“Do what I say.”

But not what I do.

I think it would be safe to say that parents have been saying “do what I say” to their children for millennia, or even longer.

But what if the parents’ behavior do not match the stern words for their children.

“Turn off your TV!” while they return to the soccer finals. 

“Don’t waste time playing on your phone!” But they text a friend about the latest kerfuffle at work.

“You’re spending too much time on the Internet!” even as they continue gaming online.

“Talk nicely to your brother!” But the heated discussion with their neighbor carries on.

Children learn by observing. And if what parents say isn’t what they do, their children will see the disparity. They want to know why their parents are not following the rules that they have laid out. It’s pretty tough to come up with a good answer to such logic. “Because I’m your mother/father” won’t cut it.

Unless parents want a mini-rebellion on their hands, they’d be better off doing what they’re telling their children to do. 

When chanting “Amituofo” and a wandering arises . . . (Click image for video)

Learn to have wisdom

by observing those who are

fearful. 

Unawakened beings perceive themselves as the center of their universe. Viewing their thoughts as real and their body as who they are, they further assume that objects can be possessed and relationships will last forever.

But, inevitably, fear creeps in.

Might a close relationship turn sour?

What if a prized object is lost? Or stolen?

What if their body—who they are—becomes sick? Or incapacitated? Attached to everything people know and have, fear permeates all they experience. Once again, these aren’t people worthy of emulation. Instead of being tainted by worry, we want to eliminate our fear by calming our mind. With a calm mind, wisdom will arise. With wisdom, we will know our body is only a vehicle used for a lifetime. This body isn’t “I.”

Nothing can be possessed.

Nothing is ours to lose.

When we practice to awaken, we will know there is nothing to fear.