Everyday, as humans, we generate emotions. Some of these are termed negatively, some positively. I have come to realize it’s probably more beneficial to view them as skilful or unskilful.
That opens up a can of worms. We are constantly influenced by a myraid of factors daily. Our beliefs, emotions are not in silso – instead they are also continually changing by our interactions with the people around us, media, news, climate change. Yet, ironically, we feel as if they are unchangeable at times. Particularly when it’s distress.
When external object seems to generate pleasant sensations, we lack awareness of its impermance and cling onto them. That in turn generates a sense of fear of losing (either the object/ sensation).
When external situations generate unpleasant sensations, we either run / escape or confront it (by changing ourselves, our own perceptions ) or freeze.
Without deeper awareness, we are driven to actions by these sub-conscious factors. If we truly observe ourselves with deep compassion and kindness, sometimes, it’s just that we too make mistakes, we are humans and didn’t know a better way back then. The Records and its beings offer great solace, space which in turn allows ourselves to come into some space for awareness to dawn. It’s not that there wasn’t consciousness – if there wasn’t consciousness, we would not feel or be aware.
Sometimes this dawning takes a major trigger, or it may come as a simple ‘Ah’ years later.
And this space, this dawning is the first baby step we can give to ourselves while coming face-to-face with our dark side.
May all beings gain happiness and be free from suffering.
