Reckoning with the Great Monkey

You might also care to consider moving to another planet. People here are a lot more relaxed about other people with unusual features.

For example, just yesterday a young man came into the store where I work. He was obviously in a severe fire as a youngster. His arms appeared to have all the hair permanently burned off of them, and his face was a maze of once melted flesh. I can’t explain to you why, but he was still a very cute young guy. He came in with his girl friend to just look around.

No surprise that he would be snatched up by some nice gal. Frequently in this town, an interesting or different appearance makes you seem like a more interesting or different person. Someone new to know and learn about.

I think a big part of it is the “vibes” that you put out. The young man, for instance didn’t put out an attitude of shame, fear, or a wish for pity. He was just the self he was. And in being himself, he was beautiful.

I understand from my own first hand experiences what some mean when they talk about the humiliation and taunting that they have endured. And I know that it’s not easy to live in that kind of environment. Nor am I not trying to imply that they have not accepted or come to terms with their challenges.

I guess that for me it becomes a part of the Way of Buddha to live within the framework of our lives (whether they are filled with challenges or joys). And at once to know the breath of truth that permeates experience in its unfolding. As it is this eminently greater reality that resounds throughout the many twists and turns of our lives, but from which our “spirits” soar.

At times it’s challenging to have compassion and understanding for those who inflict pain upon us, I know. But these people, you probably have already realized, are in just as much, or more, pain than you are. (And, they think, more able to refrain from facing their inadequacies, failures, lost hopes and self-hatred, because they look more “normal”.) Really, in their pain, they need all of the compassion that we can give them. And in recognizing our own struggle in them, we do not seem so all alone.