Wise men say that there are lessons for us all around, and that we have to keep our eyes and heart open to receive them. It is often when the mind is calmed through the fixing of attention that we become receptive to knowledge from without as well as wisdom from within. Here are some thoughts that have took shape in my mind over the years, and condensed into something that can be expressed, during a long drive that I had early this week. Driving has been a great teacher to me, and this post is about what driving taught me.

Lesson #1: No matter at what speed we are travelling, there will always be cars that are faster than us and those that are slower. The driving experience will be pleasant and enjoyable if we can move along at our own pace, without being held back by slow vehicles moving in front of us, nor being pressurized by fast ones that come up from behind. As long as we don’t feel pride when we overtake those slower ones, nor ill-will at the sight of faster ones going past us, we will be fine. In life too, irrespective of our level, there will be many above us and many below. As long as we are not envious of those above, nor contemptuous of those below, we’ll be able to play our part well.

Lesson #2: When driving in the night, if I find that vehicles coming from the opposite direction are throwing the high beam at me, the first thing I would check is whether my own headlight is set in the bright mode. Similarly in life, I know that the way others treat us is an indicator of how we ourselves are doing. So rather than be angry at others for their bad behavior, we should perhaps introspect to see what it is in us that is causing others to respond to us the way they’re doing. Therein lies the key to changing the world – well, our world at least!

Lesson #3: Finally,  I have noticed that the more crowded the roads are, and the slower you can go, the more content you’ll be just to get to your destination. On the other hand, if there is even a small delay or inconvenience during an otherwise very comfortable drive, we tend to get upset over it. So in this world, people who have all the pleasures and luxuries of life are the ones who complain of minor compromises, while those living in the midst of misfortunes know how to count each blessing.

Has driving helped you see the world differently?