The REAL Hero

So much talk about heroes these days…bashing them, calling them “names” – misunderstanding what and why someone is heroic. Here is a short reminder of what the mightiest hero is…

The Mightiest of Warriors

But the mightiest warriors enemies are not common foes of flesh and bone.

          Then what is the enemy?

The fight is with the inner delusions, the afflictions of self-cherishing and ego-grasping…

those most terrible of demons that catch living beings

in the snare of confusion and cause them forever to wander in pain and sorrow.

What is the mission of the mightiest warrior?

The mission is to harm ignorance and delusion…

never living beings.

Look upon living beings with kindness, patience and empathy…

cherishing them like a mother cherishes her only child.

The mightiest warrior is the real hero….

calmly facing any hardship in order to bring peace, happiness and liberation to the world.

Humming Bird

Author: FaShi Lao Yue

A Single Thread is not a blog.

 If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,

please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com

Words for Dark Time

One of our dogs, as he grew older became afraid of lightning and thunder.  Being in the living room with us in full light brought him no comfort.  What he wanted was complete, silent darkness.  It was the darkness that brought him comfort.

Western culture is filled with light.  We have street lights so we can feel safer walking at night.  Buildings advertise themselves with lights of all shapes and colors.  We have night lights in bedrooms and bathrooms.  We can have light 24/7.

But do we want so much light?

This little, FREE e-book, Words for Dark Time is a guide to take a look at ourselves and our deductions, judgments and criticisms about the dark.  It encourages us to study not the light but the dark, to look at the fear and discomfort dark can and does bring and not turn away.

Just as my dog did, we need to learn the language of complete, silent darkness.

 

 

Words for Dark Time

Words for Dark Time

Does It Matter?

 

She leans across the table towards the face and asks, “Are you a man or a woman?” 

The body across from her is wide and chesty, held together by a dull green jacket about to split open freeing layers of winter clothes. The head is covered by a flowery scarf underneath a well-used black-knitted hat. The face is round and shiny giving the impression of being slick but not soft. A pair of black glasses hang on the bridge of a bony, broad nose. The eyes look into hers across a well-situated brown bag of food and a paper cup. 

“Does it matter?” The voice is smooth as blades on ice. 

She sits back to consider. Her eyes blink. The mouth joins in with a puckered, lowered lip. The automatic powers – blinking, puckering, and yes, considering. 

Before her thoughts come, before her words are expressed, she watches as the body across from her stands up.  Before she speaks, a hand as big and thick and long as an imagined giant opens and offers her a mint. The kind twice-wrapped in yellow paper. 

The gift is held under her nose; it is impossible to ignore. She looks up over the top of her plastic sunglasses and shakes off the offering. 

“Take it.” The voice insists.

She takes a sip of the cooled off milky coffee from a paper cup and keeps her head down. The body is right, she figures. For weeks, no – more than weeks, months she’s been sick. The coughing. The headaches. And worst of all, the sleepless drip-down-her-throat nights accompanied by wandering in the lightless but familiar rooms, hoping for relief that never comes. It is some instinctual impulse to do; to take some action against what comes in the shape and size of threats to the body. She concedes, the mind doesn’t seem to be able to win – it’s a miserable weapon, often no protection at all. In between these recollections she wonders if the mind and the body are allies – in cahoots with one another. All of this appears in a flash. 

She wants to follow the collusion conspiracy but when she opens her eyes the muscular hand remains open and still and the mint, like a butterfly lure, sits on the plump ridges of thick skin.

“Do you work with your hands?” She asks as if she already knows the answer. 

The stocky fingers close like the mouth of a snapping turtle catching hold of a passing prey. Just as fast, the hand, now a fist, disappears into the pocket where the mint once lived. There is a shuffle against the grey-speckled table with thighs moving forward and hands grabbing the previous arranged food bag and coffee mug.

She looks up. First, she watches the body scuffle with the uncomfortable, little chair, pushing it back. Then she feels a yearning, a pull from within her to tell the body to stop the move – to stop the leaving. It, too, was very fast. Quick as a wink, she’d say to others who might listen. By the time all this appears in her mind the the body is out of sight. Leaving her mouthing the words to an empty chair.

“It doesn’t matter.”

I’ve lived as a man and a woman

Image Credit: Fly

WORK AS DEVOTION RETREAT

All intentional action is karma. When we concentrate and focus our consciousness on our actions, we actualize the Way. We purify the mind. Steady our hands. Perfect the Way.

