This wonderful world we live in has an abundance of things to enjoy. These gifts are all around us in nature. They can also show up in the enjoyment of our vocation, listening to, or playing music, living in a nice home, and perhaps even hanging out eating a pizza and drinking a beer. The ways for us to enjoy this life on this planet are countless and can be different for all of us.
These things can bring us small happiness and can either be harmful to our health and spirit or can serve to improve our health and nourish our spirit. I do not feel I need to go into details as to which are which, as I am sure, when you are honest with yourself, you can discern the difference.
So why do I use the term small happiness? It is because all of these are fleeting. They can come and go, and they do. They also have the primary objective of satisfying the ego and pacifying the emotions. This does not mean we do not want them in our lives since life is to be enjoyed.
There is another deeper type of happiness, one in which we are at peace. One that is not dependent on whether or not we are having a pleasant experience. I call this Big Joy! It is the joy and peace that come from our original spirit being fulfilled.
When we have the temporary experience of small happiness life can be fun, at the moment. However once that is over we will have a need for the next temporary happiness to leave us feeling good. Conversely, when we are living in the experience of Big Joy, which only requires us to stay open, connected to the moment regardless of what it has to offer, and engaged in that experience, life becomes truly Joyful. We can say we are at peace.
Along with being at peace with whatever our mind and emotions are going through at that moment this helps us to become clear on our bigger purpose which leads to an even bigger joy.
So the next time life throws you a curve ball or becomes overwhelming, understand that what is going on is not happening to you. You are simply having an experience and allow yourself to let go of small happiness for the time being and find Big Joy!
With Big Joy, small happiness is easy.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
sincerity
Picture this scenario. You are at a restaurant for a special occasion. The meal is high quality, the atmosphere is beautiful and you are with someone you love. Now here are two ways this can play out.
First, you are looking around noticing what all the other diners are doing and talking about, you are watching the waiters do their job, and perhaps even your cell phone tells you that a text just came in and you respond to it.
Another way this can play out is your whole world is at that table. You have no clue as to what is going on around you. All that exists is the tastes and smell of the food and the other person sitting across from you. You spend your time in deep conversation and gazing into each others eyes.
We have all experienced both and I know that the second feels so much better than the first.
In the first scenario there is no connection and no sincerity in anything you may say or do. In the second you are fully engaged in what is happening in that moment and nothing else matters. Everything you say or do will be done with sincerity.
Now the same holds true in meditation, Tai chi practice and prayer. We are looking for sincerity in all of these. When moving through my Tai chi form I gaze lovingly into the "eyes of Tai chi". When in meditation I look with adoration at dantian. When in prayer there is nothing but the connection of love between Spirit and I.
If we do not approach them with sincere love and attention, we can go through the proper physical motions of all the above and have nothing but surface level benefit to show for it. We must be fully engaged and allow ourselves to fall in love with that which is right in front of and within us. The attitude we bring to our practice is as important as the physical practice itself.
First, you are looking around noticing what all the other diners are doing and talking about, you are watching the waiters do their job, and perhaps even your cell phone tells you that a text just came in and you respond to it.
Another way this can play out is your whole world is at that table. You have no clue as to what is going on around you. All that exists is the tastes and smell of the food and the other person sitting across from you. You spend your time in deep conversation and gazing into each others eyes.
We have all experienced both and I know that the second feels so much better than the first.
In the first scenario there is no connection and no sincerity in anything you may say or do. In the second you are fully engaged in what is happening in that moment and nothing else matters. Everything you say or do will be done with sincerity.
Now the same holds true in meditation, Tai chi practice and prayer. We are looking for sincerity in all of these. When moving through my Tai chi form I gaze lovingly into the "eyes of Tai chi". When in meditation I look with adoration at dantian. When in prayer there is nothing but the connection of love between Spirit and I.
If we do not approach them with sincere love and attention, we can go through the proper physical motions of all the above and have nothing but surface level benefit to show for it. We must be fully engaged and allow ourselves to fall in love with that which is right in front of and within us. The attitude we bring to our practice is as important as the physical practice itself.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
10,000 blows with the hammer to make a sword
Master Chen has said, “It takes 10,000 blows with the hammer to make the sword”. This is also what it takes to go beyond the ordinary. With this mindset, the current depth of our happiness can go so far beyond anything we have ever known or even knew existed. The following relates two ways in which I am striking blows with the hammer.
