Friends are a very important part of our lives, and especially a friend who is there to support us and care for us whenever we are in pain and misery
If there is a friend who adds to our problems, then he or she is not a friend, but a problem. Today we are living in very difficult and chaotic environments, and due to our expectations and needs, we are putting ourselves in very stressful and unhealthy situations in our lives. In the name of privacy, we are also creating our own lonely environments. In such a lonely space, a good friend may be able to fill up this cold and empty space for us and make it warm and welcoming. Moreover, there is a unique kind of friend called a “spiritual friend.” This is friend who is not just there to share our pain; most importantly, this is someone who helps us pinpoint our own wrong actions and hidden misperceptions. Such faults can cause unbearable suffering and anxieties in the near future if they are not addressed skillfully. Therefore, in my opinion, we have to be open in our hearts to suggestions and advice, and this is where an effective and suitable solutions lies.
Sometimes it is really hard for us to even imagine losing a dear friend or wealth which we may have held as precious in our hearts. However, if we think deep within, we may realize why it has happened in the past, why it is happening now, and finally, why it will happen in the future. There is a wonderful proverb in Buddhism which says: “Gathering is the beginning of parting, cultivating is the beginning of reducing, and rebirth is the beginning of death.” Such occurrences are simply the way of the world, and demonstrate impermanence. If we do not let our attachment grow, then we may not feel that it is so difficult when we have to face such situations in our daily lives. Thus, in my opinion, we just have to learn how to say goodbye and move on with our lives, like a deer after grazing, who will just move on to another place.