Being who you are is Zen practice. Unsatisfactory and difficult circumstances arise when we limit reality to a self-centered perspective, to mine and not-mine beliefs. The entrance of essential nature is this mind-body-moment. Actually, to say entrance is not quite right because there is no where to go, no where else. Even to say essential nature or true nature is not correct, because this is not different from ordinary nature.
Practicing is being intimate, 'opening to' this body-mind moment. Being so, we live, function, respond to the circumstances that we encounter this moment. What are difficult, unsatisfactory circumstances for you? Clarifying these, we may discover the practice effort opportunities they present. 'Can you see the leisurely person of the way, beyond learning of the Tao, beyond the pursuit of knowledge; neither trying to avoid deluded thoughts nor seeking truth? Remember, not a single thing exists that we can call our own, neither mine nor not-mine.'
What is going on when greed, anger or confusion arise? We can make our practice effort with the so-called difficulty, upset or anger.
I like to garden, growing a few vegetables. If I pull up weeds or cut grass, as long as they are not noxious, I put them back on the ground where I have tomatoes or other vegetables growing. In a way, this is exactly our practice. We turn the weeds right back to this moment, this body-mind-world. Practice is not to get rid of weeds and go find truth elsewhere. Unfortunately, when caught up in weeds, they take nourishment and keep us from functioning as we are..take our ability to be present and to respond. Our confusion comes from believing that the weed is who we are.
What is your specific practice effort that allows the weeds to nurture this reality moment? How do you garden life? Not bargain with reality but garden in it. Difficulty or pain are good practice opportunities, they can nurture entering this moment if you garden with them, if you make the practice effort. Allow this to serve - no difference who is served; serving others is serving our self.
Not trying to get rid of anything, not trying to gain anything..step by step the garden grows. Upset, anger, and confusion are nothing but rain falling in the garden, appearing and disappearing. The weather changes, the amount of rain changes, the condition of the plants change.
Be present..be intimate..take good care of this moment and enjoy your garden.
By/Elihu Genmyo Smith
Salam,
Cherine
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق