倾听寂静
文／ 美国佛心寺研经班学员 Tania Herman
There are many sounds produced from many sources. They are loud and some even deafening. The rumbling of the cars, the typing on the keyboard, the discussion in the monthly meeting, the arguing of the children in the back seat, and the commercials for toys on TV, to mention a few.
Although loud sounds continuously bombard my ears, it is possible to listen to silence. When I pay attention to silence, I can perceive deeper thoughts and analyze my actions. Buddhism teaches me to be mindful. When I hold still to a situation, it allows me to choose how I’m going to react to it. I can observe the lesson and save myself from feeling pain or inflicting pain on others.
Being mindful helps me practice tolerance, and tolerance brings me peace. Practicing tolerance frees me from regrets and expands my view of the world surrounding me.
I can stay in line at the store and not be angry because the cashier is too slow; maybe I would be too in her situation. I can drive and not be bothered by the cars that cut in front of me; maybe they have an emergency. I interact with people of different religions, cultural backgrounds, and races, and accept and respect those differences.
My perceptions were modified when I started practicing Buddhism. I became aware of the control I have over my choices. Tolerance is like the gift that keeps on giving; the more I practice it, the more tolerant I become, and with this, the more peace and tranquility I achieve.
（日常生活中存在着很多声音，分别来自不同的地方。它们很吵，有的甚至是震耳欲聋。隆隆的车声、打字的键盘声、月报会议中的谈论声、车后座孩子们的争吵声，还有电视上的玩具广告声……这些只是其中的一小部分。
虽然耳朵不断地承受着各种声音的疲劳轰炸，可是我们还是能够听见“寂静之声”。当我倾听寂静，我可以感受到自己内心深处的念头、可以分析自己的行为。佛法教导我们要摄心观照，当我沉静专注时，我可以选择回应事情的方式，可以观察事件本身，使自己免于痛苦，也避免造成对他人的伤害。
摄心观照帮助我学习宽容，宽容带来了平静。宽容使我不再懊悔、遗憾，同时也开阔了生命的视野。
当我能设身处地为他人着想时，我可以在店里大排长龙时，不因收银员动作缓慢而生气。开车时，我不会因为有人超车而烦恼，我知道或许他们有紧急的事情。当我和不同信仰、不同文化背景及不同种族的人相处时，我学会尊重和接纳差异。
自学佛以来，我开始调整我的想法。我清楚地知道，自己是人生选择的主宰。宽容就像源源不绝的礼物，愈练习，心就愈加自在。藉此，就能达到内心更深层的寂静与平和！）
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