Master Chen once told the following story. He was at his daughter’s school and heard a young person say "Life sucks". His emphatic response was, "It is not life that sucks, it is your mind that sucks". The image still brings a smile to my face.
Well, one day recently while engaging my daily standing meditation practice, I noticed over the 1/2 hour how my energy would frequently rise, which would be followed by my back and shoulders. Each time this would occur, I would use my mind intent to let the energy drop which would be followed by my body. At some point during this meditation I realized there was nothing going on around me. I was in the early morning quiet of my backyard and that it was my mind that was making the energy rise. The Qi was going where the mind was going. There was nothing happening that should be the cause of this rising energy. So this being the case, I could then no longer blame the goings on in my life for my energy rising. It is my own mind, not life that creates this. In turn this also gives me great control over my life, all I have to do is turn inward and change my mind and the energy will settle and center. Freedom.
One more refinement I would like to share that has had profound effect. A few weeks back I noticed that everyone around me spends a good part of their conversation speaking of others, many of these times is not in a positive way. I knew that if everyone else is doing this, then I am also doing it because I am part of everyone. So I made the conscious choice to "speak ill of no man". I would not look for something positive to say, I would simply go to silence if there was not something positive or constructive to say. I pay attention to this all the time, striking the hammer so to speak, and will do so until it becomes my natural state of being. The effect has been profound.
This is using the external to change the internal. By practicing at not speaking poorly of others, I also do not speak poorly of myself, no judgement. This practice allows me to remain silent, speaking much less, turning inward more often, which is conserving my energy and leading into a more peaceful state of being.
I will keep striking the sword with the hammer. Practice, practice, practice.
Master Chen once told the following story. He was at his daughter’s school and heard a young person say "Life sucks". His emphatic response was, "It is not life that sucks, it is your mind that sucks". The image still brings a smile to my face.
Well, one day recently while engaging my daily standing meditation practice, I noticed over the 1/2 hour how my energy would frequently rise, which would be followed by my back and shoulders. Each time this would occur, I would use my mind intent to let the energy drop which would be followed by my body. At some point during this meditation I realized there was nothing going on around me. I was in the early morning quiet of my backyard and that it was my mind that was making the energy rise. The Qi was going where the mind was going. There was nothing happening that should be the cause of this rising energy. So this being the case, I could then no longer blame the goings on in my life for my energy rising. It is my own mind, not life that creates this. In turn this also gives me great control over my life, all I have to do is turn inward and change my mind and the energy will settle and center. Freedom.
One more refinement I would like to share that has had profound effect. A few weeks back I noticed that everyone around me spends a good part of their conversation speaking of others, many of these times is not in a positive way. I knew that if everyone else is doing this, then I am also doing it because I am part of everyone. So I made the conscious choice to "speak ill of no man". I would not look for something positive to say, I would simply go to silence if there was not something positive or constructive to say. I pay attention to this all the time, striking the hammer so to speak, and will do so until it becomes my natural state of being. The effect has been profound.
This is using the external to change the internal. By practicing at not speaking poorly of others, I also do not speak poorly of myself, no judgement. This practice allows me to remain silent, speaking much less, turning inward more often, which is conserving my energy and leading into a more peaceful state of being.
I will keep striking the sword with the hammer. Practice, practice, practice.
Monday, October 3, 2011
not being afraid of the ugliness
When we have experienced the ugliness of life, (i.e trauma or difficulty) which we all have, it often informs the actions of our present situation. One way this shows is we fear the ugliness of life. We do not want to once again go through painful or difficult situations., so we base our present actions due to what has been and our fear of what is to become. We become a perpetual victim of past trauma. However we no longer need to carry the past and we do not need to fear the ugliness or messiness of life.
Since the ugliness cannot be avoided we must learn to deal with it on our terms. How do we do this?
As we are going through a difficult or painful situation, go through it with the intent that the goal is to come out of the situation clear. That is to say we do not want to carry the situation into the future. That when it is over, it is over.
We do this by simply feeling the experience as we are feeling it, without trying to change it.
We do not want to be carried away by the changing flow of life, we want to choose to follow, which in turn allows us to dis-engage or engage on our terms. We are no longer compelled to act based on a past experience or the fear of the future.
