Some Dharma Advice #2
[11]
Practice
Spiritual practice does not lead to more suffering.
It only feels so due to not being used to it.
Spiritual practice leads to less suffering and to its end.
Suffering is due to lack of practice,
that led to the current situation.
[12]
Growing Up
Part of spiritual growing up
is to learn to face the increase of suffering
of ageing and sickness of oneself and others in the family,
that will eventually lead to death.
Part of spiritual growing up
is to learn to accept the responsibilities that result.
[13]
Suffering
Life is already full of suffering.
Do not make others suffer more with your suffering.
Even those who make you suffer have suffering.
Even if they do not seem to suffer now, they karmically will later.
[14]
Crying
Cry if you feel you must,
but after crying, wipe away the tears.
Let your tears be washing of your eyes,
to see more clearly, not more emotionally.
[15]
Communication
Do not communicate when very emotional –
as what communicated will tend to come out wrong,
leading to harm and regret,
that makes you very emotional again.
[16]
Rationality
To speak and behave rationally,
let emotions in upheaval settle first.
Use mindfulness of Buddha (Nianfo)
to make the mind calm and clear.
[17]
Habit
Do not make it a habit to rant,
before letting reason surface.
Do make it a habit to reason.
before letting emotions surface.
[18]
Dedication
To transform the wayward beyond communication,
practise repentance, Nianfo and dedication of merits sincerely,
on the behalf of all involved, including oneself –
wishing all to have greater calmness, clarity and bliss.
[19]
Advice
Before being keen for advice,
first be keen to be advised,
to listen and practise as advised.
[20]
Solution
The best solution for every problem
always includes sincere mindfulness of Buddha.
Namo Amituofo.