You know those profiles that qualified teachers/lecturers/coaches/chaplains/academics tend to put up on their websites, blogs, or organizations they are affiliated with? I think it’s something those people deserve to be proud of, especially when they talk about their research interests or exactly what they teach. I think it’d be a pretty proud achievement to have this sort of thing.
Imagine this on a university website, perhaps 6 or 7 years in the future:
Raymond Lam is a Mahayana Buddhist disciple of Bailin Temple. He teaches philosophy and religion in Hong Kong, China. Since age 17 he has been a supporter of the Great Wheel, which emphasizes the liberation of all beings in the cosmos. He became a formal Buddhist at 19. He maintains an academic engagement with Eastern and Western philosophy, Christianity, and the philosophy of religion. His research is focused on the relationship between religious thought and life, such as compassion for one’s enemies and the healing of society through spirituality. Another calling is the unification of the philosophical intellect with the spiritual life. He believes in the necessity of appropriately adjusting Buddhist teachings to fit particular circumstances (a common emphasis in Mahayana Buddhism), leading him to lecture and teach religion in a liberal methodology typical of a modern disciple. He has travelled to many sacred sites throughout the world as part of his journey, and enjoys sharing his journeys with his students by taking them with him.
So, what are the gaping holes in this short blurb about my life? Firstly, I’m not a formal disciple yet. I’ve never even been to Bailin Temple in China. I don’t teach, I’m still studying. Furthermore, I have no idea where I will be in a few years’ time, it could be Sydney, Brisbane, London, Hong Kong, whatever. I do hope for it to be a nice city, however. The only thing that is formally true is that I have visited quite a few sacred sites. I have no students, I have no qualifications, I have not taken refuge in the Buddha/Dharma/Sangha. As you can see, this blurb about my (potential) future life is a loooong way from being realized. The italicized text are the things I have NOT accomplished yet. As times goes, on, who knows, they may become un-italicized.
My objective is to make this profile come true in a few years, starting with the first step of taking refuge at Bai Lin Temple later this year.
Raymond,
I believe the fact that you have written this in the present tense is great. It will serve to put the Universe in motion to achieve that which you desire. Remember, you can modify this as you go and make changes to it as you make changes to what you desire. Great job!
Thanks. A self-help guy called Steve Pavlina, if I remember correctly, actually wrote an article about realizing your dreams by writing down what you want to be or be doing in exactly 5 years’ time. I don’t really remember what the idea behind it was, but it seems to be similar to what I’m doing here.
If one makes a profile in the present tense even without it being currently realized, one can italicize the unfinished parts and un-italicize them once they’re achieved. A nice alternative to writing lists and ticking them off.
Great aspiration Raymond. Keep going :)
Great profile, I think you’ve done a great job of setting a positive and virtuous direction for your life. I’m very proud and happy for you my friend.
I think you’ve created a useful exercise here, I might give it a try.
Thanks Greg. It is quite fun exercise to do. Be careful not to slip into fantasy daydreaming, but at the same time, aim high and reach for the stars (I wonder how fine the line is between ambition and fantasy?). I think this activity is productive when you aim for the things you feel drawn to most.