I was thinking about the past – unpleasant situations, ways in which I could have done this or that differently, people who treated me unfairly.  I caught myself and decided to let those pictures go.  That was then and this is now. I am conditioning myself to reclassify those past events as “strengthening exercises.”

I can be and do anything.  When people are cruel to me, I can use that as a training tool to teach myself not to react with equal malice.  This has been reiterated to me in various formats for years.  Finally, it seems to be seeping into my behavior.  Chapter six of the book “Becoming a Child of the Buddhas” by Gomo Tulku has eighteen very insightful commitments to mind training.  Number eleven states: “Even though others may say negative words that seem to almost split your heart, strive to not say a single word of harm in response.”

There is an essay by Sister Jina in A Joyful Path: Community Transformation and Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh in which she tells the story of the Buddha being shot with poisonous arrows.  Because he had an insight body, he was able to turn those arrows into flowers.  This has been such an incredible visualization for me.  How is that possible?  Sister Jina sat in meditation and tried to imagine having such consciousness.  She saw that the arrows did not enter her body, but they fell bent and misshapen around her.

With deeper thought, Sister Jina saw that the Buddha’s insight body recognized the true nature of the arrows.  Because he immediately transformed them into their Reality, the arrows did not exist.  Only flowers surrounded him.  Can you imagine if each of us was able to transform our environment in this way?  Sometimes I get emotional thinking about the power of this practice.

Arrows still enter my body and I’m quite sure I’m directing arrows at people and situations.  But, at least I am aware of my thoughts.  I’m honest about where I am in this moment and changes that are needed, desired, and possible.  I believe that I am less reactive, more positive, more friendly.  I’m learning to be at peace, happy, and grateful for whatever the day brings.

I do still have pity pot days and times when I’m far from the ideal to which I aspire. Nevertheless, I am beginning to feel the happiness within me that cannot be disturbed by the external. This is translating into a more pleasurable and productive environment.

I am committed to responding to perceived hurt with an awareness of the eternal joy within me, as well as the flowering essence of the person causing the pain.  Perhaps the family dysfunction; historical oppression; violence, stress, and strife in our living environments have caused such deep unhappiness that we cannot see our true selves.  How then can we perceive the Truth of others?

I want to be around healthy, productive, loving, and evolving people.  First, I must be that which I seek.  I must transform myself.  I want to turn poisonous arrows into flowers.  To develop this capacity, I must be more open to the mirrors that others present to me.  This helps me to see their true nature because, increasingly, I can see my own.