Expert: Laurie McLauglin - 1/29/2009

Question
Hello Laurie, I have been meditating for years. And last night I had a realization . I have been frustrated with people because they keep doing things that don't work, are hurtful to others,and plainly do not stop to consider the possible consequences of their actions.But somehow I no longer feel frustrated I just see that they are asleep and like zombies.Is reality then to slowly ,with total consciousness, think,look and consider cause and effect BEFORE acting ,speaking etc. rather than running aimlessly. Any additional understandings of reality would also be appreciated.

Answer
Thank you for writing me and giving me a chance to answer your question.

It is wonderful you have been meditating for so long.

Yes, a goodly majority of people do appear to walk around as if they are asleep.  This is why Buddha began teaching.  As ‘the Awakened One” he began teaching so others would awaken to their complete inner potential. However, one can never truly be certain if anyone we know might be a Buddha or Bodhisattva that is come into our lives to teach us very valuable lessons.  The more frustrating a person is, the more we should be grateful they are in our lives, for by dealing with them we can learn compassion and patience and other wonderful qualities.

Buddhism teaches that everyone wants to be happy. And no one wants to suffer.  People that do things that are hurtful, usually are not intending on hurting people by their actions.  They are doing things based on habit and from a mind of self cherishing; believing that they are more important than anyone else. They are, in a manner of speaking asleep; not alive in the moment.  Buddhism teaches meditation so that we learn to become more mindful and not do hurtful things to others in our daily lives.

You ask “Is reality then to slowly ,with total consciousness, think,look and consider cause and effect BEFORE acting ,speaking etc. rather than running aimlessly.”

As a Buddhist, we learn many techniques and ways to train our mind so that we don’t run around aimlessly. We train our minds so that we consider the karmic implications (the law of cause and effect) of a thought or action before we manifest it. It is a slow process for most of us to get to a place where we can be aware of our thoughts and actions before they manifest so that we can choose to do and think positive things and choose not to do and think negative ones.

It appears that you were seeing in others the very thing you are hoping to manifest in yourself. You were frustrated with others’ behaviors before you realized that they, like you are asleep to their full Buddha Nature and now that you see your own Buddha potential, you recognize that those folks that used to frustrate you are really just like you were – asleep too.  

In a situation like that, once you realize that most people are similar to you; wanting happiness and wanting not to suffer; and not yet being able to tap into their full Buddha Nature, then we can develop compassion for them and find ways to connect in positive ways.

I hope the realization you had brings you peace and happiness and helps you travel down the path to your own enlightenment.

If I did not address what you were talking about in your question, let me know, I will be happy to see if I can clarify or add to what I have already written.

Laurie