In recent days I've been wading through Scott Snibbe's book "How to Train a Happy Mind: a Skeptic's Path to Enlightenment." Snibbe considers himself a secular Buddhist -- in other words, he only espouses the parts of Buddhism that can be backed up by modern science. But you don't necessarily have to convert to Buddhism or become a skeptic to appreciate the numerous gems of insight and wisdom in his book. I wanted to include an excerpt, and I am extremely grateful to Scott for letting me do so.
Do you ever find yourself getting angry, annoyed, or upset with someone? Of course! We all have that experience. Maybe, as Snibbe suggests, we should learn how to be more compassionate to our fellow humans. One way of doing this is to picture this person at the end of their lives:
"As you encounter people in your daily life, a powerful meditation on impermanence is to picture the moment each one of them was born. Imagine their mother's pain, her exhaustion and joy at creating a fragile new being whose life depends on her. Then, try to imagine how that person will eventually die -- alone or surrounded by loved ones, agitated or at peace. This technique is especially helpful when you are angry with someone because it helps put your dispute in perspective. Picture the end of that person's life: in a hospital bed or at home, after a life that was long or short, a life of virtue or misbehavior, a life ending among friends or silently alone."
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