Spinning Wheel

As we think the same thoughts over and over again they become patterns in our lives. Eastern philosophy uses the analogy of a wheel. The wheel spins in a direction and our lives spin in that same direction. Thoughts become words, words become actions, and then actions become our deeds. Deeds turn into character and then character gives birth to destiny. This is something very powerful which all human beings should learn at an early age.

The way we think and act will become a pattern, so act and speak wisely. Learning to cultivate a pause before speaking and acting can be one of the wisest things a human being can do to prevent creating more unnecessary suffering in their lives and the lives of those around them.

Many of these words are adopted from an ancient Buddhist text called the Dharmapada. Dharma means truth or that which upholds our life. Pada means foot. Dharmapada is a collection of the Buddha's teachings which provides guidelines for walking a path of truth. In this journey, you are asked to recognize that which upholds integrity within your life and that which blocks integrity.

For me, this is a moving target--it is a real practice to pause and get in touch with my words and actions and observe that which builds integrity and that which blocks it. Noticing ways of thinking and acting that no longer uphold integrity can be painful when you begin to realize just how long you have been doing something that blocks integrity.

For me, pain sets in after I have reacted and I realize that I said something or did something I did not want to--just out of habit. The habit is the spinning wheel. Our reaction and actions are so heavily imprinted within us. It takes a strong desire to want to change matched with patience to pause and notice that there is a choice. In pausing we begin seeing the power of the spinning wheel. The forward pulling energy of our tendency to react the way we have always done it.

This is where faith steps in. When speaking about faith, Martin Luther King said, "You don't need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Notice when you pause. Feel the tendency to react and pay attention to your body. There is a tension you can get in touch with--this is your fear body. Take a breath in and begin consciously breathing. The tension will begin to dissolve with your attention. This is the beginning of learning to work with the spinning wheels within our lives. This is the beginning of changing the direction of the wheels. This is being empowered.