There are times when the task before us can seem insurmountable; times when we just aren't sure we have it in us to continue one more step.
It can be even more challenging for those who have become accustomed to easily accomplishing those things they set their minds to do, when suddenly, something arises that is not so readily done.
In the middle of working to develop a dharma centre and centre for social justice and interspiritual development, I developed the physical complications doctors are presuming to be Parkinson's Disease related. I had an accident that resulted in shattering my arm, and have a broken arm that remains broken, ten months later, because my immune system isn't strong enough to risk the surgery. Some might consider these obstacles as just reason to quit. There have been those who suggested that I might consider letting someone else do those things, and just relax.
Instead, I have continued to pursue ways to achieve those goals. I am not qualified for Social Security Disability, and am unable to work at a regular job, so I formed a company and resolved to work hard at it, until it could replace the considerable income that once supported our monastery and outreach programs.
His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama writes, "Moderate effort over a long time is important, no matter what you are trying to do. One brings failure on oneself by working extremely hard at the beginning, attempting to do too much, and then giving it all up after a short time."
Resolve to marshal your efforts, giving attention to the one or two things you can do each day to move forward. Life only asks that we make measurable progress in a reasonable time... in fact, that's the whole reason the desks are so small in kindergarten!
Namasté!
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Author of "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened & Anointed Ones" -- a book that looks at the parallel teachings of the Buddha and the Christ, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda is a Franciscan priest and Buddhist contemplative monk, who has shared these timeless teachings throughout the world, for more than 25 years.
Lama Gurudas shares the ways in which anyone can begin to recognise and understand the nature of suffering, unhappiness and restlessness in their lives, and employ a series of simple, uncomplicated meditation strategies, mindfulness exercises and personal decisions to improve the quality of their own lives, while doing their part to reduce the experience of suffering in the lives of others.
Focused on the interdependence of all beings, and the Common Ground of Compassion, his workshops bring the teachings of Buddha, Gandhi, Christ and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into focus, and empower others to experience dramatic transformation in their lives. Lama Gurudas is the Spiritual Director of the Contemplative Order of Compassion -- a grassroots community of contemporary, Western Buddhists, vowed to living a non-religious, non-theistic, post-modern expression of the ancient Dharma, and
committed to bringing better health, healing and freedom from hunger, intolerance, violence and suffering to all sentient beings.
He resides at the Lojong Ladrang in historic Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his life-partner and companion, Craig, and their imaginary dog, an imaginary scarlet macaw, and two imaginary pandas.
"My religion," he explains, inspired by the example of his spiritual father, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, "is compassion... my god is love... my path is service."
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Copyright © 2008 The Office of Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda/Lojong Monastery. (Lojong Media Publications) All rights reserved.
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