Zen.

so lately, i've become a huge fan of the TV series, Life. it's basically about a cop who gets put away for 12 years on a count of murdering his friend's family, but his innocence is obvious. anyhow, he gets thrown in state pen, his sentence is life, but instead of plotting his revenge, finds the light of zen. he comes back out after getting acquitted, rejoins the force, and uses his newfound zen ways to resolve homicide cases and at the same time, trying to find out who set him up. interesting, no?

but the teachings of zen got me thinking.

its quite enlightening to say things like 'gold dust, no matter how precious, will still blind you.' or 'give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.' but the essential fact is that you don't have to know zen to be zen.

i've come to realise that i have been subconsciously practising these teachings and applying them to my daily life without even being exposed to the great Buddha and his mystical ways.

to look on others as you look upon yourself.
to see god in the most lowliest of men.
to respect all ways of life and creed.
to not be punished for anger, but be punished by anger.
to understand, than to be understood.

now, by knowing them, i am reinforcing them, and i am learning more. and this has brought about new meaning to my life. i see things now in a way i could probably never see about 4 years ago. this is the way of life that brings about peace. something i can truly stand for. after all, does life really have to be about suffering and work and misery and pain?
can life not be love, peace, faith and hope?

even if mankind does not share this same sentiment, i can always hope that the hope of goodwill spreads like wildfire among us all. and i know that by the end of the day, i would be content. this life of mine should not be spent wondering why man cannot love and be loved. this life of mine should be spent teaching man to love and be loved. and in order to teach something, you would first have to learn how to do it yourself.

so thus, commences my journey.