Bodhidharma

 

 

Open Road Meditation & Mindfulness Dialogue

 

August 15, 2022

 

We are what we think.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.

With our thoughts we make the world.

 

—opening lines from The Dhammapada, sayings of the Buddha, translated by Thomas Byrom

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Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement, [to] get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.

 

—Abraham Joshua Heschel  (thanks to Mark Alter for this)

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The Patience of Ordinary Things

 

It is a kind of love, is it not?

How the cup holds the tea,

How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,

How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes

Or toes. How soles of feet know

Where they’re supposed to be.

I’ve been thinking about the patience

Of ordinary things, how clothes

Wait respectfully in closets

And soap dries quietly in the dish,

And towels drink the wet

From the skin of the back.

And the lovely repetition of stairs.

And what is more generous than a window?

 

—Pat Schneider, shared by Jeffrey Sher

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You are enough

 

Peace Is This Moment Without Judgment 

~Dorothy Hunt

 

Do you think peace requires an end to war? 

Or tigers eating only vegetables? 

Does peace require an absence from your boss, your spouse, yourself? … 

Do you think peace will come some other place than here? 

Some other time than Now? In some other heart than yours?

 

Peace is this moment without judgment. 

That is all. This moment in the Heart-space 

where everything that is is welcome. 

Peace is this moment without thinking 

that it should be some other way, 

that you should feel some other thing, 

that your life should unfold according to your plans.

 

Peace is this moment without judgment, 

this moment in the heart-space where 

everything that is is welcome.

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about equanimity in conversation and relationships lately and where that often breaks down. Our choice of words, tone of voice and sometimes the decision to speak or not speak—all contribute to our ability to cultivate equanimity. 

 

It is difficult enough sometimes when we are alone to create a space for equanimity to enter. It can be much more difficult to create that space when we are inside of an interaction with another person who is having their own experience. They are on their own journey. A journey you have no control over.  

 

An interaction does not have to be a reaction. This is where, when things get heated in a conversation, I often break down. My ego says, “Prove your point!” “Tell her how you are right and she is wrong!” Or “Don’t stop until you win the argument!” 

 

The ego can fool us into believing that we are not enough and can make things appear black and white. 

If I’m right, he’s wrong.

I either want something or I don’t.

 

But there is a gray area. It begins with awareness. 

Awareness shows up as an open mind, flexibility, lack of bias and positive expectations.

Awareness is knowing that you are enough. 

 

Understanding what we carry within us and thoughtfully using our words to express ourselves is a huge practice. 

 

Pema Chödrön says that when feelings of attraction or aversion arise, we can “use our biases as stepping-stones for connecting with the confusion of others.” When we become intimate with and accepting of our own feelings, we see more clearly how everyone gets hooked by their hopes and fears. From this, “a bigger perspective can emerge.”

 

Today, start with knowing that you are enough. 

 

Practice

 

I invite you to imagine a calming, blue circle of light within your throat. The throat being the place of right speech, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. 

 

With every inhale, imagine the blue light gaining more and more clarity.

With every exhale, allowing your light to be shared.

 

—Nicole Rush

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#152  The Biggest Obstacle

 

“Often it is our own knowledge that is the biggest obstacle to us touching suchness. That is why it’s very important to learn how to release our own views. Knowledge is the obstacle to knowledge. If you are dogmatic in your way of thinking, it is very difficult to receive new insights, to conceive of new theories and understandings about the world.” 

—from Your True Home by Thich Nhat Hanh

 

“Learning how to release our own views…”  Indeed! This is a big one.

 

I must admit that I am sometimes snide, judgmental and knee-jerk defensive. This I am ashamed to admit. I have to say that it comes from a long ago place—older sister comes to mind, but my overall nature is one of positivity, connection, engagement and desire for understanding. The negative part—might I say ‘sliver?’—comes from a lack of knowledge or understanding on my part. I know that. And I am very aware when it arises in my mind.

 

I seek understanding. I seek connection. Almost every Saturday I make the drive out I84 to Umatilla to Two Rivers Correctional Institution. Every week I pass by the small towns of Biggs, Rufus, pass the signs to Ione and Heppner, Irrigon. I understand that in these towns just the word ‘liberal,’ or ‘liberalism’ in its present day connotation (even though ‘liberal’ comes from the Latin, liber, meaning free, which don’t we all, conservative or otherwise, believe in?) can conjure uncertainty, mistrust, fear, often anger in the hearts and minds of many of these residents—across the country. David and I enjoy riding our bikes in the wide open country surrounding these quiet places. When we drive into town, bikes instead of guns hitched to the back of our car, wrapped in Spandex instead of Carhartts, I stifle the urge to ask for a  soy latte and go for black coffee every time. Still, don’t we just scream ‘liberal yuppies’ to the locals? Yet each time I’m faced with this I try to engage and find commonalities: ‘I see you have peach pie on the menu. Do you bake them all yourself? Yes? I bet it’s the best! I‘ve never quite been able to get the consistency right; can you give me some tips?’  Like that. I’m sincere, and it usually works. It’s an ice breaker. There are always commonalities.

