Question asked by Dal
I have a few questions, a lot of change is happening in my life, I'm very slowly losing friends, moving schools, nervousness, anxiety, etc etc. Does this mean anything? I practiced the Dharma for 1 year so far, I'm not sure if this should happen. Next, can I talk to Buddhas like my friends? Like just spilling out and talking about my emotions, I heard I can't put aufferings infront of the Buddhas, so I avoided it but I was wondering!!
Dear Dal,
What you are going through it part of life unfortunately, it is the law of karma. We may not know of our previous actions, but we all definitely have the causes to go through some form of suffering. We still need to experience that suffering, but when we are practising Dharma, due to our daily practice and mind transformation, the suffering will actually be less due to purification of negative karma. The only way to avoid all suffering, or get out of it altogether is to achieve enlightenment. That’s why Buddhist always aim for complete enlightenment.
Yes, you can talk to the Buddhas like your friends. For example, you need to talk about your emotions, etc. I have never heard that you can’t put sufferings in front of the Buddhas. To me that doesn’t actually make any sense, because Buddhas are the embodiment of ultimate compassion, they always see our sufferings anyway, and that is why they help us, so that we can overcome our suffering.
But do such things only when you need an emotional release, not all the time. The actual practice is to learn the Dharma and develop a calm mind, so that even if you go through any form of suffering then it does not elicit a such a strong negative emotional response in you. You develop a calm mind so that you can weather the storm of such incidents in your life. That way you are better able to deal with life’s situations. If you do it all the time, all you are doing is reinforcing your negative thoughts and habits. Even though the Buddhas will hear you, due to the strength of your negative thoughts, habits and karma, it will be hard for them to help you transform your life. Especially, if you are not actually practising the teachings which transform your mind, such as the Lamrim. I hope this helps.