, and so on, will also bring feelings of happiness. All we have to do is look out for it.

Living in a society that is more concerned about what we own, than who we really are, we all struggle to put those ideas into action. We hear about people earning ridiculous sums, whilst providing little by way of return, and wonder how they can live with the guilt. If society valued the good in people more than the goods of people, the world would be a much fairer, happier place.

Whatever flavour your own happiness comes in, I wish you more of it, now and in the future. And when it arrives, please make sure that you share it around. That way you will find it grows and grows, and that it lasts just that little bit longer.

Time For Change?

01 Feb 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Time For Change?When your life isn’t going the way you want it to, change it! We are all in control of our own lives, though at times that may seem a little hard to believe. It is an irrefutable fact that we are all where we are today, doing what we are doing and being what we are being, because of the choices we have made along the way.

Karma is a perfectly imperfect science. Perfect because, as with everything in the universe, every effect has a cause, every cause has an effect. Imperfect because, with karma, the effect will only appear when the situation is right, so it’s rather difficult to predict. But that doesn’t detract from the truth, that everything we think, say or do has some form of effect, on us or others.

So if you are in a rut, if you are unhappy with your lot, if it feels as though the world has a personal grudge against you, change it. Sitting there feeling sorry for yourself will not help, sitting there blaming everything from the economy, your partner, your boss, all the way to the dog, will not help.

Fix your mind on the changes you want to see in your life, decide the best route to achieving those changes, then make causes to bring that change about. Don’t wait, set about it with determination, there has never been a better time to make that change than right now.

Death Rocks

25 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Wilko JohnsonThe sad news that Wilko Johnson, rock legend and member of iconic bands such as Dr Feelgood and Ian Drury and the Blockheads, has terminal pancreatic cancer, was tempered slightly by the news that the star describes himself as suddenly feeling ‘vividly alive’ when he was told the news by cancer specialists.

In a refreshingly open interview on Radio 4’s Front Row, he explains that following the diagnosis, he visited a specialist who told him he had nine or ten months to live, maybe a year if he underwent a course of chemotherapy.

Declining the chemo, Wilko immediately embarked on what might be the ultimate farewell tour. As he says, he won’t be singing ‘My Way’ for the next five years. He also explained that although the news was a shock, he has not cried about it, as he had often done over the loss of his wife through cancer, eight years ago.

I would like to think that I too would have the resilience and courage, given my belief in reincarnation and karma, to make the very best of each and every remaining minute. I guess the proof of that particular pudding will be something I get to test at some point, though I’m in no hurry.

It seems that the trend for people to need a sharp shock before they make those life-changing decisions is understandable, Wilko’s comment that we all need something like this to ‘knock a bit of sense into our heads’ seems to confirm that.

One comment really did hit home, particularly after my recent reticence to take my own ailments, minor though they appear to be to the doctor. Wilko said of his condition, “I noticed the symptoms a few months ago – there was this lump in my stomach. I treated it by ignoring it and hoping it would go away.”

Now there is a lesson for us all in that.

Long Overdue

13 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Bristol Zoo - Always A Favourite With The BoysMy trip up to Bristol today was long overdue. Since early September there has been one less reason to go, and a whole bunch of reasons why I didn’t, but today was set in stone and even the much promised ice and snow wasn’t going to stop me from making the trip.

Leaving just before 7:00am, I was pleased to find that the heavy frost, forecast yesterday evening, had failed to materialise, so I was able to sneak off quietly without disturbing the slumbering neighbours. The roads were very quiet and I made good progress.

Having made the journey so many times over the past twelve months, it was rather strange to find myself back outside The Cottage knowing that the rules of engagement were now so different. It was great to see that although the old sash windows had gone, the new ones looked exactly the same, keeping the nature of the place perfectly.

After a quick coffee and a chat with B it was time to scoot off to see the family. As a last minute change to the schedule, I made my way to Hannah’s, where another coffee was waiting. When Hannah and Stanley were ready, we set off to Charlotte’s stopping to pick up croissants and pastries for breakfast.

There were no solid plans for the day, but as we ate breakfast Rob got word that Jake’s football match had been postponed due to a frozen pitch. With the whole family free to partake in whatever activities we decided upon, we plumped for a visit to Bristol Zoo, always a favourite with the boys.

It was really rather colder than expected walking round the grounds of the zoo, with many of the animals having the sense to stay inside. Feeling the chill, we did the complete tour of all the warmer houses, reptiles, insects, fish etc. only venturing out again to see the seals and penguins at feeding time and the gorillas, who were busy going back indoors after being fed.

