Words from the Heart

Today a woman was sitting outside. A man walked by and stepped on an ant.

It died. Soon another ant came to it. It seemed heartbroken, somehow. It was clearly very concerned about the dead ant. It crouched over it and refused to leave. Another ant came by. It tried to get the grieving ant to come away with it. They got rough with each other, as though they were fighting, until the third ant gave up and left.

The woman, still watching, feeling the ant’s suffering, called to the man and explained to him the situation. He walked on, going about his business.

Soon another ant came along. It was more understanding of the ant’s grief. They discussed it. A few more ants came over. They all talked, or so it seemed by their body language. They tried to console the grieving ant, but to no avail.

Soon, the man walked by again. He stepped on the dead ant, again. The woman cried out. “What?” the man said, “It was already dead!” He again walked on. The grieving ant had now fled. The woman cried.

As the woman sat watching the ants, she realized, ants are emotional creatures! Few of us ever consider the feelings of ants! And yet, knowing of their suffering, what does this mean for us? How many people have been in the midst of great suffering and grief, feeling as though they ought rather be dead? People have these feelings, but they are only that, feelings, and they pass. When we live through such deep suffering we learn that it ends, and we are transformed by it. Suffering is a part of healing and spiritual growth. Out of suffering comes knowledge. And with compassion, we can just know what it is to suffer and do all that we can to ease the suffering of others, even ants. In this way we can come to know and understand the unity of all of life, to respect it, and cherish it, and knowingly do no harm to any creature.

With so much death, or even the threat of death, around us daily, how can we do anything but care for each other and be good to each other to the best of our ability? How can we think things, these trivial things we find so important in our daily lives, really matter so much as to bring suffering upon another? We need to learn how to do good and be good. The first and most vital step in doing this is just to think about it, to reflect on it, and consider what it means in our every action and word. This is mindfulness, mindfulness towards the peace and well-being of all peoples.

This has been a very difficult year full of major catastrophes and large-scale human suffering. But even as I say this, when I consider the world and all of humankind, I have to reassess that statement, and wonder what year, ever, hasn’t been full of major human suffering. Somewhere in the world there is always war, people killing each other, rampant disease, natural disasters, and starvation.

With all of this in mind, I ask that we all cherish each moment when we are not suffering. Even when we are suffering, we have beauty all around us, many good things to consider. Let us consider these good and beautiful things and learn to appreciate them. Let us be good to each other while we have each other, because one day our friends and relatives and even acquaintances won’t be there with us in mind or body. Let us, at very least, fully appreciate this life, while we have it, even if just that is the only thing we have to appreciate. Let us always be good and do good. Love to all.

No one behind, no one ahead.
The path the ancients cleared has closed.
And the other path, everyone’s path,
easy and wide, goes nowhere.
I am alone and find my way.

— Octavio Paz