 

More on releasing our views: When I arrive at TRCI, I make my way to room 19-27 and meet with our group of 12-20 men. I love them. I love being with them, listening to their thoughts, their hopes and fears. I admire them; I believe in them. We do not talk about politics or religion—that is part of the understanding. If we were to talk about politics, undoubtedly I would find some BIG differences in our views. BUT!!! I would still love them! And because of this, I would be able to listen to them open-mindedly if we were to talk about politics. I have no doubt. 

 

One more on releasing our own views: After the stunning screening of Midsummer Night’s Dream last Sunday, I floated out of the theater. There on the sidewalk I saw one of our released men who had been in the theater. He called out, ‘Hey, Jude!’ I cried out and gave him a big hug. His head was shaved, he had earphones slung around his neck, underneath his tank top he was covered with tatts. Clearly, if I had seen him on the street and didn’t know him, I might have clutched my purse closer, shifted my eyes, hurried my step, perhaps even crossed the street. Scary (a little). But I know him. He is a wonderful man! I love him! 

 

Whether it’s knowledge about things or people, being open to differences, taking the time to learn, to introduce ourselves, talk to and understand others not like us is the basis of love. It all leads to love.

 

“One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion.”  Simone de Beauvoir  

 

—Jude Russell

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July 17, 2022

 

First, let me say that I believe I am going out tomorrow for surgery on my hip. (One or the other, don’t know yet which is first.) I am feeling excited, nervous—all butterfly-tingly with uncertainty because this is all new to me.

 

This is my first major hospital thing; invasive, life-altering surgery ever….It’s going to take weeks to heal and recover. And, no one (who is special to me, or who really cares about me) is going to be there with me. In fact I can’t even call or email anyone, even though I’m 98% certain it’s tomorrow, because “If I know then they ‘HAVE TO RESCHEDULE,’ because I’m not supposed to know. Yet, I know!

 

So, it’s also exciting because it’s something new and scary. I’ll have a story to tell—soon. I’m certain all will go well, everything will be “normal.” BUT, what if it’s not?! (dramatic voice for effect and heightened suspense…) Oh! So, what if?  Even death is a great adventure. I’d be wherever the next step lands. No matter what. I’d be where I am. My only death-fear is the process of lingering in a slow, agonizing sort of death. (I’m just back from theatre and feeling a bit dramatic-excited too.)

 

So, that’s me. That’s my moment, right now. That’s where I’m starting….

 

July 19, 2022

 

I thought yesterday was to be my surgery. Turns out it was the final consult to confirm the procedure and answer any remaining concerns. So, I’ll go soon, just not yesterday. I, at first, was excited/anxious at the thought of getting this done and the recovery adventure started. By the time I was called out at 12 p.m. I was nervous. Then, when I was told it was only another consult—well, I was needing to focus on breathing and contemplate what the heck was transpiring….There was lots of energy to funnel or transform through breathing. By the time I saw the doctor I was at ease.

 

July 25, 2022

 

Tomorrow should, most likely (I hope) be my first hip replacement. I am very much feeling the excitement of anticipation for the long awaited “good” thing. I would liken this to what I felt on Christmas Eve: going to bed early, believing all the myths surrounding, only to wake early (too early! Like 4 or 5 a.m. too early) and anxiously await my parents’ “sleeping in” and late waking before I could selfishly dig in for a “big-haul.”

 

July 29, 2022  #322 Concentrated Pleasure (from Your True Home)

 

Well, I’m recovering from hip replacement. While I’m not a “great” practitioner—i.e. meditating frequently—I have managed to survive two challenging nights so far, through deliberate breathing. It helps. Pain is still a challenge, but that will fade as healing continues.

 

It’s peculiar how at each turn of my life GOD places just what I need to read or hear right in the midst of my path. Today’s comments from Thây are no different. I am at the phase where I make many small walking journeys. Journeys to the toilet, eight feet away; or to my door and back, ten-plus feet; or up and down the long haul of the Infirmary, 50 or more for the whole trip. Any one, and each one, will be a perfect chance to focus 100% of my attention on what I’m doing—i.e. walking fully with both sides. It isn’t as easy as I desire, but it is a thing I can do….

