Samsara And Paradise Within Us

What happens in the world has an impact on each of us, but what we do also has a reciprocal impact on the world. This is why each of us has the power to be a light in the world. This is a pivotal moment for humanity. We’re at a crossroads of huge political and cultural change that stirs powerful emotions that can threaten to overpower our ability to hold others with compassion.

Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten 6/2020 Dear Dharma friends,

When we’re happy and nothing is disturbing us, this human world can feel like paradise. Yet we often refer to this human world as samsara. With the combination of many unsettling developments around the world right now, such as the pandemic and political chaos, it feels accurate to call this samsara. The truth is that our world is both paradise and samsara. Samsara actually means vicious circle - a realm where, again and again, beings are lost in the three poisons of greed, hatred, and ignorance. It’s important to remember that we humans are not suddenly descending the ladder of evolution. Rather, that which has been brewing within us all along may finally be seeing the light of day.

Each of us are part of this samsara. Part of our ego might want to separate ourselves from the world, and look down upon it as a messed-up place. We may feel pity, as if we have nothing to do with what goes on in the world. Such distancing can also give us a sense of being quite enlightened in comparison to those who are “out there”. This can often create an invisible wall of duality which veils the interconnectedness between oneself and the rest of humanity.

What happens in the world has an impact on each of us, but what we do also has a reciprocal impact on the world. This is why each of us has the power to be a light in the world. This is a pivotal moment for humanity. We’re at a crossroads of huge political and cultural change that stirs powerful emotions that can threaten to overpower our ability to hold others with compassion. This is a good time to ask ourselves, "What can I contribute to the world?" Contemplating this question is a powerful way to make sure that negative emotions don’t overtake the mind.

During this Sojong, let’s invite the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as our witnesses, and reflect on what contribution we can make to this beloved world. Perhaps we can offer compassion that holds all with loving kindness and equanimity that helps us not lose sight of the path toward peace.

With palms joined,

Anam Thubten