Do not be afraid of the ugliness in life. Live in the present with the goal in mind of not carrying it into the future so the past can be healed.
Since the ugliness cannot be avoided we must learn to deal with it on our terms. How do we do this?
As we are going through a difficult or painful situation, go through it with the intent that the goal is to come out of the situation clear. That is to say we do not want to carry the situation into the future. That when it is over, it is over.
We do this by simply feeling the experience as we are feeling it, without trying to change it.
We do not want to be carried away by the changing flow of life, we want to choose to follow, which in turn allows us to dis-engage or engage on our terms. We are no longer compelled to act based on a past experience or the fear of the future.
Do not be afraid of the ugliness in life. Live in the present with the goal in mind of not carrying it into the future so the past can be healed.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
the link between peace, love and truth
Truth lies not merely in words.
Truth lies within the energy of peace.
We can name the energy of peace, love.
-From the Way of the Voice of Peace
Peace is a state of being. Love is an energy. These two go hand-in-hand. When you are in a state of peace, you will experience the energy of love. When you are experiencing the energy of love, then you will be in a state of peace.
When you are at peace, the energy of love informs your actions. It simply comes through you. One only needs to let go of need. There is no agenda and no judgement in your actions. Every action comes from an intention of nurturing the spirit. The intellectual mind simply becomes the servant of the spirit to perform the action.
When acting in such a way as to only move through this life with the intention of nurturing the spirit instead of fulfilling the needs of the intellectual mind, we will only speak truth.
Speaking only truth brings us to a state of peace and the experience of love.
These three; peace, love, and truth are intimately connected.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
asking the right questions
I have learned some time ago that when I say " I need to figure this out" that I am on the wrong track. So instead of looking for the answers to things, I look for the right questions to ask myself and then simply observe what shows up. It is important to observe without judgement, let it simply be an observation.
With this said, a question I ask myself on a regular basis after completing an action is " Do I feel better or am I better off because of what I just did?" After asking this question, say one thousand times, it will then lead me to be able to ask the question " Is what I am about to do going to leave me feeling better or being better off by doing it?"
Asking these types of questions of ourselves leads us to living a life of awareness, which in turn leads to growth and transformation, which in turn leads us to good health and happiness.
With this said, a question I ask myself on a regular basis after completing an action is " Do I feel better or am I better off because of what I just did?" After asking this question, say one thousand times, it will then lead me to be able to ask the question " Is what I am about to do going to leave me feeling better or being better off by doing it?"
Asking these types of questions of ourselves leads us to living a life of awareness, which in turn leads to growth and transformation, which in turn leads us to good health and happiness.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
individual and collective trauma
We recently had a devastating flood here in Vermont due to a tropical storm in which many people lost everything, farmers have lost their crops and the infrastructure of the state has been badly damaged. As I write this, in Texas there are wildfires that have destroyed 1000 homes.
Due to this people are experiencing both individual and collective trauma. Even if one has not been personally affected, it is near impossible to not feel the effects while your friends, neighbors and community are suffering.
This is far from a pleasant experience for anyone. What is important is to go through it without either trying to distract from or ignore it.
We must feel what we are feeling, as we are feeling it. Then, as I say in The Way of the Voice of Peace, do not try to change that feeling, simply experience and accept it as it is.
If we are going through a traumatic event it is appropriate to feel uncomfortable in some way. We can feel that unpleasant feeling yet we do not have to act because of it. Once we become aware of what is actually going on inside our own skin, we want to then make a choice for our next action to be one in which it brings us to a feeling we want. We are looking to avoid getting caught up in the feeling and escalating it. We simply want to be aware of the feeling, detach and choose our next action.
Why is this so important? Because when all is said and done, we do not want to be carrying this trauma with us. Our goal is to be clear and return to our normal state of being. If we get caught up without being aware of what is going on within us, then when we settle down, we will not be able to settle to our original state prior to the traumatic events.
Life is sometimes pleasant, sometimes unpleasant. Sometimes it goes smooth and sometimes it is traumatic. This is living life in this world. How we deal with a particular event as we are going through it and how we choose to act will determine whether we come out of it healthy, happy and ready to deal with the next life event.
May you choose health and happiness.
