On my desk, I have two Zen calendars, one from the year 2011 and the other from 2013. Occasionally, I view some of the pages from previous years to once again ponder on the lessons that are to be learned from Buddhism about life and being in the present moment. I must admit that often the lessons are lost on me. I do not fully comprehend what being fully "awake" may mean from a Buddhist perspective, but I do appreciate that the need to live more in the present than in the future, or the past, is an important aspect of the faith.
In my contemplation of my best minute, and in my "awakening" to the appreciation that my best minute may be the minute of the now wherein I can simultaneously reflect on the "best minutes" of the past while enjoying the beautiful marvels of today, I doubt that practitioners of Buddhism would approve. And yet, there is something to the experience that seems to have merit. I am wondering whether others have experienced their own "awakening" moment and, if so, if they would be willing to share it with us.
What experiences have led to your "awakening" and, if you are now awake, are you more attuned to life and the beauty that surrounds us?
Speaking for myself, it seems that by living in the now one does indeed become more "awakened" to -- more in tune with -- the beauty of the world that exists all around. But perhaps I am mistaken. Please "enlighten" me if I am.
In the meantime, allow me to also mention that the journey to an "awakening" is not necessarily a solitary journey. Indeed, as indicated previously sometimes one must be "pulled from bed", to be able to see the wonders that abound in this world and beyond. If your journey was not a solitary one, please tell us who your "guide" or "fellow traveler" was or is.
In my case, my recent "awakening" has been made possible by my girlfriend, who pulled me out of sleep to see the stars. Who, along your journey, has helped you also to be able to see?
Peace.
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