The Pleasant Person
A pleasant person
Is one who, with no pretense,
Is kind and respectful
To all they meet. Their heart is
Paradise like and loving.
Golf is a game supposedly played by gentle people. It is a social game and you do have time to socialize. I believe it was during the movie Titanic where I believe I heard a very good definition of a gentle person. It went something like this, A gentle person tries to make everyone around them comfortable. That is not always the case because the game brings out the devil in some people. ^_^ So with that in mind . . . please read Meishu-sama’s teaching on this subject.
A PLEASANT PERSON (54)
Perhaps there is no word that sounds more agreeable than “pleasant.” Think about it. To get along in the world, being pleasant toward others is more important than we may realize, for, it has a very great influence on the society in which we live, to say nothing of personal fortune.
For example, when a person comes in contact with another individual who has a pleasing personality, that person begins to feel pleasant, and this can happen over and over until a very amiable society can be brought about. The result can be that all the deplorable problems, especially those involving conflict and crime, steadily decrease. Naturally, this means that a spiritual paradise can then be realized. And, to achieve this we don’t have to spend a penny; no effort is required; we can begin to do it right now. What could be better?
This may sound very easy, but it clearly is not, as I think everybody realizes. I say this because the mere external appearance of being pleasant is not enough to achieve it; it must be something that emanates from sincere love within. So, everything depends on the spiritual and mental attitude of the individual. In other words, the spirit of love for others is of primary importance.
Let me write a little about myself in this regard. It may sound rather odd for me to say it, but, since my youth I have seldom been disliked or resented by others; most people have been attracted to me wherever I have gone.
One reason for this especially strikes me. I am always careful to try to do first only what satisfies others, what makes them happy, taking care of my own interests or pleasures later. I don’t do this to uphold some moral standard or spiritual viewpoint; it all happens quite naturally. Perhaps it is simply because it is in my nature to act in this way. I really enjoy being kind to others and trying to make them happy. People have often told me how lucky I was to have such a disposition.
Living next to a golf course is dangerous to one’s health and property. My first drive of the round just the other day landed on someone’s roof. Hitting a golf ball is difficult and the ball itself is a painful projectile if it hits anyone. That being said, there are many situations where conflict could erupt. No wonder many people consider this particular game as the best game ever developed by man. It is challenging and it reflects so many situations found in a normal day to day interactions with other human beings. Have I been close to getting into a war out on the golf course. The answer is Yes. Especially at the beginning where I had no idea where my golf ball was going. ^_^ With years of spiritual training and many hours of Johrei, I can safely say that I will not be the instigator of a conflict on the golf course. I believe that it will take a lot to light the fires of anger inside of me. Is it possible . . . yes . . . but I believe it will be unlikely. A person who wants to fight running into a pleasant person . . . may just diffuse the situation.
This is an add on . . . yesterday I was not a pleasant person. I have discovered a huge weakness. When I go 3 hours pass meal time with no snacks . . . I have a short temper until I have food in me. I became a weak, grouchy bear. ^_^
The Joy of Doing Good Deeds
Happiness is found
In the Joy of doing good
Deeds. What a concept.
With the majority of
People feeling this . . . hot dog!
The following teaching written by Meishu-sama is priceless. Please read it as many times as you would like because it contains the secret to living a happy life.
THE JOY OF DOING GOOD DEEDS (55)
While paying close attention to the world around me, I have found that the people who pursue pleasures of a negative nature unfortunately far outnumber those who pursue pleasures of a positive nature. In fact, many even think that only negative pleasure can be considered pleasurable.
For example, once the male head of a family has become prosperous enough, he will often be tempted to visit brothels or harbor a mistress. And quite frequently he may try to obtain money dishonestly in order to do so. Such actions are, of course, negative in nature. And that person will often take great risks to gratify his desires, resulting in considerable loss and harm to society and his country. The ensuing family troubles will lead to a life full of unrest and misgivings.
It seems like the primary goals in life have become worldly success and the pursuit of pleasure. As a result, before people are aware of it their lives can reach a hell-like condition. Within a society this occurs in particular among those who are better educated or more privileged.
The outward appearance of seemingly successful individuals can be captivating. Others become envious and imagine how happy and contented they must be, and then try to follow their example, thinking they hold the key to an ideal life. No wonder the world has failed to improve!
The Japanese saying, “Honest people get the worst of it,” suitably describes the present situation. Living an honest life restricts most people to the lower economic classes, while cunning individuals usually do very well, enjoying many luxuries. The number of government officials who derive extra benefits from their positions, politicians who take bribes, and company employees who dishonestly make extra money, is staggering. How many people are there who can say they are doing right in the sight of God and their fellow human beings? Yet, there is a joy to be found in doing good deeds and living honestly.
People should refrain from activities of a negative nature regardless of how well-off they might become, or how prominent a figure they may be in society. Instead, each should do one’s best to donate spare money to public institutions and other philanthropic activities, extend a helping hand to the poor and needy in every way possible, sincerely follow a spiritual path, and enjoy entertainment or travel with family members.
It is inevitable that this way of living will make a person’s home life a happy one. A man’s wife will show respect and feel grateful to him for what he does, and his children will less likely pursue negative activities. Freed from economic worry, it will be possible for him to enjoy every day to the fullest, with happiness in his heart and no concern in his mind.
A well-known multimillionaire who lived at the turn of the twentieth century once said, “If you would like to live long, you should not incur a debt.” In other words, being saddled with debts that are difficult to pay off is the greatest mental torture a person can have. I think I understand what he meant, for, I also experienced suffering from being in debt for a period of twenty years.
Many people today commit acts that if they were revealed would be construed as bribery or some other illegality. There are also those who like to engage in clandestine activities that, if discovered by their loved ones, would cause serious family discord. Thus, they are at times forced to borrow money at unreasonable interest rates. These two actions work together to keep many people in constant fear and worry. The uneasiness they live with from day to day often leads to the use of alcohol to drown the pain. This may be one of the reasons liquor sells so well no matter how high the price becomes.
The health of such people diminishes and many of them die prematurely. Like quicksand, once they have been trapped it is difficult for them to get out.
There is only one way for a person to overcome such difficulties – that is to turn to God, to take a spiritual path.
There are two ways for people to live: the positive and the negative, righteous virtue and self-indulgent vice. Which way of life would you prefer? Be careful in the choice you make.
Well, Meishu-sama warns us about what not to do. He does mention three things to do which resonated with me. . . sincerely follow a spiritual path, and enjoy entertainment or travel with family members. I plan on doing all three. I am on a spiritual path. I plan on traveling to Brazil to the Sacred Grounds. And finally, I plan to play as much golf as I can. ^_^
My Journey into the Daylight Age 