Jesus once said a rich person’s chances of getting into the Kingdom of God is like a camel going through the eye of a needle.
This quote makes many in the Western world cringe because our whole society is based on greed.
Greed takes us away from Jesus’s message of compassion, love, humility, and grace.
From a young age we are taught from society that the accumulation of wealth is the source of all joy.
That we should strive to be a millionaire and buy luxurious goods, expensive vacations, and fancy candle lit meals at five star restaurants.
Nothing could be further from Jesus’s message of the narrow road and what the Buddha taught as the middle path.
Both wise men were speaking of the destructive nature of greed and fear.
Greed takes us away from the smooth sailing towards the pure joy of living a simple, humble, and grateful life centered on giving to others.
Jesus and the Buddha were both born into nobility but chose the narrow/middle path between extreme wealth and extreme deprivation that also was around in their times.
So look around you? Do you see much happiness in those who seek only pleasure? Pleasure seeking in my life only leads to self destruction and unnecessary suffering.
Jesus and the Buddha both taught a way out of suffering. A way towards resurrection and rebirth on this planet. By surrendering to our suffering like Jesus on the cross we can be reborn right now. By living like them through the narrow/middle path we can relieve our suffering and be very joyful and peaceful people.
Letting go of the need to strive is a huge challenge for most of us in the west. It took me many years to find serenity just being myself, not striving to be someone else. The only striving worthwhile is striving to live like Jesus or the Buddha. Strive to be the best version of yourself and you will naturally be very joyful and want to help others who still suffer deeply.
With aloha,
Johnny
The Narrow Path 