Due to this people are experiencing both individual and collective trauma. Even if one has not been personally affected, it is near impossible to not feel the effects while your friends, neighbors and community are suffering.
This is far from a pleasant experience for anyone. What is important is to go through it without either trying to distract from or ignore it.
We must feel what we are feeling, as we are feeling it. Then, as I say in The Way of the Voice of Peace, do not try to change that feeling, simply experience and accept it as it is.
If we are going through a traumatic event it is appropriate to feel uncomfortable in some way. We can feel that unpleasant feeling yet we do not have to act because of it. Once we become aware of what is actually going on inside our own skin, we want to then make a choice for our next action to be one in which it brings us to a feeling we want. We are looking to avoid getting caught up in the feeling and escalating it. We simply want to be aware of the feeling, detach and choose our next action.
Why is this so important? Because when all is said and done, we do not want to be carrying this trauma with us. Our goal is to be clear and return to our normal state of being. If we get caught up without being aware of what is going on within us, then when we settle down, we will not be able to settle to our original state prior to the traumatic events.
Life is sometimes pleasant, sometimes unpleasant. Sometimes it goes smooth and sometimes it is traumatic. This is living life in this world. How we deal with a particular event as we are going through it and how we choose to act will determine whether we come out of it healthy, happy and ready to deal with the next life event.
May you choose health and happiness.
Friday, September 2, 2011
blinded by perception
When all we are willing to see is our old perception of reality we become blind to what really is.
Friday, July 29, 2011
disconnect of mind and body
Recently I read a Facebook post by someone who said that while warming up for an exercise class at her gym she saw a particular news item come across the TV on CNN. It bothered her very much.
My first thought to this post was not what happened on CNN but the fact that her mind was on CNN while her body was warming up to exercise. Every gym in this country have TV's blaring while people are exercising. This does not mean it is good for us.
Watching TV while exercising the body is like a car moving without a driver. Another way to put it, try connecting with your spouse in a meaningful way while focusing on a TV program.
While we are engaged in a physical exercise that is desgined to improve our health, why would you want to be anywhere else with your mind? The mind MUST be engaged to not only keep from getting hurt, but to realize the full benefit of the exercise.
In Tai chi chuan, if the mind is not engaged while going through the movements, you cannot even say you are practicing Tai chi chuan.
If you feel a need to distract your mind while exercising, for whatever reason, then maybe it is time to find a new exercise in which you no longer feel a need to disengage.
I know I always feel much better and get better result when the mind, breath and body are all in alignment, no matter what I am doing.
My first thought to this post was not what happened on CNN but the fact that her mind was on CNN while her body was warming up to exercise. Every gym in this country have TV's blaring while people are exercising. This does not mean it is good for us.
Watching TV while exercising the body is like a car moving without a driver. Another way to put it, try connecting with your spouse in a meaningful way while focusing on a TV program.
While we are engaged in a physical exercise that is desgined to improve our health, why would you want to be anywhere else with your mind? The mind MUST be engaged to not only keep from getting hurt, but to realize the full benefit of the exercise.
In Tai chi chuan, if the mind is not engaged while going through the movements, you cannot even say you are practicing Tai chi chuan.
If you feel a need to distract your mind while exercising, for whatever reason, then maybe it is time to find a new exercise in which you no longer feel a need to disengage.
I know I always feel much better and get better result when the mind, breath and body are all in alignment, no matter what I am doing.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
being different
I want to begin by saying this post is not about parenting but about a lesson I learned while in the process of parenting.
The other day my daughter Jade was playing with two other friends in the brook across the street from our house. As I sat there observing, I watched as one of her friends kicked stones and water at Jade while her back was turned. Jade immediately turned around and retaliated by kicking stones and water right back at her friend.
I was quick to tell Jade in a very firm voice not to do that. To her credit she did not react to my reprimand by pointing the finger at her friend and saying "But she..." She just stopped, walked away and resumed playing in the brook.
When we returned home I told her I saw that her friend had done it first and I understood why she did what she did. I asked her though if she understood why I told her not to do it. She didn't know. I asked her if she liked what her friend did to her. Of course she said no. So I said to her that if she did what her friend did, she would be acting in a way she did not like. That if she did not like it in her friend, she would not like it in herself.
