Life on Earth. What a Ride…
Is it just me, or does it feel like we’re living on a rollercoaster lately? And I’m not talking about one of those sturdy, modern roller coasters, either; more like an old, rickety, wooden one, built long before the safety regulations were enforced. Like the Coney Island Cyclone. (those from Brooklyn will understand the reference.)
While I’ve long accepted the truth that life is a series of ups and downs, with high peaks and deep valleys, these days it’s become more intense. Though I’ve somewhat acclimated to the pattern, it seems like the ride is suddenly moving much faster and the increased velocity makes it difficult to grasp at all the important things that fly past me and to avoid getting blindsided and knocked completely off the track. It’s just too much, too fast and before I’m able to process what’s really going on, I’m clutching onto the safety bar as the ride whips me around yet another hairpin turn.
Even with as fast as it’s moving, there are still times when it seems as if the climb up to the high points can be painfully sluggish and bumpy and subsequently, the time spent at the peak is very brief. To make matters worse, once I finally reach that high point, something inevitably whips me over the edge and the inertia sends me barreling down at breakneck speed, once again, only to send me on another go around, with little down time to rest from the rattling I just endured.
The reason why what I’m saying resonates with you, dear reader, is because our lives are all interconnected and spinning on the same rock, in the same solar system and we’re all subjected to the same gravity that keeps us all grounded and from flying off into space. In other words, we’re technically all in this together… By the time we’re old enough to tie our own shoes and make our own decisions, we develop our ability to reason. Once we become aware of the rhythm of it all, we also become accustomed to the fluctuations in day to day life and then comes the realization that the way each of us experiences life follows this pattern of highs and lows.
Of course, our perspective on all of this changes, based on our individuality, but we can all attest that we’ve experienced good times, followed by bad and then bad times somehow became good, once again. There isn’t a person reading this who’s had a “perfect” life, without hardships, struggle and disappointments, inevitably followed by moments of victory, happiness and serenity. Our individual lives, as well as the life of the universe itself, all unfold in this way.
One of my favorite buddhist metaphors is “winter always turns to spring.” Just as the winter signifies a time when things hibernate, or when things seem like they’re dead or frozen, along comes the springtime sun, with all of its light and warmth, melting the winter frost and bringing about new life. Human life is this way too. Whenever we experience times of hopelessness or frustration, when everything seems to come crashing down around us at once, we know that our lives are in winter, but the spring will arrive, without fail. Just as the sun rises and sets and the seasons themselves change, our lives follow that same pattern. Sometimes we tend to forget this fact and as a result, we can easily fall into despair. Even with a daily meditation practice and what I’d like to think, a modest understanding of the dharma, I also sometimes fall victim to my own self doubt and become overwhelmed and despondent.
It’s human nature to allow ourselves to feel that way, in times of deep sadness and grief, or when we’re confronted with an enormous obstacle. It takes courage to break through and to not be defeated, but to remember that it always seems darkest, right before dawn.
The other uncomfortable truth that we all share is that at some point, we’ll all take our last breath in this personalized flesh suit we’re designated at birth. The thing that’s most unnerving about that, is that none of us know the exact time when we’ll transition, or how it will come about. Even so, the thought of death is perpetually looming at the back of our minds, no matter how much we try to mask it. This is the one thing that separates us from other animals and also the reason humans are able to do such amazing things. It’s the awareness of our mortality that fuels each of us to get up every day and get back on that roller coaster, even though we know that sometimes the intensity will be too much. Despite all of it, we shake off our fears and get back on, because it’s the exhilarating moments on that rollercoaster that we all live for. Since none of us know when the ride will end, we soak up as much as we can, with each climb to the top and hopefully learn lessons and gain wisdom, with every trip to the bottom.
From a buddhist perspective, as sentient beings, we’re always heading toward our eventual expiration in this lifetime, only to continue the cycle of samsara, the perpetual loop of birth, aging, decline and death, which all human beings are traveling through, each one of us at a different stage of it. Some are in the prime of their lives, while others, like myself, may have far more days behind them, than ahead.
Along with the awareness of our expiration is the bliss of ignorance of not really knowing what lies beyond that moment. Scientists have explained and to a large extent proven, with extensive research and experiments to back up their claims, what makes up the stars, planets and universe, but science has yet to show evidence of precisely where we “go” when our heart and brain cease to function, when we no longer have our five senses to experience the physical world around us. Many people believe in an “afterlife” as a destination, somewhere out there, where the soul lives on and we’re “reunited” with others that have transitioned before us. Others believe that when our physical life expires, that it’s the end and there’s no chance of being reborn, even as a cockroach or dandelion, much less as a human being.