 

 

RETREAT OVERVIEW

Zendo’s and churches are closed so it’s up to each one of us to put together a zendo and/or church, a place of worship for our practice, right there at home. With the intention to realize that every space is a place of practice; a holy place. As the cook told Dogen, nothing is hidden from practice. But unless you practice this truth, nothing will be revealed as practice and you will not realize the Way of practice.

This retreat focuses on WORK – work as a spiritual practice. Those of you who are working at home, you may want to make your work-for-money a spiritual practice. Certainly those who are fortunate enough to have work at this time are grateful to have it. So….you can start with gratitude as an offering.

The first thing I’d like you to do is to choose a morning and afternoon activity that you can commit to for 90 days. Something you are willing to begin and continue. As an example, I will draw in the morning and write in the afternoon every day for 90 days. And this will be done as a devotion…with candles, flowers, and bells and bows and chants before I begin and when I finish. 

 Of course you can do more than two activities but two is the minimum for the retreat. Suggestions: going for a walk, exercise, reading, playing a board game, entertainment, speaking to someone on the phone…nothing is left out of practice. Offer all the activities for what it actually is – an opportunity to contemplate, meditate, concentrate, focus – not going after the end result…but attending to what is right in front of you. Sleep is also part of practice. 

This retreat is focused on WORK – the WORK suggested in this essayWORK as the 4th Awareness.

In order to give your time and energy to this work you will need to contemplate what devotion is. Here are some thoughts on devotion.

To begin,  the two activities need to have a ritual, devotional approach surrounding the activity. The reason to create a ritual is simple – it reminds us to practice the WORK activity as devotion and not as a goal to complete and finish. Taking the finish line down will be difficult for some of you – and you may need to spend some time relinquishing a deadline. 

In order to do this you will need a space devoted to the activity. A sacred space is a space dedicated by you to your spiritual purpose. 

It is a space that is venerated; a space given respect and requires reverence from you. Now since we here are contemplatives and often spend solitary time in silence we suggest you do the same in regards to your activity. Before I go on – I want to remind each of us that our activity is KARMA.  

Anything you do intentionally lays down an imprint along the line of cause and effect – but don’t get too enmeshed in what that does. KARMA is complex and difficult to tease out.  

THE very best action is action given out of a courageous heart and big-open-generous hands that does not seek any result or reward. In many traditions, this refers to knowing you are not the doer. 

Think of all the ancient sages, Buddha, Christ, Rumi, Shams, mystics. Offer unselfishly what you have to do without seeking a reward.  

In order to do this type of ACTION, one must surrender the self-centered interest in the activity and just offer devotion as stated in the Way of the tenzo’s prayer. (See tenzo’s prayer here) 

This gives everyone an overview of the retreat. I will check in from time to time via e-mail. Sending teachings and support to those who sign-up.

If you’d like to join the retreat, please send an e-mail to: marilyn.fischbach@gmail.com and your name will go on the list. 

Please consider this carefully. Don’t just say, “oh, I think that might be fun.” Don’t just add your name as another thing to do – that will not serve your spiritual purpose. Contemplate this offering. If you are able to commit to it – then send an e-mail and join in. AND, remember this is a 90 DAY commitment.

The retreat begins here on May 20th. 

May we with all beings realize the emptiness of the three wheels,

Giver, receiver and gift.

If you have any questions, contact Marilyn at marilyn.fischbach@gmail.com

 

From NOW in this Body

 

There’s nowhere to settle and nowhere to unsettle. And yet, the request to practice, to continue comes to us. It is that, the request that comes, that inquiry that we follow as the Way. We ask ourselves what is IT that is worth following? Sages point the Way – we listen, and study and understand but still we must find it with our own two feet…right where we stand.

 

 

So, this little example may shed some light on what to do. If nothing else, it may help you see your life right there, where you are, from this light. Today, this light comes from reading a little of Julian of Norwich, knowing the story of Christ and being a seer of Buddhism and many other ways. 

Julian of Norwich, as you may know, was a woman who confined herself in a small space built along the side of a church in England in medieval times. In her spiritual practice she requested to taste what she called the ‘passion of Christ.’ I take that to mean she wanted to follow in Christ’s footsteps of suffering. The accusations, the humiliation and the execution of Christ all seemed to be part of Julian’s desire. In other words, she wanted her body and mind to be a sacrifice. 

Tough stuff, at first glance, especially if we take her spiritual desire literally. But I don’t think Christ’s Way is to be taken literally. Christ came to show the Way. So from that perspective, he showed the Way of sacrifice. Sacrifice, a favorable act, which is considered whole or holy. In this light of understanding sacrifice as a favorable, whole act we see the trial, sentencing and execution as a favorable act for us to consider right where we are. In other words, in our own shoes; on our own two feet. 

