Last week I went to pick up my Indian visa. On my way back home, I visited a newly opened eyewear store in downtown. I wanted to check out the price of a new pair glasses with progressive lenses. The sales clerk warned me that it would take a few weeks for my eyes to adjust to these lenses and I would have to turn my whole head to see sideways because there are blind spots inherent with progressive lenses. I smilingly replied, "It would not be a problem because I have no peripheral vision anyways. I have learned to turn my head to see sideways a long time ago."
I reflected on my answer and pondered about the parable of the "Six Blind Men and an Elephant". Even though things might be seemingly apparent to us, we cannot always be certain that we have the whole picture. More often than not we only have 2-D snapshots of the objects from where we stand, at best. When we apply the dimension of time, the same snapshot will look very different at another point on the time axis. This observation totally illuminates the Buddhist concept of "Change is the only constant in life".
As a self-proclaimed problem solver, I always try to add a disclaimer that my solutions are time sensitive. What might work now could be disastrous if applied at some point in the future. My original plan was to settle in the South Pacific at age 50 and lead a more isolated existence because I have lost much faith in humanity, especially in an urban setting. After the bicycle accident in Tonga this March and having returned home to Vancouver for a speedier recovery, my plans have changed drastically. I thought I should attempt to seek love and compassion again.
It would appear that South India has the highest concentration of spiritual gurus who advocate love and compassion. Back in December 2010, I took a virtual journey to South India. For a couple weeks, I visited several South Indian ashrams in my mind. I focused on comprehending the teachings, and meditated most of my waking moments. I came out of my virtual retreat refreshed and my physical health improved; however, I did not experience the love that I was looking for. Hopefully the upcoming South Indian visit will bring me inspirations and perspectives that I sought after in my previous virtual journey.
I reflected on my answer and pondered about the parable of the "Six Blind Men and an Elephant". Even though things might be seemingly apparent to us, we cannot always be certain that we have the whole picture. More often than not we only have 2-D snapshots of the objects from where we stand, at best. When we apply the dimension of time, the same snapshot will look very different at another point on the time axis. This observation totally illuminates the Buddhist concept of "Change is the only constant in life".
As a self-proclaimed problem solver, I always try to add a disclaimer that my solutions are time sensitive. What might work now could be disastrous if applied at some point in the future. My original plan was to settle in the South Pacific at age 50 and lead a more isolated existence because I have lost much faith in humanity, especially in an urban setting. After the bicycle accident in Tonga this March and having returned home to Vancouver for a speedier recovery, my plans have changed drastically. I thought I should attempt to seek love and compassion again.
It would appear that South India has the highest concentration of spiritual gurus who advocate love and compassion. Back in December 2010, I took a virtual journey to South India. For a couple weeks, I visited several South Indian ashrams in my mind. I focused on comprehending the teachings, and meditated most of my waking moments. I came out of my virtual retreat refreshed and my physical health improved; however, I did not experience the love that I was looking for. Hopefully the upcoming South Indian visit will bring me inspirations and perspectives that I sought after in my previous virtual journey.
Since the Indian visit, I have undertaken a few more journeys. My search for love and compassion has also ended at some point. I could not pinpoint when or where; however, I have learned to live with little expectations and few preconceived notions. I have also accepted that I could be "blind" for the rest of my time here on this planet.
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