Health

Focus on your health and watch all the opinions that we tend to fret and argue about become trivial in comparison. Nothing is more important than our health. Please don't wait until you are sick to realize this! And when you DO experience pain or illness, don't make it worse by adding aversion, displeasure, or self-pity to it.

Transcript

I'm aware that with today's technology,

Artificial intelligence can summarize any topic of the Buddha's teachings in a matter of seconds,

And you would get a much better article than anything I could ever write.

The only things I can share that ChatGPT cannot offer are personal experiences from my own life where applying the ancient teachings has been tremendously helpful.

After all,

Our challenges today with attachment,

Judgment,

Desire,

Aversion,

Greed,

Ego,

Hatred,

And ignorance are not modern problems.

And despite what many people would like to think,

There's nothing personal or unique about any of our issues.

We are all subject to what Taoism calls ten thousand sorrows and ten thousand joys.

A friend recently told me,

Of all the things I've lost,

I miss my health the most.

This deeply resonated with me because health is the highest luxury we can experience in life.

Think about it,

The moment any of us lose our health,

We would willingly trade anything to get it back,

But that's not always an option.

Sure,

We may sacrifice certain things to improve or maintain our health,

But it's rarely an immediate exchange with instant results.

I recently had to trade a once-in-a-lifetime experience in order to recover from yet another medical setback.

And let me tell you,

I didn't even hesitate for a second to cancel my plans so I can focus on getting better.

A wonderful couple in Cape Town,

South Africa,

Flew me down to officiate their wedding at Mount Rochelle Nature Reserve.

Unfortunately,

I apparently caught some sort of bacterial infection on the flight over,

And although the ceremony portion of the trip shortly after my arrival went smoothly,

I remained painfully ill for the rest of my stay despite multiple doctor appointments,

A surgical consult,

And various medications.

I was so looking forward to that trip for months,

And we even pre-scheduled additional adventures for my visit,

But you know what they say,

If you want to make God laugh,

Make plans.

The Buddha's very first teaching is a realistic reminder that aging,

Sickness,

Pain,

Discomfort,

Sorrow,

And death are inevitable.

Any attempt to resist them creates even more frustration,

Irritation,

And anguish.

The only real power we have over the unavoidable is how we choose to respond to it.

I mentioned the story in the opposite of Namaste,

But it bears repeating here,

The Buddha compared physical pain to being shot with an arrow.

Adding mental pain to it,

Such as aversion,

Displeasure,

Or self-pity,

Is like being struck by a second arrow.

We may not be able to avoid the first arrow,

But with enough practice,

We don't need to suffer the second.

So when people asked me for specific details about the medical issues I was having in South Africa,

I chose not to wallow in my sorrow or listen to myself complain,

But to focus on healing instead.

This message is an invitation and reminder for all of us to safeguard our health by avoiding the second arrow in all situations,

Especially if things don't go according to your plans,

Your hopes,

Or your wishes.

When we focus on health,

All the opinions we tend to fret and argue about become trivial in comparison.

So please,

Don't wait until you are sick to realize this.

Our time here is short,

Our energy is limited,

And our highest calling is to be kind to ourselves and others.

In sickness and in health,

I vow to continue to be of service.

Thank you for being on this journey with me.

I appreciate you.

Reviews

Thank you for this talk. I really enjoyed and appreciate it and I wholeheartedly believe. Namaste 🙏🏻🤍✨

Where to begin!?! So many wonderful points to remember and apply. Thank you! I am about to listen again!

This was something I really needed to hear today, thank you!

Needed to hear your words this morning. Thank you.

Excellent. Thank you.

My takeaway: avoid the second arrow. KEY: 5*Insightful 4*Interesting 3*Okay 2*Not For Me 1*Irritating

Excellent advice … greatly appreciated. I continue to struggle with attachment … to my plans … to things as I would have them be as opposed to how they are. Thanks for the reminder that we must be prepared for the detours!

Thank you for sharing your story, Timber. As a person who has had numerous medical issues over the years, I have tried to remain stoic throughout. It’s not always easy and I’m not always successful but I keep trying. That second arrow misses it’s mark more often than not now. I’m grateful for my meditation practice and grateful for you. You are one of my favorite teachers and I will never let AI replace you or any of my beloved teachers. I wish you well: May you be healthy, may you feel loved and appreciated, may you be resilient, may you live with ease and grace.

Another great insight to living in the present.

I needed to hear this, I awoke this morning with dread and anxiety for the future. This talk has made me pause and be grateful for my health in this present moment and to appreciate and value this gift. Thank you 😅

Thanks Timber..I appreciate you 🙏😌

I am battling chronic pain for the last 9 years. This talk is one I need to listen to more often. I still tend to my gardens and my chickens with great joy, despite hurting, because I am living a life I wanted, that I dreamed into being and will do so as long as I can.

Thanks Timber!

Namaskar 💛

Thank you. So clear and helpful

Exactly what I needed to hear this moment.

Thank you!!!