Following close behind this request to taste the passion or sacrifice she asks for three wounds. One of which has three aspects as follows: 1. Contrition , 2. Compassion and 3. Yearning to know God. These aspects of this wound are quite similar to the practice in Buddhism which is stated as: 1. Confess, Don’t blame or Shame, and Change

Yes, I say. Now this is making more sense and making this mystic Julian’s way more understandable.

Christ showed the Way as seeing everything that happened to him as a sacrifice. It is quite a dramatic showing of the Way but it coincides with the Buddhist teaching to slay the ego and the strong encouragement of renunciation of going after the things in the world. 

So for us, here in this period of existence, we are pointed to slaying the ego and are encouraged to confess our errors without condemnation but for the purpose of freeing us enough to change; in Julian’s words, to show mercy to ourselves when we confess our errors and to yearn for the highest, which Julian called God. 

By whatever name and form you know, may you do the same.

During this time of such upheaval and shifts in daily life, may we take shelter in solitude and silence and stillness where we might know the presence of the mysterious Truth of the Tathagatha. We are never apart from this mysterious Truth.

Consider the insight of From NOW in This Body in the reality of your being human  – uncertain as we tend to be – consider slow & careful action in body and mind, rest in devotion with every move you make, every breath you take…with all the work as devotion.

 

From NOW in this body, 

WORK is devotion – 

resting on concentration and focus – 

a steady hand – a focused eye – 

a wise, loving mind –

As one puts together a sand mandala – 

slow & careful, not looking to do anything – 

not looking to finish anything – not looking to keep anything.

To give this offering in perfection of spirit.

Take the stitches out.

All of this and much of what I write at this time is for contemplation. It means studying it, making attempts at understanding and seeing what is there for you in your spiritual work. 

 

May we with and all beings, realize the emptiness of the three wheels, giver, receiver and gift.

OM

From NOW in this Body is by Rev. Dìqiú aka Old Earth

 

I was once dubious about working with a teacher,

but after a lifetime of practice, and working with Ming Zhen

I see the need and recommend to you

that you find a teacher.

Author: Reverend Master Yue aka OM

Image credits: Fly, 2020

A Single Thread is not a blog.

 If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,

please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com

 

Don’t Be Fooled

Don’t Be Fooled

We are not alone. We have never been apart from the One although we take many forms. Whatever we do, we offer that action to the One. Whatever we give, we give to the One. When we make our bed in the morning, go for a walk or make a cup of tea we contribute the action to the One. The One is never any other Way. 

 

You are never alone right where you are. If you think you are, you have been fooled by the psychology of the constructed ego. It is an idea inside of you, built from the ground up in the family and culture you were raised in. The work is not psychological, the work is transcendent. 

Maya, mara, demons, the devil…whatever name you label it, is the covering over the Truth. It appears to be substantial, appealing, alluring, inviting us to get entangled in a way that always ends in suffering. It uses all the resources of accusation, fear, greed, need and an endless array of tactics to trap us and blind us from the Truth.

The Truth is at hand, right there where you are. Don’t get confused by the mumbo-jumbo of psychological inquiry, by your social standing in the world, by the mounds of worry threatening your stability to face the day. 

Modernity, this post neo-modern world of maddening attainment and progress foils our spiritual life again and again. We are harnessed to a team of horses called greed and hate that pulls us into every sort of ditch again and again. Like and dislike are flowery tops rising up from the roots of greed and hate. They look good and right…which is part of the cover-up. We tell ourselves we have a right to like and dislike, forgetting that likes and dislikes are non-essential in terms of spiritual transcendence. Really. No joke here. No latitude. 

Likes and dislikes are non-essential and are especially devious because they seem so harmless. But, let us remember, picking and choosing makes the Supreme Way difficult. Even a hairsbreadth difference sets us worlds apart from awakening. 

Think about it in your life, right where you are. The mind goes around in a circle of delusion when it wants something, anything whether it be a thing to get or a thing to remove. It comes in small ways and big ways. Small ways like wanting the house tidy, or the dog to stop barking or wanting to remove the ban on social isolation or head for the hills. 

Psychology offers minimal help to our human condition, leaving us to reduce ourselves and others to critical labeling. It focuses on the body and mind. Even positive psychology of today reduces our mind into wanting what makes us happy and removing what does not. 

