Once upon a time, there was a young man named Ravi who lived in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He had a good job as a software engineer, but he felt lonely and unhappy. He had no friends or family to share his life with, and he spent most of his time working or browsing the internet. He often wondered what the meaning of his existence was, and if there was anyone who cared about him.
One day, he decided to visit a Buddhist temple near his home. He had heard that Buddhism offered a way to overcome suffering and find peace. He thought that maybe he could learn something from the monks who lived there. He entered the temple and saw a serene-looking monk sitting in front of a statue of Buddha. He approached him and bowed respectfully.
“Hello, sir. I am Ravi. I came here to seek your guidance. I am feeling very lonely and unhappy in my life. Can you help me?” he asked.
The monk smiled and nodded. “Welcome, Ravi. I am glad you came here. Loneliness is a common problem in this world, but it can be overcome with the right attitude and practice. Do you know what causes loneliness?”
Ravi shook his head. “No, sir. I don’t know.”
The monk explained, “Loneliness is caused by the illusion of separation. We think that we are separate from others, from nature, from the universe, and from ourselves. We think that we need someone or something to make us happy and complete. But this is not true. We are all connected by the same life force that flows through everything. We are all part of the same reality that is beyond words and concepts. We are all one.”
Ravi was puzzled by the monk’s words. He asked, “How can we be one? I don’t see any connection between me and others. I feel like an outsider, like I don’t belong anywhere.”
The monk said, “That is because you are looking at the surface of things, not at their essence. You are identifying yourself with your body, your mind, your emotions, your thoughts, your opinions, your preferences, your likes and dislikes. These are all temporary and changing aspects of yourself that do not define who you really are. They are like waves on the ocean that rise and fall, but they are not the ocean itself.”
“Then who am I really?” Ravi asked.
The monk said, “You are the ocean itself. You are the awareness that witnesses everything that happens in your life. You are the pure consciousness that is beyond form and name. You are the Buddha nature that is within everyone and everything.”
Ravi was amazed by the monk’s answer. He asked, “How can I realize this? How can I experience this oneness?”
The monk said, “You can realize this by practicing meditation. Meditation is a way of calming your mind and observing your thoughts without getting attached to them or judging them. Meditation helps you to detach yourself from your ego and connect with your true self. Meditation also helps you to develop compassion and kindness towards yourself and others.”
“Can you teach me how to meditate?” Ravi asked eagerly.
The monk agreed and taught Ravi how to sit comfortably, how to breathe deeply, how to focus on his breath, how to let go of his thoughts, and how to be mindful of his sensations and feelings.
Ravi followed the monk’s instructions and began to meditate. At first, he found it difficult to concentrate and quiet his mind. He was distracted by many thoughts and emotions that arose in his mind. He felt restless and bored.
But he did not give up. He continued to meditate every day for half an hour in the morning and evening under the guidance of the monk.
Gradually, he noticed some changes in himself.
He felt more relaxed and peaceful.
He felt more aware and alert.
He felt more connected and compassionate.
He felt less lonely and unhappy.
He realized that he was not alone in this world.
He realized that he had many things to be grateful for in his life.
He realized that he had a purpose in his life.
He realized that he was one with everything.
He realized that he was happy.
He thanked the monk for his help and wisdom.
The monk smiled and said, “You are welcome, Ravi. You have done well. You have overcome loneliness by finding yourself. You have found happiness by finding oneness.”
Ravi bowed to the monk and left the temple with a smile on his face.
He walked back to his home with a new sense of joy and confidence.
He greeted everyone he met on his way with kindness and respect.
He called his parents and told them how much he loved them.
He joined a volunteer group and helped others in need.
He made new friends and shared his experiences with them.
He enjoyed his work and improved his skills.
He lived his life with gratitude and generosity.
He never felt lonely again.
