Towards a new world
Rethinking this world demands to be done with a lucid, clear, new mind,
which is to say an awakened mind.
Towards a new world
Faced with the Coronavirus pandemic, a societal crisis unfolds.
“Nature speaks to us, but we do not hear her.” said Victor Hugo.
What does she tell us? She tells us that our choices as a society are leading us to a dead end. These choices do not sufficiently respect the planet and all its life forms. We need to change our way of life, to reconsider the functioning of our societies based on profit, consumption and the every man for himself…
Some say that the days to come will be difficult, that the damage is already significant and that we must already accept inevitable change, or even accompany it.
Others say that we can anticipate its harmful consequences and work today to create a better world.
Should we side with the pessimists? Should we side with the optimists? The question is not there!
Some say that the days to come will be difficult, that the damage is already significant and that we must already accept inevitable change, or even accompany it.
Others say that we can anticipate its harmful consequences and work today to create a better world.
Should we side with the pessimists? Should we side with the optimists? The question is not there!
The Buddha felt human suffering in all its forms, but he was not devastated by it, because he knew the answer.
A new situation, illness, old age, the inevitable separation from the ones we love, death are part of existence and cannot be avoided. Unquestionably, we have to live them.
In the face of these existential challenges, the Buddha’s answer is of a spiritual nature. It is a matter of learning how to use our mind in the best possible way at all times of our life.
One day, the world we have on our mind will end. Does that mean we have to be desperate? Does that mean we can do whatever we want? Does it mean that we should do nothing?
Of course it doesn’t! It means giving your whole heart to every moment of your life! Even if our species were to become extinct because of our mistakes, we would have to continue to live, until the end!
What wears us down and gnaws at us is the idea of feeling useless and powerless, the idea of wasting one’s life. It is not a question of waiting for an outside power to act in our place, waiting for a revolution or the Great Night that would change the world. It is not about begging, but about giving oneself to life, because the way we live has the power to change the course of things. By giving ourselves wholeheartedly to our responsibilities as human beings, we help ourselves and help humanity.
What wears us down and gnaws at us is the idea of feeling useless and powerless, the idea of wasting one’s life. It is not a question of waiting for an outside power to act in our place, waiting for a revolution or the Great Night that would change the world. It is not about begging, but about giving oneself to life, because the way we live has the power to change the course of things. By giving ourselves wholeheartedly to our responsibilities as human beings, we help ourselves and help humanity.
Whatever challenges lie ahead, the most important thing is to go about it right, to respond to them with wisdom and compassion.
Buddha’s teaching is none other than that of wisdom and compassion.
Sotoshu :
Ecole zen Sôtô
UBF :
Union Bouddhiste de France