I once was at a big gathering where a spiritual adept was giving a talk on how to be happy. At the end of the talk, he opened to taking questions. I asked a question about going after happiness. His first response was: “Don’t you want to be happy?” Actually, my answer is no. I want to be free. To be awake. Happiness is as fleeting a state as sadness. It is a feeling that comes and goes. 

In order to be free, we must be stable in our practice, never letting it be a thing done sometimes and not done at other times. We must devote ourselves in such a way our mind is saturated with what is real, true and transcendent. Now I hear the cry of…that’s not easy… only to suggest that those who want easy versus hard have divided the world according to personal likes and dislikes. And although oh so very human, and oh so very understandable, dividing the world along those lines is not essential along the Way. Discard them and see what happens. The lines between easy and hard disappear and you begin to see life as it is. And when we see life as it is, we respond to what shows up from our spirit and not from our psychological self-invested ego. 

The drumbeat changes. When the self drops away, we see that everything comes to awaken us. We devote our attention fully. Taking care of what we meet in the shrine of our daily lives.

Don’t be fooled.

Proceed from the One and return to the One.

IT is you, you are not IT.

Humming Bird

I was once dubious about working with a teacher,

but after a lifetime of practice, and working with Ming Zhen

I see the need and recommend to you

that you find a teacher.

Author: Reverend Master Yue

Image credits: Fly, 2020

A Single Thread is not a blog.

 If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,

please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com

Fundamental Reality

 

Right where you are is the holy place, a shrine where fundamental reality resides. Perhaps, however, you are unable to see and know this Truth. But I say to you my dearest aspiring Buddhas…this is the time and this right here is the place to see and know the Truth. It is not somewhere else or another time.

The Buddha-Dharma is ever present but the heaps of forms, feelings, perceptions, impulses and even our small-minded consciousness cover over our fundamental reality.

The Truth is that there is no separate ego-self. Thinking this way comes from ignorance and is a con game extraordinaire. Most of the world thinks there is a “ME” a “MINE” and an “I” thing that exists.

 

The pandemic, this social isolation is a rip in the fabric of the world’s fabrications. Many of us long to return to the operation of the mental fabrications in order to prop up “ME” “MINE” and “I.” We want to return to the illusion that there is a separate thing called by these names. We want order restored – to go back under the cover of structures that keep us thinking we are somebody separate, a somebody with entitlements and rights who is on a path to worldly success.

Lest we forget, the world of things is called samsara – the world of suffering. It is a world of unsatisfactoriness, it is painful, fueled by desire and ignorance. Don’t miss this opportunity handed to us from the Source to see the Truth.

 

In a matter of months, the fabrications are not holding but are collapsing. The lines we called boundaries are mere lines in the sand – subject to the waves of change – washed away in the twinkling of an eye. This time is a time to see what is reliable Truth and what is delusion. Many look to the old structures of leadership and government but leadership and government in themselves are falling apart and are not holding to the ethics and duty of their office. Corruption in the form of greed and hate abound furthering the confusion that comes with uncertainty. This time of seeing through the veil of ignorance, seeing the conjuring of delusion gives those who yearn for transcendent Truth a glimpse through to the fundamental reality. Right there, in front of us.

The basis of this transcendent Truth is a sighting of existence beyond the world of things. That’s a big deal. The cranking up of uncertainty and the falling apart of things we have counted on breaks through our cavalier approach to our existence clears a way to see through. If we want to see fundamental reality, this breakdown of systems demands our attention and makes it difficult to dismiss the fragility and ephemeral nature of the things of the world.

It has happened in history and it is happening now to all of us who are embodied now. There are those who took up the breakdown of society in WWI, WWII and turned to the fundamental reality of divine existence. The first-hand experience of the samsaric world shook some to the extent that they realized that these structures are indeed a veil of ignorance and that there is a transcendent reality that has never been somewhere else but is right here covered over by the game of ignorance.

 

 

Let me respectively remind you, do not waste this time. Life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Make the most of this breakdown in the samsaric world.

Service, Automobiles & Unselfishness

Awakening before dawn,

I cover my eyes and think of serving;

giving little services throughout the day.

I think of those who died –

over 150,000 others died during the night.

I bow before the feet of Divine Mother.

I take refuge in Divine Mother;

who reigns over birth and death. 

Service

The image above illustrates the image of service. It says it quite beautifully in the visual image and is reflective of the bodhisattva vow. 

When, I a student of Dharma,

Look at the real form of the universe,

All is the never-failing manifestation

Of the mysterious Truth of the Tathagata.

