The person who is able to live by themselves
and make their practice alone,
will be happy to stay in the forest.
Dhammapada Vs 305
Standing alone.
Nothing exists in isolation and so nothing ‘just happens’.
The choices and decisions we make have a story behind them, and we either continue this old story and follow a well worn path, or let it go.
Our movement around this depends on how much we respect and Dhammically love ourselves or how much we are influenced by the world and what we presume others will think about us.
When Awakening is a reality, it is foolish to compromise that very potential for situations, no matter how comfortable, that continually hold us prisoner.
To put down an unfulfilling relationship, whether romantic, familial or professional demands integrity and bravery and a complete disregard for how we think the world may feel about us later.
Love is the ultimate protection and wisdom the final choice. What does our heart say, and what do we really want?
Being true to ourself can be a difficult road at the beginning, as we often find ourselves standing alone in a world of confusion and hypocrisy. It is here we can meet the voice and opinions of the many unenlightened beings that fill our life, with unaware sentiments, such as, ‘you’re so selfish because you don’t do what I want you to do’, or ‘if you loved me you would give up what you want for what I want’, and ‘we all think that you should….’
So, the true Dhamma path is difficult and solitary, but always worth our greatest effort. In the end we are alone with our life, recognising it as the beautiful opportunity for liberation, or living subject to our fears and apprehensions of what the world will say about us.
Whatever we may think, it is only us who will prioritise the things that have value in our life.
Respect for yourself and all other beings.
Integrity and courage to stay true to our path.
Truth above convenience, career and personal advancement.
Love manifesting in all situations at all times, beginning with ourselves and radiating outwards into the universe.
These are the things with value.
The rest are just ideas and noises in an empty room, sometimes deafening in their impact on the sensitive part of us, but empty of truth and true love.
Whoever we are, we are always alone in our life always meet the consequence of the mind states we empower.
The secret to happiness is simple; live with love and be aware and share the best and most honerable part of ourselves with all beings.
May all beings be happy.
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Teachings
Autumn retreat 2026
8th to 11th October
Kuckucksnest
Details: PureDhamma team
This will be the final weekend retreat with Michael and Pure Dhamma.
The new Pure Dhamma online programme for 2027 will be presented in due course.
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Koan:
A monk asked Kegon, “How does an enlightened one return to the ordinary world?”
Kegon replied, “A broken mirror never reflects again; fallen flowers never go back to the old branches.”
Quotation:
The real magic in life is in wisdom, and real power lies in the non-attachment to the mind and body complex that we call ‘self’. If you truly want to develop yourself, follow the way of wisdom. Wisdom leads to peace and happiness and from that everyone benefits.
From ‘Higher than Happiness’ by Michael Kewley
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