Simplicity

Darjeeling. November 2013

This afternoon we went for the second time to the Mahakal monkey temple in Darjeeling. Here there are monkeys everywhere, playing, disputing and living their monkey life. We meet friendly Indian families also enjoying their time here and paying respect to the memory of their families at special shrines. Our eyes meet, followed by a hello and much pointing and smiling saying, 'monkey sir, monkey'. How I love this place and its people!

The British influence is so easily felt in this town through its buildings and history and perhaps especially when greeting people in the street before breakfast.

In India it is so nice to say namaste, tashi delek, or even 'allo, to Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese people, but here in Darjeeling the most common form of greeting is 'morning!'

But however we greet each other, friendliness is friendliness and that is what we feel here more than anything else. To be invited into a shop just to drink tea with the owner, 'No need to buy anything sir, just come to take tea......'.

Did we lose something in our western culture?

The Pure Dhamma path is one of simplicity, to let go of our fear so that we can be friendly without conditions. To put down our narrow ideas of how everyone and everything should be and enjoy what is presented to us. If it is something uncomfortable we can respond, but the simple Dhamma truth that is non-negotiable is this, the less fear you carry in your life the happier you will be, and the more beautiful will be your experience.

So trust yourself and stop making conditions around your happiness. The worst thing that can happen to you is that (sometimes) you won't get what you want.

May all beings be happy.