Oh - But to Choose Wisely

It seems that with many things, which largely or often are also really trivial and inconsequential, we exercise our ability to choose, but the really important ones we do not. Especially when on retreat, or engaging in self-development, we should not be too choosy about things other than what is immediately and directly related to our practise. But things like food, the taste of such, the texture, temperature (wow, they are all t’s) is really irrelevant, provided it is generally edible and will nourish the ailing body. At least, that is the theory. It seems, though, that we often miss the point and or opportunity, and allow ourselves to get caught up in the trivia. I notice it especially with the fresh fruit, where people will no want to eat it because the peel or skin does not look as what we believe it should look like, or how we would want it to be, or when we believe it should be riper or sweeter or juicier, we also do not want to eat it. It is, after all, not to our liking. We have to ‘enforce’ our preference, because we are in control.

When, however, the very same fruit is taken, and reworked, say bananas into banana loaf, or pears into a type of fruit stew, then it becomes fully acceptable. Yet at the same time this is so trivial and largely inconsequential in terms of our practise and existence, but we want to ‘know’ that we are in control, and that we choose what we were willing to consume. Nothing wrong with choosing what one is willing to stick into ones mouth, provided it is relevant and significant. So you may then very well ask what are the choices then which may be significant and relevant?

Well obviously what we do, say, and think. In terms of Buddhist teachings we create our own ‘destiny’, through causes and conditions, namely Karma, and that is not something which happens willy-nilly, but we create it, one-hundred percent. Nothing left to chance or luck or fate or any other fancy-word excuse, but it is entirely up to our actions. In Buddhist terms action has a two-fold relevance, namely being obviously what we actively do, but then also all of what we speak and think. So when one speaks about action plus cause equals result, then the action part is truly also all of what we think, say, and physically do, and not only the direct physical activity aspect. Accepting naturally also that all our speech and activity is invariably preceded by a thought process, whether consciously or not.

Closely linked to this is then also the whole aspect of reacting. Strictly speaking ideally one should of course not just purely react, without having taken the consequences of that reaction into consideration. But unfortunately far too often people do not consider this. Even HH the 13^th Dalai Lama already remarked more than a hundred years ago that one of his biggest concerns was that monks take decisions without taking the consequences into consideration. What do you know, little has changed? On a certain level most people are mainly reactive, allowing themselves to be controlled by their emotions, rather than by thoughts or (common) sense. That is one of the reasons why meditation is so essential and useful. By practising meditation one, over time, teaches and trains one self to allow some ‘space’ before responding. One gradually becomes more in control of ones thoughts, ones emotions, and then ultimately also one self.  

In addition we should also choose wisely when it comes to what happens at the time of death. This will naturally sound strange to adherents of most other religions, but in terms of Buddhism one is reborn (reincarnated) countless times, and at the time of death some unique opportunities arise. Without going into too much detail here and now, as not only is it too lengthy to cover now, but it also deserves much greater and more thorough consideration to do the whole subject justice, at the time of death we do an evaluation of ourselves, the immediate life we have lived, and what lessons we have learnt or still need to learn. And then we choose where we wish to be reborn again. But we also encounter various ‘apparitions’ in terms of the passing-over process from one Bardo to the next, and especially at this point is how or what we choose quite significant. Again, the detail is not part of this topic right now, so perhaps in some future blog it shall be dealt with in greater detail. What is significant, though, is to be aware that this opportunity will present itself, that we may be able to prepare and practise for when it does present itself, and that it need also not be a purely reactive process, but we can encounter it informed and prepared to a great extent.

Throughout our lives, in the course of each and every day, we are presented with countless choices. Some more obvious than others, and in many instances we choose without actually realising that, or what we have chosen. They are not instances where you have to vote or cast a ballot, although in a sense that is exactly what you are doing, but they are situations where we allow our gut, or instinct, or subconscious, to take control and to lead the way. With being mindful that would largely not be the case. The only proper way for humans to teach themselves to be mindful is through meditation practise. Teaching yourself to be in the moment, with the moment, for the moment (and I guess one could add from moment to moment). It is vitally important to do that, because all our choices now dictate what will happen to us in the future. And what is happening to us now is all entirely due to something which we did in the past. Regardless of what religion you believe in, or whether you do not follow any religion at all, every individual can verify for themselves the truth about choosing wisely.

In addition they can also verify that the choices now exercised affect what happens in the future. Unfortunately in many instances we only become aware of it subsequently, when it is strictly speaking an accomplice to the fact. Only by taking a particular situation, the immediately preceding course of events, and analysing it do we realise just how much choice we had, and how much we caused the current situation. There are naturally also many instances when we do not, or can not, recall the detail that brought us to where we are now, but that does not in any way detract from the generality of the fact. It is verifiable by each and every individual, so it pays or is worthwhile to choose wisely. Not just the more obvious choices, like where you work or what work you do, though that is also very important, nor what relationships you allow yourself to get involved in, but more importantly every single aspect of what you do, what you say, and what you think. And as a special exercise perhaps try for just one hour to observe all the thoughts that go through your mind.

What do you think, what goes through your mind, as you encounter situations and people? How do you react to things which unfold? Are you in control of your thoughts and emotions, or do your emotions and thoughts control you? Because largely those thoughts will influence your decisions, in turn your choices, and hence also your future!

!O-3|-W;-