In My Mind’s Zen Garden

[ well, i'm back... i guess i couldn't stay away for too long... and i had to write some things down for my benefit... ]

“An outside enemy exists only if there is anger inside.”
—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This piece of wisdom has been on my mind lately. Someone had this as her signature on one of the vegan forums that I participate in….

I think that this is the ideal… that there is no outside enemy if one is completely peaceful and enlightened within.

But, people seem to find enemies outside, and that is why we have so many wars in this world, and hatred still abounds here and there. People DO want the upper hand, and they DO want to have control over you, or to prove you wrong. It happens.

Yet, I will reflect on this quote and try to understand that all hatred begins within the mind. Still, it is a hard concept to understand because of the fact that there will be people who are enemies who would NOT look out for one’s best interests other than their own.

And there are those greedy and power hungry individuals who would take advantage of the meek and the down trodden… that seems to be a fact of life….

Still, I will dwell and ponder upon those wise teachings that tell me that wisdom and understanding lies within…