Buddha’s 4 Noble Truths

Life involves suffering and is inevitably sorrowful.

Suffering has its roots in desire and craving, which arise from ignorance.

The end of suffering comes with the cessation of desire.

Nirvana can be reached by the Noble Eightfold Path.

Listen to Your Soul!

On the first day of the 2009-th 365 days I wish all of us to have a wonderful year.

I mean filled with

MIRACLES.

Some will come true just by letting them occur. Others need more effort, assertiveness and a special approach…

I think if we would listen more attentively to our souls we will find out the right path for every wish to follow…

For those who need a moment of piece and meditation, here are some words of Neale Donald Walsch which are beautifully “imbued” with images and music…

http://www.consciousone.com/friends/index.cfm?PID=148

"Some will be able to hear.
Some will be able only to listen.
Some will hear nothing."

What is Life?

It happened one sunny day in the afternoon. The park was enjoying the silence that has generously dominated every inch of it.

On the branches of the trees birds were peacefully sitting in the shadow. Most of them were sleeping. Others were meditating...

Suddenly a dandy baby sparrow shook its head and posed a philosophical question: “What is life?”

The park woke up in a jiffy. All those around were surprised at how difficult the question was for a baby. However, they decided to explain the definition of this word. It was a kind of brainstorming...

An elegant rose just came out. Opening its innocent, perfect petals it said: “Life is an opening!”

A vivid butterfly that just sat on the flower's blood-red petals claimed: “Life is freedom!”

A handsome dandelion smiled at the sun. Its suave body and beautiful capillary adornment were dancing lazily in the playful wind. Greeting friendly the wind the thin flower trembled and groaned: “Life is evanescence.... bingo!.... just evanescence!”

Down there, on the ground an ant was heavily carrying a straw of wheat. The burden was ten times bigger than the insect itself. It stopped for a while then drew a sigh of relief: “Life is nothing else than hard work and effort.”

Up there, high in the sky an eagle was majestically wandering around and shrieked: “Life is height and freedom! I partially agree with the butterfly.”

Then a soothing rain has come and whispered: “Life is tears. Only tears!”

The definitions were so different. The debate was in full swing. The grass, bees, clouds, trees and even a tired lost dog – all they have tried to find the right definition for the word “life”. The baby sparrow, confused and exhausted, was already dreaming the 3^rd dream while the creatures around were still thinking of life.

The night has come. A bright star beneath the moon uttered while snoring: “Life is brightness!”

A man was walking on the empty street with tomorrow in his mind. “Life is a continuous search for happiness... And a crowd of disappointments...”, whispered the man.

The night went away. The dawn has comfortably “parked” itself and said: “I am the beginning of the day that comes while life is the beginning of the eternity…”

Still people ask themselves what life is. To my mind life, death and love... can't be defined. One thing is clear: Life is a gift from God that should be appreciated, loved and lived.

Now I am asking myself, what will be your answer if I would ask you “For you, what does life represent?”

4 Candles

4 candles were burning in an empty room... It was a pleasant atmosphere... Warm... Silence... So soft that you could hear them talking:

- I am Peace. But today people are so angry, envious, violent... They've forgotten about my existence..., complained the 1^st candle.
Gradually the flame diminished and ... went out.

- My name is Faith. People claim they live peacefully without me. I think there is no reason for me to burn. While saying that the 2^nd candle went out, too.

- I am Love. I am so unhappy. People can't love anymore. They put me aside. They can't even love them-selves... - these were the last words spelled by Love (the 3^rd candle). It went out.

At that moment a little girl came in. She saw those 3 unlit candles and said:

- Oh! Why aren't you burning? You have to burn! Disappointed the kid began to cry...

But the 4^th candle spoke:

- No, no, no! Don't cry, little kid! Don't be afraid! As long as I burn you can relight the other candles. I am Hope!

Thus, happy and serene the child took the sparkling Hope in her hand and lighted Peace, Faith and Love!

Let the flame of Hope always burn in your soul... for you to live a life enriched with these 4 precious values!

The Story of the Vivid Butterfly...

or Happiness Depends on Us ...

Once upon a time there was a widower who had 2 daughters. Both ladies were very intelligent and inquisitive. They used to pose lots of questions to their father... The man always tried to come with reliable answers, explanations, facts and examples... However, there were so many things he didn't know...

Being a responsible and lovely father the man decided to offer his daughters the best education values.

Thus, one fine day, he sent his curious girls to one of his friends who was a very wise person. A kind of Osho - one who was capable to give an answer to every question and to the most complicated puzzles. He was a walking encyclopedia.

One sunny day when both ladies were wandering around the blossomed orchard one of the girls caught a beautiful butterfly. She decided to use it for fooling the wise man.

- What are you going to do with it? - asked her sister.

