by David Ricardo Fadda
From when I was very young, my father, who was not a religious but very spiritual person, introduced me to the study of many different philosophies. Among all of them, I was very attracted to the teachings of Buddha.
I was intrigued by the idea of taking refuge, or in other words, committing oneself, to three things: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
I continued to explore different traditions and spiritual ideas, and then after many years of study, I found in Cafh the answers and the perfect environment for the realization of these commitments, or refuges.
For me, taking refuge in the Buddha is equivalent to my commitment to my Higher Self, my vocation, and the flame always burning and growing wherever I am; it is my commitment to unfolding. Taking refuge in the Dharma is equivalent to my commitment to my practice; to the daily method that Cafh offers me; to the laws of life; to the teachings that Cafh suggests I study and practice. And lastly, taking refuge in the Sangha is equivalent to my commitment to my peers, my group, and my community; the kindred souls, working on their own commitments.
I feel very blessed to have found Cafh, a spiritual path that has all the elements necessary for one’s unfoldment. I immediately recognized the wisdom of the founder of Cafh, Don Santiago Bovisio, who knew that unless the three commitments are present, it is very difficult to work on real unfolding.
An example of my commitment to my vocation, or my Higher Self, is my commitment to being content and accepting life as it is. It is recognizing that what I am seeking is inside of myself. The idea of renouncement is fundamental to this commitment because it reminds me to return again and again to look within.
Or, take for example the commitment to the practice. Without this, the teachings would be only theories and nice ideas in the head to talk about. Commitment to the practice also develops and strengthens the spiritual muscles. It is as indispensable to unfolding as water is to flour to make bread.
Lastly, here is an example of commitment to the group. It is not easy to sustain a fire with just one piece of wood burning by itself; it is so much easier to have many pieces of wood all together to keep the flame alive; this flame provides and sustains heat and light.