Namaste all!
I've been looking after RL a bit youi know we run our own business and have been doing a few practices also, mini-meditations, throughout the day, and am feeling pretty good.
I think we have to remember that Buddhism is all about 'engagement' not 'retreat'. Buddhism most certainly is not nihilism, or a "Oh, what's the point of it all?" philosophy.
From what I can gather about this discussion, there is talk about withdrawing into emptiness here, (going off into the cave, leaving life as we know it) and I'm thinking, in practice, that's more to do with the Hindu pursuit of the void (Nirvana), and Christian asceticism rather than the connectivity of being that is Buddhism.
Now, my knowledge of Buddhism isn't enormous, I realise how much study and expertise there is in this area!
But for me, Buddhists engage with all sufferings and do everything we can to alleviate sufferings in ourselves and others, so that all beings can attain happiness.
This is done through Compassion for our shared state, as you so rightly point out Justa.
I think it helps tremendously to think of ourselves as connected to each other, and to every living sentient being. The connection is important to remember.
TAs far as i can make out, the main point is to realise that we are all manifestations of the same Buddha nature - there is no difference between me and you, or any sentient being, at heart.
The reason why meditation is so important is it reminds us we are all Buddha nature, and it's very important to get used to living in this nature.
Meditation allows us to just BE in the Buddha nature, it re-sets our clock, fills our tanks, and gives a strong idea about our true inner nature.
The more we practice meditation, the stronger our realisation becomes about our true selves, and the easier it becomes to abide within our true nature all the time.
Realistically speaking, the more we practice the easier it gets.
But this doesn't mean you have to go off into the cave for years. In some ways that's an easy route!
Meditation in motion in our daily life affords greater opportunities for the realisation of our true inner nature.
And how lucky and blessed are we to have children to challenge us and teach us the real meaning of Compassion, for them and ourselves, and for the wider community of mothers,(here and elsewhere), of parents of all ages (our own included), and of all sentient beings throughout time!
Yea!
That's a more challenging practice to me than a few years 'off' in a snowy cave in the Himalayas
Namaste