"If I can just get the message to one generation, just one, then everything will be better. Everything."- Venerable Bhante Sujatha

One of the main differentiating tenets of Buddhism is that a Buddhist trains his or her mind to be non-reactive, curious, and focused on loving-kindness in order to end internal suffering in a world which is always full of suffering. Rather than seeing a deity that causes this or that and asking that supreme being for forgiveness or help with changing, Buddhists change the inner workings of their minds so that they can maintain calm and peace, and be more effective and happier amidst the constant suffering which is accepted as the natural state of the world (impermanence, everyone eventually dies, growing old is usually difficult at some point, etc.) 

Meditation is helpful no matter what faith you practice, what you believe, or how you view the world. 

No "belief" is required for positive changes to occur. Researchers have proven that meditation increases the gray matter in your frontal Cortex (your executive wise center), decreases the gray matter in your amygdala ( your fear-driven reactive center) and lessens the connection between your pain reflex and your thought center -(you feel pain, but you don't suffer from it- this is almost magical in its effectiveness). 

(Can you imagine a world filled with people who are practiced at staying calm amidst chaos, accustomed to managing anger, pain and discomfort with their breath, and taught to love kindness?- me, too.)

For many spiritual and practical reasons, the idea of meditation practice (including loving kindness practice) as the path to world peace is real for me.
The elegance of Bhante's simple message is so beautiful - "I am a Breath-ist, not a Buddhist" is one of my favorite quotes from him. 

Thanks for reading and have a mindfully wonder-filled day,

Mary