After my second meditation class with Paul Ashton http://meditateinedinburgh.org/mahabodhi-centre/resident-teacher were we had a talk on being thankful I have taken the opportunity to examine my life and see all the things I have that make me remarkably privileged.
Starting with the concept of just being born human, something I confess I had not given a lot of though too. I have never considered the possibility that the chances of me being born at all, let alone born with all the advantages of being a human being is actually extraordinary. There are by far more animals and insects in this world than people. Because I am born human I have the advantage of self awareness, intelligence and a great many other things that animals and insects do not have. As a human being I may use and develop this self awareness to varying degrees but the point is I have the potential to develop my mind. Along with the advantage of being born human I have also been born into one of the richer countries in this world. So even though by western standards I could easily consider myself to be poor if I compare myself with the rest of the world I am not living in poverty. I never go without food, I have access to clean drinking water, a safe house to live and sleep. I do not live in the middle of a war zone and I have enough money that I can afford gas and electricity and all my basic survival needs are met. I may not have a lot of money but I can afford luxuries that many people in this world could never afford. I do not live in a country where I am repressed. I am free to practice any faith, be that Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, or even Wicca in-fact if I wanted to I could call myself a Satanist or a Witch and nobody would stop me because it is my right to practice whatever faith I wish. There are places in the world where people have to meet in secret to worship in a way that they want. There have been times in the history of the country I now live in where people have been burned, hanged and had all sorts of dreadful suffering due to there faith.
If I am honest it is difficult for me to fully comprehend these facts. I can look at the statistics, I can see people struggling to survive on my television set who are hundreds and thousands of miles away and yes I do feel for them but I do not believe that I really realize that these people are just like me. They have thoughts, feelings and it could be me in that situation. It is hard to step out of my comfortable world and empathize.
Starting with the concept of just being born human, something I confess I had not given a lot of though too. I have never considered the possibility that the chances of me being born at all, let alone born with all the advantages of being a human being is actually extraordinary. There are by far more animals and insects in this world than people. Because I am born human I have the advantage of self awareness, intelligence and a great many other things that animals and insects do not have. As a human being I may use and develop this self awareness to varying degrees but the point is I have the potential to develop my mind. Along with the advantage of being born human I have also been born into one of the richer countries in this world. So even though by western standards I could easily consider myself to be poor if I compare myself with the rest of the world I am not living in poverty. I never go without food, I have access to clean drinking water, a safe house to live and sleep. I do not live in the middle of a war zone and I have enough money that I can afford gas and electricity and all my basic survival needs are met. I may not have a lot of money but I can afford luxuries that many people in this world could never afford. I do not live in a country where I am repressed. I am free to practice any faith, be that Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, or even Wicca in-fact if I wanted to I could call myself a Satanist or a Witch and nobody would stop me because it is my right to practice whatever faith I wish. There are places in the world where people have to meet in secret to worship in a way that they want. There have been times in the history of the country I now live in where people have been burned, hanged and had all sorts of dreadful suffering due to there faith.
If I am honest it is difficult for me to fully comprehend these facts. I can look at the statistics, I can see people struggling to survive on my television set who are hundreds and thousands of miles away and yes I do feel for them but I do not believe that I really realize that these people are just like me. They have thoughts, feelings and it could be me in that situation. It is hard to step out of my comfortable world and empathize.
Along with these huge advantages there are also lots of smaller things in my life that I sometimes forget to be thankful for. I have a job that I love. That is rare. I know many people who live only for the weekend and dread waking up in the morning to spend the day doing something that gives them no fulfillment. There may be things about my job that could be better but at the end of the day what I do gives me a feeling of well being. I have genuine regard for the people I work for, and the people I work with. I have freedom at work to be creative and use my initiative. I have opportunities to develop and become a better more patient and understanding person through work. The company I work for although not perfect is still a very good company especially when I compare it to other places I have worked. I can sometimes feel negative about work because like everything there are always little things that I think could be better. If only I had more money, more weekends off, less stress, less evening shifts etc… I often feel aggravated on my travel time home from work which can take me up to an hour and half. When I remember why it is that I decided to take this job a fair distance from home; the fact that it was a great job and one that I knew I would enjoy, makes that hour+ worthwhile. I want to try and think on the positive things about my job so instead of being a little bit dissatisfied I want to remind myself how lucky I am that I have a job, and that I usually look forward to going to work.
I am also thankful for my home. It has caused me the most stress over the last few months due to the fact that it needs some work and that work will be costly. I can also feel a lot of pressure and stress around money. However gradually my home is becoming a place that I can enjoy. A sanctuary and place I feel safe. For a time there will still be stress around money and current living arrangements and lack of space but there are things we have done and plan to do that will make it a much nicer place to be.
I am also thankful for my home. It has caused me the most stress over the last few months due to the fact that it needs some work and that work will be costly. I can also feel a lot of pressure and stress around money. However gradually my home is becoming a place that I can enjoy. A sanctuary and place I feel safe. For a time there will still be stress around money and current living arrangements and lack of space but there are things we have done and plan to do that will make it a much nicer place to be.
The thing I am most thankful for perhaps the most is having such a wonderful supportive partner. How lucky we both are to have been born in the same lifespan, to have then met each other, and to fit so perfectly. To have met at times in both our life’s when we are ready for this kind of relationship. Having someone that loves me unconditionally and someone who shares all of my core values has been an incredible experience. I think I have felt happier this year than I have ever felt in my entire life. Every-time I look at Rick I feel a warm and happy glow. It is nice to have someone to meditate with and discuss the changes and values I want to create in my life long term.
When I view romantic love I do not consider someone to be my other half. He is his own person and so am I but we are enjoying developing our awareness together as a couple and exploring and challenging each other to strive to learn more and become more peaceful and content as individuals. Rick seems to compliment me perfectly. In regards to Buddhism I am not sure if romantic love is always considered attachment and thus not something that is always viewed as positive. However I cannot count my blessings without counting Rick as one of those blessing as well as my friends and family.
My plan this week is to continue the meditation we learned during the class on Monday where we contemplate the things that we are thankful for, and then try and hold the feelings of peace and contentment that gives us. I can definitely say that just thinking about this as I go about my day is already giving me a feeling of peace and happiness.
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