It was a lovely day. Getting back to the cars, I think we were all feeling that glow, brought on by warmth, after being out in the cold just a little too long. Back at Hannah’s, and following yet another coffee, it was time to make tracks for home. A pretty perfect day, made all the better for being way too long overdue.

Cistern Overload

05 Jan 2013 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Cistern OverloadWhat a start to the day. First thing I get woken by a torrent of text messages telling me the company website has gone AWOL and needs restarting, again. Fortunately, Super Dan has written a magic little application to automate the restart procedure, sadly I had the wrong URL to get into it. Super Guy came to the rescue and did the necessary.

Having had half an hour to get the sleep out of my eyes I popped to the loo before loading up the washing machine for the weeks laundry. As the machine started I became aware of the sound of running water. Not unusual in the circumstances, but it sounded wrong. Tracing the source of the sound, I was horrified to find that part of the cistern had broken in the en-suite, flooding the wall, curtains, roller-blind and carpets.

I managed to subdue the geyser of freezing water using a few pieces of cooking foil and made a hasty call to the plumber. He said he would be round shortly, so having mopped up as best I could, I decided to make sure that my Sky box was set up to record the FA Cup football later in the day.

Now normally it would take a couple of seconds to access the EPG and set the programs to record, but not today. For some inexplicable reason the box had decided to reset itself to default settings, and it took me quite a while to sort everything out. Surely things could only get better from here on in?

The news from Dave the plumber was not the best. He was going to have to get the spare part needed to fix the problem, so although he was able to isolate the loo, allowing me to turn the water back on, it’s going to be Tuesday or Wednesday before it’s fixed properly. Still, it will take that long, at least, before the carpets are able to dry out fully.

Fortunately the rest of the day was far more enjoyable. A trip to Westbourne, including a bimble round the Mind, Body, Spirit shop and the discovery of a very tasty fig and hazelnut bread in M&S lifted to spirits, no pun intended. Then a walk along the beach, after a much needed coffee at Branksome Chine, before heading home to catch a great movie, made the horrors of the morning pale into insignificance.

Always good to look on the bright side of life. Where have I heard that before?

Good News Friday

04 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

Mark Cahill - Hand TransplantAmid all the usual doom and gloom of the news stories, there were two shining rays of hope to brighten the day. The first was regarding the UK’s first hand transplant patient, Mark Cahill, who is making excellent progress after receiving a donor hand on Boxing Day.

Malala Going HomeThe second, and for me even more exciting news, is that 15 year old Malala Yousafzai, the young lady who was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman, for campaigning for education for girls, left hospital today to join her family in their temporary home in Birmingham.

The attack on Malala, back in October, sparked outrage around the world. The resulting press coverage and negative reaction towards the Taliban, promoting the cause of girls education in Pakistan still further. Another case of this misguided radical Muslim group metaphorically shooting themselves in the foot.

Whilst we can only wish Mark good fortune and a speedy recovery from his surgery, we should spare a thought for the family of the donor, who having lost their loved one at Christmas, bravely allowed the hand to be used for the benefit of another. Can there be a more compassionate act?

Normality Bites

03 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Wheel Of LifeSo that was that then.

Pretty much everyone was back from their Christmas holidays today, and already they are saying things like ‘it all seems ages since Christmas Day’ and ‘when is the next bank holiday?’. It’s March the 29th, Good Friday, for those of us in England and Wales, just in case you were wondering.

It appears that most people had a good holiday, a nice rest, and some even had a dose of the Norovirus just for good measure. Whether they are Christians or not, everyone enjoys the break over Christmas and the New Year, but as with all events, we work ourselves into a lather as it approaches, find it all too fleeting when it arrives and bemoan the loss once it’s gone.

The Wheel of Life turns inexorably, always forward, never backwards, for eternity, time without end. So although it seems as though Christmas takes ages to get here, flies by in a flash and then seems like it was months ago, even though it happened last week, we really shouldn’t be surprised.

Making the most of every moment makes time pass in a more uniform manner. Wasting time seems to slow it down, being in a rush to finish something always makes it feel faster. But whatever speed it appears to travel, there is one fact that we should all remember. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, so don’t waste one single second, today or any day.

2012 Is Over, Here Comes 2013

31 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

Happy New Year - 2013I have to report, that for the majority of people I know, with the exception of a couple of high points, 2012 has been a year of sadness, and one that most will be happy to see gone.

But as we know, the challenges in life are there to help us become stronger. And those of us who have met those challenges and grown as a result, are still here to greet the New Year.

Happy New Year everyone. I pray that 2013 will be a healthy, fortunate, positive and above all peaceful one for everyone.

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