the world
one of my favorite concepts in buddhism is that of the bodhisattva, someone who has decided to remain one step away from enlightenment, from becoming a buddha, in order to help others become closer to that step. (obviously i’m simplifying this quite a bit, but that’s the gist.)
half a lifetime ago, when i was 17, learning about this for the first time, i thought: well, yes, what an obvious choice. if we are all connected, then of course we must help others reach enlightenment while denying it for ourselves. but i’m much more tired, now, and i can see the appeal of leaving the wheel of samsara for good.
of course, i don’t think i’m anywhere close to enlightened, except perhaps in the way that we are all already enlightened and just need to remember. or in the way that enlightenment can last for a moment, in satori. and so i remain committed to helping others, and being helped by others.
we’re all in this, together.
*
this week’s deck: botanica
this week’s gem: bumble bee jasper, from my momma
*