Have you ever experienced moments when your ears perked up, after someone really understood who you were or what you were trying to say? When that person “sees” the true you?
Although I have lost contact with Khenchen, my gentle, elderly monk friend, the strength of our memories remains strong. Our meditative walks amongst his monastery grounds provided the landscape for Khenchen to emphasize many philosophical morals of life. His most impactful gift was the ability to reframe life’s ideals and values into moments of wisdom, while emphasizing my need to care for those I love.
Khenchen’s approach often mirrored Socrates’ philosophical dialogues of taking unrefined ideas and events, while blending truth and virtue. For both, unexamined approaches to life were often inevitability not worth the energy. Summarily, all intellectual voyages must include necessity and responsibility.
My time with Khenchen was not about physics or geometry. Each visit provided me with insight to self-examine the deep corners of my inner core. I would become more aware of myself, while recognizing the purpose of existing in a complex human life. To have an illuminator, like Khenchen, in my life forged a connection that transformed all historical definitions of wisdoms.
As an illuminator, Khenchen was always compassionate in his ability to convey how to evolve from being a frail human to an insightful one. He accepted my emotional vulnerabilities with great curiosity, respect, and forethought. Khenchen’s words included that if I only searched inward for answers, I would simply engage in repetitive chaos. Ultimately, we must navigate life with compassion while understanding the complexities of life and our souls.
Khenchen altered how I saw, and now view, wisdom. He was not a philosophical lecturer, who told me what to do. Khenchen created a safe space for me to navigate my self-imposed ambiguities. His formula for wisdom rested in intimate receptivity; the encouragement to carefully receive, without judgement, what I was disclosing.
Unlike the previous lofty sages I encountered, who offered narrow answers to handling life’s complex issues, my expansive continuum of growth began with Khenchen. I was encouraged to probe my inner self; to search for the deeper truths silently below my surface; and to embrace my fears.
Uncomplicated illuminated wisdom creates an atmosphere of relational warmth and kindness. It is an intimate bond with the awareness of another. It uncovers who we are, how we were formed, and where we are going.
Bud Megargee is a former senior behavioral healthcare executive; a Washington, DC., healthcare lobbyist; and an independently published, best-selling and award-winning author. He began writing after exploring Eastern philosophy and alternative medicine techniques in the professional treatment of emotional challenges at a Taiwanese Buddhist monastery.