Faith

I have posted here before about the concept of "Faith." I have found my views reflected and strengthened and improved by the book: Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, by Sharon Salzburg.

She begins the book with: "For some this will be a very different approach to faith. Many link faith to narrow-minded belief systems, lack of intelligent examination, or pain at having one's questions silenced. Faith might evoke images of submission to an external authority. Historically, the idea of faith has been used to slice cleanly between those who belong to a select group and those who do not. To fuel their own embittered agendas, fanatics harness what they call faith to hatred.

"I want to invite a new use of the word faith, one that is not associated with a dogmatic religious interpretation or divisiveness. I want to encourage delight in the word, to help reclaim faith as fresh, vibrant, intelligent, and liberating. This is a faith that emphasizes a foundation of love and respect for ourselves. It is a faith that uncovers our connection to others, rather than designating anyone as separate or apart.

"Faith does not require a belief system, and is not necessarily connect to a deity or God. thought it doesn't deny one. The faith is not a commodity we either have or don't have ― it is an inner quality that unfolds as we learn to trust our own deepest experience.

I like her look at what faith can and should be. Often I have said that for me, faith doesn't mean faith in any one religion or in a God, but rather faith in myself to make the right decisions and to trust myself to do the right thing. I have learned a lot from studying many religions, but I take a risk by admitting that I do not need a religion to tell me how to trust or do the right thing. I do not say that this is true for all, and I respect other's approach to their religion, but for me, my approach works well enough.

I write this here on my Alzheimer's Blog because "Faith" is what has helped me through the journey that Gregory and I walked (sometimes ran, sometimes skipped, and sometimes stumbled) for the last twelve years since his diagnosis of Dementia/ Alzheimer's.

Faith is what is helping me grieve and live with Gregory's passing (October 4, 2015) and with carrying on with my next chapter in life without him. As Starwars Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi said: "May the FORCE be with you." I would give you my wish, "May your FAITH in yourself be with you."

Detachment

More and more, the tenants and writings of Buddhism talk to me of my life and more importantly my journey with Gregory through and beyond Alzheimer's.

—S.N. Goenka, “The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation”, from The Buddha is Still Teaching: Contemporary Buddhist Wisdom, selected and edited by Jack Kornfield

By learning to remain balanced in the face of everything experienced inside, one develops detachment towards all that one encounters in external situations as well. However, this detachment is not escapism or indifference to the problems of the world. Those who regularly practice Vipassana become more sensitive to the sufferings of others and do their utmost to relieve suffering in whatever way they can—not with any agitation, but with a mind full of love, compassion, and equanimity. They learn holy indifference—how to be fully committed, fully involved in helping others, while at the same time maintaining balance of mind. In this way they remain peaceful and happy while working for the peace and happiness of others.

This is what the Buddha taught: an art of living. He never established or taught any religion, any “ism.” He never instructed those who came to him to practice any rites or rituals, any empty formalities. Instead, he taught them just to observe nature as it is by observing the reality inside. Out of ignorance, we keep reacting in ways which harm ourselves and others. But when wisdom arises—the wisdom of observing reality as it is—this habit of reacting falls away. When we cease to react blindly, then we are capable of real action—action proceeding from a balanced mind, a mind which sees and understands the truth. Such action can only be positive, creative, helpful to ourselves and to others.

Today we say goodbye to a teacher who had an immense impact on the world. S.N. Goenka was a pioneer in making Vipassana meditation widely available to a secular audience. Over 170 meditation centers have been established around the globe under his auspices. His legacy will resound indefinitely.