When you have a child that defies all definitions, you must do one of two things, let go of the need to "define", or expand your list of definitions. I've tried to do both. What has been most helpful to me is Buddhism. Here are a few basic concepts/vocabulary terms. Take a look...
BUDDHA
The Enlightened (or Awakened) One.
DHARMA
When spelled this way (capitalized), refers to the Teachings of the Buddha.
EIGHT-FOLD PATH
The Path of the Fourth Noble Truth: Right Understanding, Right Thinking, Right Speech, Right Attitude, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.
ENLIGHTENMENT
A blessed state in which the individual transcends desire and suffering and attains Nirvana.
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
Suffering. Suffering has a cause. Suffering has an end. There is a path that leads to the cessation of suffering (see Eightfold Path).
KARMA
Literally, "action." Often translated "cause and effect."
METTA
Loving kindness.
METTABHAVANA - A meditation practice that develops loving kindness toward all sentient beings.
NIRVANA
Absolute extinction of suffering and its causes.
THICH NHAT HAHN
A contemporary Vietnamese Zen monk and campaigner for peace. Among other things, he has suggested a 'positive' interpretation of the Precepts: Reverence for Life, Generosity, Sexual Responsibility, Deep Listening and Loving Speech, and Mindful Consumption.
THREE UNWHOLESOME ROOTS
three conditions that determine the moral quality of unskillful volitional actions, viz. greed (lobha), hate (dosa) and delusion (moha). Sometimes translated in other ways, e.g. lust, ill-will and ignorance.
THREE WHOLESOME ROOTS
three conditions that determine the moral quality of skillful volitional actions, viz. non-greed, non-hate and non-delusion.
For more handy definitions click here .
Enlightenment Mandala
1 comment:
We've got to find Elizabeth Gilbert's ashram .....
love.
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