The color of our skin You think you can determine your life? I tell you, nothing you can determine! Have you chosen your "skin color"? Or the "color of your hair"? Their "sex"? Or the "place" where you were born? NO You did not determine any of these things, you did not choose any of these things. You were born in a certain body, in a certain place, at a certain time, all this you did not choose yourself, it was your karma! THE ROMAN POET OVID WROTE CA. 25 V. CHR.: "EVERYONE SHOULD KEEP THE LIMITS OF HIS DESTINY". If therefore already the corner points of our existence were not determinable by us, how do we get the idea that we could determine over our life? This question would be worth a consideration, don't you think? And what would be the conclusion from such a thought? Would it be possible that we simply follow our karma, not being able to change anything or very little about it? YES According to Buddha's philosophy, everything is already fixed, is "already written", so to speak. Even if, and when, we find "enlightenment" is predetermined. For example, if you start thinking about your "I" while reading this text, then this was also predetermined. "Who am I," is the question of all questions. This leads to other points, such as "where do I come from"? And, "where am I going"? In answering them, the teachings (of the teacher of all teachers) can help us quite significantly. If we get involved with Buddhism, this results in a completely different approach to our lives, peace and serenity are the consequences. If I can't determine anything, then I don't have to get upset about anything, thoughts can calm down, the mind palace starts to give us joy, the voices in our head become quieter, fade away, disappear into nothingness. The worries and troubles are now replaced by another thought: "Can it be that Buddha has shown us the right way with the subject of "enlightenment""? Therefore, the central question for every Buddhist is: "What is enlightenment"? And from this arise further issues: "Do I want to find enlightenment? And how can I do that"? Should you embark on the journey to "awakening", make the decision to follow the teachings of Buddha, this decision was also their karma, it was also predetermined. Just as their "skin color", the "color of their hair", their "gender" and the "place of birth", are and were also their karma. YOU ARE OF THE KIND OF PEOPLE, HE SAID, WHO EASILY GET USED TO A PLACE, NOT EASILY TO A DESTINY. TO ALL SUCH THE UNSTEADY WAY OF LIFE IS PRESCRIBED, SO THAT THEY MAY PERHAPS REACH A SECURE WAY OF LIFE - JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE - GERMAN POET - 1749 TO 1832 Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de (Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores) Please rate us on Apple, Google, or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show