THE GOAL Every one wants to be happy. True or false? You may get some (weird) people that like physical pain. But that is their way of seeking happiness. We all have different ideas about what will make us happy - free from unhappiness. What we really want is freedom. This is the goal of Buddhism. But what is freedom? It is very difficult to define freedom so let's start by looking at what it is not - SLAVERY! What are you a slave to? Who me? A slave? Yes you. Slavery is: 'being subject to some influence or habit that has power over you.' If you smoke cigarettes (yuk) then chances are you are a slave to tobacco. Surf the net a lot? Maybe you are a cyberslave. Television slavery? "I've just have to watch!" Sweet, sugary things? These are all quite obvious addictions for some people. Physical addictions are easily seen and, with something 'visible' to work on, not such a problem. It is the mental things we are addicted to that are much more difficult to notice. These mental things tend to be ideas we have about ourselves as a person. Who we think we are. How we think others see us or, how we want them to see us. We are slaves to self-view. We are all a bit of a slave to fashion. How our hair and our clothes look. 'I wouldn't be seen dead in those colours.' Slave to beauty? Clear skin, good looks, not too fat . . . get a big zit and SUFFER? Changing your hair style is not such a problem but can you be content with how your body is and the way changes? How about praise? Everybody likes it but how is it for you when you get blamed or criticised? 'You're such a jerk. What a really dumb thing to do.' 'You're not really going to wear that revolting thing are you. You've got no taste at all.' When you want things to be a certain way - well dressed, good looking, etc. - and someone points out that they aren't that way - do you suffer? Can you let go of your desire - to be chic and attractive - and just be the way you are. Sure, you can make changes, but right now -you're reading these words - is it OK? Do you like yourself? Can you accept that right now you have to be like this? Freedom is being able to not make it a problem. |