The moral of this story is we do not want to react to another persons actions that we do not like with the same action. We want to be different. We want to act in a way that we like.
In the end, one way gives us temporary satisfaction with the long term result in not liking who we are. The other way is to take the high road and forgo reaction and revenge for a long term result of feeling right within our own skin.
The other day my daughter Jade was playing with two other friends in the brook across the street from our house. As I sat there observing, I watched as one of her friends kicked stones and water at Jade while her back was turned. Jade immediately turned around and retaliated by kicking stones and water right back at her friend.
I was quick to tell Jade in a very firm voice not to do that. To her credit she did not react to my reprimand by pointing the finger at her friend and saying "But she..." She just stopped, walked away and resumed playing in the brook.
When we returned home I told her I saw that her friend had done it first and I understood why she did what she did. I asked her though if she understood why I told her not to do it. She didn't know. I asked her if she liked what her friend did to her. Of course she said no. So I said to her that if she did what her friend did, she would be acting in a way she did not like. That if she did not like it in her friend, she would not like it in herself.
The moral of this story is we do not want to react to another persons actions that we do not like with the same action. We want to be different. We want to act in a way that we like.
In the end, one way gives us temporary satisfaction with the long term result in not liking who we are. The other way is to take the high road and forgo reaction and revenge for a long term result of feeling right within our own skin.
Monday, July 18, 2011
a different question
Recently I overheard someone ask another person "Why did you do that?" The person being asked the question had done something the questioner found inappropriate. The question was not asked looking for an answer, but asked as a condemnation of the action. The question was met with silence. It could easily have been met with a lie, a justification or an attempt at explaining.
My guess is, if someone asks that question, an explanation is somewhat futile since that person is already in a state in which they are not looking to understand but are in a state of judgement. Of course, there are times the question is genuine and the questioner is looking to truly understand.
Perhaps if the case is which you do want to understand the other person, a different question you can ask is " Are you aware of what you just did?" This gives the person the opportunity to look inward to their own motivations without the judgement of others.
We can save the question of "Why did we do that?" for ourselves. Better yet, prior to acting ask the question "Why am I doing what I am doing?".
This is one of the three question I suggest to ask of ourselves in The Way of the Voice of Peace, which lead us out of the triangle game of being a victim, persecutor or hero (rescuer).
My guess is, if someone asks that question, an explanation is somewhat futile since that person is already in a state in which they are not looking to understand but are in a state of judgement. Of course, there are times the question is genuine and the questioner is looking to truly understand.
Perhaps if the case is which you do want to understand the other person, a different question you can ask is " Are you aware of what you just did?" This gives the person the opportunity to look inward to their own motivations without the judgement of others.
We can save the question of "Why did we do that?" for ourselves. Better yet, prior to acting ask the question "Why am I doing what I am doing?".
This is one of the three question I suggest to ask of ourselves in The Way of the Voice of Peace, which lead us out of the triangle game of being a victim, persecutor or hero (rescuer).
Saturday, July 16, 2011
obstacles
My daughter Jade plays violin and I play guitar. When my daughter first began playing I would have her put her violin back in the case each time she was done and I would do the same with my guitar. We then purchased a wall rack for her violin and a stand for my guitar. The result, we both play more often and play when the spirit moves us. We don't have to think about it, we just do it.
Conversely, when I was 21 and wanted to quit smoking, I wrapped a number of rubber bands around the pack. I also put my matches far away from the pack. In addition, I had a little chart that I would list the time, how badly I wanted it, my emotional state and a few other things. In short I put obstacles in my way of the behaviour I knew was diminishing my health. The result was within three weeks I no longer smoked and I have not since.
I teach the same concept to women for self defense. If you are in a small space and someone is getting aggressive, put an obstacle in the way such as a chair or table. In this way the aggressor has time to think about their actions as well as making them have to go past something to get to them. It is no longer easy.
So the idea is we have three types of actions. One is to nourish our spirit, second is to diminish our spirit, third is neutral.
If you are interested in nourishing your spirit then remove as many obstacles as you can so you can do it without having to go through something else which may distract or discourage you from doing it.
If you are engaging in a behaviour which diminishes your spirit then put some obstacles in the way. Something that makes it an effort just to engage in the action.
