A Day In the Life: PandaÕs Experiences
(Final Draft)
What breathes life into
creation? Who or what is responsible for the elegance of the universe? What is
this force that controls the currents of the oceans? As a panda, I have been
asking these questions ever since I was a child. I now know there is something
larger than us—a force that connects us all. I call this force Spirit. For centuries, animals
have understood the existence of a universal source. Each species has given a
different label to Spirit. In the language of Ram Dass and Paul Gorman, whether
a custom expresses Òbeing cut off from God, Nature, Original Mind, True Being,
the Tao, the Dharma- they call on us, in one voice, to undertake the journey
back into unity.Ó[1] The path towards unity consciousness has allowed me to journey
within and realize a universal ocean of existence. My illusion of separation
has faded, and I have discovered Ò[a]ll really is
One.Ó[2]
This oneness has taught me to appreciate the present moment and love all beings
as my brothers and sisters.
Panda eating bamboo [3]
As I sit here in the
forest chewing on my bamboo, I appreciate the perfection vested in this present
moment. There is nothing to be accomplished. I am content with the here and now; I simply am. In the wise words of my fellow brother, Red
Hawk, Òwe are beings—not becomings.Ó I close my eyes and listen to the
rain showering over me. Mother Earth has blessed the forest with the gifts of
rain and sunshine. The birds begin singing. They, too, send gratitude and light
to our Mother.
In silence, I find my true
self. No thought, emotion, or idea can enter this sacred temple. The gates to
this mystical garden are only open to those who are still. The birds peacefully
sing to their hearts content. The monkeys rejoice in bliss, and we pandas
simply observe nature in our truest state – unified. I accept everything
as it is for what it is. There is neither ÒgoodÓ nor Òbad.Ó Rather, this little
thing that we call ÒlifeÓ is a journey. I realize there will be ups and downs,
especially since many of my human brothers and sisters seek to destroy my home,
the forest. However, I trust Mother has divine plan for me. While things may
not always go my way, I relinquish my need to understand the present moment. I
realize I do not fully comprehend the Òbigger picture.Ó I fully surrender to MotherÕs will, Òa specific force
of the invisible, spiritual realm manifesting within our own life,Ó[4] trusting that every event
and circumstance has a divine purpose.
Furthermore, Mother teaches me to love others as I
love myself, because we are all mysteriously connected. While I realize that
pandas do not share the same physical attributes as other beings, I recognize
that such distinctions are inconsequential compared to the unifying bonds all
beings share. Fundamentally, both humans and animals share a divine essence.
Spirit breathes life into all of creation. Thus, we are eternally connected on
the most fundamental levels. For example, the same force that beats my heart is
the same force that also beats yours.
Video of
a sneezing baby panda interacting with her mother[5]
As such, Mother loves all her children
unconditionally. She does not pick and choose who is worthy of breathing Her
air. Nor does Mother nourish some beings with Her sunlight while excluding
others. Mother recognizes that we are all Her children. As a panda, I choose to
act as compassionately as Mother does. Thus, I do not send love to some beings
while excluding others. Rather, I see all beings as my brothers and sisters. I
send love and empathize with suffering, regardless of its origin.
Moreover, as a panda, my higher calling in life is to
become one with Mother. She lives the truths of compassion, love, forgiveness,
and unity, so I also try to incorporate such principles into my daily life.
Mother continually forgives us all of our transgressions; however, I continue
to struggle with forgiving others, particularly humans. I cannot understand why
humans indulge in greed, with a total disregard for the welfare and livelihood
of others. Many of these humans are destroying the forest – my
birthplace. Greed has allowed humans to forget that pandas and other animals of
the forest are also capable of experiencing suffering. With our homes on the
brink of being destroyed, I have trouble forgiving the human race for being
apathetic towards our silent cries.
As such, many humans are not aware that both animals
and humans used to live peacefully together. Nature served both our interests
and desires. However, at some point along our journeys, greed corrupted the
human will. Like a forest fire spreading from tree to tree, greed dispersed
through the human race. Money, coupled with identification with the ego, buried
the goodness that lies within humans. Eventually, humans conceptualized that
their essence was not of love or compassion; rather, their true nature lay in
getting ahead of others and taking part in control and power politics. Thus,
the ego has allowed humans to continually justify a separation between the
animal and human worlds. Such divisions have validated violence and,
essentially, a war against animals.
I relate my experiences as a panda not to justify my
emotions, but rather to give you perspective towards the hardships many of my
brothers and sisters experience. However, I realize there are no justified
resentments. Mother teaches that the true test of love comes not in extending
love to others who are kind and compassionate; rather, the true test lies in
being able to extend love to others who are hateful towards you. In accordance
with MotherÕs words of wisdom, I practice forgiving and loving the humans that
have destroyed my home. I take comfort in the fact that such humans are merely
acting from their own level of awareness.
As I slowly travel back from the animal world to
enter Òa gateway to the phenomenal world of the human spirit,Ó[7]
I realize how much I have learned from the panda. For one, the panda has taught
me to keep quiet when witnessing my ego wanting to defend a point of view. The
panda silently witnesses the world and appreciates the old Eastern adage, ÒHe
who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not
know.Ó My ego immediately compels me to denounce prejudiced epithets directed at
traditional cultures. However, the panda teaches me to keep quiet under such
circumstances and send love to those who advocate hatred. I realize that my
beliefs are only that—beliefs. They are not ÒrightÓ or Òwrong.Ó They
simply are. In turn, when applying this understanding to other people, I
realize their beliefs are only reflections of their awareness. The panda
teaches me to be silent and recognize the difference between the sinner and
sin.
Moreover,
I can also relate to the pandaÕs grievances regarding the destruction of his
home. He seems to experience unresolved frustration, as he struggles to forgive
humans for indulging in greed and corruption. On a similar level, I feel as if
I have been ÒwrongedÓ in the past due to the treatment and betrayal I
experienced from people I once thought were my friends. Applying MotherÕs
teachings to my life, I realize the truth in forgiveness. Because God and
others have forgiven me for my past transgressions, I have an obligation to
similarly forgive others that may have seemingly harmed me.
Forgiveness[8]
On
a similar note, forgiveness frees me from my shackles to the past. By sending
love to my transgressors, I have the freedom to experience the moment for what
it has to offer. I am fully content with here and now, as I realize how blessed
I am. This very moment, I give thanks to the Lord for giving me perfect health.
Moreover, the relationships I have developed at the University of Texas at
Austin have been humbling. I have had the privilege of learning and interacting
with some of the most intelligent and warm-hearted people I have ever
encountered in my life.
For
example, by virtue of taking Red HawkÕs class my freshman year of college, I
was introduced to more ethical ways of living. I became vegetarian after
watching Earthlings, discovered my
spirit animal, and incorporated more Eastern wisdom into my life. I have also
had the opportunity to learn more about myself through various Native American,
Hindu, and Buddhist traditions. Along this journey, I have realized the power
vested in compassion. By selflessly serving others, I have found a new home in
love.
Word
Count without quotes: 1422
Word
Count with quotes: 1516