Thinking about making New Year Resolutions?
You might consider making a commitment about how you want to be, besides what you want to do.
Actually, it is reasonable to believe that we do things because of what we imagine we feel when we accomplish those deeds.
The bad news is that we are deeply conditioned by our past experiences. The results of what we do trigger more craving, strenuous effort and stress, or the moment of happiness we experience does not last and we start running again after the next.
The good news is that we also have the potential to become ever more conscious about our choices, and we can change to do things differently.
So, why not go straight to how you wish to feel and aspire to be, and then design the actions accordingly?
The “Ten Buddhist Perfections” may offer you inspiration. It is said that by practicing and attaining them you cross over from an unsatisfied mind and a life full of useless stress, to a happy mind and a life of serene inner freedom.
“Is there a guarantee that this works for me?”
Without guarantees or certainties, explore and check for yourself.
Just make your choice and don’t forget… to enjoy the process.
1. Generosity
May I be generous and helpful!
2. Ethics
May I be well-disciplined and refined in manners!
May I be pure and clean in all my dealings!
May my thoughts, words and deeds be pure!
3. Renunciation
May I not be selfish and self-possessive but selfless and disinterested!
May I be able to sacrifice my pleasures for the sake of others!
4. Wisdom
May I be wise and be able to see things as they truly are!
May I see the light of Truth and lead others from darkness to light!
May I be enlightened and be able to enlighten others!
May I be able to give the benefit of my knowledge to others!
5. Energy
May I be energetic, vigorous and persevering!
May I strive diligently until I achieve my goal!
May I be fearless in facing danger and courageously surmount all obstacles!
May I be able to serve others to the best of my ability!
6. Patience
May I ever be patient!
May I be able to bear and forebear the wrongs of others!
May I ever be tolerant and see the good and beautiful in all!
7. Truthfulness
May I ever be truthful and honest!
May I not hide the truth to be polite!
May I never swerve from the path of Truth!
8. Determination
May I be firm and resolute and have an iron will!
May I be soft as a flower and firm as a rock!
May I ever be high-principled!
9. Loving-kindness
May I ever be kind, friendly and compassionate!
May I be able to regard all as my brothers and sisters and be one with all!
10. Equanimity
May I ever be calm, serene, unruffled and peaceful!
May I gain a balanced mind!
May I have perfect equanimity!
May I serve to be perfect!
May I be perfect to serve!
(The Ten Buddhist Perfections - „A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life”)
Have you made your choice? Then remember to also make a plan.
“… And how will I put it into practice?”
Invent small aims, on a daily basis, to wake you up and remind you of your resolution and your goals. Design concrete actions to achieve each day. Train and befriend your mind to help you carry your decisions though.
“How to start?”
Define your intention and examine your motivation. When both are clean-clear and meant to benefit yourself and others, you might discover how exceptionally easy it is to keep the promise you made to yourself to be and become …
generous, helpful and well-disciplined,
pure and clean in all your dealings,
selfless, disinterested and fearless,
energetic, vigorous and persevering,
wise, high-principled and tolerant,
truthful and honest, firm and resolute,
kind, friendly and compassionate,
calm, serene and peaceful.
May you be happy!
2 Responses
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Edna Anne Tunney Says:
Daniela, these are the resolutions I wish to commit to! Absolutely beautiful and true!
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Alex Lup Says:
gonna steal this wish!
