From time to time, I am reminded that if I really pay attention, there are “Buddha messages” coming in from all around, often unexpectedly. I would like to share one such occasion. From time to time, I am reminded that if I really pay attention, there are “Buddha messages” coming in from all around, often unexpectedly. I would like to share one such occasion.

While at work several years ago, I was performing a treatment on a patient

when he began to share with me about his unconventional lifestyle.

As a nurse, over the years I have found that people often feel safe sharing

their most private stories. He proceeded to share about his sexuality,

which didn’t seem to fit into any particular category that I recognized.

Because he was so open, I asked a few questions to get clarity,

and his response was: “Think outside the box.”

Just that simple statement stopped me in my tracks and caused me to think

about how often as a culture we tend to categorize people

(both consciously and unconsciously) into neat little boxes in order to define them, and on reflection, I see how I have done that very thing myself.

For example, when I learn that someone has a different political persuasion

than mine, all kinds of judgments begin to come up, as I have already pigeon-holed them into a particular category that I find less than acceptable.

My vision becomes blurred by my judgments, and as a result, I am unable to be

truly present and really listen to them and find common ground. If I’m not living

from a place of neutrality, how can I expect our political leaders to do so and

truly listen and try to find common ground with each other?

In reflecting on all of this, it has also become clear how we do this with

ourselves, judging and defining ourselves, trying to fit into what we think

are acceptable categories, all for the approval and acceptance from

outside ourselves, and pretty soon we’ve lost touch with who we really are,

creating feelings of inner conflict and separation.

How can we be truly present for others if we aren’t present for ourselves?

How can we experience peace with each other, and world peace if we aren’t

at peace with ourselves?

Time to think outside the box!