The knowledge of suffering, the knowledge of the origin of
suffering, the knowledge of the cessation of suffering, and the knowledge of
the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering. This is called Right
View. --- DIGHA
NIKAYA ii 311-312
Every sentient being on earth knows something of suffering and the desire to cease
suffering. This is the Wisdom Stream from which our religions draw their
various practices. Some can stand, planted like trees along the sides of this
stream, watching others go by, with roots sunk deep in the soil, quietly and
calmly drawing strength. But some are swept up against all will and wisdom, to be taken down by flash floods of disaster. These are the extremes the Wisdom Stream leads some of us into further desolation and despair through alcohol and drugs. In spite of the peril, there are those too who are like warriors, jumping into the chaos midstream willingly, just to see where it will take them... becoming bodhisattvas... rafts well-crafted through discipline and practice.... ferrying us through white-water rapids and across serene stretches between.
This Wisdom Stream
is not to be taken lightly by anyone as a casual exploration. Once in this
stream, by choice or by force of consequences, we are swept through rapids
cascading and flowing like the Ganges towards
the black water sea that consumes us all in the end. Old souls become wise
through the courage of youth…aaaahhhhhuuuuummmm!
geo, 4641
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