Tell us, whose life isn’t a story of a visceral, defiant path toward becoming a self-accepting, spiritually-richer adult? 

If there’s just one bit of advice we can offer for getting there, it’s this:

Become a Buddha. Do it. Trust yourself. You’ll thank you later. 

We may not trust ourselves to be enough. We may not realize we carry all the wisdom and guidance we need within. We may prefer distractions. But if it were our child experiencing these emotions? If our child were deeply sad or distressed, surely we wouldn’t abandon them to wallow in their sorrow! No, without question, we’d stop and sit with them, soothe their woes, and coo them back to a state of calm. We’d become their much-needed Buddha.

You, me, all of us… can be Buddha. Since Buddha—specifically Siddhartha Gautama—was human, so too can we become one. Just as we would with our child, we can sit with our agonizing emotions without hating them or judging ourselves for having them. In those tormented moments when all we wish is to disappear, we can stop, face our feelings, and gently say, “there there now. I’m here for you. You’ll be ok.” Usually, in our devastated states, we desperately think of turning to someone out there—a therapist, a friend, a guide—to help and rescue us. But let’s not forget: deep within, there lies a powerful, sitting Buddha.

In a world that constantly demands our attention, energy, and empathy outwardly, we can forget to care inwardly without becoming overwhelmed. But within each of us lies our Buddha—waiting, sitting imperturbable, capable and more available than any therapist or friend to quell our angst, dry our tears, and transform our fears into pearly wisdom.

Find your Buddha. Become your Buddha. It’s not a tall order. Anyone can, anytime, anywhere.

Think of it as simply an idea. You can sit alone and let your inner Buddha sit with you too. You can be chatting with someone and let your Buddha join the conversation. You can give yourself the space to breathe, reflect, and just be. You can listen to yourself and others with empathy and respond gently, patiently, and with kindness. You can engage with others from a place of understanding, not judgment.

Becoming a Buddha doesn’t mean achieving perfection or some mystical state. It’s about recognizing our inherent potential for peace, calm, and compassion to guide us in any given moment. We can acknowledge our and others’ imperfections, knowing they are an important part of our path. Becoming a Buddha full-time is knowing enlightenment is not the destination but a continual process of growth and self-discovery.

Now go find yours.