The end of the world can neverThe poem above translated from Pali by Andy Olendzki (A 4:45)
Be reached by walking. However,
Without having reached the world's end
There is no release from suffering.
I declare that it is in this fathom-long carcass,
with its perceptions and thoughts, that there is the world,
the origin of the world, the cessation of the world,
and the path leading to the cessation of the world.
How We Create and Heal Our World
Though we do not create the world,
we are conditioned in the way we perceive or understand the world,
therefore the world exists according to our perceptions.
Freedom can come from working with this mind/body,
its perceptions, thoughts, and views.
Our perceptions color our thoughts/concepts and our views:
- perceptions are the immediate recognition of objects (bubbles and foam of sense experience solidifying into an object)
- thoughts involve labeling or naming, filling out the perception with meaning
- views are the establishment of concepts which have evolved from perceptions into an understanding of the world
The way we perceive, think or conceptualize, and the view we hold are the way we create our world. This is good news. It is much easier to bring the mind processes in line with what is true, than trying to restructure what life unfolds.
This does not mean the pain goes away, but our relationship to it is transformed. We no longer suffer. Nor does it mean we never act when action is required. We do get clearer on what actions are really helpful and which actions do not add pain and suffering for others or ourselves.
