After getting into a serious and intimate talk about Zen Buddhism, I came to realize that in order for a person to be happy and contented one must live with the present, and not with the past nor with the future. Ever wondered why people always tend to hurt the ones they love, and themselves as well? Let’s take an example. There’s this stranger in the park. He is writing about his/her life (with his self as the center of the story). You are there on the other side, writing your own story (with your self as the center of the story). Would you care to know what that stranger is writing about? Obviously not for he/she is nobody. But what if that person wasn’t a stranger, let’s say he or she is your boyfriend/girlfriend, would you care? Of course, who would not? (well that goes for all the self-centered people in this world). There’s this stigma embedded in our tiny twisted brains that we are created to make an impact on this other person’s life. We want to be appreciated and all that sort of wanting including the desire to be at the center of his or her life. But man, come to think of it, the only person who will be in the center of ones life is himself or herself. You cannot and must not try to change this fact because it is something that can’t be altered. Everything that a person would desire and long for will be at all times for the benefit of his or her own self. Mark that. Every negative emotion that we feel, angst, stress, jealousy, etc. is caused by this SELFish desire, or simply by our SELF. So what do we do now? Simple, detach our “self” from ourSELVES. Instead of thinking too much about the how miserable our past and how our future will go (to apply it to the succeeding questions, let me retate it, how our future with this someone will go), it will be better if we just act on impulse and disregard all biases. If you feel like doing something, do it but do it with compassion (compassion=as long as nobody will be bothered by your act). Treat this other person as if he was just a stranger. Try to look at the situation/ event without that “special” person (again, there is bias if you’d treat him or her special) as society is not all about people but rather a correlation of events. It is basically event vs. person. In Zen Buddhism, you regard the event as the basis for making decisions and not the person involved in the event. You base your decisions on the situation, no regrets whatsoever. For example, somebody stepped on your foot. For sure if the perpetrator was a stranger you’d be red in anger but if it was your sweetie you wouldn’t care at all. Stupid, huh? The act was painful so act like it was painful. If in these events you would usually be angry then be. However, the ideas in Zen Buddhism aren’t the same as the lame idea of “going with the flow and living life”, it is a totally different philosophy. Hence, one doesn’t have to try to deal with the situation because as he/she does, he or she would have to think (again) and from there complications will be formed (once again). There, I think this is enough for now as the lecture was really long. I haven't gotten the idea of Zen perfectly yet, nor have i practiced it already but by merely looking at the examples set by my friend, I am convinced that this philosphy would truly make our lives worry free.

Question:
How can I love someone without expecting that he/she is going to love me too?

Answer:
(see above) Don’t think about the future. Don’t over analyze things, you’re thinking about the future when you can’t even make your present right. Live for today, that will be less stressful. For those in a relationship, and are troubled because they “feel” that they aren’t important and loved, cut the crap. You’re an individual and you would still be an individual even without having that someone to “love” you.

Analogy:
If all people on Earth will be dead. Would Earth still be existent? Of course, there’s Jupiter without people eh. Here’s the thing: If he/she treats you well, treat him/her well. If he/she gives you love, give him/her love. But if he/she doesn’t, don’t give anything either. -> from Hershey.

Question:
How can you know if he/she is the one or the one you will be with forever?

Answer:
Sorry but I don’t believe that there’s such thing as forever. We’re mortals for Pete’s sake. :)

Question:
How will you know that you’re in love (true love)?

Answer:
Only the person can tell. I don’t even want to think about it, I’d rather feel it to prove it is real. Compassion is the key. =p

Question:
Is it possible to fall in love in a short period of time?

Answer:
No comment.

Question:
How can you avoid being jealous if you love someone?

Answer:
Again, jealousy roots from thinking and making false assumptions. Like I said, stop thinking too much. But I must agree, trust is something that we should try to keep and to give to those worthy of it.