If it is neutral, then if it is fun, productive or necessary you will want to or need to do it and you will.
Becoming conscious of your actions and obstacles is the way to discipline and peace.
Conversely, when I was 21 and wanted to quit smoking, I wrapped a number of rubber bands around the pack. I also put my matches far away from the pack. In addition, I had a little chart that I would list the time, how badly I wanted it, my emotional state and a few other things. In short I put obstacles in my way of the behaviour I knew was diminishing my health. The result was within three weeks I no longer smoked and I have not since.
I teach the same concept to women for self defense. If you are in a small space and someone is getting aggressive, put an obstacle in the way such as a chair or table. In this way the aggressor has time to think about their actions as well as making them have to go past something to get to them. It is no longer easy.
So the idea is we have three types of actions. One is to nourish our spirit, second is to diminish our spirit, third is neutral.
If you are interested in nourishing your spirit then remove as many obstacles as you can so you can do it without having to go through something else which may distract or discourage you from doing it.
If you are engaging in a behaviour which diminishes your spirit then put some obstacles in the way. Something that makes it an effort just to engage in the action.
If it is neutral, then if it is fun, productive or necessary you will want to or need to do it and you will.
Becoming conscious of your actions and obstacles is the way to discipline and peace.
Friday, July 8, 2011
learning not to complain
Often times we are faced with distasteful or annoying situations. It is easy for our first reaction to voice our displeasure, maybe to anyone who will listen. However , if we pay attention to how we feel while we are complaining, and after we are done, we will realize that most of the time any good feeling that comes from doing this is short lived, because even though we have vented, we have are still holding onto the annoyance, perhaps even waiting for another opportunity to vent to someone else.
In fact, often times talking about it gives the unpleasantness more energy and strengthens it. At the same time we don't want to supress being annoyed or feeling uncomfortable. The Way of the Voice of Peace is to neither discourage, nor encourage whatever comes up in these situations. By complaining we are encouraging the negative feeling within.
Instead of instantly reacting, we can learn to respond mindfully to life's distasteful and annoying situations in away that can bring about peace.
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 5 - China.
When we learn not to complain, we come to understand there really is not much to complain about. This is not to say we should remain silent when we witness or experience genuine injustice, but there is a time and place for such an expression. To complain constantly and play the perpetual victim does not serve anyone and can become an annoying habit to everyone involved.
In fact, often times talking about it gives the unpleasantness more energy and strengthens it. At the same time we don't want to supress being annoyed or feeling uncomfortable. The Way of the Voice of Peace is to neither discourage, nor encourage whatever comes up in these situations. By complaining we are encouraging the negative feeling within.
Instead of instantly reacting, we can learn to respond mindfully to life's distasteful and annoying situations in away that can bring about peace.
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 5 - China.
When we learn not to complain, we come to understand there really is not much to complain about. This is not to say we should remain silent when we witness or experience genuine injustice, but there is a time and place for such an expression. To complain constantly and play the perpetual victim does not serve anyone and can become an annoying habit to everyone involved.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
summer solstice
Today is June 21, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It is a time to celebrate the light and enjoy the pure yang energy. Getting outdoors and having fun following your chosen passion. According to the Taoist five element cycle theory it is the beginning of fire energy and is related to the heart with the corresponding emotions of joy and impatience.
Along with the joy we can experience, we must always be mindful that within is the capability for the related emotion of impatience. As we are enjoying the long lazy days of summer, we must always be aware that within the year there will also be the long dark days of winter.
This does not mean we must focus on them, it simply means to be aware that the opposite always exists both externally and internally.
The way of peace is not to exclude one from the other, it is to find unity in the opposites.
Along with the joy we can experience, we must always be mindful that within is the capability for the related emotion of impatience. As we are enjoying the long lazy days of summer, we must always be aware that within the year there will also be the long dark days of winter.
This does not mean we must focus on them, it simply means to be aware that the opposite always exists both externally and internally.
The way of peace is not to exclude one from the other, it is to find unity in the opposites.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
don't be a goldilocks
The final chapter of The Way of the Voice of Peace is titled Discipline. I did not make it the last chapter because discipline is the least important idea, it was because I wanted the reader to leave knowing that practice and discipline are imperative. Here is the first paragraph of the chapter which I will follow with a commentary.
