Enlightenment In Words

  “…It is possible that you dislike something and there is good in it for you, and it is possible that you like something and it has evil in it for you, and God knows and you know not.”    Quran (2:216)           Good and bad, right and wrong, we believe there to be a very clear distinction between these two pairs of words. If I ask you, what is a wrong action, you might answer, "Stealing is clearly a wrong action". However, the border between right and wrong becomes blurry when we introduce ethical scenarios. Is a hungry, starving child who steals bread to sustain himself and his family, a thief? Does he deserve punishment for securing his basic human right to food and nutrition? In Buddhism, actions have harmful or beneficial consequences, yet there is no steadfast path indicating good and bad actions. It only speaks of them as kusala (skilful) and akusala (unskillful). A person may be virtuous and benevolent to one person or community but ...

" Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it. "  - Gautama Buddha      Spirituality is an important part of many people's lives, yet we do not understand it completely. It guides our ethical way of life and gives us profound hope to do good and help others. However, I experienced doubt recently, but I welcomed it as I find feeling doubtful healthy. I believe spirituality is not just our belief in God, it is also the search for the reason of existence and purpose. The questions are healthy and I gladly took up the challenge to understand my path. God exists in all of us, as a sort of moral compass if you will. That tiny voice in your head, giving gentle advice to do good today, is as I believe, God. This recent awareness that I acquired is my personal sign from Him to learn and, if I am lucky, to teach. New answers to unanswered questions and even more questions await me, which I am willing to share as I go.    ...