Life Adventures, Philosophy

There Are Many Paths to Enlightenment

Many years ago, shortly after becoming a father, I felt the need for my growing family to have spiritual guidance. I was raised in the Protestant faith and my wife was Catholic. We settled on going to a Presbyterian church close by.

I yearned for a universal truth about how we can be the best humans we were intended and that we were on the correct path of fulfilling our purpose. I wanted to discover a noble trail for my family which quickly grew to four.

In a library, I found a book whose cover read, Living Buddha, Living Christ. I remember being stunned how any author could combine those words, thinking the concepts were irreconcilable. It was intriguing enough for me to take home and read with a fresh mind.

Since then, I have basked in the soothing words and understanding of Thich Nhat Hanh. As a deep thinker, I found the beliefs I was taught as a child too small for my longing. Many people search for truth. More than half the world has found their own truth. Sadly, many world religions say theirs offers the only true and correct path.

As I sit in my garden this morning, I have an awakened sense of wonder as I absorb my surroundings. Since I was first introduced to Thich Nhat Hanh I will never again see this small garden rock as a rock, this tree as a tree, this ant as an ant, or even me as me. I now understand that one thing cannot exist without the other. I no longer walk on a tiny patch of ground- I walk on the entire earth. I no longer touch only the wave- I touch all the oceans of the world.

In remembrance of one of my greatest teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh, who continued his new journey of awakening at the age of 95. 1/22/2022.

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