A KORA OF KORAS

So, why would I ‘wish you well’ if everything is always changing? Why would I
wish you well if as Buddha said that, ‘suffering is inevitable,’ indeed, that
‘suffering is the very nature of life itself.’ Why? Because he also added that all
suffering is not necessary.
We are on a boat floating down the river of life; a river filled with beauty, fear,
calm waters and rock-strewn rapids; we can merely float along, taking it as it
comes or we may seize the rudder and avoid this or that whirlpool, channel, rock
or waterfall.
Anyone who has gotten older knows that life is not completely under their control,
but we must not forget that it is also true we can avoid much of the suffering that
is not yet here.
May we use our intelligence to understand the laws of life, may we use our feeling
sense to discriminate between right and wrong, may we take refuge in the
company of good friends and teachers, may we seize the rudder of our boat and
direct our intention and use our will to live the best life we can for others and
ourselves; more than that we cannot do.
- Peter Malakoff
‘The winds of grace are always blowing;
we just need to put up our sails.’ - Brahmananda Saraswati