While strolling along the river this morning, and reflecting on turbulence in relationships, these thoughts came to mind.
PREAMBLE TO BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS
- Desires foster hope as well as expectations. Buddha attributes pain and suffering to desires (of taking).
- Expectations create excitement through anticipation, anxiety and stress through uncertainty, fear and anger through insecurity, and disappointment and sorrow when unmet.
- Humans are bundles (or victims) of (their own) desires.
- We expect others to behave (act) in a manner that will satisfy our desires.
- No individual behaves (acts) in a manner to satisfy all of our desires.
- You cannot change the behavior (or actions) of others to meet your expectations.
- Only a true teacher can guide seekers to change themselves, if they have the ears.
SO, HOW CAN YOU BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS?
- Do not expect others to act in ways to satisfy your desires at the expense of their own, rather accept that they might pursue their own desires, even at the expense of yours.
- Do not expect others to change to meet your expectations, rather change your attitude in a way to accept what you respect in their behavior (actions).
- Do sublimate desires that lead to expectations of others, by acquiring wisdom – through meditation and guidance from a true teacher.
We would appreciate your views, based upon your wisdom and experiences …