Not too long ago, I heard from a woman who seemed worried that my life as a Buddhist must be pretty dull—just meditating and “being good” all the time. I think she imagined I’d be a boring person to hang out with, and maybe she was projecting her own fears about getting drawn into Buddhist practice.
Tonight, I returned from a comedy improv show, where I was amazed by the performers’ humor and good vibes. I had a fantastic time—not quite what this woman probably expected.
I wrote back to her, explaining that Buddhism, for me, is a set of principles and guidelines for living, not a strict set of rules. I summed up some of the guiding principles of my life as:
These principles almost serve as a personal philosophy. Any such philosophy includes the values by which you live—or at least aim to live—your life. I’m actually printing out this list right now because I need regular reminders of how I want to live. It’s not about following rules or “being good.” It’s about living in a way that brings deeper meaning, purpose, and connection.
What would your top three or four life guidelines be?
I’d add this: Sharing our wisdom and knowledge with those willing to listen or seeking guidance—whether our stories are about successes or failures—helps the world learn and improve.
I couldn’t agree more!
Thank you. These are powerful guidelines.
If I had to choose my top three guidelines, they would be: 1) Be kind to myself and others; 2) Be fully present in the moment, or at least keep coming back to that; and 3) Be real, be authentic. Thank you for the thought-provoking post.
Here are my top three: 1) Don’t let age hold you back. It’s never too late to do or be what you’ve always wanted. 2) Smile and treat everyone you meet like they’re already your best friend. 3) Yes, you can—now go do it!