Holistic Living
Riza Shanti Lim
“What’s your way of life?”
This should be the first question to ask a person you meet. Not from which country or religion or profession, they come from. These are the awakening words of Geshe Lhakdor in one of his inspirational discourses I witnessed. He is a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, who helped in the translation of the texts in the Book of Buddhism. The loyal translator of the holiness, the Dalai Lama.
“A child has nothing to offer when he is born but unconditional love,” he said. He is naked and don’t own anything. He doesn’t have intellect, status, or wealth to extend. The first thing he did when he comes out in the world is cry, to get attention for care and love.
This great monk’s profound teachings were always carefully delivered and well thought of. It leaves you space to think, to use your own mind to process.
From my countless studies abroad on spirituality, religion and beliefs from different schools of knowledge, the bottom line of all precepts is simple: it equates to living in kindness, compassion, unity and love. With these in place, a harmoniously wonderful life for each one of us is certain.
Though religion is important in our entirety, the way we live our life or dharma, is by far mostly important.
Are you good to yourself?
The law of karma says that whatever you do to others, you are also doing it to you. For anything we send out there, be it a thought, an action, material or intention – it will definitely swirl back to us.
In other words, if you inflict unpleasant deeds on someone, you are also harming yourself. The same goes if you are doing wonderful things.
We have the habit of judging people through their educational background, profession, financial status, religion, but not their way of life.
Why? Simply perhaps it’s less complicated that way. Or maybe we are not living in purity. So to avoid being undressed by scrutinizing eyes and fearing the truth unveiled, we opt not to touch the subject.
While technology has been aggressively transforming the world, shifting people’s mind set, highlighting the youngsters, the deeper we become less in touch within and grow further away from the real.
If you wish to realize how you are really doing, you may start basically by journaling your day.
What did you eat and drink today? Is it good for you? Did you shower today? How did you feel after? Did you fix your bed or room? How’s your mental state? If it’s not well, what can you do to better it? Did you make anyone happy? How did you feel? Did anyone make you smile? Who? Write the names down.
You may add more to your guideline questionnaires, to help you see your daily flow clearly in detail.
To improve your way of living, try to fix your weak spots. For instance, you have a poor diet or lack sleep discipline. Make it a goal to set them right. Leaving issues as they are or ignoring them will cause future dilemmas.
Change only happens when we change something we do. If others can reshape their lives, so can you.
You are the only one who can decide for you. Trust yourself. Fire up your courage. Take charge. If you can think it, you are half way there.
Namaste.
