Recently, I delved into Buddhism after reading a compelling book on Asian philosophy. This book introduced the profound notion that the self is an illusion and everything in existence is interconnected. Initially, these ideas seemed ludicrous and ambiguous, making them challenging to grasp. Yet, they are fundamental to Buddhist thought. While I may not fully understand these concepts yet, allow me to share my reflections.
The author of the book I read was grappling with life’s adversities—having been fired and going through a divorce—leading him to question the very meaning of his existence. This existential inquiry drove him to explore Asian philosophy, a discipline known for offering insights into life’s complexities.
A few days after finishing the book, I found myself meditating on a chilly morning, my hands numb with cold. During meditation, a simple thought occurred to me: “It is cold.” Meditation encourages us to face our feelings directly, so I pondered the origin of this thought. It seemed obvious—I felt cold because it was indeed cold, a laughably simple fact. Yet, I dug deeper, questioning why it was cold. My humble understanding led me to realize it was because of winter. But why is winter cold? It’s due to the Earth’s movements, and so on. My thoughts expanded outwards, connecting to the broader universe, illustrating another Buddhist principle: the interconnectedness of all things. Just five minutes of meditation brought me to this realization. It was enlightening to see how a small sensation, like feeling cold, linked back to the vast interrelations of the universe. If this is true, what can we truly control? It appears that the only things we can control are our actions.
