Buddhism embraces spirit of exploration

Chuck Craytor

May 22, 2010

I recall clearly riding my tricycle, as a child, and accidently riding over a bee. I am not sure how old I was, perhaps 4 or 5. I got off my tricycle, kneeled down on the ground and put my eyes as close as possible to the bee’s little body. I stared with wonder.

In my heart, I knew that the bee was alive. Yes, his little body was crushed. But I knew he was alive. I kept asking, “What happened to his life? Where is his life?”

I recall a moment of innocence and wonder as I asked where the light of this little bee had gone. I was compelled by curiosity, inquiry and the desire to explore life.

In 1993, I was going through training with a linguist. During our long first meeting, he posed many questions in an attempt to identify what I saw as my life purpose. After much dialogue and questioning, my friend finally asked, “Could you accept that your purpose is in the inquiry?”

My response was a clear and affirmative “Yes!” I shared that my hero when I was 5 years old was Christopher Columbus. The path of the explorer was there from my earliest memories.

Looking back, I notice that in times of difficulty there is something consistent that shifts my experience from worry and anxiety to freedom and peace. A love for inquiry, learning and sharing moves me forward to new investigations of life.

Recently, I awoke at an early hour with worry and anxiety and thinking of a certain person. Then I caught myself and said, “This won’t do, Chuck. Get up and ask some questions, explore what there is to learn from this person, this experience.” I got out of bed, ready to explore, ready for a new discovery. This brought me peace.

I am urged on by the spirit of inquiry, the spirit of the explorer, searching for new lands and understanding. Some may be convinced they have the one and only path to truth. But for me, life is a vast geography to be explored with infinite possibility.

I think often of a photographer. It is not the role of the photographer to convince. You share what you see. What people see in your photographs will be unique to who they are.

One of my teachers shared that the purpose of Buddhism is to cultivate a state of mind where we can declare without reservation that life itself is a joy.

Perhaps that is one of the callings of Buddhism for me — a love, curiosity and exploration into the true nature of life. Like Buddha, I seek to go beyond the traditional limits or surface appearance and see with fresh eyes.

For me, joy and fulfillment is in the ongoing discovery of the richness of life. And the inquiry is most meaningful within the context of sharing with others. The joy is in the exploration — not in the final destination. There will always be new lands to explore and new possibilities to uncover.

Chuck Craytor belongs to the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist community. This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing our community and world. For information, visitwww.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 541-344-0430.