Cycling Buddha

When you step into the Buddhist path, it is a reminder to be mindful of the delicate nature of the universe. It is a reminder to accept compassion into your life as well as release compassion out into the world.

I am reminded that the universe around me is a constant change and I move and flow in that change.

It is the same practice that getting on a bicycle does for me.  

Accepting the world around me and releasing the energy back into the universe.  It is a working practice as I shift gears, as I turn corners as I ride down the road. I am a part of everything and everything is a part of me.

Meditation practice teaches me that I am to emulate as Buddha.  What would Buddha do when confronted in a hostile situation with a car driver? 

There are many scenarios that play out in my head when I ride my bike in the city.  The thing that I am reminded is that I can choose to not engage back in a hostile manner.  I can choose to follow the Buddha way and slow things down.   

Yes, I ride on the street. I am in traffic, I make myself visible and hears. I make eye contact with drivers, with bus drivers, with other cyclists, with pedestrians. 

Recently I posted an article about driver safety and cycling safety in the city.  This became ripe for a very heated discussion between those that drive cars and those that ride bicycles.

The reason I bring this up is this.

This is also a practice in the Buddha way. The practice to either engage and match anger with anger or show compassion and disengage.

I am choosing the later. I continuously am speaking out and showing through action that positive movement can be achieved.  

Not everyone is going to agree with thr continuous debate of cars vs bikes vs pedestrians

I am not here to make everyone agree with me. I am not here to make everyone my friend. 

I am here to say that for me, riding a bicycle has changed my life for the better. 

Practicing Buddhism has changed my life for the better.

For me, that is all I can work towards.  Daily practice.

I am dedicated to continue to ride as I do, to continue to ensure positive movement in whatever I do.  

It is the only thing I know that works for me.  I think I found a good thing, yes?