From The Daily Dialogue
From The Daily Dialogue
Broadcast of 12/24/98
Subject: [DailyDialogue #344] Living Dharma
"In some ways this entire practice, everything the Buddha said is concerned with having respect -- an infinite respect -- for life. That's what living dharma is finally about. It's one of the things that Mother Teresa has shown us: that the poorest of the poor, in the last moments of their lives, are worthy of total regard. So are the most ordinary events in our lives." - Larry Rosenberg
Dharma is Sanskrit for law. Living dharma means that our conduct is in conformity with the law that orders the universe. Our essential function is to respect life. The word regard comes from the French guarder, to guard, to protect or keep from harm. Historically, regard meant to take care of.
Recently I had contact with a friend I had not seen or talked to for about ten years. In the course of the conversation, I asked a question that reminded her of her painful past. She became quite angry with me, as she saw my question as inconsiderate. I validated her anger, apologized and let her know that I loved her.
Another friend recently commented that he believed one of the most difficult things to do is to ask for what we want. My friend chose to ask for what she wanted by calling me insensitive and telling me I should have known better. This ordinary event of my life is "worthy of total regard". I can choose to respect her right not to discuss her past or I can believe that she should have been more respectful of me. What would it mean to be living dharma in this situation?
Experiment: Share with your partner a current situation in which you are having difficulty respecting another person's behavior. Develop a plan of action to show more regard.
Affirmation: We are all valuable and deserve respect.
The Daily Dialogue is published each day of 1998 by e-mail. Copyright 1998, Eddy Brame and Marty Crouch, All rights reserved.