The Bodhisattva Vow

To take refuge in the never-failing manifestation is the Way to break through the ignorance of our pervasive self-centeredness. And it is to take refuge everywhere all the time in any event, in any moment and in any place. The reason is clear – None can be other than the marvelous revelation of ITS glorious Light.  Nothing is left out. When we know and realize this mysterious truth ,we see the world as One Bright Pearl.

And, we follow the realization of our virtuous ancestors who extended tender care, with a worshipping heart – to all things.

Those services given freely, without an agenda, without strings, and yes, without cash are tender care. There is no merit to get, no fruit to ripen, no result to be cherished. Giving seeks no reward. It is empty of self-grasping. No trace of self-ego. When we take refuge in this never-failing manifestation, we know the merciful incarnation of Buddha.

But I get ahead of myself – let me go to what might seem to be a hard digression. So hold on tight as we make a sharp turn to automobiles. Yes, automobiles, especially new ones. But first a definition.

 

Definition

 

“Unselfishness is God *”  

 

 

Consider this quote. It is simple and points directly to the nature of the Divine – that Divinity which  is never apart from you, right where you are. Unselfishness is the state of being that Divinity, moment by moment by moment. One way to recognize we are not living there – WAIT – let me give an example of how we know we are NOT taking refuge in the Divinity of existence. As promised – in a short vignette on “automobiles.”

_____

Image result for images of automobiles

Automobiles

The new automobiles are computerized to such a degree that the dashboard tells the driver when the tires need air. Sounds pretty good?

Stop. Be careful.

Whatever looks like a boon always comes with disadvantages; the dashboard alert is no exception. Yes, it tells the driver the tire pressure is low, get air. But this boon is filled with what appear to be many difficulties.

The driver is alerted to check air pressure, but this boon of an alert creates the problem of locating a gas station which has a functioning air pump. Finding a station with an air pump is just the beginning of the what some feel are hardships. Finding a gas station with a working air pump is not easy. It takes time. If we get the boon of finding such a gas station, we discover the air pump contraption is “out-of-service.”

But wait!

Before we are able to test the air pump for functionality, we have to deal with the weather. The signal on the dash that alerts the driver often occurs when the temperature drops to bitter cold degrees. Gone are the days when air used to be part of the service in a gas station along with filling the tank, cleaning the windows and paying in cash. They were givens. Services such as these are rare if not extinct.

Self-service-with-a-fee is the new normal. It exemplifies our current culture of we must pay for services even when we are the one who does the servicing. As most of us know, we are a culture that charges for just about everything; including AIR; even when we are the attendant.

The boon soon is seen as a curse.

The dashboard alerts require deep breaths, patience and yes, fortitude. If we are lucky enough to find a gas station that has an air pump, we button up our coat, find our gloves and climb out into the chill of winter in hopes of inflating the tires.

But the AIR isn’t free.

And those difficult machines in gas stations take coins.  Who amongst us carries coins? And – do we have the right coins? Enough of them? OK. The driver feels unlucky and needs to calm down. When the coins are gotten the air pump looks menacing.

If the coin slot is not broken or frozen or bent out-of-shape we remove our gloves and pay to turn the contraption on and hope that it actually works. All of this is done after we have unwound the frozen air hose and have taken a guess at which tire actually needs air. The boon is surely seen as a curse at this point. 

All for the want to shut off the dashboard warning icon. If we are unsuccessful, the icon turns into a compulsion because we are compelled to shut off that now glaring light. Usually this event from beginning to end is seen as demonic and the driver wants to kick the tires and to hell with the air. 

What…you ask, does this have to do with seeing unselfishness as DIvine.  The first glaring relationship is that we are taking the event personally – I sure hope you can laugh at yourself. It’s not personal. It’s — well, BIGGER than that self-interest. All along it is the mysterious Truth of the Tathagatha. Now – I hope you are smiling.

_____

The person who reacts with annoyance, agitation, irritation to the light on in his dashboard, is apart from the Divine existence of the Buddha Self, to the mysterious never-failing of Buddha. He does not see everything as Divine manifestation but rather reacts to things as for him or against him, as good or bad, as right or wrong, as a pain-in-the-neck or as a blessing for him. Selfish interests abound. Ignorance of what to take refuge in continues. 

This reactive self is a manifestation of the selfish-ego which is what we mostly take refuge in. We want to fix, repair, correct, and get rid of what we see as a problem…and this reactive delusion thinks there is a right way to do it. I have found that impatience is often the General that leads the army of Mara (any internal demon that blinds us). The driver in the car gets frustrated and impatient and wants to smash the dashboard light – to heed the warning.

