Who Knew I was Practicing Lojong?

We learn at a young age how to react to the world. We mimic the behaviors of our primary caregivers. Part of this is survival instinct; we want to fit in. Another theory is the nature versus nurture controversy. How much of what we do is simply repeating the habits of our parents, grandparents, siblings? How much is our inherent nature? This has always been a subject that fascinates me, hence the Psychology degree, and lately I've been ruminating over my penchant for drama. As a youth I loved drama. For years all my dad and I had to talk about was other people...these days we don't have much to say to each other, but we've found an equilibrium.

I have had more than a few dramas lately, giving me the opportunity to practice lojong.

I didn't realize I was practicing lojong until I read Pema Chodron today. Lojong is a Buddhist teaching that states “whichever of the two occurs, be patient”; whether the situation is painful or pleasurable, sit with it and wait to react.

What I realized is that I may announce to the world that my finger is “possibly broken” when in actuality it's just badly injured. Yes, still a bit of drama in me, yet when it comes to the big stuff I've learned the ways of lojong. There have been interactions with others recently that could have gone terribly wrong, yet I chose to sit and wait before reacting.

As I continue on this path I might allow my drama queen to come out now and again, but at least I'm the only one involved in my drama.