Thus Spake The Enlightened Fool

At times I feel I am one with Buddha. Honestly speaking, Buddha and I are cut from the same cloth, only separated by time. It must be clear to you that I am a fool. But,.. enlightened? Is it possible for anything short of enlightenment to realize one is a fool! The awakened one is addressed as Buddha. It's an honorific title that marks his victory over self-ignorance. And, what are the traits of Buddha? It would serve our practical interests to define him for the modern times rather than eulogising his place in a historical backdrop. How would Buddha conduct himself in a world that's constantly introducing us to a new lifestyle against the times where one cultural pattern outlived many generations. Does Buddha have an answer to erratic lifestyles we can't help adopting? Or, he answers only to a period where faith is an inheritance from past and to tend to ethics an honoured calling? Buddhahood is an ever existing possibility. This time it is expressing itself through this humble self. Allow me to answer the moot questions that beset this age seeking relief from the burgeoning riddles of life. To every man and woman, I say, recognize the inner person in you. Recognise its right to live and grow as you do. The inner man holds your roots and you have no idea how deeply you are rooted. He does not avenge your misdeeds but suffers them silently. Buddha says when you tread negativity you injure yourself first, anybody else next. When you are angry at someone, you are creating a hell within yourself. You start suffering the moment malice takes hold of you. Don't we experience the uneasiness that anger and jealousy bring with them. Protect yourself from these negative tendencies. Non-violence begins with you. You have no right even to harm yourself. Also, respect the individuality of the inner man. Your senses are constantly running after the sense-objects. But, do you take notice of the man who breathes calm while you are panting for those sense-attractions. You are not total in your enjoyment. You only feign involvement till the inner man nods his acceptance. Trust me, the inner man isn't a cynic. He has more life than you, more possibilities, more creativity than you possess. But, we spend our lives without ever meeting him. Like any stranger, who is a potential miscreant in our eyes, this inner stranger also puts us on alert. You have marginalized this inner being because it does not confront you. Buddha says don't marginalize it, but live a life of equilibrium. He enunciated the middle-path, a path that harmonizes the inner and outer life. A life that strikes harmony between the individual and family, family and society. But, it is difficult to lead a life of balance. Human mind is like a pendulum. It always moves from one extreme to the other. It commands you to either overeat or run down food; either oversleep or go without sleep. It needs a lot of patience to meticulously arrive at this harmony. Wisdom dawns on you, you put those nuggets of wisdom into practice, but soon you grow impatient and relapse into our old ways. Have patience. The very fact that you meet obstacles in the path is a sign that the discipline has started working for you. Buddha says, "The greatest virtue is patience." Do not count the time, count your efforts and intensify them. Play it as a game; enjoy it as an adventure. You are on an expedition as great as conquering the Everest. Show your mettle. In good time, you will experience a wonderful weather prevailing within you. Whiffs from within will bring fragrance into your life and you start experiencing 'the possibility'. You will love yourself for what you are. Frustration, dissatisfaction, disappointment will desert you and will give way to fulfillment, peace and happiness. This is only a beginning. Going deeper you will find many precious gems! Let me know once you get this deep. I am not quitting it here. The mine of wisdom is inexhaustible. (691 words)