By Dave Smith
My partner and I have been living at the Buddhist temple in Malvern for about a year and a half now.
It has been our home and our place of refuge, and we have benefited greatly from living at the heart of this wonderful Buddhist community.
Several weeks ago, we unexpectedly had to move out to help care for an elderly relative in a neighbouring town.
At first this seemed a wrench and an inconvenience and I was looking forward to our life returning to how it was before.
Now, when I look at our life, I feel thankful for this opportunity to spend time living with Granny.
I have had the privilege to witness the love and compassion between her and my partner.
There is sometimes a clash of personalities, as Granny is not always the easiest person to live with, but beneath this there is a real tenderness between them.
Our lives have changed quite considerably, but when I look out the window, there is still the same sky, still the same sun and moon, and the birds are still singing.
Living at the temple taught me about attachment and impermanence, now I have been given the opportunity to put into practice some of these teachings.
Living here I have a warm comfortable bed, a shower when I want one and the companionship of my partner and her granny.
It is an easy life.
I am regularly requested to leave the room when some of the more ‘personal’ care is carried out, I spend this time reading, walking the dog, or contemplating life whilst washing up. My time for Buddhist practice has increased due to the new routines of our situation and these short periods of time when I am alone.
As soon as I stopped craving and longing for what I thought I had lost, or what I perceived I was missing out on, it quickly became apparent that I have everything I need, and more.
The ever changing world outside is still there and my ability to find either peace or suffering is still within me, I’m choosing peace.
Namo Amida Bu
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