I was struck by Diane’s last post regarding the speed of our lives and the more demanding pressures affecting us these days. I also felt in the last few weeks “overwhelmed by demands from all directions, throwing me off course, pushing my creative writing to the side.”
Back to the Source
When we face those moments in life, what can we do? One of my favorite representations of the different stages of our practice in life is the Ten Ox Herding Pictures. A metaphor for the ten stages of practice, these ancient drawings summarize the changes in the relationship we have with our busy minds through the different pictures of the child and the ox. The ninth picture, ‘Returning to the Origin, Back to the Source,’ is explained by Suzuki Shôsan in this way: “when the student, without an individual self, sees things, they are nothing but scenery. When he does anything, because he acts without self, there is only activity. That’s why only scenery appears in the picture.” ‘Only scenery’ means clarity have taken place within you, and now only activity remains. There is recognition in the Zen tradition of the freedom implicit when you can return (without the ecstatic noise of too much thinking and planning) to being pure activity in the world. Accordingly, the next step, the tenth picture, is explained as ‘Entering the Marketplace with Giving Hands’ or a selfless person “with outstretched hands.”
Flowing Freely
The Avatamsaka Sutra describes this state of clarity in action as simply recognizing the true source of all love and wisdom in our lives. Zen master Ta Hui explains this final stage in the following manner: “You must make yourself turn freely, like a gourd floating on the water, independent and free, not subject to restraints, entering purity and impurity without being obstructed or sinking down.”
This commitment to entering the busy world with a clear, free mind, is the final step on the road to being in touch with your source, and is best expressed by Pema Chodron, by stating that you “just open your heart in an inconceivably big way, in that limitless way that benefits everyone you encounter.”
To make this paradigm shift for yourself, take a few moments now to:
- Center yourself by mindfully breathing in and out.
- Witness the procession of thoughts and feelings swirling by.
- If you get hooked by any thoughts or feelings, take a deep breath.
- Return to mindful breathing.
- Ask yourself, “What am I?”
- End your meditation by writing in your journal.
- Don’t analyze or think too much. Just let the words flow. Follow the deep, authentic voice within you.
- Remember you always have the choice to return to the source.
Peace, Juan