Based on what buddhism teaches, in regards to where we “go” when we leave this plane of existence, we know that our energy or life force will continue on, in some way, since the First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but rather changes form. Cool for us, right? But are we then, reincarnated as a brand new human being? If so, how long do we wait in between, before we do the whole thing over? Do we simply “re-spawn” like a character in a video game? Is it also possible we return to this dimension as something other than a human being? Perhaps a fish, or a bird, or even a flower? If that’s the case, what determines how or what we will return as?
The most reasonable answers to these questions can be found in our study of the dharma, our focused meditation and our journey as bodhisattvas. The belief in one’s own karma and the causes we make in this lifetime are all part of what the next phase has in store for us. There’s not a way for us to answer these questions definitively or absolutely and each of us may view these things in a different way, but the dharma helps make sense of it, to anyone who’s curious.
With all these things in mind, what about the stage that humans are collectively at now? What direction are our actions taking us? Will we survive as a species?
In my observation, it seems as though planet earth and everything on it, has been in an accelerated state of decline for a long time and it’s apparent that I’m not alone in feeling this way. But why is that? Why does it seem that even despite our best efforts to “roll with the punches”, that life around us always seems to be headed for a brick wall at a thousand miles per hour?
Over the course of the last two decades, as technology has evolved almost exponentially, it’s become nearly impossible to not rely on it, in order to interact with the rest of the world. It’s a safe bet to assume that anyone reading this is, in some way, a slave to technology, bound only by the shackles of our own minds and desires. In a sense, we’re “addicted” to technology, yet most of us don’t want to admit it because it’s so prevalent and woven into our routines. We try to justify our addiction to these things, because most of the technological advances we’ve made have certainly made our lives more convenient. Or have they?
Chances are, you’re either reading this on a small device that fits in your pocket, with access to just about every piece of information, ever recorded in human history, or one that sits on your desk, with a much bigger screen. That being the case, it’s likely that if you’ve stumbled upon my website or podcast, you’re also plugged into social media, in some capacity, too. The point I’m trying to make is, trying to divert your attention from all of it is next to impossible, as we’re all contributing to it in some way, for one reason or another. Rather than seeing it as a negative thing and resisting it, it’s far more productive to utilize our technological conveniences for the common good. But despite our best intentions, it’s practically inevitable that at some point, we become inundated with all the chaos, if we let our guard down for too long. When we’re constantly tethered to our devices, we lose our sense of self, because we can’t seem to divert our attention away from the madness.
Our news feeds are bombarded by the atrocities and injustice, erupting everywhere, minute to minute, day after day, with no break in between. The sad part is, it seems like the bad news travels faster than good news, if the good even has a chance to peek through the cracks at all. Being exposed to this relentless stream of information can make anyone feel like they’re on a path to losing their sanity. The truth is, if we don’t learn to occasionally disconnect from the grid, the stress of it all can be catastrophic to our own mental and physical health. The information overload, on top of our own personal issues can be completely overwhelming. It’s like trying to run a machine at full throttle, twenty four hours a day, with nothing to lubricate the parts. Eventually, the friction is going to cause a meltdown.
Although the world has always had its share of contention and turmoil and no society has ever been without some type of nefarious forces at work to destroy us, it’s obvious that with the turn of this century, humanity has entered an era that feels as though a Pandora’s Box was hastily torn open and with all that’s already escaped, even putting the lid back on doesn’t seem like it can save us from doomsday…
Between the irrefutable effects of climate change, unfolding right before our eyes on a daily basis, conflicts between people, wars between nations and a global pandemic that’s suddenly become so real to all of us, let’s just say, humans haven’t exactly been on the upswing, lately. Looking ahead into the future, it’s imperative for us to develop the strategies and the tools necessary to help us cope with the onslaught of obstacles that continually pummel us, if we are to survive as a species.
The good news is, those tools are already inside us, but they require us to first acknowledge them and then learn how to use them, before we can put them to work. There are strategies for this, but in order to utilize them, hard work and a commitment to stay the course is required, from each of us, individually. We can no longer just leave things to chance. We can’t sit idly and wait for “other people” to make it happen. We need to take action, to change ourselves, to create the kind of world we want to live in.
That’s where Buddhism comes in.
Looking at a snapshot of our modern world, it seems as though people have become experts at spotting the differences between one another, but when asked to find common ground as humans, it’s as difficult a task for some, as it would be for the average four year old to theoretically understand black holes, or Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.
