DAILY READINGS 2nd May 2008

Just as this body is supported by material food, depends upon it, cannot be without it - even so, the five hindrances are supported by their own food, depend upon it, cannot be without it. And what food gives rise to sense desire, or nourishes sense desire already arisen? It is unsystematic attention to the alluring features of things. And what food gives rise to ill-will, or nourishes ill-will already arisen? It is unsystematic attention to the repulsive features of things. And what food gives rise to sloth and laziness, or nourishes sloth and laziness already arisen? It is unsystematic attention to regret, drowsiness, languor, heaviness after meals, laziness of mind. And what food gives rise to restlessness and worry, or nourishes restlessness and worry already arisen? It is unsystematic attention to irritation of mind. And what food gives rise to doubt, or nourishes doubt already arisen? It is unsystematic attention to things based on doubt and uncertainty.


DAILY ENLIGHTENMENT - MESS

I don't want it to be such that I came into this world to mess it up. There is a place for everything and everything should be in its place.

Many Mothers dread their children inviting their friends home (a home is a private world) because they "touch touch" everything. Things get "misplaced" when removed from their original positions. In fact, things get "depreciated"-the soft drink stains the sofa, the family photo's frame gets fingerprints all over, little brother's game set's joystick becomes loose, sister's book collection gets dog-ears, bits of snacks are on the floor... you know what I mean. Mum ends up clearing up the mess for you and your "friends!" Why don't we just learn to put things back exactly where we found them? (The Second Precept-respect for others' property). Don't step on ants on the pavement (The First Precept-respect for life). Don't make your friend's girlfriend think you are better than him when you are not (The Fourth, Third precept-respect for truth and relationships), don't get drunk and drive (The Fifth precept-respect for clear-mindedness)...

We either come into this world and make a difference or we don't. A life that makes no difference is rather pointless; and the differences we can make are either for the better or worse of the world. Every time I enter a world that is "not mine," such as someone's home or office, even a restaurant, the streets... (any place that is not my home), I try to take the effort not to mess it up in any way. That I see as part of basic morality. Don't want to make any mess of any form anywhere in this world or the next.

The next step from not creating a mess is clearing up your own personal mess. My personal mess is my collection of bad habits from my greed, hatred and ignorance spiritually harmful to myself (others not involved-I already told you I try hard not to mess up others' lives in any way!).

The next greater step is helping others to realise their personal mess and the mess they are creating in the world, helping them learn to clear it all up. This is the Bodhisattva ideal.

I think of the Buddha as one major mess-clearer. He cleared messes perfectly-in fact, He Enlightened. He came into our world in a time when men were seriously messed up in their hearts and minds. It was when dozens of systems of religions and philosophies were abound, and no one really knew what was real and worth living for.

If we were to all clear up our personal mess, and help each other do the same, there would be no mess left.