My View
View suggests a belief grounded (as by evidence) of its truth;
A deep feeling or insight as to the proper direction for one’s life.
We need to ask ourselves, “What is my view? What is important in my life? Where am I most often coming from when I make decisions and take action? What is worth pursuing, and what should I let go of?” It is important to sit down and consider this. If you honestly contemplate what is important in life, you will probably find some daily behavior patterns that are negative and selfish. Complaining, getting what you want first, feeling sorry for yourself, judging others, judging yourself as unworthy and useless, or as better than everyone else are a few examples of such behaviors. Ask yourself how involved you are in a narrow view of what you want or don’t want, and how you can avoid or dominate things. If you have the discipline and desire to look more deeply into your view, you might see where it is superficial, and how it may be hindering a happy and full life.
Views are produced by our past mental conditioning, and in turn produce our present mental
condition. The way we were thinking in our addiction was WAY off base, and very harmful. In recovery, we need a strong awareness of where our thinking is coming from, in order to guide our view to a place that includes respect and worthiness. Such clarity is hard to arrive at without friends, teachers, and sometimes enemies. We need to live with kindness and wisdom, which we must work at because much of our past was mainly selfishness and ignorance.
Our thoughts lead to actions (and those actions have consequences), so we need to have a strong awareness of our thought foundation—what our view is. We must “understand” or “discern for ourselves.” It is not enough to be told. When we begin seeing that our actions have a wide-ranging effect, we become more careful and considered. It becomes uncomfortable to engage in the off-hand, me-first, resentful, fearful, smart-ass attitudes of our past.
We all have shortcomings. We can recognize that we are human and imperfect, and work on notletting our shortcomings BE who we are, but just a place we go to occasionally and then say, “ick, enough!” Better understanding our view, and using our intellect and wisdom to guide us are new and may be uncomfortable exercises. But they’re essential ones if we’re to grow and be whole. We have a choice; we can be aware of our thoughts and actions, and choose carefully.
We do not deny our emotions, but we’re able to work with them in a larger framework, instead of permitting them to rule us. It’s like putting a spoon of salt into a teacup, or putting it into a pond…the same amount of salt is there, but it is manageable, not overwhelming. Some of us have been badly hurt in the past. Our emotions may go back a long way, and will need love and care to work with that–sometimes with outside help. But our view needs to be one of willingness to work on our past hurt and move forward. We WANT to grow and live. And we can become helpful to others who, like us, have been hurt because we understand.
This is your life. It is important. To be able to give to others because of your deeper understanding of suffering is the ultimate gift to others and yourself. When we mess up in life (it happens to all of us), we make amends and keep growing, without guilt. We learn to associate with those who are healthy, to not associate with harmful people. We recognize the temptations that distract and don’t fulfill us.
We all possess a good sense of humanity and fairness in our hearts. We often act from a more superficial neediness or fear that denies our basic goodness.
In Buddhism there is an eight-fold path, a doctrine of a practical application of ethical and moral principles. Proper or Right View is first on the list as being important to inform our intention, our speech, or action, our meditation and other aspects of living honestly and fully.
Our VIEW informs all aspects of our lives, and it is necessary to know what our view is and how we can “up” our view so that we are acting as kindly and authentically as possible. When we do not follow a good moral and ethical code we feel unfulfilled and confused. When we use our “best” behavior, we know we are moving forward in a good direction. Causing no harm and bringing understanding and growth to ourselves and others.
Our
view is that we will deal with our difficulties the best we can, and won’t let
them define us and drag us down anymore. We will make the effort, on an ongoing
basis, so it becomes a welcome part of our lives. We are all human, and will
make mistakes, but with a view of growth and living fully, we always learn from
our mistakes, move forward without demeaning ourselves, and do better the next
time.
The
spiritual life is not a theory; we must LIVE it, and practice our View in all
of our affairs. If we only feel the ‘sunlight of the spirit’ in a recovery room
or in our personal practice, but then practice selfishness, aggression or
remain ruled by fear in our daily life, we’ve only picked up one foot…we have
not taken a step. We feel unbalanced standing on one leg. We are easily knocked
over. When we have a more grounded view, we will be standing on two legs. We
may bobble around sometimes, but we’re much harder to knock over. And it’s
easier to get up again.
Meditation
takes us just as we are, with our confusion and our sanity. This complete
acceptance of ourselves as we are is a simple, direct relationship with our
being. Our view changes from, “How can I get out of this, manipulate others,
get away with it and have it all for myself? I am such a victim! Poor me! Caretaking
and arranging the world is my job!” To a simple, but disciplined, “How can I be
above the simple, everyday foolishness? I can engage in mindfulness and be worthy, authentic and healthy” A
broader view! And one we actually practice, not just think of as a good idea
that we’ll get around to.
Begin
the day with a meditation and a contemplation of opening up and engaging as
fully and as authentically as possible. This means you will probably not make
everyone happy if they are trying to use you. Good! Throughout the day when you
are feeling upset or negative, remind yourself of the worthiness and patience
you can now employ. Remind yourself
several times a day to stop and check in. It can be a simple as breathing
deeply and saying “What is my view right now?” Or “I am a worthy and kind
person. I will live honestly and kindly.” Yes,
really do this!!! It is small actions such as these, if taken regularly,
honored and cared for, that will replace our old behaviors, our old view, and
let the Great-self that we are, shine forth.
“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they
do you if you do not act on upon them?”—Buddha
What practice do you have in an ongoing manner that addresses the
attachments you have to your past fears and negativities, and promotes your
present and future life, of choice and growing in happiness.
An
open clear view has no sense of fear, no poverty, no grasping or running away.
Let us hold firmly to a view of rejoicing. Of celebrating and delighting in our
lives.
Let us rejoice that we have the opportunity and the desire to help others,
which enriches our lives.
Let us rejoice in the many small blessings that we have, and easily overlook.
We
feel worthy of all our blessings, the dignity of living a considered life, and
the blessing of helping those who still suffer.
How
do you fill your bucket? One drop at a time.
The
journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
The
great arises out of small things that are honored and cared for.