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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 31

if we want to realize our best life. interesting situations for some working, etc., while simultaneously
people, and as Thich Nhat Hanh has not being attached to any of these
10. Remove the 3 poisons mentioned this is a collective effort things. It simply means to live in a
Life is filled with vices, things which as opposed to a solely personal way that you’ve become aware of
attempt to bind us to unwholesome one (the butcher isn’t a butcher and accepted the impermanence of
ways of living and therefore do the only because he decided to be, all things in this life and live in a way
very opposite of cultivating peace, but because there is a demand that you’re ever-aware of this fact.
joy, and greater realization in our from people for meat to be neatly
lives. Among these, the three poisons packaged and made available It’s perfectly normal for a Zen
are some of the most powerful. The for them to be purchased from student in Japan, once having
three poisons are: Greed, Hatred, and supermarkets), but you should strive completed his training, to actually
Delusion. to do your best. de-robe and go “back into the
world” so to speak. This is because,
Together, these three poisons are Following the teaching on right once they’ve reached this level of
responsible for the majority of the livelihood can help you realize the realization, they see the beauty in
pain and suffering we experience harmful effect that your own work is all things and are compelled to live
as a collective species. It’s perfectly having on you and therefore coming fully absorbed in all the beauty and
normal to be affected by each of up with a solution can result in a wonders of this life. From this point
these poisons throughout your life, largely positive shift in your life as on, they can truly “live life to the
so don’t knock yourself for falling for a whole. Only you can decide if a fullest”, while not clinging to any of
them. change needs to happen though. these things.

Instead, simply accept that they’re Whatever the case, seek to make Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean
something you’re experiencing and a living doing something that that you stop feeling emotions. On
begin working to remove them from promotes the peace and happiness the contrary, these emotions are
your life. This can take time, but it’s of yourself and those around you as welcomed and expected, and fully
a key aspect on the path towards much as possible. experienced with mindfulness in the
realizing true peace and happiness. moment of their impact. But this is
12. Realize non-attachment simply the natural course of things.
11. Right livelihood This is a difficult point to put into

We should all strive to work and so few words, but a profound one Once these emotions subside though,
make our living in a way that’s more I felt would be greatly beneficial to and when we have no mental
“conscious” or aware. This generally mention nonetheless. formations or obstructions to block
means not selling harmful items our path, a natural healing process
such as guns, drugs, and services To realize non-attachment in a takes place that heals the wound and
that harm other people, but it goes Buddhist sense doesn’t mean to allows us to continue on living in
deeper than that. abandon your friends and family peace and joy instead of dragging us
There’s ultimately two aspects and live alone for the rest of your down into darkness.
to this: making a living by doing life, never truly living again just so
something which doesn’t inhibit that you don’t become attached to http://cultureofawareness.
your own ability to realize peace and these desires. com/2015/03/06/matt-valentine-
making a living doing something 12-pieces-of-buddhist-wisdom-that-
which doesn’t inhibit others ability Non-attachment refers to living in will-transform-your-life/.
to realize peace. a way that you exist in the natural
flow of life and generally living a Published with kind permission of
Matt Valentine. EH
Facing this can lead to some typical modern life, building a family,