Last night I saw my neighbor at the void deck of my block doing walking meditation, I have known her for a long time, because her children are classmates with mine since primary school. Both our families move to our present place together and we have been neighbors for the last 18 years. She was a regular housewife, doing all the regular things a typical Singaporean housewife does, for the first few years, she was normal and talking about the familiar topics all housewives talk about.
Then she took up Buddhist practice, and soon she changed, she no longer talked to anyone, and each time I saw her she was meditating in the park or doing her walking, she lost weight significantly and from her son I heard she is now a strict vegetarian. She no longer smile or say hello to us or for the matter anyone she meets.
I always wonder if this is the how enlightenment or the pursue of enlightenment is all about, I heard from her son that she no longer concern herself with the daily chores of a housewife and spend much of her time at the temple. I really can't judge her, but just a little concerned of what she is actually doing to herself and her family. A practice is good for everyone if it gives peace of mind, but if it cause one to lose one's mind then maybe it has to do with the individual who is doing the practice.
Balance is a very important component in anything we do, we must be able to take our practice and enhance our daily lives, give it a practical value to the things we do and the way we interact with others. If what we practice cause us to become secluded from society then maybe it is better not to practice at all, in Buddhist practice, we are told to look out for delusions, in Hinduism this is known as Maya, and this is one of the pitfalls most practitioners fail to see, for some of them this goes on for the whole of their lives.
You should have balance in life. Work hard, earn money, save it and save some time for meditation. People who are ambitious, who work hard and make money, don’t forget to brush their teeth or eat their food, isn't it. However busy they are earning money, they take time to enjoy their food. Like that, spirituality is food for soul, so do this also.
Some people are more interested in spirituality and they go deeper. They say, 'I have seen enough wealth in life and I will keep doing my work, but I will also do more work for betterment of people', then life takes off to another level.These are different levels in life. You can sit in any step you want. The first step, second step, third step or the ultimate step. It is your choice.
Another issue is the concern for money, many people actually do specific spiritual practice in pursue for money, when things don't work out they look for more practices to get what they want, there is no denying that money is a very important component in our life, but how much is enough, if you are already earning or making more than the average people, when will you think that it is good enough, when will you think of giving back to society one way or another.
We are always balancing our lives, going through the emotions, we are angry, unhappy, sad, jealous, greedy, then happy, then sad again. If you find that this is the way you are, it is time to look for some stability, look for the 'well of happiness', it is within you, just look within and you will find it. If you have the time now to read this, you are 'OK' because you are in the 'NOW', 5 minutes later you maybe bothered with what to eat for lunch, or what to cook for dinner, these are happy problems,compared to people who are right now fighting the floods, being cold and hungry, not knowing if they will live through the day. Consider yourself lucky, and you will be lucky, if you are always complaining about what is wrong with your life, it is exactly what you will see happen to you.
Gratitude is important, be grateful for all you have, and more will be given, sometimes we lose confidence in ourselves and start blaming others for the lack in our lives, but when you take stock of what you already have you will know that you are so blessed. So count your blessings everyday, and be grateful.
Thank you
Love
Alan
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