The Burning House

In the post a few days ago we went over the story of the burning house. The father in order to save his children from an extremely unsafe situation promises the best of toys, chariots and playthings. When they come out into safety and ask him about these wonderful toys, He manifests even better things than he promised.

The children are the sentient beings in this mortal realm. The Buddha is the awakened teacher. The magnificent toys are the many elements of mindfulness practice all the way from meditation to reframing how we see things to study and the connection and empowerment of good friends.

When we begin to identify with the things that this life has to offer as a means to happiness we objectify life. Instead of being amazed by all that life offers we begin to attempt to exploit it. We all do it, but those who are drunk on wealth, fame and power as well as hatred are most susceptible. Like the before and after pictures of those who are addicted to methamphetamine our greed warps us into something we would never have chosen. 

With practices that remind us of our values along with immersive meditation, breathing and mindful movement we can break our addictive relationship to the modern world and the judgments that go with it. Digging our roots deep in this moment we are helping the world. It takes courage to love this life just as it is. We are bigger than our emotions and more than our drama. We were all once small children and the light of that innocence still shines in the back of our minds We can reclaim that childish wonder when we remember that we are the source of joy, and not the world around us.