{"id":846,"date":"2013-06-28T20:54:53","date_gmt":"2013-06-28T20:54:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/writeherewritenow\/?p=846"},"modified":"2013-06-28T20:54:53","modified_gmt":"2013-06-28T20:54:53","slug":"back-to-the-source","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/writeherewritenow\/2013\/06\/28\/back-to-the-source\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to the Source"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was struck by Diane\u2019s 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 \u201coverwhelmed by demands from all directions, throwing me off course, pushing my creative writing to the side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Back<\/a>

Back to the Source<\/p><\/div>\n

When we face those moments in life, what can we do?\u00a0One 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 \u00a0busy minds through the different pictures of the child and the ox. The ninth picture, \u2018Returning to the Origin, Back to the Source,\u2019 is explained by Suzuki Sh\u00f4san in this way: \u201cwhen 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\u2019s why only scenery appears in the picture.\u201d \u00a0\u2018Only scenery\u2019 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.\u00a0 Accordingly, the next step, the tenth picture, is explained as \u2018Entering the Marketplace with Giving Hands\u2019 or a selfless person \u201cwith outstretched hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Flowing<\/a>

Flowing Freely<\/p><\/div>\n

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: \u201cYou 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u201cjust open your heart in an inconceivably big way, in that limitless way that benefits everyone you encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n

To make this paradigm shift for yourself, take a few moments now to:<\/p>\n