A million people are protesting terrorism in France, terrorism in Europe, terrorism in the world. Billions of people are still suffering in fear, displaced, starving, freezing, running for their lives. Here, we are worrying about the sudden onslaught of arctic temperatures and bursting pipes and rising fuel bills. We are worrying about slipping school test scores for the state and we are worrying about the growing disrespect shown to every human as we become isolated and numb. Fear shadows most of our steps--whether they be to the grocery store, the bank or the synagogue. What can a sane response be to this cacophony?
There is a Buddhist slogan which states, " In postmeditation, be a child of illusion". It means that, when you are not focusing and breathing and sitting in meditation practice, here is advice for how to move through this insane existence. Even Jesus Christ taught this: we must become, again, like children.
It seems to me that it isn't about acting in an immature nor childish manner. It doesn't mean to be needy, selfish, me-centric, nor irresponsible. In fact, it means to see with the eyes of a youngster. To hear with the eyes of someone who is not jaded nor closed down. To be open to the mystery of "not knowing for sure"--to sense the adventure, as well as the terror, in every situation. Because most young children haven't memorized a specific program of action, they enter into experience with no pre-conceived notions about how things "should be". They just interact, observe and absorb. Their judgments don't stop them from the activity--which can result in both massive learning or massive hurt. (Yet much comes from being hurt!) There is a lightness and a freshness there. (Even with the possibility of pain.) Observe the youngest around us and notice how they move into the world.
In the lexicon of these slogans, that is the point. There are no final answers on 'how to be' nor 'what to think'. These are not laws written in stone. They are guideposts and maps, only. They sustain us when we are stuck or mired down in the horrendous facts of this life. They are meant to be "chewed upon"; to be meditated upon; to be questioned, thought about, discussed and shared. This is how an emerging child interacts with the world: with an open heart and mind. Our lives must be experienced: up close. Personal. Not shunted away. Not shoved down. Not viewed on screens nor hidden. All the good with the bad; the wonderful with the painful. All is NECESSARY. ALL.
In the same way that space between atomic particles is part of the overall make-up of matter, even if we can't always see that space, nor yet understand the precise reason for its existence around us, it is critical; it is part of US. Inside and out. So, too, the dark with the light. The evil and corrupt with the innocent and the lovely. There is a kind of insidious balance that no belief system, no religion, no philosophy can totally explain. Yet, we all experience it, every waking moment. It is a kind of real-life magic which simply must be believed...because it IS. To find our balance, it seems that we must go with this and accept this enigma, knowing that, this too, will even out, will balance, in the end.
We must not run from its reality. We must not ignore its menace. We must approach it with lovingkindness and mindfulness; meeting it head-on. We have to allow it to speak for itself. Allow the world to present itself, in all of its complexity, and be not afraid to engage with it, completely. Lightly. Knowing it is all, ultimately, an illusion. A dream. (A mystery we cannot understand but must interact with.) For in the end, that is what being human is...being present for ALL.
Being willing to continue this life, more curious than fear-filled. Trusting, that even without all the answers, everything does make sense. (So, so hard...)
There is a Buddhist slogan which states, " In postmeditation, be a child of illusion". It means that, when you are not focusing and breathing and sitting in meditation practice, here is advice for how to move through this insane existence. Even Jesus Christ taught this: we must become, again, like children.
It seems to me that it isn't about acting in an immature nor childish manner. It doesn't mean to be needy, selfish, me-centric, nor irresponsible. In fact, it means to see with the eyes of a youngster. To hear with the eyes of someone who is not jaded nor closed down. To be open to the mystery of "not knowing for sure"--to sense the adventure, as well as the terror, in every situation. Because most young children haven't memorized a specific program of action, they enter into experience with no pre-conceived notions about how things "should be". They just interact, observe and absorb. Their judgments don't stop them from the activity--which can result in both massive learning or massive hurt. (Yet much comes from being hurt!) There is a lightness and a freshness there. (Even with the possibility of pain.) Observe the youngest around us and notice how they move into the world.
In the lexicon of these slogans, that is the point. There are no final answers on 'how to be' nor 'what to think'. These are not laws written in stone. They are guideposts and maps, only. They sustain us when we are stuck or mired down in the horrendous facts of this life. They are meant to be "chewed upon"; to be meditated upon; to be questioned, thought about, discussed and shared. This is how an emerging child interacts with the world: with an open heart and mind. Our lives must be experienced: up close. Personal. Not shunted away. Not shoved down. Not viewed on screens nor hidden. All the good with the bad; the wonderful with the painful. All is NECESSARY. ALL.
In the same way that space between atomic particles is part of the overall make-up of matter, even if we can't always see that space, nor yet understand the precise reason for its existence around us, it is critical; it is part of US. Inside and out. So, too, the dark with the light. The evil and corrupt with the innocent and the lovely. There is a kind of insidious balance that no belief system, no religion, no philosophy can totally explain. Yet, we all experience it, every waking moment. It is a kind of real-life magic which simply must be believed...because it IS. To find our balance, it seems that we must go with this and accept this enigma, knowing that, this too, will even out, will balance, in the end.
We must not run from its reality. We must not ignore its menace. We must approach it with lovingkindness and mindfulness; meeting it head-on. We have to allow it to speak for itself. Allow the world to present itself, in all of its complexity, and be not afraid to engage with it, completely. Lightly. Knowing it is all, ultimately, an illusion. A dream. (A mystery we cannot understand but must interact with.) For in the end, that is what being human is...being present for ALL.
Being willing to continue this life, more curious than fear-filled. Trusting, that even without all the answers, everything does make sense. (So, so hard...)
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