- I will hide the butterfly in my hands. Then I will ask the man whether the insect is alive or dead. If he says that it's dead, I'll open my hands and Voila!- the playful butterfly. I'll let it fly away.
If he says it's alive I will simply squeeze and squash the insect. Haa! This time we will deceive him! Got you!

So said, so done. Ladies came closer to the mild man who was meditating at that moment.

- Here I have a vivid butterfly. Tell me, wise man, is it dead or alive?

Peaceful and serene the wise man smiled at his little "interviewer" and said:

- It depends on you... It's in your hands...

This story deals with our present and future, too. We are the only one who are in charge of our decisions and further steps. Our life is in our hands. Like the vivid butterfly. What are you going to do with it?! - that depends only on you!

La Fin.

Life's Tree!

Make a family album.
.....Bring a smile to everyone. Hug.
Go out for a walk. Help a poor man.....
.....Talk to God. Let your inner child play.
Count the stars. Imitate someone you adore. .....
.... Finish a project. Think. Apply to be a volunteer.
Sing.... Be happy. Make someone feel comfortable.....
Pamper yourself in a bubbly bath. Do someone a favor.
.....Listen to the birds' chirp. Continue a family tradition.
Keep your promises. Smile. Ask for help. Be gentle. Run...
Dream with open eyes. Switch off the TV and talk. Say «Yes!»....
....Laugh. Listen to a friend. Toy with your favorite toy. Promise.
Jump over the skipping rope. Help. Change your hair-do.
.... «Envy» - forget this word. Admire. Love your parents.....
Dance. Help your neighbor. Fondle a child who suffers.
....Forbid yourself to say «I can't» during a day. Seize the day!
Display your happiness. Make a gift. Accept a compliment.....
Let a puppy from the street enter your house and soul.
Feed it! Talk to it! Protect and save it! Be curious. Cry.....
....Look through old pictures. Imagine the sea's waves.
Make a mistake. Forgive. Thank God for sun.....
.....Call your friends. Tell someone «I miss you!»
Start a new day. Don't be angry today!....
..Never forget you are not alone.
Wipe your tears away...
Glorify a good deed.
Write a poetry.
Plant a tree.
Cook a cake.
Savor it.
Play games.
Read a fairy tale.
Go on the swings.
Thank those who accept you.

Plant a Life Tree in your heart and in someone's soul!

Happiness Depends on Us!

While putting the finishing touches to the sculpture of Adam, God still had a piece of clay in his hand.

- What else could I add to your "kit"? asked The Almighty.
- Mould Happiness for me, God! demanded the man.

Thinking a while, God didn't ask anything. He just put that piece of clay in the man's palm.

Or briefly saying:

God will eagerly help you to move a mountain, but don't forget to take a shovel with you.

What do you think about this idea?

Do you believe in FATE?

(to be continued...)

Time and only Time...

Once upon a time there was an island where lived all human feelings: Wisdom, Love, Jealousy, Happiness, Sadness, Arrogance, Guilt, Fear, Grief, etc.

One fine day feelings heard that their island will soon sink. Island's natives were asked to immediately evacuate their lovely homes. No sooner said than done. Feelings wished Good Luck to each other, took their passports and embarked their ships.
Only Love decided to stay thus showing her deep love for her cherished nestle.
As it was predicted, Feelings' Island began to sink. Chaos... Fear was in panic... Sadness was crying... Love has realized that she has to survive as Hope wasn't nearby. Thus she started to desperately call for help:
- Sadness, dear! Can you take me with you?
- Oh, Love, I am so sad that I need to be alone. I need privacy.

Wealth's luxurious ship passed by.
- Wealth, please help me! I am drowning!
- Oh! Love, I am so sorry. But I can not take you in here. I have too much gold and silver in my ship. I don't have a place for you.

- Vanity! Oh Vanity! Take me in your ship!
- Nope! You are wet but my boat is very gorgeous. I am afraid you will damage it.

Even Happiness (Love's best friend) was so satisfied and joyful that she hadn't heard Love's despairing shrieks.

Tired and exhausted Love thought that was the end of her life. Suddenly - a strong grasp - and Bach! - Love felt a hand that pulled her onto a ship!
- Hey, Love, come here! I will take you with me!
Love felt so grateful but weak to say a word nor recognize her savior. She was left on a neighboring island while the courageous hero moved away to save other feelings.
Along came Knowledge who respectfully waived at the stranger from the boat.

- Knowledge, who is that man?
- Time...
- Time? He has saved me! Hmmm... But why namely Time? Not Vanity, Sadness, Wealth or even my best friend Happiness?
Knowledge, full of Wisdom has answered the question:
Love! When all else fails, Time and only Time is capable to truly understand how important YOU are in life...