Buddha and the power of thought

With the Wesak festival of the Buddha coming up, it's a good time to remember one of the Buddha's sayings as recorded in the Dhammapada:

We are what we think.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with an impure mind
And trouble will follow you
As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.

We are what we think.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with a pure mind
And happiness will follow you
As your shadow, unshakeable.

It is always interesting when you hear someone complain about how rude everyone is, how unhelpful, or how surly.  It is hard to resist the thought that that must be an unhappy person, who either attracts ill-will or who only sees ill-will in those around them.  It is not a fact that 'everyone' is obnoxious; it is merely one observer's opinion: one observer's thought which is of such an energy it becomes - to him or her at least - fact.

How many of us have started the day in a neutral mood, only to come across one person who is less than polite or helpful.  Before we know it, the day turns into one of those days where everybody we come into contact with is irritating or abrasive.  How much of this have we brought on ourselves by absorbing the energy of the first encounter and 'passing it on', often by dwelling on it and endlessly repeating the story?

When we see a scintillation of starlings circulating in the sky, we wonder how it is that they don't collide.  Humans do tend to collide, not so much physically as emotionally.  We are always bumping into other people's emotional space and we can cause great damage.

When someone does us a kindness early in the day, we feel better able to cope with any irritations that arise; and quite often we can pass on our good vibrations to the next person we meet.   For instance, if someone lets me out at a busy junction and then the opportunity arises for me to let someone else out into the traffic, I am always pleased to return the favour.  It makes me feel better, and the energy goes on repeating itself even though none of us will ever see the end result.

When someone makes us feel better, regardless of our irritation or bad temper, how often do we stop and wonder how much it has cost that person?  Nearly all of us are adversely affected by someone else's irritation, or low vibrations, so when someone is understanding, warm or caring regardless of our ill temper, we would do well to remember how difficult that may have been for them.  They have given us something invaluable which we have probably taken completely for granted.

Our thoughts and actions affect those around us whether we are conscious of it or not.  Do you ever think about the film, 'It’s a Wonderful Life' in the context of your own life?  How different would be the lives of our friends, families, workmates and others if we had never existed?  Would it be worse – or would it be better?  It always makes me realise what an impact I have on others and the responsibility I have towards them.