 

323 

The Kingdom of God Is Right Here

 

The Kingdom of God is not a mere notion. It is a reality that can be touched in everyday life. The Kingdom of God is now or never, and we all have the ability to touch it—not only with our minds, but with our feet. The energy of mindfulness helps you with this. With one mindful step, you touch the Kingdom of God.  

—Thich Nhat Hanh, from Your True Home

 

July 31, 2022  #323  The Kingdom of God Is Right Here

 

I am in day 4, over 100 hours from my hip replacement on Wednesday, July 27th, from 7:30 a.m. to about 8:40. It has been an interesting and challenging journey since.

 

Pain was a piece of the early challenges and it has since faded to a memory of what I once knew as an intensity never before felt pre-surgery. My balance is not back to 100%, but I am strengthening as I can, as often as I can. I have been blessed by Creator GOD with a strong healthy body and mind, and a quick recovery. I anticipate seeing the provider on Monday, August 1st, and moving back to my unit shortly thereafter….So, for all my friends, well-wishers and benefactors, I am well on my way to a full and lasting recovery from surgery.

 

Today’s reading is accurate. The Kingdom of God is now. Many have taught that it is later. I fear this is due to a refusal or inability to see living in the NOW as part of life as it was created to be. Each of us can experience “Heaven on Earth” in the now, through mindfulness. I also hope and suspect (believe) that a paradise, aka heaven, nirvana, etc., will be awaiting us as this life ends. Thanks to religious syncretism it may be impossible to know for certain, until we transition to the next stage of life—after death.

 

Like Thây, I think it is possible to perceive, “taste,” sample, get a sense of that life in the NOW through mindfulness….

 

I haven’t written much this month….I wish each one well, as TRCI has “outbreaks” and further quarantining…I hope your journey into NOW is as life affirming and assisting as I’ve experienced.

 

(Yesterday (8/14) I got an email from Michel Deforge. (JS))

 

I’m two weeks, five days since [hip] surgery and I’m doing great! Today, I walked for 20 minutes while carrying my walker, instead of using it for balance. The last 3 minutes were balanced without even taking the walker with me. I was able to do 10 stand ups (reverse squatting – getting up from sitting surface), along with some leg raises earlier this morning. So, yes I’m doing quite well on my recovery! I hope to get the other one done in early September. TBD…

 

—Michel Deforge

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      Prophets to Live By

 

Such great days for the prophecy business—

in news and views it’s hard to choose one voice

that rings true, someone to put your money on,

someone whose claims might go the distance

 

The best is yet to come! shout redwings teetering

on cattail spires, while in cedar shadows raven scoffs

Things will only get worse. Which will you believe

when the crows begin, It shall come to pass…and list

 

their raucous tabloid hints, while from the shadows

unknown voices whistle, hoot, and shriek? How can you

keep your own counsel then? How can you take them all

with a grain of salt, but seek your own conclusions when

 

there’s a moment of silence, a dusky breath held, then

a song sparrow chants, Did anyone notice dawn?

 

—Kim Stafford

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I enjoy books, especially books that change the way I see, experience and understand the world. Many books have helped me on my spiritual journey. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda got me interested in meditation, on a quest for samādhi. Many meditators of my generation learned about zazen, “sitting meditation,” from Shunryu Suzuki’s book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. I read a lot of books by J. Krishnamurti, whose original approach to “freedom from the known” is very stimulating. My favorites among his many books are The Only Revolution and Krishnamurti’s Notebook. Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” expanded my vision in many ways. Many religious traditions make a distinction between “the spirit,” which is sacred, and “the flesh,” which is not. For Walt, everyone and everything is sacred. People can spend years striving to achieve enlightenment. In Talks With Ramana Maharshi, the South Indian sage reminds people again and again that there is nothing to strive for since our true self is always already Divine. Similarly, Bankei (1622-1693) taught that our “unborn Buddha nature” is our true nature. It’s who we are. Norman Wadell’s translation of Bankei’s talks, The Unborn is excellent. My favorite ancient wisdom text is Tao Te Ching. The translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English is my favorite, along with its gorgeous black and white photographs. A book I like to read and re-read is Zen in English Literature and Oriental Classics by R. H. Blyth. The past couple years I’ve been listening to lively audio recordings of talks by Alan Watts, and reading the poems and meditations of Thomas Traherne, the Seventeenth Century Christian mystic. Thich Nhat Hanh is one of my favorite guides for living a life soaked in peace, love and happiness. I long ago lost count of how many people I’ve given his book Your True Home. Well, that’s a few of my favorites for now.

 

May all people be happy.

May we live in peace & love.

 

—Johnny Stallings