The solace of beleif. cc by Olivier Thereaux (Flikr)

A few years ago I asked one of my students why, after retiring, he had decided to turn to Buddhism. His answer was unexpected. I didn’t understand it then, but I do now. Give it time and most things in life will become clear. “As I age, my friends are slowly dying, and I need something to keep me going. I need some faith, and Buddhism brings me peace and acceptance. It also lightens the pain of loss.” He said.

I’m aging too and hearing of late, too often, how people are becoming sick and leaving us. I just realized today that I am nearing that point that may drive me to some sort of belief that calms my spirit. I also need that relief, as my student sought and somewhat found, in Buddhism.

Whatever it takes, we all need a belief sooner or later or we will perish and succumb to the unbearable sadness of loss.

But before I turn to that belief, I shall embrace and cherish the time I have with my loved ones. You just never know when someone will break the news…