The interpretation of what we do, or what we see, means everything in the path towards a meaningful life. The more we look inside with a non-judgemental lens, the more we understand both the peaceful states of mind and the suffering experienced by the self. It is our interpretation about the scenes that makes all the difference to step into a period of suffering, or liberating ourselves from it. The same works for observing the surroundings. The more we use a non-judgemental attitude, the less we are afraid of any negativity coming into our direction, no matter the amount, the source, or the intention of it.
Our interpretation is the guide for removing suffering from the self. I have a clear example printed on my body. I have a Buddha's tattoo on one of my legs, and it is the way I have found to honour the strong connection I have established with Buddha himself. However, there are interpretations of the place I have chosen to get the tattoo on that consider it disrespectful. Why? By the simple fact of being in a lower position of our body. However, let me explain why I have chosen the leg, and why I consider such an interpretation not well-founded in the doctrine disseminated by Buddha, the enlightened one.
Buddha, the enlightened one, is one of the three jewels we could get refuge on, which means Buddha himself is on the foundation, on the roots to support the self while walking the path towards a meaningful life. If we picture the human body as a tree, our legs represent the tree trunk, implying the direct connection with the roots (i.e. the Dharma) while supporting the growing of branches and everything related to the tree itself. Our legs are then the foundation of our body, supporting standing up with the root chakra, which is in the base of our spine. When we are walking, it is our legs that allow us to move. When we are seated in a meditative position, are our legs that protect the spine, the root chakra…mainly if we are not so flexible or experiencing a disturbance during our practises.
Thus, it is indeed a lower position on the body, but like the root chakra, is a fundamental place that supports our body and mind training in different situations, positions, and circumstances. Buddha himself is supporting the practise by protecting the root chakra, as the enlightened figure that he is. I feel the connection with Dharma, and Buddha himself, extremely strong during my meditative practises. It could not be better. As we can see, a negative interpretation makes all the difference in the observation, analysis, understanding, and judgement of anything we see or experience in the present moment.
The more negative and chaotic our interpretation is, the more we have difficulties to observe, analyse, and understand the beauty of a meaningful life, and the universe itself.
Namaste 💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
Written by Jeferson Souza (thejefecomp).
