Peace &Purity
Numinous Peace
... is based primarily on Dhammapada16,12,21,3,2. Regardless of whatever faith or spiritual beliefs aperson has, these verses should be focused and meditated on when pursuing visceral purity. Only then can the strength to succeed be fostered.
Dhammapada 16
From cravings prings grief, from craving
springs fear. For those who are wholly free from
craving there is no grief, whence then fear?
Freedom from cravings is imperative because one cannot expect to survive Restriction, much less Purgation, without relinquishing the burden of craving. It is important to understand that one chooses their desires. Our cravings are not out of our control, just as what we crave is not necessary for peace. Stop wanting what you don’t need.
Dhammapada 12
Easy to do are things that are bad and
harmful to oneself, but exceedingly difficult to
do are things that are good and beneficial.
If good things were easy, the whole world would be good. There would be no need for self-control because good behavior would be second nature. We seem to prefer being self-destructive without any cause. Taking time to understand our nature and nurture will help us rear ourselves in the right direction. Our actions are results of our thought-processes, spiritual convictions, and responses to societal pressures. By identifying the causes of our lack of self-control and desire to self-destruct, we can re-shape our beings to make the good and beneficial things easier to do.
Dhammapada 21
If by renouncing a lesser happiness
one may realize a greater happiness, let the wise
person renounce the lesser, having regard
for the greater.
Instant gratification runs so many of our lives. It can so easily become an unspoken, unrealized focus. This is the greatest deterrent of peace. Undoubtedly, it is not the object we want, but the satisfaction of having it. We all know this is true because after we get what we want, we discard it to pursue a new craving. Happiness is not born in self-satisfaction, only peace. The first step towards true peace is renouncement of the vain, useless things onto which we place so much importance and so much value. Let it go. Peace is not sought. It is not found. It comes to those who are receptive to it and in the right state to receive it.
Dhammapada 3
Wonderful, indeed,it is to subdue the
mind, so difficult to subdue, ever swift,and seizing
whatever it desires. A tamed mind brings happiness.
It is clear by now that self-control is vital for happiness. How can a slave with no control over her or his own self be happy? When we conquer the ridiculous vanities that we once gave so much power to, we get our lives back. When we get control of our minds back, there is nothing that can taunt us, trick us, or tease us. We don’t wind up in situations we regret. We don’t end up trying to scapegoat our way out of embarrassing or crippling situations. We see clearly. We learn to understand ourselves and allow ourselves only what we need. We take back the power we relinquished to cravings and desires. Why would we choose to be enslaved? Why would we just give up our power? It doesn’t make sense. Take control of your mind back, and you’ll have control of yourself.
Dhammapada 21
Do not give way to heedlessness; do not
indulge in sensual pleasures. Only the heedful
and meditative attain great happiness.
Being wary is so important for success. It keeps us from making simple, dumb mistakes that we normally would never fall into. It can be a little thing that we see coming a mile away that trips us up in the end. It is imperative to pay attention, especially after identifying our weaknesses. Sometimes, after we mess up, we give up and stop trying. However, when we know what is coming and prepare for any situation that may arise, we can prevent those dangerous slip-ups from happening in the first place. It’s more than just knowing yourself; it’s knowing the world around you. Are you surrounded by people who tempt you to fall? Are you watching or listening to things that make you want to give in? When you have complete control of your mind, these pressures don’t affect you. Remember always that you have no need for earthly and sensual pleasures. They are temporary and usually very bad for you. To reiterate:
Our cravings are not out of our control, just as what we crave is not necessary for peace.
Stop wanting what you don’t need.