Serendipity and Direction: Paradoxical Partners

          Prologue, Part 2

          While navigating back to my blog, The Ten Directions, I realized that there may be other writings with the same title. Not wanting to infringe on anyone else's intellectual property, I typed Ten Directions in and actually got goose bumps when I realized that I was the one being led in the right direction. I learned that there are the Buddhas of the Ten Directions mentioned in the Lotus Sutra (Johnson, 2001).* I just need to say that any similarity between my personal idea  to the Buddhist concepts is highly serendipitous. In my version, I aim to reframe the Ten Commandments to the Ten Directions with the intention of enlightening those who desire to broaden their spirituality and find their purpose without having to convert and abandon an essential part of their past. Maybe Buddha, God, or whomever is in the Universe watching over me knows that it is my sincerest desire to be an instrument for this Great Plan. There is no doubt that there is One True Being that touches us in different ways through different faiths. I feel truly blessed to have been touched on more than one dimension.

*Source: http://www.tientai.net/teachings/dharma/buddha/10directions.htm. Retrieved December 10, 2012

The Ten Directions: A Values-based Approach To Creating Your Unique Life Path

         Prologue

          Thou shalt not have strange Gods against me. Do not make idols. Do not misuse the name of God. Keep the sabbath holy. Honor your father and your mother. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not covet. These are the Ten Commandments and we know what we should NOT do. So what should we do instead? With all due respect to the Roman Catholic faith, which I still practice today, I feel that there has to be a better way for us to function rather than fear hell all our lives because chances are we've all done something to violate at least one commandment. That's not much of a meaningful life at all. Even with the provision of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a human being, as created by a Great Being, is likely to make the same mistakes repeatedly if there is no better alternative to the behavior. We constantly vacillate between feeling remorseful and justifying our transgressions. We are then caught in a vicious cycle of "doing wrong" and asking for absolution each time we feel we have committed an offense. The goal, then, is to redirect our attention to new alternatives for actual change to occur.

          Before engaging in a heated, never-ending discussion about the absolute truths, I would like to clarify that my work is not about going against religious dogma. Rather, I am more interested in integrating my past-  the values ingrained in my head through my upbringing and my many perspective-altering experiences - with my work in human services. This idea came to me during my postgraduate studies in psychology and again, now, from my interest in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and coaching. So if it sounds a little like a therapeutic assignment, it is! Consider this work a life skills handbook based on sound advice. The Ten Commandments have been criticized for years yet we are still looking for a better alternative. My hope is that others will create their own unique paths to greatness just by being given the proper directions.

Acknowlegements

          I am throwing my thoughts out to the Universe and it is a great risk and very uncomfortable move for me. For those who do indulge me by taking time out to read my work, I thank you. For those who have encouraged me to shift my perspective through guidance, unconditional positive regard, and enlightenment, I owe you my peace.

          The greatest sacrifice is having to make choices outside what is considered acceptable by society but the greatest peace is knowing that choice is the best gift the Great Being has given mankind.

"Be the change you want to see."

- Mahatma Gandhi