I live in Northern India and we have just had two days are very cold, driving rain. One of my students, Arun, looked out of his window and saw a young man sitting under a tree. He was soaking wet and shivering. Arun tried to encourage him to take shelter, but due to his mental health issues he didn’t respond. Arun brought him food, a hot drink and a plastic sheet. The next morning Arun again looked out of his window and the young man was still sitting exactly were he had left him last night. Compassion arose in Arun and he finally understood just how precious his life is.

Sometimes it takes an incident like this to make us realise just how fortunate we really are. We just go through life taking it for granted. In fact, we even take breathing for granted. Breathing in and out, day after day, year after year, we forget how amazing that truly is. Just think if we had to pay for the air we breathe, I am sure we wouldn’t be able to afford it. We might think we do not have much in our life, but when we consider it, to be able to breathe is a great fortune.

Even when we have things we are never satisfied. We have clothes to wear, but that isn’t enough for us, we want the best clothes. We have food to eat, but again that isn’t enough, we want the most delicious food. We are never satisfied. We never count our blessings.

Our life span is short, it is like dewdrops on the tip of a blade of grass. If you think about it, there are very few causes of life, but an enormous amount of causes of death. So we should not be over confident that we are going to be alive tomorrow.

Some may think this is depressing and not very helpful, but I beg to differ. If we understand how precious our life is we will become contented, compassionate and, dare I say it, happier.

Your life is precious, so, at this time of year, please spare a thought for those who are not as fortunate as you.

I will let Dalai Lama have the last say on this subject:
Today I am fortunate to have woken up,
I am alive, I have a precious human life,
I am not going to waste it,
I am going to use all my energies to develop myself.
To expand my heart out to others,
To achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings,
I am going to have kind thoughts towards others,
I am not going to get angry, or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

If you liked this, why not try Buddhism Guide’s Audio Blog.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • LinkedIn
  1. https://www.gallonero1.com/
  2. https://www.unchatencuisine.com/
  3. https://www.eatatjakes.com/
  4. https://camdenhawthorn.com/
  5. https://markdoolittlestudio.com/
  6. https://pwgbarracks.com/
  7. https://www.savemontanashistory.com/
  8. https://www.gabyscafe.com/
  9. https://mdvcmi.org/
  10. https://buddhismguide.org/
  11. www.wici-lab.org
  12. www.memphissteamacademy.org
  13. historiaaplicada.org
  14. aksiforjustice.org
  15. www.rochesterroots.org
  16. www.scottishmaternity.org
  17. www.martinez-photo.com
  18. taiwansfa.org
  19. www.casablancarestaurants.com
  20. www.forthandtowne.com
  21. www.savoyardsauxemirats.org
  22. www.agence-cdesign.com
  23. www.woodstockgardencafe.com
  24. natesww.com
  25. www.sobakeable.com
  26. www.pendulumfoundation.com
  27. www.yourte-en-touraine.com
  28. www.bmridersclub.com
  29. doprestaurant.com
  30. www.budanails.com
  31. dmist.org
  32. www.encac2023.com
  33. www.icd-idb.org
  34. www.insituarsenic.org
  35. socialrobotsinthewild.org
  36. jc-codicote.org
  37. www.reseau92nord.org
  38. zoobeetle.com
  39. www.covidhelp4highland.org
  40. ieee-sensors2020.org
  41. maliprinc.com
  42. eastindiacomedy.com
  43. www.lemirval.com
  44. lantreopotes.com
  45. canoescapade.com
  46. www.ikt2014.org
  47. www.anecdotecafe.com
  48. florinbuddhist.org
  49. www.sarasotabcs2014festival.org
  50. www.yayasancimd.org
  51. www.varietyrussia.com
  52. www.72horasrio.org
  53. www.cafelaola.com
  54. www.janeolivor.com
  55. yamagataspring2024.com
  56. www.cleverramen.com
  57. www.piedmont-urgent-care.com
  58. www.associationdams.org
  59. www.musicians4harmony.org
  60. www.ecmi2020.org
  61. www.safeandsoundwithamaya.org
  62. www.cityclubtacoma.org
  63. www.jdasbcseniors.org
  64. www.tinmanhawaii.com
  65. www.hartlandcoastchurches.org
  66. www.awg2010.org
  67. newportbusinessassociation.com
  68. www.austinchaiwala.com
  69. kazanoicstartups.org
  70. www.transpsychlab.org
  71. thehungryowl.com
  72. www.ctmt.org
  73. arundelestate.com
  74. www.bmscatalystlive.com
  75. www.projetoalternativas.org
  76. matraexpo.com
  77. innvestigacdt.org
  78. www.northstarstorysummit.org
  79. whoishamas.com
  80. www.culturepark.org
  81. badbunnyoutfits.com
  82. www.greaterwaldorfjaycees.com
  83. www.villagethesoulofindia.com
  84. www.withposco2024.com
  85. www.reprografianoroeste.com
  86. www.giannottisristorante.com
  87. www.viktorialoungebar.com
  88. www.jerouleelectrique.com
  89. goodlifegourmet.com
  90. www.tildenparkmerrygoround.org
  91. www.theresidencestoronto.com
  92. www.brantfordgalaxy.com
  93. kivalounge.com
  94. www.kvksangli.org
  95. wisterbyob.com
  96. www.friendsforannette.com
  97. www.contemporary-art-auction.com
  98. www.woodstockgardencafe.com
  99. llano2024eclipse.com
  100. ubc-denver.com
  101. www.nngogreenexpo.org
  102. www.californiaprosecutors.org
  103. www.ohiotrio.org
  104. www.umbrellaco.org
  105. www.cafe-am-schaefersee.com
  106. cronorte.com