So how exactly do we save the world? Simple, share an open heart. Open your heart and show compassion, you’re path in life isn’t only just about you, but instead recognizing the suffering around you and forging a path to create a difference. Mahayana teachings view the path of enlightenment as taking into account others’ happiness onto their own path. Just cultivate happiness, be it a funny text, simple snapchat, or positive comment on facebook or instagram, these could all be a small step in the right direction. In a society where social media documents our every move, it’s easy to criticize or overlook others posts and only focus on yourselves. We refresh the page and look for comments and count the number of likes, but instead of focusing on ourselves, take a moment to share the love with your friends, your family, classmates and neighbors. Spread the love. Spread the happiness.
“The heart that yearns to connect with your world and to help others is known in the Buddhist tradition as bodhichitta. Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as ‘awake heart.’” (p. 63)
How to do we practice bodhichitta? As with all good things it takes practice but it’s not impossible, it’s not difficult and doesn’t rely on hours of mediation. The basis is simple, do not allow yourself to get weighed down by negative emotions, be a source of positively. “In Shambhala Buddhism, we say that a root emotion that weighs us down is doubt” (p 68) which causes us to feel disconnected from our inner goodness and spiritual path. I don’t need anyone to remind me that doubt is a source of negative energy in my life.
This is a big struggle for me on a daily basis, doubting myself, my actions, my choices. Doubt can manifest in our lives through varies forms. As anxiety, “is this really what I want to be doing with my life? Is grad school the right decision? Should I just get a job instead?” As jealousy, “why didn't they invite me to the party? Is it because they don’t think of me as a friend? They don’t view us as equals?” As forgetfulness, “mediation hasn’t been working for me so it’s okay to take a few months off. Skipping the gym because you ‘forgot’ when you’re not seeing results and begin to doubt yourself.” As arrogance, “doubt’s a part of life, let me tell you about how accepting it changed by life and is a shortcut to enlightenment.” As slandering, “you didn’t help me get the grade I want, you’re a teacher/tutor/mentor, you don’t know anything. Or even simple office room gossip.” And even a lack of synchronization between mind and body, “you’re focused on the thoughts in your head that you over pour a cup of tea or forget the number of sugars you added and make it too sweet.”
It’s not about not feeling the doubt, it’s about learning how to recognize and move past these emotions. Belief that the doubt I might be feeling is not a reflection of my inner goodness. I am still fundamentally good, instead I must be present in the moment. Learning to accept and have faith in my innate wisdom and my goodness. Not allowing myself to enter into a cycle of self loathing and trust that I’m loved and respected. The first step is loving and respecting myself by not continually focus on my doubts. Learning to be confident in yourself.
“Opening the heart, without conditions, is our path. It is the compassionate way to live in our world. We may get hurt, but if we want to grow and find true love, or strive to love all beings, bodhichitta is the way to go.” (p 83)
In Tibetan our natural energy is known as lungta, which can be translated to windhorse. Now I don’t know about you but that sounds like a pretty awesome name for my inner energy. But why do we care about it? Because it’s the energy of our life, it’s through the energy of our windhorse we find energy for the day. So when you’re feeling drained and negative about the day it’s because you’re not tapping into your windhorse (just try and tell me that’s not cool because I won’t believe you).
When I read this, I was so excited because it means those days when I’m completely full of energy and happy thoughts and practically bouncing off the walls and throwing myself a dance party (yes, that's a regular occurrence), it’s because I’m riding my windhorse. That’s my natural energy being unleashed. It’s a reflection of how connected you are with the world and it’s what allows you to open your heart in negative situations. It allows you to not run from difficult situations but instead be present and accept them, lean into them and push forward. It opens you to the world and reflects your natural energy in life and shares it with other people. That is so freaking cool.
Now I don’t know about you but I don’t want to ignore a horse inside of me, I want him or her (because I haven’t decided on a name and yes I’m giving my windhorse a name) to be my best friend, I want them to have room to run wild because I want to share that positively with every single person. I want to share my natural energy with the world. The question is not why do I want to share my energy but how to make it a regular occurrence instead of a one off experience. How do I compound my energy filled positive days to where I don’t know any different?
Discipline. Now I’m not talking about negativity disciplining yourself with punishment or the discipline it takes to go to the gym on a regular basis, because honestly I have none. But discipline instead as a source of happiness. The discipline it takes to say run a blog, post regularly, or maybe calling your parents every Sunday at 8pm to catch up about your week. These are all a form of discipline and when you reflect on them as a point of success and virtue, they bring happiness, they reflect a positive source of energy in your life. When you’re able to apply discipline to virtue you develop more faith in your inner goodness and believe to accept it. Once you’re able to accept you’re good you can share more and begin to radiant love. Radiant positive energy.
The best way to apply this and seek bodhichitta on a daily basis is by following the six paramitas (transcendental actions) to help you loosen up your own ego and observe the bigger picture:
Generosity: Accepting what you’re capable of giving and giving just a little more. Knowing that these actions will give you future chances to become a kinder person and develop.
Discipline: Be present and courageous with your heart and follow your own spiritual path. Stick to your beliefs and engage in actions that bring you joy and happiness. Stay positive.
Patience: This doesn’t mean wait and see what’s going to happen but rather be open to whatever comes your way and accept it as part of your path. Do not reject obstacles but grow from them.
Joyous Exertion: The natural happiness and energy that occurs when you reconnect with your heart and find inspiration for your journey (unleashing your windhorse). Don’t allow life to become a hassle, embrace the world around you.
Meditation: Be aware of how you can best help those around you. And when life gives you obstacles allow meditation to be a source of growth.
Prajna: Develop your own superior knowledge. Be aware of what’s happening in life so you can see things as they truly are. Don’t allow yourself to look at life through rose colored glasses. Instead, see the flaws and learn from them. Always continue to learn.
So what does any of this so far have to do with saving the world? Well, when you can learn to apply these six paramitas to your life and society as a whole, you will inevitably save the world. But before you can get to that point, you need to accept that your spiritual journey is not only about you, it’s about making a difference in the world. Shift your thinking from “me” to “we” and then beginning to help the world.
Start in your daily life and practice patience with your coworkers, practice discipline with your family, be generous with your time and energy to friends and those you shrug off. All of these teachings can be practiced on a daily basis. When you can apply them to your friends and family move to your neighbors, your state, your country, and then share with the world.
“The beauty of these teachings is that by bringing bodhichitta to all aspects of your life, you are not only offering compassion to others, but you will find true joy in yourself.
The world is hungry for these qualities of mindfulness and compassion. It needs a new generation of leaders who aspire for a culture based on empathy and wisdom. We can be those leaders. We can create an enlightened society. We can help transform the world with the power of an open heart.” (p 109)
STAY POSITIVE AND UNLEASH YOUR WINDHORSE.
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