Imagine if the driver knows and realizes the dashboard light, like everything, is the merciful incarnation of Buddha; of your Divine nature. The reaction is an illusion that leads to samsara. A henchman of Mara that leads us to split the things of the world according to our self-interest. In the case of the car – the driver splits the world between easy and hard.

As we continue to split the world, with whatever shows up in life, as good or bad  or right or wrong  we are looking at the world according to our self-interest. 

 

 

YOU WILL SEE EVERYTHING AS RIGHT OR WRONG UNTIL YOU SEE EVERYTHING AS DIVINE

 

Those of us who continue to be reactive get a chance to see we are reactive and instead of arguing about it, or covering it over with “well, I am right, there is right and wrong” we get a chance to take refuge in the True Self – by whatever name you know it.  This turn requires that we study the self to such a degree we can forget the self. In other words, we practice unselfishness – not putting our self first again and again and again. Not seeking reward or credit. Not wanting praise or blame. Being free.

We respond or react to life according to our knowledge of the True Self. Until we take refuge in THAT, we continue to split the world according to our self-centered views.

May this teaching benefit all beings in every direction.

OM. OM. OM.  

_____

Quote Unselfish is God – *Vivekananda. 

DEFINITION of UNSELFISH: “not putting yourself first; being generous with what you have; generosity with time, money and effort.” 

Humming Bird

*I was once dubious about working with a teacher,

but after a lifetime of practice, and working with Ming Zhen

I see the need and recommend to you

that you find a teacher.

 

Author: FaShi Lao Yue

Image credits: Fly, 2020

A Single Thread is not a blog.

 If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,

please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com

 

IMAGE CREDIT: Wang zi-won; Meditating Mechanical Machinery

Car Image credit

The Truths

 

 

The Four Noble Truths

I am pretty sure most of you have heard of the Buddha’s four noble truths since Buddhism has been well-advertised in the West. But I wonder if you are able to recite them, in your own way of course, the way you took them in. Along with that wonder are these personal questions, do you live by them – that is, did they take root – and did they grow into a strength within you?

Just in case you’ve forgotten them – oh, don’t be embarrassed – I’ll stick them in right here just as a reminder. 

 

The Four Noble Truths

  1. The Truth of suffering
  2. The Truth of the cause of suffering
  3. The Truth of the end of suffering
  4. The Truth of the path to the end of suffering

 

I do hope they sound familiar. For those of you who have never, ever heard them or heard them once or twice and blew them off stay tuned. I am going to give a refresher.

 

THE REFRESHER

I remember many years ago waking up in the morning and sitting on the edge of my bed thinking, “Life is so disappointing.” I hope you can have a good laugh – I certainly can. There I was first thing in the morning in a lovely house, in the middle of my career, with a wonderful partner, two dogs, a car, money enough to travel if I like, nominal health and I woke up declaring:

 

Life is so disappointing!

 

As I sat there I heard myself declare such a ridiculous pronouncement I fell back onto the bed and laughed and laughed and laughed. Once I stopped laughing I sat up, shook my head and declared:

 

Life is neither so disappointing nor so satisfying!

 

Huh. I thought to myself. Life happens without any of my declarations. Life, that is, existence of all life, goes on without me saying one way or the other what life is or not. Life rolls along, much like the waves on the ocean or the wind through the trees, or fire burning wood, or water running in a stream. Life happens. 

 

Ok. I hope you get this – because it has to do with the first two Truths. The Truth of suffering and the Truth of the cause of suffering. Let’s take a look.

There I was – saying to myself life is so disappointing. I was making a declaration of the Truth of suffering. Imagine living out the day of existence experiencing the day as sooooooooo disappointing. Pretty miserable. Smack dab in suffering. 

 

Now I was a newbie to the world of Zen Buddhism so I fell into the suffering of disappointment, but I had a fortune pocketed in my mind. I knew the Way to end suffering (this Way is the third and fourth Truths; the end of suffering and the path). Whew! 

Let me explain some of the pitfalls that many of us fall into when we think about these four Truths. The main pitfill is highlighted by my declaration which is a mistake that comes with consequences. If I had continued to live the day with the mind and body on the rudder of disappointment, suffering indeed would continue. Convincing me life is disappointing. The continuation would be long-lived because I would have seen the “world” the external “world” as the cause of my misery. That is not what Shakyamuni meant in the second noble Truth. The Truth is the cause of suffering is desire.

Wanting. Wanting. Wanting.

