Deep Breaths

07 Dec 2011 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Software ProblemsWe all know that we should welcome, if not exactly seek out problems, to test our practice. We also know that sometimes it is easy to see the benefits, sometimes it’s not and today has been one of those times.

Our software has had a few issues since launch and a select group of clients have been making their thoughts known most vehemently. I don’t know what gives them the right to think that they are such an elite group, because we have had some very nice emails from other people. But being bombarded with vitriolic criticism, when you have little or no control over the project, is a difficult place to be.

We need to take a step back, take a few deep breaths, try to see the situation from their point of view and put things right. I’m meeting the boss in the office tomorrow and I’ll need to chant all the way to Ringwood to get myself into the right life-state. Poison into medicine, challenges not problems, that’s the way we’ll drag ourselves back from the edge of this particular brink.

3rd Party Cover

20 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Broken-HeartSometimes we become involved in other people’s problems, whether we want to be, or not. At times like this, Wisdom, Courage and Compassion are needed, but in a slightly different way than when we have problems of our own. I have needed to have the Wisdom to step back from the problem, and look at it in a dispassionate way.

The Courage to determine my feelings, from that detached viewpoint and the Compassion to offer help if required, knowing that your offer may well be rejected. Just be there, with an open heart and a calm mind. Too often,  people on the periphery feel the need to state their opinions, whether that helps the problem or not. These opinions may well be founded on sound principles and deeply held beliefs, but they are not help, they are just opinions.

If you find yourself in such a situation, you must be prepared to wait to be asked for your help. Staying detached, objective and silent, may be all the help you can offer at that time. Time is a great healer, often the only healing medium we have, so be prepared to extend your Wisdom, Courage and Compassion over the long term.

Just Another Manic Monday

31 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Just Another Manic MondayBy now you know that Monday isn’t my favourite day. A whole weekend worth of questions and issues, a shed load of orders to process, and two of the lads out of the office. The perfect storm.

But having weathered said storm, resolved the issues, answered the questions and processed the orders, there was still time enough to lose all the work I had done since Friday … nightmare !!!

But you know what was really amazing. Despite all the grief, all the angst, I was stoic and composed, I took it all in my stride. The day flew by, so much to do, so little time to do it in, but another set of challenges dealt with and another tick in the ‘we’re getting there’ column.

Give Me Wisdom

02 Sep 2011 4 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

Horse To WaterTwo of the closest people in my life are struggling with almost impossible situations. They are in positions where it seems that whichever way they choose, they will lose. Whilst I am in no position to influence either of them directly, I would like to help them if I can.

To do so, I need a great deal of wisdom, more than I feel I have at my disposal. I have chanted and prayed for an answer, or even a snippet of an answer, that I might pass on, but nothing seems to come to me. I know that I need to keep chanting, that with time an answer will reveal itself, but in the meantime I have to watch the pain they are feeling, continue.

I have no training in being a therapist or a counsellor, and maybe being so close to these people is a hindrance rather than a help. Maybe I should suggest that they seek out the help of such a professional, maybe they already have done so, but that seems to be ducking the issue.

We all have situations for which we search and search for answers. I seem to be much better at solving my own problems, now I have my faith to fall back on. I know that the answers to their problems lie within their own hearts, so I might suggest that they start looking there.

At the end of the day, all I am seeking to do, is to relieve them of their unhappiness. I know that if they could gain the faith that I have found, the answers would come more easily. But as I have said before, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.

Busy, Busy, Busy

01 Aug 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Caring HandsHaving my mate back in the office today was great, he’s been away looking after his wife and his new baby and we’ve missed him.

Not going into details, but he also has other problems going on, and it really makes you realise that although we have problems of our own, life isn’t so bad really.

Life is actually just a series of problems, or challenges, and our job is to face these situations and having solved them, come out of the other side, stronger and wiser. Today has been super busy, so it was a fine balance of being supportive and caring, while dealing with as much of the work without taking up any of his time.

While it is very laudable to confront problems in person, there is no shame in having a little help. The difficulty from the other side is offering support without being intrusive. So maybe the very epitome of Wisdom, Courage and Compassion.

Having the courage to offer support in the first place, the wisdom to know where to draw the line and the compassion to show sensitivity in delicate situations.

Problems – Our Perception

26 Jul 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Sun RiseIt is a well known Buddhist saying that our problems are not the real problem, it is the way we perceive them that is the problem.

Don’t have problems, have a series of challenges. Challenges are just problems that we are confident that we can overcome. Our problems come and go, nothing lasts forever, so view them with an open mind, look on them as challenges and remember, you are turning poison into medicine.

Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated by a simple lit candle. Even a stone from the bottom of the deepest river can be used to produce fire.

Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not existed for billions of years, nor will they linger forever.

The sun will definitely rise, in fact its ascent has already begun. With determination, we can all overcome our problems, so look on them as challenges and enjoy the victory when it arrives.

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