The more I look into the story of the Buddha’s life the more I appreciate the profound simplicity and depth of his primary teaching of the Middle Way. He grew up surrounded by all the luxuries that his time and exalted worldly position could offer. And yet as a human being he still had to grapple with doubt and confusion about how to live wisely in the world of samsara, trapped by desire and clinging. He respected his experience and questions enough to follow his unique path leading from a richly ornamented life as a prince to a nearly naked life in the world as a spiritual seeker. This story challenges us to respect our own dissatisfactions and confusions as our necessary guides to our own more genuine, vital way of living. Patiently, with determination, we can practice looking into the traps of our own making, and little by little see into their open nature.
Mushin
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