Geoff’s Influence on Ed’s Religion

41 wonders how Geoff can have it. Geoff tells him that it is because of Buddhism that he embraces, but Ed is so sure that he will not be a Buddhist. He still closes his mind to religion. I looked at him. “So how do I raise my life state?” “I told you that, and all. I do it through my Buddhist practice. But you don’t want to know, do you?” He looked at me searchingly. “I am not becoming a Buddhist, Geoff – sorry.” 57 Ed does not want to know about religion, let alone Buddhism. He wants to make his life condition better but he does not want to make it through a religious way. Geoff has proved to Ed that he is able to change his life condition through his Buddhist practice that is chanting. He turns his life over from a drunken and a depressed man to be a graceful man and he can establish his life. Another of Ed’s friend, Dora, also proves to Ed that she can change her mood through chanting. She never feels too sad or too happy because she can balance her mood. … I don’t know why, but every time Geoff- or Dora- mentioned chanting I just switched off. It was like I could go every step of the way with him, because so much of what he said sounded like good sense; it had a sort of logic to it. But then suddenly it went all weird and religious and I just didn’t want to know. 101 At first Ed is interested in chanting because he sees his friends lead a tranquil life and it seems that problems never come to them, but then he thinks that it does not suit him because it relates to religion, one thing he does not believe in. Ed has only a few friends. That is why he wants to keep Geoff as his best friend. When Geoff offers him to chant, he tries not to hurt him by refusing it 42 politely. He does the same way when he tells Geoff for the umpteenth time that he will not embrace Buddhism. “I told you, Geoff: I’m not looking for a religion. If I was I’m sure it would be Buddhism, but I’m not. OK?” “Fine” “I like the theory, the principles – but praying or chanting or anything like that…?” I shook my head firmly. 102 Ed is interested in what Geoff explains to him, the principles of Buddhism, because they help him in facing the hard situations of his life. Among the other principles, Geoff tells him to think positively in every situation so that he can cope with his problems well. Even so, he does not want to know about Buddhism because he does not have any intention to stick with a religion. Unfortunately, his friendship with Geoff does not last long. Geoff gets a heart attack when he is working and it causes his death. Ed is so sad when he knows that Geoff passes away. For Ed, Geoff’s death means a big loss of a person he admires so much. From that moment on, he thinks of what Geoff has said and when he attends his funeral, he feels touched to hear Geoff’s testimonial from his friends. They say that Geoff is a great person, helpful, loyal to Buddhism and actively involved in organizations. They also say that Geoff appreciates life. It showed from his life, he is able to change his life from an awful life to a contented life. Moreover, they say that death is not a miserable thing. It is just a phase of life in which a person takes on energy and reappears in a fresh and in a new form. Ed then realizes that Geoff’s life as a Buddhist is very meaningful and it inspires him to have a 43 meaningful life, too. With Dora, his new girlfriend and who is also a Buddhist, Ed starts practicing Buddhism. So, as you can see, I’ve succumbed to Buddhism. Not just because Dora’s my girlfriend, and not a hundred per cent. Chanting twice a day, morning and evening, can be a real test; but then, I suppose that’s the same for making any effort on a consistent basis. But when I do manage it consistently for a week or so I feel great. 277 Ed finds that practicing Buddhism is hard in the beginning, but with his perseverance and Dora’s support, it is easier to do day by day. Furthermore, his intention to have a good life forces him to be tough and the result of all these, he can raise his spirit to become more optimistic.

2. Geoff’s Influence on Ed’s Wisdom and Courage

At the beginning, Ed has a dream to go to Hollywood to become a scriptwriter and he wants to be a bestselling author. He wants to be a successful and famous person. On the other hand, he is a very pessimistic person that he believes he cannot make his quests to be real. He has written a novel and a screenplay but he never publishes them because he is busy with his work. Meanwhile, he is not so lucky in working because he loses his jobs. This situation makes him suffer until he meets Geoff. He sees him as a contented man even though he works as a window-cleaner, which does not earn him much money. Later, at Geoff’s funeral, he knows that Geoff’s life is very meaningful because he is actively involved in a Buddhist organization to help poor people. He is so touched with Geoff’s life and he is inspired by it. 44 That’s one reason I decided to junk The Bestseller and write this instead - to say thank you. Buddhism’s got a nice term for it: repaying debts of gratitude. I’m still reading scripts for Liz and Frank, and supplementing that as a freelance proof-reader – not glamorous but it pays the bills. The writing’s been a struggle, but Dora’s been there to crack the whip whenever I’ve flagged, and, as you can see, I’ve nearly finished. I just hope someone might read it and find it interesting; maybe helpful, even. But even if no one does, I’ve tried my best, I feel, to repay my debt to Geoff, because meeting him was the most significant thing that has ever happened to me. 278 After Geoff’s death and Ed starts practicing Buddhism, he can map his mind. He begins to live simply and continues working as a script proof-reader. He also restarts writing a novel and this time he does not write because he wants to be a bestselling author. He writes to say thank you to Geoff. He realizes that Geoff plays a big role in his life so that he can change his life for the better life. Since Ed is a pessimistic person, he is always trapped in his bad mood. He thinks that his life is vague and meaningless. Moreover, he believes that he cannot finish his writing and always fails in working, but after he does chanting, he becomes an optimistic person. … And I have to say that gradually my outlook on life is changing. My black moods, for example. They used to be a regular feature: once a month, at least, life was pointless, hopeless, bleak. I had one the other day and it came as a real shock because I realized I hadn’t felt like this for weeks. And the incredible thing was that, after some extra chanting, within twenty-four hours it was gone. 278 Ed can organize his mood by doing chanting. He can turn over his bad mood into good mood and he looks at his life as a good life. It also affects his conscience, which is always his constant companion during his bad times. His