Thursday, March 26, 2015

On Taking Risks




“I’m a Zen Buddhist if I would describe myself. I don’t think about what I do. I do it. That’s Buddhism. I jump off the cliff and build my wings on the way down.” - Ray Bradbury 


Ray Bradbury is one of my favorite people, and his quote from his 90th birthday only justifies why I feel this way. I have been studying Buddhism since I took an Asian Traditions philosophy class a couple of years ago. This quote right here clarifies the points of my practice I have been struggling with.
I don't know about anyone else, but I over think things until my anxiety convinces me I shouldn't do anything at all. I think that's why Buddhism is so difficult for people living a modern life style. If involves trusting yourself completely to the point of being able to know what to do when you come to something difficult. Situations I've encountered have been intimidating, but it's when I turn my mind off and just do, I find the end result wasn't so bad after all.
Our society is so reactive to situations, but Buddhism is experiencing these situations and all they have to offer. The good and the bad, because impermanence is a mark of existence so we should treasure our experiences while they last, for it is when these experiences end, so shall we.
Buddhists believe there are five aggregates of life that are impermanent. What we sense is impermanent, what we perceive, what we think, and what we make are all impermanent. I guess it is how we spend our time as a finite creature that matters. We can either live a complicated, and sorrow filled existence before we disintegrate amongst the stars OR we can take chances, leap of the cliff and build our wings on the way down. It does not matter if we crash and burn, it matters that we try. This is to say, nothing is more unfulfilling than standing on top of the cliff wanting to jump but never actually doing it. If we understand the impermanence of life, and furthermore, accept impermanence of life, we may be more likely to make that leap.
We need to go after what we desire, take chances, and don't think about it, just do. Nothing could come from it or everything could. I read a quote once, I can't remember who from, but it pretty much said " Don't be afraid to so "Hi" to a person, they could ignore you, or they could marry you, that in itself is worth the risk". I'm paraphrasing of coarse, but you get the idea.