You have the freedom to say, “I want something different; I want something better.” You can determine on that, and follow through with that determination. At the very least, you will have given the Buddha’s challenge a try.

"You have the freedom to say, “I want something different; I want something better.” You can determine on that, and follow through with that determination. At the very least, you will have given the Buddha’s challenge a try. Because that’s what his teachings are: a challenge. They’re basically saying, “You there in the world! You there in the prison of the world! You can get out! It’s going to require effort but you can get out!” The prison wardens may try to hold you back, but unlike a regular prison break, you don’t have to be sneaky. You want to make the kind of decisions — and you will be making the kind of decisions — that you’re happy to make in the full light of day, living a life, as the texts say, as clean as a polished shell.

So that’s the choice that’s available to you, and it’s up to you to take advantage of it or not."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Self Determination"

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