Developing Attitude-Skills -Knowledge through the Teachings of The Buddha
“The Buddha’s Teaching is the greatest heritage that man has received from the past. The Buddha’s message of non-violence and peace, of love and compassion, of tolerance and understanding, of truth and wisdom, of respect and regard for all life, of freedom from selfishness, hatred and violence, delivered over two thousand five hundred years ago, stands good for today and will stand forever as the truth. It is an eternal message.” — Teh Thearn Choo
Thousands of Buddhists and non-Buddhists, the world over who have adopted certain principles from the teachings of the Buddha in their lives and practising mindfulness meditations (Samatha, Vipassana, Zen etc.) regularly are living peacefully and happily despite their complex and troublesome surroundings.
Research shows that mindfulness sharpens skills like attention, memory, resilience, and emotional intelligence, competencies critical to leadership effectiveness. Mindfulness boots creativity through greater insight, receptivity, balance, and clarity, ensures greater engagement at the workplace through increased energy and sense of well-being and expanding awareness and range of our responses, and less burnout (Dhiman, 2021).
Any person of the world irrespective of his / her age, gender, education, location, race, faith or religious orientation will benefit from certain principles and practices from the teachings of the Buddha. Some of these are
I. Live in the Present — Here and Now
“Ardently do today what must be done, who knows, tomorrow death come.” — Buddha
Step away from the past and future, live in the present moment. Live every day like it is your last.
When you are eating — just EAT.
When you are reading — just READ.
When you are driving a car — just DRIVE
When you are with someone — just be with him/her
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha
Practice Mindfulness exercises — Sit in a comport position, Close your eyes… just observe the process of Breathing in… Breathing out … below your nose (nostrils) without making any effort … just pay attention to observe breathing…. Do not try to do anything else during the session… practice daily 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening. Please consult experts for details.
II. Express Wisdom in silence
“Know from the rivers in clefts and crevices; those in small channels flow noisily. The great flow silently. Whatever’s not full makes noise. Whatever is full is quiet. “ — Buddha
There is always a time to listen and time to talk. One must learn to listen more, acknowledging that we do not know everything.
One can share wisdom and also learn from others by listening and engaging in healthy dialogues.
“The wise do not judge others, not their words or deeds or what they have or have not done. The wise only contemplate their own words and deeds”. — Buddha
III. Good Karma brings Good Outcomes
“It is mental volition, O’ monk that I call Karma, Having willed one acts through body, speech or mind. ” — Buddha
Karma means the action of one’s own volition. Good Karma brings good outcomes and bad karma brings bad outcomes.
Good intention leads to the ethical quality of action. A positive attitude brings good emotions with reasons.
We need to work on ourselves in the present to build a better future for ourselves. What we did in the past occurs in the present. What we do in the present will affect our future. If we choose to give more effort today then we are sure to go beyond our past mistakes.
Our past does not define us. What we do today can shape our present and our future.
IV. Great Things are the results of small good Habits
“Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the fool, gathering it little by little fills himself with evil. Likewise, the Wiseman gathering it little by little fills himself with good.” — Buddha
A system of daily / weekly / monthly practices of good things and productive habits will bring incremental positive changes in the behaviour, health, relationship, work outputs and creative pursuits.
It does not matter if you fail sometimes to maintain the schedule. That is the part of the learning. The Key is the continuation. One should keep trying and maintaining the flow.
V. Choose your friends wisely
“Admirable Friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is the whole of a holy life.” — Buddha
Life is not a solitary journey. We encounter lots of people. We develop good or bad habits because of our association with different people.
It is better to seek fellowship with noblemen than to associate with evil companions. We can choose the people who can influence us to be better.
VI. Be Generous
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and life of the candle will not be shortened.” — Buddha
Happiness never decreases by being shared. There is a ripple effect of kindness. Generosity and helping each other can create great positive changes in the world.
VII. Middle Path
Buddha has taught humanity to walk the middle path of moderation and have a better understanding of how to lead a richer life of peace and happiness.
Buddha called it “Madhyamaka — the middle way” The middle path is very important because it eliminates extremes like Being and Nonbeing, Birth and Death, Coming and Going, Same or different, Luxury or ascetic etc.
Practice a sustainable lifestyle that embraces the pleasure of existence. Neither luxury nor poverty. Just Enough.
