Dear Buddha,

I have come to a place where I am done with my painful past. I have visualized it as packing it neatly in a suitcase, taking that heavy luggage to the offending place, having a little ritual of forgiveness, letting go of the past, and leaving the baggage behind. It has been a joyful experience. It feels so light and free. At times I practically skip away, hearing the chains fall, the past melting away, and I get to step fully into the Present and Be.

In my joy however, I want to share this with others. Particularly with others I know are suffering with their own past. I know the relief of my suffering has been so enlightening, I want so much to free them also from their chains. But in my human stumblings, I find, they get stuck in the story, they get triggered by the negative, and they can only dwell in the bad place I have just left.

Perhaps I should just live the example. But when I know a little of how, it seems so cruel to allow them to continue to suffer. I know they must find it in their own time.

And then my thoughts step in. Is this just my ego? Am I so much better now that I must have a parade for myself? It doesn’t feel that way but the doubting mind does play those tricks. My intention is to relieve suffering and the root of suffering.

And yet. Such a dilemma.

In Peace,
Laura