The game of life and death

If you let your life be led solely by the ego, don’t be surprised if you encounter suffering. It is important to make room for Buddha, for what is as it is, for that which exists by itself, for that which is beyond our personal consciousness, for reality as it is. The ego must give way to this inconceivable dimension and leave room for the absolute.

If we let the ego rule our lives, in the end our lives are selfish. Not only must we make room for the unknowable, the ungraspable, the inconceivable, but above all we must give first place to this dimension of the absolute, to that which exists by itself, which is shared by the entire universe, by all beings. In this case, an infinity of egos flows according to circumstances, and this ego can even be at the service of the unknowable, of the absolute – when you make the vow that your life be beneficial to life. But in the end, you do what you want. If you do not have the strength to attain a pure, vast and free mind, at least have the courage to live in hell, without expecting salvation from others, without accusing others.

In the game of life and death, you can’t cheat. If you cheat, you pay. If you play at dominating others, if you enjoy their suffering, you will not come out unscathed. Life is the only game where you can’t cheat. In poker, you can cheat, you can lie. In many games, you have to be malicious, but not in life.

Of all games, the game of life is the greatest. It is the only one where you cannot cheat, where causes always have consequences. If you want to be the master of hell, do not complain, have the courage not to complain. On the other hand, if you want to overcome your addictions, your slavery, if you have the strength to free yourself from the three poisons – ignorance, greed, aversion – you will reach paradise. The game of life is decided at the crossroads between these two attitudes. So I insist: if you encounter difficulties, suffering, don’t blame others.

Distinguish between the game of life and death and that of society; between the world of Buddha and the world of the ego, between the world of the absolute and the world of the relative.

By virtue of their condition, human beings have one foot in each of these worlds and must not reject either. However, in order to free themselves from suffering and help others to free themselves, they must give a place, and even the first place, to the world of Buddha.

Taiun JP Faure, July 2025