“But I want to help people now, 

not sometime in the future.”

Upon learning that our primary goal is to seek birth in the Pure Land in this lifetime and come back to help people afterward, we might protest “I want to help now!” While our wish is admirable, our abilities are limited. And so in trying to help, our efforts can prove mistake ridden and clumsy. We realize there isn’t much we can do to help others. A further complication is that our life can end at any moment.

As someone recently said, “If we don’t attain birth in our current lifetime—what a waste.” 

To not waste this life, we need to focus. How? 

We can ask ourselves: What is my ultimate goal? How much time will I devote to my practice and learning? Will this be enough to accomplish my goal? Am I honestly doing everything I can to progress? What inspires me to practice or study when I’d rather do something else? What is the one book or recorded talk that I can really get into by listening to or reading regularly? 

And perhaps the ultimate question: How much time do I have left in this lifetime? 

If it’s so easy, why am I still here? (Part Two)

If it’s so easy, why am I still here? (Part One)

Singing birds help you learn at the Pure Land.

Why not create that relaxed environment here?

Ideally, when we listen to talks on the Dharma, we set all tasks and distractions aside, sit down, and focus on the talks. But life is rarely ideal. If ever. With much to do at work and at home, and with distractions everywhere we turn, we rarely have optimal conditions to practice and learn.

How do we find and dedicate the time we want—and need—to do both?

We know that buddha-name chanting requires dedicated focused time. Our learning, however, can be more flexible. We can take a hint from those who listen to Dharma talks in the Pure Land. In that land, Amitabha Buddha has birds singing the Dharma because he understands that even beings who manage to attain birth there will find it easier to periodically take a more relaxed approach to learning.

We can do the same. Integrate some of our learning into our daily tasks. Perhaps during our daily commute or when doing routine tasks. Wherever we find ourselves.