Thoughts can transform in an instant.

Hopefully in the right direction. 

Imagine rushing to the library with an armful of books, coffee in one hand, purse slung over your shoulder. Suddenly, somebody bumps into you from behind. Arms flailing, you manage to retain your balance, but your books go flying, your coffee cup ends up on the ground, next to your gaping purse, its contents all over the sidewalk.

Whirling around to yell at the person who caused this disaster, you manage to catch yourself before you blurt out a scolding.

In front of you, an elderly woman lies sprawled on the ground. She’s murmuring to herself, “I’m so clumsy!”

In an instant, you’re at her side, “Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? Can I help you up?”

If we could see the pain and suffering of others, and their self-recrimination and embarrassment this clearly, we would be much less inclined to allow our irritation and anger to arise. We would try to find out if others are hurt. If they need help. And if we can provide that help.

Forming Dharma affinities one . . .

Change.

Impermanence.

Nothing lasts forever.

“Life is a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, a flash of lightning, a drop of dew.” We know this, and so when the time comes, we try to push out of our minds the thought that a loved one is dying. Except that it doesn’t work.

We’re attached and we cannot let go. We cannot bear the thought that one day soon we will lose her. But it happens, and on that most terrible day our world drops away from below us.

Totally in shock and numbed, we are adrift. No longer with an option to push reality away, we come face-to-face with impermanence.

We are alone. We are in pain. We suffer.

Lifetime after lifetime, we have clung very tightly to our attachments. We know the reality, yet refuse to accept it. We prefer to live in ignorance, ensnared by our emotions and mired in our habits. This will continue into an endless future unless we change.

We need to awaken.

Now.