Let’s retrace that morning. “Life is disappointing” is the expression of an inner desire that if followed and believed would lead to more suffering. The inner desire, and more deeply than that, the seed of that desire was the cause of the suffering, not the world. As I said, “life, existence is neither disappointing nor satisfying. Life is. PERIOD. 

We, you and me, put our desire on life which sometimes gives us what we want, which strengthens the seed of suffering and sometimes cracks us over the head with not getting what we want which weakens our ability to be fearless, generous and wise. We tend to whine, sniffle, and fall into a vat of despair when we don’t get what we want. Afterall, we remain babies until we grow up in the Truth.

This scenario, one of many, shows us that we need a Way – a path on which to travel in order to end suffering. 

Now it’s true there are many paths out there – exclaiming this is the Way. It is at times like a barker at a carnival. Nonetheless, over time we, if we are lucky, we pick a path and begin the spiritual journey out of suffering. As we go along, the Path tends to incline and we tend to breathe in the heights of awareness and awakening. Let me illustrate.

The explanation above shows us a level of knowing how to end suffering. Let me repeat here before I go further. To know the world is NOT the cause of suffering is a big deal – not many see this Truth. But this cause is Truth at a particular level – where you are amongst those who see the world as existence – but there’s more to do. 

Some of you may be asking – “OK. If the world is not the cause of suffering, what is?” I think that question needs to be contemplated. Take for example the political conditions worldwide. There are those FOR and there are those AGAINST just about everything in the world making for more and more conflict. Now apply the Truth to this situation. “The world is NOT the cause of your suffering.” At this point you may ask, then if that is TRUE, what is the cause of suffering.”

Glad you asked.

 

The cause of suffering is in YOU….and to be honest and sincere…in ME. This is good news. Very good news. Even though you may want to continue to blame the world…the Truth is the cause of suffering is you and me. 

The basis of this cause is desire. You and I want things to go according to our desire. This suffering is our human condition and will continue on until you work on your inner attachment to wanting things to go according to your desire. 

So far, are you with me? Attachment to your desire is the clenching factor in suffering.

I can attest to this Truth. But that’s not much help. You need to experience it yourself.

It requires an honest, rather a stripping away type of honesty, to fess up to your wanting things your way. Some of us will lose this opportunity this time around and die in the suffering of wanting things our way. And…thankfully, some of us will do the work of taking a deep look into the self ferreting out the seeds of desire. 

This ferreting activity is just the beginning. There is another step which is more of a clear out like a power vac of the ego – where the ego is sucked up altogether. But that is for another day. We have to start the work with a sincere heart and examine the self until we see that the cause of suffering is in us – in you, in me. 

This is the Truth. 

Humming Bird

*I was once dubious about working with a teacher, but after a lifetime of practice, and working with Ming Zhen

I see the need and recommend you find a teacher you can work with face to face.

Author: FaShi Lao Yue

Image credits: Fly, 2020

A Single Thread

is not a blog.

 If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,

please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com

Playing at Paste … Until Qualified for Pearl PART 2

Notice – Two Points.

 

Please read PART 1 first, then come back and read this, PART 2. Thank you.

Before we jump in further, it is important to ask a question. Don’t skip the question. And I advise, don’t advance without knowing your answer.

Here’s the question: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

A simple enough question, but it determines the whole direction of your life. It turns your ship towards whatever answer you put forth. The reason the question, as well as the answer is important, is that for the most part we get whatever it is that we want. It is true, even though it may not be exactly what you wanted, but it is some form of what you wanted. Look at your own life. You’ll see that you do get what you want – or some facsimile of it.

If you did not answer the question in some way that suggest you want liberation, I wouldn’t bother reading further. This is not what you want. But, if you did answer, I want to be liberated, then carry on. If you are not sure of what you want, continue to spend time with yourself in solitude and see what bubbles up.

 

The Story of the Monk Running for His Life

This story is about ignorance. Although, it is often a story about being in the “now” – picking the strawberry, enjoying the sweetness of ignorance, it is ultimately about ignorance. The central ignorance of not knowing who you are. 

It is essential that you understand this central question: WHO ARE YOU?

For most of us, we identify our self as a character on the world stage who has a body and mind and a life. In other words, we identify our self according to the body, the mind, and all the constructions of our family and culture and zeitgeist. As an example, I am a man, middle-aged, balding, brown eyes, six feet, a pharmacist, married 2 kids, educated, Spanish, and need to lose a few pounds. On and on this list may go. This list exemplifies the relative, impermanent conditions of the world and it is who this man thinks he is.

