"I know you are Buddhist, hope you don't mind me asking but is that a special bell that you are ringing like we ring at Angelus?"
"Oh" I said "it's a special bell for the cat, I suppose."
She was right in a way. It was a special bell. Apart from the cat, that bell saves the life of a mouse or a bird, and future generations or meals for others. And on it goes. Karma goes backwards too. Not to mention what goes into the cat food can. But is there really such a thing as Karma? (Cause and effect) A good question to ask yourself. "Firewood is not Ash," remarked Great Zen Master Dogen.
Later two Jehovas' Witnesses came to the door and gave me a copy of their magazine. "Is there anything we can help you with?" they asked "or anything you need?"
To have the courage and willingness to help a complete stranger would be so good, especially if we have no agenda.
To be continued...
"especially if we have no agenda"... if that happened to me, I'd politely request the assistance (if needed- minus the agenda or message crusades) :) I do believe, deep in my heart, that people are basically good even if their own intentions are not evident to themselves. :) a bit of ignorance perhaps? I know my own blinders annoy me sometimes and I treasure each moment of clarity. I like to call them glimpses and if they were poetry, they'd be "vingettes" :)
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