Day Momo (Des Moments) August 1st-15th
It’s funny when your mind is focused on one thing, you start seeing this one thing come up over and over again. It might be in different forms, different writings, or different real life experiences. The form doesn’t matter, but the consistency with which it comes to you, as you are focused on it, is profound.
For me, my latest “coincidence of focus” has been through my reading.
A few days ago I was listening to the audio book The Essence of Success, by Earl Nightengale. Earl quotes Albert Einstein, when Einstein was asked, why are we here?
Einstein’s answer: “Man is here for the sake of other men, only.”
A simple answer from perhaps the most brilliant mind in the history of mankind.
What does this simple answer mean?
It means we are here to be compassionate towards others, and to be kind towards others. We are here to be of service to other people, and to help other people. We are here for others.
The next day I was reading, The Scripture of the Golden Eternity, by Jack Kerouac, pioneer of the beat generation, and author and writer on topics including Catholic spirituality, travel, poverty, drugs, and Buddhism.
I came upon this quote:
“Kindness and sympathy, understanding and encouragement, these give: they are better than just presents and gifts: no reason in the world why not. Anyhow, be nice. Remember the golden eternity is yourself. “If someone will simply practice kindness,” said Gotama to Subhuti, “he will soon attain highest perfect wisdom.” Then he added: “Kindness after all is only a word and it should be done on the spot without thought of kindness.” By practicing kindness all over with everyone you will soon come into the holy trance, infinite distinctions of personalities will become what they really mysteriously are, our common and eternal blissstuff, the pureness of everything forever, the great bright essence of mind, even and one thing everywhere the holy eternal milky love, the white light everywhere everything, emptybliss, svaha, shining, ready, and awake, the compassion in the sound of silence, the swarming myriad trillionaire you are.” – Jack Kerouac, The Scripture of the Golden Eternity
This quote hits home hard on one thing: kindness equals bliss. You will not only create bliss for the person you are giving it you, but you will create eternal bliss for yourself, as well.
As the Buddha said it within Jack’s quote, “Simply practice kindness, and you will soon attain highest perfect wisdom.”
Joseph Metcalfe
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