How are you?

This is not as easy to answer as it might sound. We normally give an expedient response: “Alright” or “Fine”. This is because most people do not actually want to know how we are because they are often too busy: “How are you?” just means “Hello”. We also have the wish to project a positive image, and may choose not to be honest.

How different life would be if we truly meant, “How are you?” not just in a physically sense, but mentally and spiritually as well. Of course, this would all depend on how deeply we – or the other – investigate life itself. We may also say “Alright” as we may not want to express how we are truly are, as it feels too personal and exposes us. And that’s why we cling to our realm for ‘safety’ and can’t communicate. But it’s not safe at all, as our precarious position is glaringly obvious to others, even unconsciously. This is why birds of a feather flock together.

As we have seen in the past few days, suffering is everywhere, and even if things are going well, there is the suffering of change…it won’t last. This is because we cling to a misunderstanding of our true nature, which is awake and free from adornments.

When we can admit and acknowledge that we don’t feel right, that is the moment that we can change direction by finding the path of liberation, free from suffering. However, instead of doing this, we turn, for distraction, to our usual attachment to entertainment – and this includes ‘our’ spirituality. It’s busy-ness as usual, and this turns out to be our lifetime’s work. Our problems may seem huge but it all comes down to attachment to things, this body, this mind and even our spirituality.

At this moment, Thursday 31st July 2014, there is serious suffering going on in the world. Wars and senseless killing. Wars are political agendas, and their knock-on effect is tremendous even to those who may not be engaged in the situation directly.

I spend my time feeling furious at political agendas…political hell!

Politicians are well-educated and well-prepared – and say nothing, but do much via subversive agents. Wars are created by politicians who are trained to blame others. Who benefits? The huge corporations. Be very wary of saying such things as, “I’m too busy to think about these matters.” This is precisely what governments and oppositions want: it means that they can do the thinking for you.

Take a closer look. Wars are blamed on religions, which are seen as divided groups. Groups are naturally divided because they are groups! Politics is used to exacerbate situations, and drive an even bigger wedge between factions. This is easily done through propaganda, or a single shot. When blame is used, exaggerated strife creates a hell realm, and now both sides can be controlled. It’s outrageous that innocent people are the victims in all this: politicians and the military call this “collateral damage”, when it’s actually murder. Mass murder (I sometimes wonder if this is the actual objective).

So.
How are we now?!

We may feel all right, but we cannot ignore the suffering of others.
We all want to escape suffering.
Better still to be liberated from suffering.
Best is to want everyone to be liberated from suffering.

Ultimately, suffering does not exist
as it is a temporary state.

We start by meditating to understand our true nature. Through meditation, we come to understand that others have this same true nature and we wish them relief from their suffering. Each has to attend to their own story: we cannot do this for them, but we can support. This is empathy and compassion.

So.
How are we?

Sad, but with possibilities.

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