164-Freedom of decision - Buddhism in daily life

Freedom of decision


At every crossroads we can decide, forward, backward, right or
left; at the next crossroads again, then again, again and again.


Decisions are often not easy to make. And a not insignificant
part of the people does not manage to decide at all.


Yes, we are free in our decisions, at least in theory. But in
reality it is usually completely different, the daily showdown is
subject to all kinds of constraints, we have to take into account
the environment, conventions, the social system, feelings and
opinions, necessities and existing conditions.


Are you in an unhappy partnership? Why do you stay in it?


The job is not fun? When will you look for a new one?


Your friends are annoying? Will you address it, or look for new
ones?


You are too fat? Are you eating healthier now?


The apartment is too expensive? Can you bring yourself to get
another one?


Even if we don't decide, there is always a decision involved, for
example, if you don't look for a new job, then you have just
decided on the old job. Or if you come to terms with your
partnership, then you have decided against looking for a new
partner. Do you continue to let your friends take advantage of
you? Then this is also a decision, inactivity is also a decision.
Through the silent selection process we eliminate the things and
living beings that we do not CHOOSE, we consciously decide
against it, just by remaining inactive.


Buddha spent a lot of time, research and considerable thought on
the mind and states of mind. On the way to enlightenment we
should "go within", look at the bottom of events, never just TAKE
things, but question everything and everyone, not using
prefabricated judgments (prejudices), but always deciding anew,
at least as far as that goes.


And really everything is a decision, we are free to choose,
everything we can decide anew, evaluate differently. Every day we
can change our opinion, weigh the things and living beings
differently, even the past we can see differently today than we
did yesterday, because today we look at the past events with a
different mind. Was this or that event really as bad then as I
thought it was? Did it not make me the person I am today? Led me
to this very place where I am right now? Was it not my karma?


The path is the goal!


I recognized in me the freedom from inertia


- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before
the year zero


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