#13
Wisdom is a hard idea to understand which sounds silly when I say it. In our Rinzai Zen tradition its realization comes in the first moment of the first meditation. It’s a kind of “Whoa, stop, slowdown” notion that develops from a regular practice of various kinds of meditation. As we go through each day – sitting, walking, preparing food, working, running, listening, hearing, tasting and eating – every activity opens to this reality called “beginner’s mind” as the self tries to know the self and to let go right now.
It’s pretty simple though I’m sure for some it’s esoteric.
Sometimes we think we’re wise because we have read something, we remember it and are able to regurgitate the words in all kinds of situations, a formula for life if you will. Or we sit for long hours with great discipline in the hopes of achieving some state of mind, an inner peace that has eluded us most of our lives. Or we attach to some guru who leads us to the Promised Land of a higher consciousness. It’s discouraging when all this effort leads from obstacle to obstacle and the obstacles are within ourselves..
Most of this you can read in the endless talks and readings available by just Googling “Buddha”, which means “awake”. I’m not writing about this from some higher state. My ignorance continues to rule and wisdom, whatever it is, continues to elude me. Merely making this statement sounds pretty pretentious.
What I like about Rinzai Zen is the continuing effort required of our inquiring mind. It’s a kind of relentless “Whaaaaa?” I believe this teaching I’ve absorbed is what helps make tolerable the unending information flow about Covid-19.
While North Carolinians yearn for bars and restaurants and go about their business getting back to “normal” as an insidious and killing virus spreads everywhere I am, gratefully, warned to stay inside. I won’t bore you with my mortal risks today. When I come into your presence I’m jogged by the First Great Vow of the Four Great Vows I’ve memorized: “Sentient beings are innumerable, I vow to save them all.” I have to admit in all the years of my practice tears come so easily when I hear those words, silently.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The tragedy in the lives of most of us is that we go through life walking down a high-walled lane with people of our own kind, the same economic situation, the same national background and education and religious outlook. And beyond those walls, all humanity lies, unknown and unseen, and untouched by our restricted and impoverished lives. -Florence Luscomb, architect and suffragist (1887-1985)
Other Urgent Matters.
by brad page
The future rose in his eyes,
Flowed down his cheeks clumsy, unskilled, draining into a gray beard.
The newborn does not grieve.
Tears flow from its being, from any pain, any need.
In the old man memory springs in awkward sobs.
Rivulets ruffle in ungraceful eddies.
The newborn born again,
The old man living,
Preparing his future, fumbling with ungainly child tools.
So much sought, and found and lost.
Unknown till that last moment.
Soon, soon.
From: Brad Page
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 12:51:02 PM EDT
Subject: Corona Journal