The Buddhist Path to Peace - Post #5 Compassion

The last post in this series has to do with the entire point in reaching a place of peace - compassion! Once we realize that we are not separate from each other, in fact we are only seemingly separate pieces of an entire whole, our relationship with ourselves and everyone else in our lives changes.

The Buddhists have a word for someone who vows not to attain complete and full awakening until every sentient being has crossed over to the other shore (of peace): Bodhisattva.  The Bodhisattva dedicates his/her life to seeking everyone's salvation. While others are constantly burning in a living hell of their own desires, attachments, emotions and thoughts the Bodhisattva is only concerned with sharing the peace that he/she has obtained. It is in sharing his/her self with others that transfers peace and harmony to them; not sharing doctrine, opinions or beliefs.

The Bodhisattva seeks to listen to someone with their whole being. They are not worried about confirming their own beliefs, they are listening with an open mind and heart. When we learn our own minds and who we truly are, we are seeing into all beings. For we really are all made of the same stuff. When you know yourself - you know mankind.

As we advance on our path to peace we realize that it is only we who are responsible for our own lives. Whether we realize it or not, every moment of every day we are creating our future... our destiny. Most of us to not realize this is happening, this is why it is so easy to blame others for our mistakes and situations. When in fact, we have created them and need to take sole responsibility for them. When we can come to a place of seeing every moment as a moment of teaching we acquire a different take on life! The focus begins to change from getting through the day to actually living it.

One big helpful thought in seeing us all as one is in realizing that what is in others is also in you. All the beauty of human nature and all the ugly parts too. When we stop thinking so highly of ourselves and come to understand that we are all made of the same stuff we can stop blaming, criticizing, judging and condemning others. It is only when we reach this place that peace is possible. Until then, we are slaves to our opinion of others and this keeps us in a hell we can't escape from.

When the day comes where we see ourselves in all human beings, peace will be sure to follow! Seek this peace with all men and you will know and understand all Truth. You will find peace within yourself and be able to give it away to others as well.