Chapter 12 - Discipline
Never bargain with Tao. There is no shortcut to heaven.
-Li, Cheng Yu
Everything I have spoken about thus far in this book needs to be practiced to be embodied. I truly believe there is no other way. To only know in theory what I have presented, without practical application, is like reading about hiking a beautiful mountain trail wihtout ever putting on your hiking boots, feeling the rocks under your feet, hearing the sounds of nature, and seeing firsthand the vistas that appear after the strain of going up a steep hill. To cultivate our potential, we must put in daily effort. This is one of the common characteristics displayed by those people I have had the good fortune to meet in my life, whom I see as coming closest to reaching their potential as human beings.
Commentary:
Recently I attended the Tai chi Gala in Albany N.Y., which is a three day gathering of Tai chi and Chinese internal martial arts practitioners. The skill level of the teachers was very high, each an expert or master in their particular style. What struck me was, it is not the particular style each chooses to practice that is important. What is important is they are dedicated, devoted and disciplined to their practice. They have reached or come close to reaching their potential in their chosen field. When the chosen field or style matches our personal path and we add discipline and dedication, that potential is greatly enhanced.
When I returned home to my own practice and teaching classes we were having intense summer weather and few students showed up to class. Too hot and humid! In the winter here in Vermont, it was too cold. In the summer it is light late into the evening, so some avoid class because they want to stay out. In the winter it gets dark early so they want to stay in. When it comes to personal practice we may use these same excuses, It is too early to practice or it is too late, not enough time. I am too tired or I have too much on my mind. You get the idea.
What I suggest is this, when it comes to practice, Don't be a Goldilocks! If you are looking for the ideal time to go to a class or to practice then you will rarely go to class and practice. To be disciplined , dedicated and devoted to your path and your potential you must be willing to practice in all conditions. When you are hungry enough, you will eat the porridge even when it is too hot or too cold , not only when it is just right.
Are you hungry to realize your personal potential? If so, then discipline, dedication and devotion can not be compromised looking for just the right time. The time is now.
May you know peace.
Chapter 12 - Discipline
Never bargain with Tao. There is no shortcut to heaven.
-Li, Cheng Yu
Everything I have spoken about thus far in this book needs to be practiced to be embodied. I truly believe there is no other way. To only know in theory what I have presented, without practical application, is like reading about hiking a beautiful mountain trail wihtout ever putting on your hiking boots, feeling the rocks under your feet, hearing the sounds of nature, and seeing firsthand the vistas that appear after the strain of going up a steep hill. To cultivate our potential, we must put in daily effort. This is one of the common characteristics displayed by those people I have had the good fortune to meet in my life, whom I see as coming closest to reaching their potential as human beings.
Commentary:
Recently I attended the Tai chi Gala in Albany N.Y., which is a three day gathering of Tai chi and Chinese internal martial arts practitioners. The skill level of the teachers was very high, each an expert or master in their particular style. What struck me was, it is not the particular style each chooses to practice that is important. What is important is they are dedicated, devoted and disciplined to their practice. They have reached or come close to reaching their potential in their chosen field. When the chosen field or style matches our personal path and we add discipline and dedication, that potential is greatly enhanced.
When I returned home to my own practice and teaching classes we were having intense summer weather and few students showed up to class. Too hot and humid! In the winter here in Vermont, it was too cold. In the summer it is light late into the evening, so some avoid class because they want to stay out. In the winter it gets dark early so they want to stay in. When it comes to personal practice we may use these same excuses, It is too early to practice or it is too late, not enough time. I am too tired or I have too much on my mind. You get the idea.
What I suggest is this, when it comes to practice, Don't be a Goldilocks! If you are looking for the ideal time to go to a class or to practice then you will rarely go to class and practice. To be disciplined , dedicated and devoted to your path and your potential you must be willing to practice in all conditions. When you are hungry enough, you will eat the porridge even when it is too hot or too cold , not only when it is just right.
Are you hungry to realize your personal potential? If so, then discipline, dedication and devotion can not be compromised looking for just the right time. The time is now.
May you know peace.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
difficult times
I will begin this commentary by quoting a passage from the book, Chronicles of Tao, by Deng Ming-Dao.
