On Being 'Insert Emotion Here'.

When we experience an emotion we typically say 'I am angry' or 'I am sad'...or I am whatever emotion is being experienced at the time.

'I am' described a quality that something possesses as part of it's characteristics. For example, a Red Delicious apple will always be red. It will never be orange or yellow. It's coloring will never change. 

Your emotions, on the other hand, will.

You are not always angry, happy, sad, or melancholy. In fact, on any given day you may experience all of these emotions for different lengths of time and even intensities.

A monk best described emotions to me as this: emotions are like tools in a tool box. You only use the right tool for the right job and when you're finished you put the tool back.

Too often we allow ourselves to carry an emotion for far too long. The longer we carry it, the less useful it is. This not only applies to the emotions we consider 'negative' like anger but applies just as much to the 'positive' emotions like elation.

Why is this?

It's simply because we have not realized or accepted the moment has passed. We desire to stay there even if we feel it is hurtful.

All conditions, without exception, have the quality of impermanence. And it is within impermanence that we may take comfort as well.

We may consider impermanence as the 'toolbox' in which our emptions reside. When we need joy we reach into our emotional toolbox and use 'joy'. When we are finished, we simply put it back for future use.

But some toolboxes don't get replaced. Instead the tool, or emotion in this case, stays with the person, much like a toolbelt. After awhile the toolbelt gets full, cumbersome to carry, and noisy as we walk. We no longer need the hammer, but we choose to carry it anyway. 

In other words, we hold on to said 'emotion' too long and it becomes counter productive to living in the moment appropriately, this emotion no longer serves to your advantage. We bring about suffering by attachment. 

Now we may ask how long is a moment. A moment certainly is not a decade, a year, a even a month. To some degree, this depends on the individual circumstance. The death of a dear loved one or a birth may last a week or so. However a graduation may only last a few hours. Making the red light so you are not late to work may only last a few seconds.

It is important for each of us to be sure that we use our emotions appropriately and that we return them to our toolbox so that we do not end up carrying too much of a load in our daily lives. If we do, we end up risking our mental well-being because after all, you are much more than any single emotion.

  

Sathu. Sathu. Sathu.
 
Educate Your Mind With The Dharma.
 
**********************************************************************************************
Vladimir warmly and skillfully passes on the Buddhas Dharma to a world in need of loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy for the benefit of all living beings.
 
To learn more about us and for free mindfulness and mediation resources you are warmly invited to visit: www.bluelotusmeditation.us
 
Looking for a way to help guide others? Become a Blue Lotus Aspirant here: https://bluelotusmeditation.us/continue-your-journey
 
US Tax deductible donations may be offered here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88BRNH3K7Y7FQ
 
Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a 501(c)(3) Buddhist society.

What I Learned About Being a Vegetation and Buddhism

I enjoy reading the advice columns from time to time while I enjoy my coffee in the morning. And every now and them I come across an article where a vegetarian faces some conflict where the host serves a meat based dish. This situation can, and often does, lead to some from of disagreement between the family, host, and guest.

I will tell you my experiences for your consideration. 

For many years I have been vegetarian, borderline vegan, as well as a devout Buddhist. This never posed a problem for me even eating out at a steakhouse with friends, after all there are typically fries, blooming onions, and such on the menu. As a Buddhist I am very aware of the suffering this animal went through as it was being slaughtered. 

However, where I would often encounter my dilemma would be when we would be invited to another persons home and I would be offered a meat based dish. Deep down I know our host went through a lot of effort in preparation and presentation and to see disappointment in their eyes when I would inform them of my vegetarianism was saddening. On these occasions the host would graciously prepare something else so that I too could partake, but the mood was not the same.

Even through all of my experiences witnessing monks eating meat I had a hard time reconciling what to do. Also drawing upon my experiences I know that monks are not allowed to refuse any offering given by laity, including meat based dishes. In fact, Buddha ate meat. Even with his infinite compassion there is a reason for this action.

The Buddha understood this and established rules for monks when it comes time to eating meat. First, the animal was not to be slaughtered especially for them. Second, there are several animal species that may not be eaten like elephants, dogs, lions,...

People want to give and they give what they can. People give because thy know that generosity is it's own reward. People give to the monks out of respect for their path. Monks give up the homelife in order to better the world through meditation and dharma teachings. People give to generate positive karma and earn merit for a better next life. If a monk were to refuse an offering this action would promote suffering for both the giver and recipient. 

This was made so very obvious to me during my last visit to Cambodia. We travelled to many peoples homes, wealthy and poor alike, and each time we were offered meat based dishes. To turn away their generosity would hurt their feelings, which is suffering. Promoting suffering is not nurturing compassion and empathy towards others and is the opposite of the meaning of Buddhism.

So where do I stand now? What are my views towards being a vegetarian?

All of the Buddhas teachings are promoting the 'middle way'. Not living in either extreme of indulgence or deprivation. 

As such, at home or when I go out to a restaurant I do not order meat based dishes. However when I am invited into another's home I do not refuse what is being offered. In doing so, I promote good feelings with the host and those around me which helps ease suffering in the world.

And easing suffering is a step towards liberation.

Sathu. Sathu. Sathu.

 

Educate Your Mind With The Dharma.

 

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

Vladimir warmly and skillfully passes on the Buddhas Dharma to a world in need of loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy for the benefit of all living beings.

 

To learn more about us and for free mindfulness and mediation resources you are warmly invited to visit: www.bluelotusmeditation.us

 

Looking for a way to help guide others? Become a Blue Lotus Aspirant here: https://bluelotusmeditation.us/continue-your-journey

 

US Tax deductible donations may be offered here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88BRNH3K7Y7FQ

 

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a 501(c)(3) Buddhist society.