”There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”

– Miyamoto Musashi

As I’m a reading the book ”An Introduction to Buddhism” by the Dalai Lama, I wanted to share some of the principles within the religion/philosophy that I personally find of utmost importance and interest. To me Buddhism is a philosophy, a way of living, that contains plenty of wisdom and plain common sense.

However, this is my interpretation, and I believe Buddhism is more a collection of methods and ways of realizing the truths of life; a guide to help us discover true peace and happiness in life.

1. If you truly want to change your life, you first must be willing to change your mind.

Your mind is a powerful tool. It can come up with the most amazing ideas; it can cure cancer, travel to the moon, write novels, create pieces of art making people cry. Nevertheless, use your mind wisely; rule your mind, or it will rule you. Listen to that voice within, what does it tell you? How do you speak to yourself? Do you like the way you speak to yourself? If not, change it. Change it now.

If you wish to change your life, then start with changing your mind.

There’s a universe inside all of us.

2. When the wrong people leave your life, the right things start to happen.

Everyone we meet, we meet for a reason.

”When someone whom I helped

Or in whom I have placed great hopes

Mistreats me in extremely hurtful ways

May I regard him still as my precious teacher.”

–  Verse 6 in The Eight Verses on Training The Mind

Sometime we have to go through some deep shit in order to learn, and to develop into the persons we are meant to become. Whoever said that life is easy lied, cause it’s not. However, it’s what we make out of it that counts. It’s how we choose to see things that really matters. Choose to learn from your mistakes, choose to learn from the struggles. Choose to embrace the ones who hurt you with open arms; forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Show them how it’s supposed to be done. With loving kindness.

3. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

We will all feel pain at some point in our lives. Some more than others. It’s inevitable. However, you don’t have to live in that pain. Suffering is optional. Power through the obstacles, fight through the hard times, in time you’ll see it’s the hardships that make you stronger. They make you, you.

The beauty is that you have the choice. The choice to choose to suffer, or to find the light in the dark.

4. You only live once. False. You live every day. You only die once.

We live. Every. Day. Don’t hold on to grudges, jealousy, suffering, regrets and resentments. Live instead. Enjoy every bits and pieces of the time you have on this planet. Who knows where you’ll end up next. Do the things you always dreamt of doing; kiss that girl, buy that house, explore that country, write that book, tell them you love them. Embrace yourself, and do you, as long as you don’t inflict any suffer onto anyone.

5. Live with compassion.

Cultivate compassion towards all living beings, including yourself. Breathe in kindness, breathe out hatred. We are all trying to figure this out, doing our best. Have patience, with your neighbour, with your self.

6. Sometimes it feels better not to talk. At all. About anything. To anyone.

”Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than silence.”

It’s the silence that speaks to me. It has a lot to offer, if we just took the time to listen. Take time out, meditate, take a deep breath in, and a slow breath out. Knowing that everything will work out for your highest good. It always does.

I believe our body, mind and soul crave more time in silence. How can we even think within all this noise going on around us every day. The noise in our heads, on the streets, at work, in our hearts. Be still. Listen.

❤

Linda