"Saihung saw that scholars and aristocrats, people who had appeared formerly as examples of righteousness, were now the most hypocritical and despicable of all. Insensitive to the miseries of the villagers, they strolled about in fine silken clothing, casually fluttering their exquisite fans. Purposefully conspicuous on streets lined with beggars and the lower class, they almost seemed to welcome the suffering. In their shortsighted way, Saihung thought, they enjoyed this state of affairs, because it highlighted their status and gave them continuing opportunities to exact profits. They were self-centered and repressive. Nothing seemed to matter as long as they could continue to stand on the backs of the peasantry."
He was speaking of what he saw in the countryside of Shaanxi province China in the 1930's. However this sounds awfully familiar. We can, in 2011 America, simply replace the words exquisite fans with fancy cars and peasants with the poor and working people.
So what does this have to do with being at peace? If you have chosen, as I have, to live in the world and not apart from it on a mountain somewhere, than we are forced to deal with and learn from the environment in which we live.
I do not have to go into the details of it, since we are all immersed within it every day, but there is no doubt that we live in difficult times. However there are some who are living quite well despite what is going on all around them. That is fine and I wish them well. However, if you are in that category, I ask, are you living in judgement of, or being purposefully blind to those who are struggling, as if they are less than or something is wrong with them as people? Conversely, I also ask, if you are struggling simply to survive in our land of plenty do you look at your life and play the role of a victim? Do you look upon those who are enjoying success with envy or hatred?
The way of peace understands that this story is as old as human society. Even if we choose to live a life with house, family and job we can still have as our foundation the idea that what we really want is to be at peace. When we begin there, at peace, then whether you are living a life of luxury or living a life of poverty there is a happiness that goes beyond the changing that can occur that may or may not be our doing.
What comes along with this is also the idea of compassion for our fellow human beings. We can see that when we live within society we are part of the whole and we are not alone. We no longer only say "What's in it for me?" We say "What is in it for me, so that all may benefit?"
This is not easy to do when so many who claim righteousness are doing what they do simply to improve their own lot in life and are seemingly succeeding. However there is no peace in that way of being and there will never be enough because in the end what we all want is not more stuff, it is to be at peace.
"Saihung saw that scholars and aristocrats, people who had appeared formerly as examples of righteousness, were now the most hypocritical and despicable of all. Insensitive to the miseries of the villagers, they strolled about in fine silken clothing, casually fluttering their exquisite fans. Purposefully conspicuous on streets lined with beggars and the lower class, they almost seemed to welcome the suffering. In their shortsighted way, Saihung thought, they enjoyed this state of affairs, because it highlighted their status and gave them continuing opportunities to exact profits. They were self-centered and repressive. Nothing seemed to matter as long as they could continue to stand on the backs of the peasantry."
He was speaking of what he saw in the countryside of Shaanxi province China in the 1930's. However this sounds awfully familiar. We can, in 2011 America, simply replace the words exquisite fans with fancy cars and peasants with the poor and working people.
So what does this have to do with being at peace? If you have chosen, as I have, to live in the world and not apart from it on a mountain somewhere, than we are forced to deal with and learn from the environment in which we live.
I do not have to go into the details of it, since we are all immersed within it every day, but there is no doubt that we live in difficult times. However there are some who are living quite well despite what is going on all around them. That is fine and I wish them well. However, if you are in that category, I ask, are you living in judgement of, or being purposefully blind to those who are struggling, as if they are less than or something is wrong with them as people? Conversely, I also ask, if you are struggling simply to survive in our land of plenty do you look at your life and play the role of a victim? Do you look upon those who are enjoying success with envy or hatred?
The way of peace understands that this story is as old as human society. Even if we choose to live a life with house, family and job we can still have as our foundation the idea that what we really want is to be at peace. When we begin there, at peace, then whether you are living a life of luxury or living a life of poverty there is a happiness that goes beyond the changing that can occur that may or may not be our doing.
What comes along with this is also the idea of compassion for our fellow human beings. We can see that when we live within society we are part of the whole and we are not alone. We no longer only say "What's in it for me?" We say "What is in it for me, so that all may benefit?"
This is not easy to do when so many who claim righteousness are doing what they do simply to improve their own lot in life and are seemingly succeeding. However there is no peace in that way of being and there will never be enough because in the end what we all want is not more stuff, it is to be at peace.
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