Reflection, Contemplation, and Realization...

 

Continued from yesterday.

Youthful idealism was pushed aside for the generally accepted self-centered view. A view focused on personal self-interest, consumerism, and the grasping for as much stuff as one could acquire. Of course, this was welcomed, as well as driven by all the wealthy capitalists as their fortunes grew. And, this writer, along with most of America, continued to become more and more addicted to stuff. Whether or not the stuff was really needed for our happiness.

It's often said that greed, and or ignorance, can be found at the bottom of most of society's and the planet's troubles. This is true. When one digs deep enough, after shedding attachments to special interest groups (including political and business), as well as the so-called individual self, we begin to develop a much deeper understanding. We start to realize that our collective actions, over many years, are directly responsible for the present plight we find our nation and the planet in. Thia includes the deteriorating social order in our own nation.

Realizing that we all carry universal responsibility opens the door to the possibility of a brighter future. A future that must be about the collective good of all sentient beings, as well as treating Mother Earth with the love and reverence she deserves. Taking focus off the self, turning to concern for nature and the so-called others, are the neccessary steps that must be taken if the planet and humanity is to survive.

Back to the beginning. Parental conditioning, academic conditioning, societal/cultural conditioning, conditioning by employers, conditioning by your government, are all partly responsible for conditioning you to think and act in ways your society/culture expect you to. Combined with the stories one tells themselves it's understandable the confusion and delusion running wild today. 

 Often, as this short article points out, it changes a person. Sometimes so much so they end up being far removed from the idealism of their young adult years. It happened to me. But thankfully the Dharma was working in me and through meditation and spiritual contemplation I found the way back. To the right path, the right view, the right intention, the right motivation, and the right actions. In other words, I rediscovered my innate nature. The Buddha Nature that has always been in me. Just as it is in everyone. Whether they know it or not.