Marcia: With Dharma Life Makes Sense

I was already a meditator, but I was doing it really just for relaxation. Then I started going to Dharma classes because a friend told me about Buddhist meditation being offered nearby. I didn’t know anything about Buddhism but when I started going to classes what I was hearing really felt like the truth. Often there was no need to rationalize the teaching being given because it was like my heart already understood. Eventually, after a few years I realized, I am a Buddhist!

Before I found Dharma, the goal of my life was to do good, to be a good professional, to have a good life. My ambitions were the same as everybody else’s – to have comfort, money, respect, success, etc.

Dharma has changed me completely. Now the meaning of my life is to reach enlightenment, to liberate all living beings. I still want a good life; comforts, nice weather, a beach house, no wrinkles. If these things eventuate that’s great but if not, it’s not important. They’re not my priority.

My priority is waking up from this dream. It really is a nightmare because we’re never completely satisfied. There’s always something… you need to fix the house, find information, take vitamins, exercise. It’s too cold. You have enough money but then you need more…it never ends. On top of that, when we are born, we already know our fate – we’re going to die. We are, every breath, closer to our last breath.

I wouldn’t say I was someone who was trying to find the meaning of life but now I cannot imagine my life without Dharma. With it life makes complete sense.