Five Guiding Principles from Buddha to Show Us the Way Post Pandemic

It's believed he was the fist person to understand, practice and preach mindfulness - the art of being in the present moment. Although the one called Buddha lived 2,600 years ago, his words of wisdom can help us today in forging a future beyond this pandemic. 

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.”

It's not the outside world we need to tame. Not other people. Not our boss, friends, family or even people we dislike. It is us. We must work on our own focus, discipline, compassion and love. Then - we'll be ready for the post pandemic world.

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

The past year has brought sadness, frustration, anxiety and yes - anger. But who is that hurting? Mostly ourselves. It will rob us of our ability to rebuild, innovate and think. I'm done with feeling angry. Instead, I'm making plans.

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.”

The entire universe exists between our ears. We live within the confines of our mind. What goes on inside there - every feeling, every memory, every experience, every perceived slight or injustice, every pleasure - is our life. Can we deliberately feed the mind with more positivity, more hope, less fear? Indeed, we can think our way back to health and renewal.

“It is better to travel well than to arrive.”

Let's not rush our journey to whatever lies ahead. Fear of the unknown remains, but so too will we experience excitement, hope and anticipation. To make up for lost time, I believe we should enjoy the coming ride.

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

Nobody to love? Wrong. You have yourself. As a society, we've beat ourselves up, blamed each other and seen our human frailties. Now it's time to see the good. In us and in others. Now, it's time to give yourself the kindness you deserve for no other can care as much as you.

Some historians believe that Buddha was an ancient prince who decided to venture out of his palace only to become shocked at what he saw: human suffering, just as we have today. He left his palace forever on a quest to end human suffering. 

Buddha knew that everything we experience in life is not permanent. This causes uncertainty and that, in turn, results in anxiety, suspicion and a kind of delusion. But the Buddha believed if we can ground ourselves in things which are reliable, then we can pave the way to "Nirvana" - a place of peace and contentment.

It's as though the Buddha predicted today's crazy world. His wish for us: that we see all things as temporary except belief in ourselves and in God. 

? 2021 Cory Robert Galbraith, All Rights Reserved.

Photo credit: Brian Jeffery Beggerly

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