life IS that simple

It seem to me, that after all the deep thought and complex ideas of Buddhism - the intricate workings of Karma, the depth of emptiness, etc.. - that what we are searching for is something very, very, simple.

We spend hours meditating on how to "let go" and we ponder the complex web of interdependency and while I think it is important to do so, I think from time to time it is good to step back, stop trying to be so philosophical, and just accept the ideas for what they are.

After all, if you believe in Karma and you see the need to be a good person, then just be a good person. What happens if you are a bad person is irrelevant if you are not doing that.

If you see the importance of patience, kindness, and tolerance, then simply practice them. How do we practice these? By being patient, kind, and tolerant. It really is that simple.

The complexities that we work our selves up about; the idea that, "I need to learn to be patient (or kind or tolerant, et cetera...) is just silly. You know how to be patient. You exhibit it all the time - consider when you are not in a hurry and you have to wait at a stop light; you have infinite patience then. So you already know how to be patient, you just need to do it all the time.

At the same time, you already know that things like anger and hate are bad, and you already have the ability to tell when you are getting mad, so just don't allow yourself to. When you feel it happening, remind your self, "Anger is bad. It leads to harsh words. Harsh words hurt people.Hurting people is wrong and I will eventually feel the effects myself."

I think if we keep these simplicities in mind, we will be better, happier people in the end. That is my hope.

Peace