If you identify yourself according to the world, you are guaranteed suffering. Suffering’s root is not knowing WHO YOU ARE. It is as if you have identified yourself as a table or a cup, or an automobile which many actually do. The house they live, the car they drive, the clothes they wear, the hairdo, their height, their profession, their history make them who they are. But all of these things disappear and POOF! you lose them and it feels life-threatening because you think these things are YOU.

This YOU comes about through ignorance. And in this story of the monk we see him running for his life out of ignorance.

A Brief Recap

This spiritual adept, (those who want liberation) is said to have escaped the man-eating tiger and the devouring lion, but is soon to be done in by a few hungry mice. We meet him in a rather desperate moment. But despite his facing an impending death, he reaches for a sweet strawberry. Ming Zhen points out that going for the strawberry is playing with paste and that there is more work to be done especially when the monk realizes Layman P’ang’s truth – “the present doesn’t stay – don’t try to hold it.” Nothing lasts, not even the taste of that sweet strawberry.

When you begin to recognize all those things you identify yourself as will not last – and you decide you want liberation beyond the momentary sweetness of a strawberry – you dig in and start the climb up towards the Summit.  In Dickinson’s words, you practice until you qualify for pearls.

Sweet Ignorance

Wanting the sweetness of the strawberry is wanting the sweetness of ignorance. How do we know that? The monk is running for his life; defending against his impending death. We all tend to opt for the sweetness of ignorance rather than do the higher work of putting our foot into a cranny and getting out of ignorance altogether.

The direct path is to know and realize birth and death are illusions. Yes. That’s right. They are illusions. The tiger chasing the monk, the cliff, the branch, the mice, the lion and yes, the strawberry. The monk is fearful. He does not want to lose his body and mind and all the sweetness of ignorance. Yes, the sweetness of ignorance as in the old saying, ignorance is bliss. To some degree, ignorance itself is blissful – for awhile. Not in an eternal sense. For awhile – we enjoy the sweet honey of life until we realize otherwise. Often we get stuck in ignorance. Taking the ups with downs in stride and sing that very old song by Peggy Lee, Is This All There Is – if your answer is YES, this is all there is then, you’ll go along with her refrain – then bring on the booze and let’s keep dancing. This is being stuck in the honey of ignorance until you suffer change enough that you scream for help.

When we mistake the body and mind to be who we are, we are in ignorance. We suffer from fear, loss, and every imaginable form of suffering when it comes. The Heart Sutra is an antidote to this ignorance, especially when it is taken in and contemplated. We chant the emptiness of every aspect of body and mind as a reminder of these things are not who we are.

All of the things in the world are subject to decay and death. When you identify with this illusion you get scared. Who wouldn’t? What do you mean I AM SUBJECT to decay and death? You struggle, struggle, struggle with doubt, fear, hopelessness, helplessness and many, many other miseries that come.

The Truth is simple. You are NOT the body. You are not the MIND. YOU are not all those conditions and constructs you put together which you say you are. They are part of the role you play in the illusion like a costume – put on and then taken off.

Ming Zhen suggests getting out of there. Get out of the illusion; if you don’t survive, you can’t prevail.  Prevail for the spiritual adept requires you face the beasts – the tiger, the mice and the hungry lion. You face the illusion of the body and mind. You see through it. You face the momentary enjoyment of sweet ignorance and look to know who you are.

The Path

First, find out where you are. Are you a pleasure hog? A monger of the commodities of the world? Going after things for pleasure, pleasure, pleasure, comfort, comfort, comfort?

Most of us have been conditioned to seek comfort and pleasure in the things of the world. Look around you. What do you cherish?

In order to get onto the path, you need to have a glimpse, to see through the illusion. Suffering is your greatest ally to make a hole into the veil of ignorance ;allowing you a glimpse through the illusion. This takes time.

It is no wonder Eastern religions claim rebirth and reincarnation as our lot. We need time to see through this illusion. Along with the notion of reincarnation comes the ever-present encouragement not to waste time. Life and death are of supreme importance. This story shows us the importance to dig in and climb above the illusion.

You are born this time as a human being – a great boon – a platform on which to climb upward to the Summit. Don’t waste this opportunity. Don’t let the piddly, petty things of this world distract you. Fight off the demons of the ego. Find a teacher.* Climb upward.

 

Humming Bird

*I was once dubious about working with a teacher, but after a lifetime of practice,

I see the need and recommend you find a teacher you can work with face to face.

 

Author: FaShi Lao Yue

Image credits: Fly, 2020

A Single Thread is not a blog.

 If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,

please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com