For the most part however, in spite of all our differences and no matter where we live, or what our background story looks like, as a species, we’re all continually striving for the same basic things: a feeling of unshakable happiness, peace of mind, good health and the ability to joyfully pursue the things that fulfill our own, unique mission and purpose. With that in mind, we should do whatever we can to make it possible for others to have these things too. After all, when it comes right down to it, we are all human.
As individuals, we all seek the companionship of others, to listen, help and encourage us along the way. As parents, we all want to see our children grow and prosper and have the ability to pursue their dreams, too. Given all of that, it seems happiness on a global level should be our main focus. But in order for that to happen, people have to first be happy on an individual level, in order to help others to find their own happiness. Regardless of where we’ve come from, or what has happened in our lives, all of us deserve to be happy. It’s our birthright and the one thing that cannot be taken from us. That’s because happiness is a decision and not an end result. We have to first, consciously decide we’re going to be happy and only then will it become less of a “search” for the happy place, outside of us, but rather a discovery of a place deep within us that we can continually retreat to, once we’ve acknowledged it.
From a technological standpoint, even though we’re more connected today than we’ve ever been, at any point in history, it’s painfully evident that there is a wide disconnect amongst individuals. Even with social networking and FaceTime video calls being the new normal, we’ve still grown much further apart. Most people are used to being divided up into cliques and groups, rather than seeing each other as parts of the same, universal macrocosm. This disconnect becomes more apparent when you take a look into our communities, in the workplace, amongst people of divergent backgrounds, people with differing social and economic status and even amongst families. A lot of the world has become more about “I want, I need, I deserve...” and less about “how can I help and benefit other humans?”
That self centered mindset is the seed that sprouted and grew into the immense tree of our collective karma, which will continue to lead mankind spiraling down the drain of suffering, hopelessness and despair, unless we make the shift from selfishness and self-absorption, to living with a sense of empathy and compassion for others.
Our present circumstances are the culmination of centuries of tribalism, where we’ve segregated one another, based on a list of parameters we’ve associated with things like race, culture, religious ideology, societal hierarchy, and financial caliber. When we compartmentalize people into these frames of reference, we begin to lose our humanity and replace it with alienation, resentment and feelings of inadequacy and lack. When we look at the world through eyes that are born of those emotions, it becomes bleak and life becomes a painful austerity, rather than a joyful journey.
Aside from the conflicts between human beings, the physical decline of the planet is an even bigger problem. Without the earth to sustain our lives, our petty issues, along with our bodies and minds, would cease to exist. The evidence of earth’s evanescence is undeniable when we’re confronted with the effects of climate change, which can be attributed primarily to the actions of man. Most of which have occured in the last 150 years, with the ushering in of the industrial revolution and the steady rise of consumerism.
Between the relentless raping of our natural resources to feed the material pleasures, demands and desires of human beings, and the consequences of altering the delicate balance of our atmosphere, brought about by years of burning fossil fuels, destroying rainforests and polluting the air with toxic chemicals, the planet is on it’s way to swiftly kicking humans off of it, so that perhaps it can start with a clean slate.
As science has proven, everything in the universe is in a constant state of flux and nothing stays the same, from one second to the next. The universe is perpetually expanding, beginning with the Big Bang and continuing ever since. All of the cells in our bodies are constantly changing, so theoretically speaking, you’re not the same as you were a year ago. From that perspective, the good news in all of this is that we still have the potential to change society - for the better. There is still a chance to save ourselves and keep the expansion of humanity moving toward progress and abundance, rather than shrinking back to the darkness of ignorance. The answer lies in each of us. There’s a phrase I love; itai doshin, which in Japanese buddhism, is translated to mean “many in body, but one in mind”. This is essentially the principle of interconnectedness and implies that if we are all aiming toward the same goal, the probability of achieving it is much higher if we’re all on the same path and of the same mindset.
The true path to happiness is paved by the bricks you lay, while helping other people that are suffering. Recognizing the pain in another person and empathizing with them allows you to free yourself of your own suffering. This is essentially the cornerstone of buddhist practice. When your life becomes one of benevolence and gratitude, rather than one of selfishness and entitlement, the sun of hope begins to shine, hardships become more bearable and obstacles seem easier to overcome. It’s a simple formula, yet the thing that holds most of us back is our attachment to our own egos. A deluded or unenlightened person is far more likely to identify with their ego, as opposed to their enlightened, buddha nature. You need only to ask someone to tell you a little about themselves and most of the time, they’re going to tell you what they do, rather than what they’re feeling. That’s because the ego is more about self-preservation and self-promotion, than it is about exposing what may be one’s vulnerability. The more authentic we are around others, the more we begin to break down barriers that separate us and instead, build solid foundations of trust between people and foster a more peaceful society as a whole.