No 180 of Living Life Series 1
Brethren, as long as the sky is blue, the sea will be blue. As long as we are attached (to this or that), we will face the pain of loss.
Self-centredness is a folly. It results in the view that this is mine and that is yours, creating a gulf between us. Pain always follows loss. The greater the attachment (to self-centredness), the greater is the pain from loss. Attachment to possessions is bad enough. Attachment to oneself is worse. If we cannot bear to lose a fraction of our wealth, how much more pain will we experience with the loss of our own life.
The other extreme view that there is no self is no better. The conventional self is there in this conventional world. If we take the view that we are totally not what we are, we will lack zest or drive in life. Without motivation, life will come to a standstill. There is no push to live on. This in itself is another attachment –the attachment to a wrong view or approach. This attachment can bring pain – the loss of motivation and purpose in life is painful.
We should not be self-centred. We should also not deny the self in our daily life, or life will lose its bearing. There must be balance of yin and yang. as portrayed in the image of Lord Bo Tien with feet balancing the elements
No wonder our Saint Lord Bo Tien exhorts us to lead the spiritual life without giving up the family life, without denying the worldly life and without cutting off links with society. This too can be seen as depicted by the image of the lord saint with feet balancing the elements - the spiritual life on one side and family / worldly life on the other.
It is His teaching that the one who follows closely to His Way will, if he properly applies the same principles succeed both spiritually and in the mundane world.
Lead the spiritual life, but do not give up the mundane life. Do be selfless but do not deny the self.
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