2021-12-24 The Virtuous Path

Buddha explained: “Bad deeds, and deeds hurtful to ourselves, are easy to do; what is beneficial and good, that is very difficult to do.”

How do we know if we are traveling the virtuous path?

• First, the virtuous life is a difficult path and, therefore, will include mistakes along the way. To quote the legendary coach John Wooden, “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything.”
• Second, examine your actions against the cardinal virtues of courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. Marcus Aurelius wrote, if you find anything better than these… it must be an extraordinary thing indeed.
• Finally, the life of virtue converges with acts for the common good. Remember these wise words from Seneca: “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.”

We all must choose whether or not we walk the virtuous path. “No one saves us but ourselves,” according to the Buddha. “No one can, and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”