This right view does not mean that there is only one way to look at things.
Our view is our theory on life,
Our perspective.
Often these are unexamined opinions or assumptions that we have inherited from our families or from our society or culture.
It is important then to examine our views so we can choose to hold to them as true or change them or reject them completely.
We need to examine our lives,
Ask ourselves what do I value,
What do I really care about in this life,
What do I think about this or that.
Right understanding also means to have an appreciation of cause and effect or karma.
If we are angry we create a life of hate and resentment and bitterness.
So however we behave creates how we will become and how the world will be around us.
This can be a negative experience for us and those around us or it can be a wonderful experience.
So if you want happiness be happy,
Be generous,
Be kind,
Practice these things.
If you want peace,
Practice being generous,
Being calm,
Biting your tongue,
Not reacting,
Letting go of things.
At the time of our death we might ask ourselves did I live well,
Did I love well?
But what about asking ourselves those questions regularly,
Now?
For me says Don Juan,
The world is incredible because it is stupendous,
Mysterious,
Awesome,
Unfathomable.
My interest has been to convince you that you must learn to make every act count.
You must learn to assume responsibility for being here in this marvelous world,
In this marvelous time.
For in fact you will learn that you are only here for too short a time,
A very short while,
Too short for witnessing all the marvels of it.
And so I invite you to close your eyes,
Allow yourself to settle and relax.
So let us examine ourselves without judgment but just noticing what do I think about global warming and climate change?
Does it affect me in my life?
Is it anything to do with me?
Have I got any responsibilities towards it?
Why do I think what I think?
Where have my beliefs come from?
And ask yourself,
What do I feel about refugees coming into my country?
How would I feel if a family moved next door to me?
Why do I think what I think?
Where have those beliefs come from?
How do I feel about people with different opinions,
Faiths or religions to me?
Do I believe my truth is the absolute truth and they have got it wrong?
Do I feel superior to them?
Why do I think this way?
Why did my perspectives come from?
A quote from Yoda says,
When you look at the dark side,
Careful you must be,
For the dark side looks back.
And now the cover wear of your body.
The head,
The neck,
The shoulders,
The palms,
The hands.
The chest,
The stomach,
The back.
The thighs,
The legs,
The feet.
We consider our bodies to be solid and stable.
Let us go inside now and become aware of our organs and all our systems that function as we keep us alive.
Our heart,
Our lungs,
Our liver,
Our stomach,
Our skin,
Our brain,
Our circulatory system,
Our digestive system,
Our respiratory system.
And now let us go deeper,
Become aware of your bones,
Your cartilage,
Tissues and muscles.
And the water,
Your body.
Your body is made of 60% of water.
Let us go deeper to your cells.
We have over 37 trillion different cells.
We have 200 different types of cell,
Each one having a special function.
These cells are constantly dying and being renewed.
Some renew every couple of days,
Some every two or three weeks,
Some every few months.
Then we go to molecules and atoms.
An average human being contains 7 billion billion billion atoms.
And beyond that,
Energy.
We are essentially just energy waves.
You,
Me,
Every person and everything in the whole universe,
Including the universe,
Is essentially waves of energy.
Allow yourself to sit with that for a while.
Can you have a sense of the energy inside yourself?
Can you have a sense of the energy from others?
Can our understanding of this knowledge change how you view the world?
How you view the refugee or the person with a different viewpoint,
Belief system to you?
How you see your responsibility towards taking care of the earth?
How you view the world towards everything and everyone that is made of exactly the same thing.
How you view the future.
And now bring your attention back to any part of your body in contact with the floor or a ceiling.
Notice the sensation of any clothing against your skin.
Notice any sounds outside of your room or inside the room.
Become aware of the space to the left and to the right of you,
Behind you and below you,
Above you and in front of you.
Have a picture of yourself in your room,
In your space.
Become aware of your surroundings.
And though you are ready,
Slowly and carefully open your eyes.
Thank you.
