You are me, and I am you.
Isn’t it obvious that we “inter-are”?
You cultivate the flower in yourself,
so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the garbage in myself,
so that you will not have to suffer.
I support you;
you support me.
I am in this world to offer you peace;
you are in this world to bring me joy.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
It’s probably no surprise that I awoke this morning, thinking of dependent origination. As I sat awaiting the quiet sunrise, and studied the rocks below, they became dependent upon the sea, dependent upon the skies, dependent upon the trees. Spencer joined me for a bit. He sounds like he is catching a cold. Will I catch a cold? There is not one thing I can think of that doesn’t intertwine.
We do not have to study the teachings of Buddha to understand this very law of nature and derive inspiration from it.
The Dalai Lama writes: All events and incidents in life are so intimately linked with the fate of others that a single person on his or her own cannot even begin to act. For instance, the committing of harmful actions depends on the existence of others. Because of others, we have the opportunity to earn money. Similarly, in reliance upon the existence of others it becomes possible for the media to create fame or disrepute for someone. On your own you cannot create any fame or disrepute no matter how loud you might shout. The closest you can get is to create an echo of your own voice.
With narrow mind, one is more likely to develop attachment, hatred. When we begin to understand that our future depends on global well-being, narrow-mindedness becomes reduce, hatred reduced.
Thich Nhat Hanh explains further: Whenever we throw something away, whether in the garbage can, the compost, or the recycling, it can smell terrible. Rotting organic matter smells especially badly. But it can also become rich compost for fertilizing the garden. The fragrant rose and the stinking garbage are two sides of the same existence.
Without one, the other cannot be. Everything becomes a part of the garbage. After six months, the garbage is transformed into a rose.
When we speak of impermanence, we understand that everything is in transformation. This becomes that, and that becomes this. Looking deeply, we can contemplate one thing and see everything else in it.
We are not disturbed by change when we see the interconnectedness and continuity of all things. It is not that the life of an individual is permanent, but that life itself continues. When we identify ourselves with the continuity of life and go beyond the boundaries of a separate identity, we shall be able to see the permanence in the impermanent, or the rose in the garbage.
Thank you my friends. For yes, my ability to share with you here is highly interdependent. Our inter-connectiveness keeps me inspired, to greet the sunrise each morning with an open mind and heart, and to share my experience with each of you. To continue my yoga practice, to keep studying and learning. And maybe in some way, these concepts that I have been sharing, which have helped make my life so much happier, are helping to make yours happier too. Which then enriches the lives of everyone you encounter …
Namaste ♥
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Source: http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/dharma-quotes-quotations-buddhist/dependent-origination-arising%20.htm
