My Answer.

Quiet time in our garden.

My Way of Coping.

Quiet time in a garden above a busy city.

We would like a peaceful world no agitation no hatred. I found it was useless grumbling and complaining. I wrote letters to politicians and received printed sheets back with their party’s answers. The only hand written part was the signature. No more acknowledgement than a two-fingered salute. Complaining is useless even to those with some power to change things. Expecting others to fix things by stirring and organising people to protest only adds to the problem and makes you unhappy. Mass protests only aggravate the problem and it becomes a highly explosive situation.

a smile from my grandson Geoff.

I have come to the conclusion, mindfulness of others feelings, showing friendliness, being kind caring and sharing is the only way to reverse the downward spiral taking us into the wasteland, created by our greedy throwaway society.

A smile from Jade.

My challenge is in the now, mindful of my thoughts, emotions and action. That is the first step mindful of my thoughts and emotions and understanding grasping and clinging is not the answer, caring and sharing is the only way to alleviate the problem. We must be aware all things are passing and subject to change and everything is interconnected; therefore I must change myself to become a better person. Changing my faults has an effect on all my surroundings. A good attitude and wholesome thoughts brings about a positive change in my immediate world. A smile is infectious and a person’s attitude is passed on.

Jasmine shows a sweet smile.

Practice starts at home with you and I, then will expand to the rest of the world. This is a slow process and we are living in a fast paced age.

Michael is bursting with smiles.

If we plant and cultivate nourishing seeds of kindness and compassion we will harvest a storehouse of happiness. I am not religious but I am guided by the Buddhist Eightfold Path and helpful wisdom from all beliefs. We need an ethical set of precepts to follow. We do not need a bigoted hierarchy type religion. We need to think for our self and in our heart we know what kindness is. We only have to imagine how we would feel in another sentient beings circumstance.

Amie the newest member of a smiling family.

A smile is a good start to promote friendship; a smile is the seed that love grows from. Be aware of your emotional state, it is difficult to smile if your attitude is negative. A gloomy or tense face can be mistaken for an unfriendly face. Start with a smile then a kind word or deed. Then the true practice starts where effort to be a better person is needed. To be trusted you must be honest and trustworthy.

My grand children follow Jesus I learn from all.

So smile be happy stop grumbling, complaining and getting upset. All the worry only upsets you and disturbs your mind and the downward spiral starts. It is this disease that leads to anger, hate and bad actions.

Look above the muddy water to see the beauty.

Change and love life do not destroy it. Meditate on peace, dispelling anger promoting all the virtues, to a point where you glimpse Nirvana. At times I feel everyone is my friend and I am in tune with all that surrounds me. I have reached a point of tranquillity where the outside hustle and bustle has little effect on my inside tranquillity.

Unaffected by the mud the lotus blooms.

 The TV stirs the mud by bringing the problems of the world and tempting advertising into our homes. Inflaming desire and greedy wanting for unnecessary luxuries. When you feel the pressure of commerce and the worries of the world getting to you take a deep breath and if necessary keep quietly concentrating on your breath till you find your mind clear and settle. With regular meditation the turbulent muddy water settles and clear crystal understanding emerges.

Find peace beyond the city.

You need to take a rest from the rat race at every opportunity, in nature’s garden. Cultivating and caring, appreciating the wondrous things created for all to enjoy. Be patient, it will take time, but will never happen till you take that first step on the path to paradise. It is a slow process reaching the stage where your part of the world is at peace. It will take much longer for your achievement to inspire others. At least you will have the joy surrounding you. It is up to you the ball is in your court as they  say.

A quiet place is never far away.