Personal power.

We continually give our power away when we concern ourselves with the way we think others feel about us.

We all would like fair treatment and respect from the world, but often it just doesn't come, even from our own family members we sometimes meet behaviour that is so low , so unkind, that we ask ourselves how is it possible that we could have the same parents?

But the world is made up of the dreams and fantasies of the mind and the more we silently insist that everyone in all circumstances behaves in specific ways around us, the more the doors to our suffering open.

Beings are the way they are, that is their choice.

You are the way you are, that is your choice.

Our protection then is love, first for ourselves and then for all beings.

When the heart is open our boundless, energetic love manifests as compassion for the world and the beings who often behave so badly, for they will always meet the consequence of the mind states they empower.

It is love in the end that protects us from the poison of the world and gives us the strength to respond to each situation with whatever action or speech is necessary.

Love may be gentle but never insipid. It is always strong and resilient. Where there is love, there is no fear, and hence it is called, the fearless state.

Love is the essence of Dhamma.

When the Buddha was insulted by an angry Brahmin on one occasion, he took no offense and later, when asked to explain his mild behaviour he replied, 'if someone offers you a gift and you do not accept it, who is left holding the gift?'

The teaching then is simple, though like all true Dhamma teachings, not always easy to apply, do not pick up the gift of anger, ill will and other forms of poor behaviour and stay true to your own Dhamma heart.

In this way you will guard your happiness and bring the gift of your love to the world.

 

May all beings be happy.