"We suffer not because we have sinned but because we are blind." - Jack Kornfield
The true story of the Golden Buddha is one I would like to share with you. Please view the following video prior to reading this post:
Ogden is where my thick layers of clay began to be laid as a child. This is where clay has been plastered on the inner goodness of myself and many I know, obscuring our innate connection and compassion for those around us. Compassion, I believe, is just as much a part of us as the states of anger, anxiety, and envy but in our attempts to survive in this world, to keep our inner goodness/child safe we layer on the clay (ego) obscuring that goodness. This keeps us blind to our connectedness. Anyone can look at a child and see there is goodness but as we grow, we find we are not enough so we layer and layer until that inner child is obscured. We are deeply connected to each other, the Earth, and the universe.
Here in Utah where so many of my layers were laid, I am trying deeply to be aware of the fear, the anxiety, and the anger that has blinded me to my true self; compassion for self, for family and for all beings is there. In knowing that I suffer not because I sinned but because I am blind, I have the awareness to lift the layers and allow the golden goodness of my true self to shine through. To in the place of the anger, fear, sadness and resentment offer love, thoughtfulness and gratitude. Just as the layers of the rock formations around me hold history in Utah. My layers have been laid as a part of my history keeping me blind to the innate love and goodness within me, within us all. I will try to offer you love my friends and family, always.