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The Magic of Money
Money is a magical thing. When people have few possessions in money, they are simple and easy to please. Money complicates life, and dissatisfaction increases when more money is accrued. Money itself does not have desire, yet it brings desire and dreams to all of us. Everyone wants it.
I need money, too. However, money is not to be used to satisfy one’s self, but to share it with all beings, to share it with those who are in need, especially the poor elderly with no family.
It Should Feel Right
People who are inside the house always think it is better to be outdoors, while those outside always imagine how those inside are enjoying themselves. In fact, we always think that we will be satisfied only when we get what we do not already have. As a result, we develop the delusion that the grass is always greener on the other side. Such delusion often misleads us in our judgment, but for most people this instinct of desire is important because they rely on it in their daily lives.
I do not mean that feeling such instinct is bad. However, you should feel right rather than simply follow other people.
Be Yourself
Comparison makes sense only if it is made between things of the same kind. Generally, comparison is frustrating and distressing as we attempt to compare our unique selves with others and try to keep up with them. That is what we deserve for doing this unnecessary thing as there is no need to compare with others. Every person is unique, including so-called identical twins. Therefore people should not be compared to one another. Instead we should compare ourselves from one day to another. What more did I accomplish today than yesterday?
Affirm yourself. Everyone has a right to life even for the humblest and tiniest. There is no need to compare yourself to others, to envy them or imitate them. Such behavior and thinking negates our own personhood, and creates a sense of inferiority and dissatisfaction as a result.
Act truthfully. There is no need to fear how others might judge you. Do not expect praise or compliments from others to determine who you are or who you should be. These judgment and praise can not benefit you at all; in fact they serve to make people increasingly arrogant and force us to put on masks that prevent us from being our real selves.
Those who live for admiration from others usually wear a mask in everyday life.
Parenting
Many people, including entire families, come to our monastery for peace and quiet. Children are always smilingly happy and cheerful there, but adults are often less transparent. They have such different reactions to the same surrounding, environment and scenery.
Families can experience a strong sense of closeness if we can join the kids to immerse ourselves into the solidarity of the monastery. In such a moment, the wilderness will blossom.
Adults often teach children what is right and wrong. What if children disagree with your definition of “wrong”? Some adults might spank their children for being disagreeing with them (which is domestic violence). Children cry because they do not think they deserve the hit or they cry from the pain, but not necessarily from being remorseful because they are wrong. Sometimes the adults become unduly punitive toward children under their care because they are emotionally disturbed, not because the children are wrong.
If you really love your children, use your mind to see them as they truly are. Do not force your own patterns on them, but give them freedom to grow and develop their own styles.
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