Saturday, February 28, 2009
Heaven
Heaven is a colorful quilt, faded by the summers sunshine, beating down upon its threads every day. Until night falls, I sit upon the quilt in an open meadow, filled with wild flowers of every sort. Poppies and queen anne's lace,bluebell's and foxglove mingle together creating a Monet.Daisy's and black- eyed susan's dance in the wind.The branches of the trees surrounding me are like open arms, ready to hold me as if I were a child.The voice of someone long ago echos in my ears. I realize they are sitting beside me.Stories of long ago and realizations of why it all came to pass the way it did. Why did my life look that way? Why... And now I know. Its a warm feeling, a blanket of peace that covers me, harmonies and rhythms move me. Maybe its the banjo or the fiddle that I hear and I lay back on the grass and stare into this endless sky. Voices adrift in the air sing me to sleep. The voices sing to me like a woman singing over her child. She is leaning over me, strong,soft and warm, running her weathered hands through the strands of my hair.I shiver as she strokes me, as if I've just cried for hours and these are the shudders my soul let's out. My soul says, "it is done".I am home.God is all around me. Every breath I breathe in is God, and every breath I exhale is God. I finally know. All questions are silenced or otherwise forgotten in the knowledge of His glory and love. The tragedies I once knew are like blurry dreams, from a restless nights sleep.I have just awoken to reality. The meadow is quiet.Birds gently fly above me,singing eternal lullabies of peace. The trees above me are swaying. The leaves rustling in the summer breeze. Heaven is eternal summer. The kind of summer day you never want to end.Like Alaska in June. The sun is there, even at midnight. The endless day is filled with mystery and warmth, delight and peace. Something is in the air and you don't know where it will lead. . . You only know the feeling will last forever...
Friday, February 27, 2009
So how does one who has been raised in a conservative Christian background suddenly embrace the practices and teaching's of a Zen Master like Thich Naht Hanh? It has been a process, and no, I have not converted to Buddhism. But several months ago, intrigued with the life of a fellow Christian, who claimed that Thich Naht Hanh's books were the only reason he could continue as a Christian, had me wondering just what this man had to say. I found myself beginning to read the writings of Thich Naht Hanh myself. Just today I finished Being Peace. I have also read For a Future to be Possible, and I am currently finishing up his book Anger .
At first I had some ambivalence about diving into ideas so contrary to my own beliefs and background. Yet as I began to read I was struck by the simplicity, yet power behind the ideas of this simple Buddhist monk from Vietnam, and I found myself not only comforted but uplifted by his words. While I approached these readings with caution, guarding my faith in Christ and the theology I have long put my faith in, there was a part of my that let go of the many fears I had of another faith other then mine. I saw a bumper sticker on the back of someones car the other day that said "Christian- not close minded". That rings true with me as well.
I hate to even allude to the fact that I am a Christian at times, because of all the connotations that brings to others who have only seen TBN and the shameful behavior of those who claim to follow Christ. So I have been on somewhat of a spiritual journey these past several months, discovering how I see Christ and searching for the way to reflect Christ in my every day life.
With all that being said and much more to say, today I was reading these practices of mindful living. I was very encouraged by these simple reflections and I can only hope to live up to them.
While I disagree with some of the practices (namely the first two, to an extent) I do see a lot of truth and beauty in these practices. So for today I would like to just reflect on them and see how I can bring these practices into my own life . . . .
1. Openness~Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, I am determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help me learn to look deeply and to develop my understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for.
(As a Christian I cannot fully agree with this. While I believe in being tolerant of others, I am bound to the truth of God's holy word as written in the Bible, which I am still exploring. And I would die for what I believe, yet I would never fight or kill in the name of God.)
2. Non-attachment to Views~Aware of suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, I am determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. I will learn and practise non-attachment from views in order to be open to others’ insights and experiences. I am aware that the knowledge I presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life and I will observe life within and around me in every moment, ready to learn throughout my life.
( I believe there in absolute truth in the universe and God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. However I can always be open to learn and be open minded to others thoughts and believes but that doesn't mean I will agree.)
3. Freedom of Thought ~Aware of the suffering brought about when I impose my views on others, I am committed not to force others, even my children, by any means whatsoever – such as authority, threat, money, propaganda or indoctrination – to adopt my views. I will respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. I will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through compassionate dialogue.
4. Awareness of Suffering~Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help me develop compassion and find ways out of suffering, I am determined not to avoid or close my eyes before suffering. I am committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so I can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace and joy.
5. Simple, Healthy Living~Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom and compassion, and not in wealth or fame, I am determined not to take as the aim of my life fame, profit, wealth or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. I am committed to living simply and sharing my time, energy and material resources with those in real need. I will practise mindful consuming, not using alcohol, drugs or any other products that bring toxins into my own and the collective body and consciousness.
6. Dealing with Anger~Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, I am determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognise and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in my consciousness. When anger comes up, I am determined not to do or say anything, but to practise mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace and look deeply into my anger. I will learn to look with the eyes of compassion on those I think are the cause of my anger.
7. Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment~Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is possible to live happily in the here and now, I am committed to training myself to live deeply each moment of daily life. I will try not to lose myself in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger or jealousy in the present. I will practise mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. I am determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing and healing elements that are inside and around me, and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love and understanding in myself, thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in my consciousness.
8. Community and Communication~Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering, I am committed to training myself in the practice of compassionate listening and loving speech. I will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community to break. I will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9. Truthful and Loving Speech~Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, I am committed to learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words that inspire hope and confidence. I am determined not to say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to utter words that might cause division or hatred. I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain nor criticise or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will do my best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten my safety.
10. Protecting the Sangha~Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practise of understanding and compassion, I am determined not to use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit or transform our community into a political instrument. A spiritual community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
11. Right Livelihood~Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to the environment and society, I am committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. I will do my best to select a livelihood that helps realize my ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political and social realities, I will behave responsibly as a consumer and as a citizen, not investing in companies that deprive others of their chance to live.
12. Reverence for Life~Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, I am determined to cultivate non-violence, understanding and compassion in my daily life, to promote peace education, mindful mediation and reconciliation, within families, communities, nations and in the world. I am determined not to kill and not to let others kill. I will diligently practice deep looking with my Sangha to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.
13. Generosity~Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I will practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources with those who are in need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.
At first I had some ambivalence about diving into ideas so contrary to my own beliefs and background. Yet as I began to read I was struck by the simplicity, yet power behind the ideas of this simple Buddhist monk from Vietnam, and I found myself not only comforted but uplifted by his words. While I approached these readings with caution, guarding my faith in Christ and the theology I have long put my faith in, there was a part of my that let go of the many fears I had of another faith other then mine. I saw a bumper sticker on the back of someones car the other day that said "Christian- not close minded". That rings true with me as well.
I hate to even allude to the fact that I am a Christian at times, because of all the connotations that brings to others who have only seen TBN and the shameful behavior of those who claim to follow Christ. So I have been on somewhat of a spiritual journey these past several months, discovering how I see Christ and searching for the way to reflect Christ in my every day life.
With all that being said and much more to say, today I was reading these practices of mindful living. I was very encouraged by these simple reflections and I can only hope to live up to them.
While I disagree with some of the practices (namely the first two, to an extent) I do see a lot of truth and beauty in these practices. So for today I would like to just reflect on them and see how I can bring these practices into my own life . . . .
1. Openness~Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, I am determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help me learn to look deeply and to develop my understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for.
(As a Christian I cannot fully agree with this. While I believe in being tolerant of others, I am bound to the truth of God's holy word as written in the Bible, which I am still exploring. And I would die for what I believe, yet I would never fight or kill in the name of God.)
2. Non-attachment to Views~Aware of suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, I am determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. I will learn and practise non-attachment from views in order to be open to others’ insights and experiences. I am aware that the knowledge I presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life and I will observe life within and around me in every moment, ready to learn throughout my life.
( I believe there in absolute truth in the universe and God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. However I can always be open to learn and be open minded to others thoughts and believes but that doesn't mean I will agree.)
3. Freedom of Thought ~Aware of the suffering brought about when I impose my views on others, I am committed not to force others, even my children, by any means whatsoever – such as authority, threat, money, propaganda or indoctrination – to adopt my views. I will respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. I will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through compassionate dialogue.
4. Awareness of Suffering~Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help me develop compassion and find ways out of suffering, I am determined not to avoid or close my eyes before suffering. I am committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so I can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace and joy.
5. Simple, Healthy Living~Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom and compassion, and not in wealth or fame, I am determined not to take as the aim of my life fame, profit, wealth or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. I am committed to living simply and sharing my time, energy and material resources with those in real need. I will practise mindful consuming, not using alcohol, drugs or any other products that bring toxins into my own and the collective body and consciousness.
6. Dealing with Anger~Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, I am determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognise and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in my consciousness. When anger comes up, I am determined not to do or say anything, but to practise mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace and look deeply into my anger. I will learn to look with the eyes of compassion on those I think are the cause of my anger.
7. Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment~Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is possible to live happily in the here and now, I am committed to training myself to live deeply each moment of daily life. I will try not to lose myself in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger or jealousy in the present. I will practise mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. I am determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing and healing elements that are inside and around me, and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love and understanding in myself, thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in my consciousness.
8. Community and Communication~Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering, I am committed to training myself in the practice of compassionate listening and loving speech. I will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community to break. I will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9. Truthful and Loving Speech~Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, I am committed to learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words that inspire hope and confidence. I am determined not to say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to utter words that might cause division or hatred. I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain nor criticise or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will do my best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten my safety.
10. Protecting the Sangha~Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practise of understanding and compassion, I am determined not to use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit or transform our community into a political instrument. A spiritual community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
11. Right Livelihood~Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to the environment and society, I am committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. I will do my best to select a livelihood that helps realize my ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political and social realities, I will behave responsibly as a consumer and as a citizen, not investing in companies that deprive others of their chance to live.
12. Reverence for Life~Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, I am determined to cultivate non-violence, understanding and compassion in my daily life, to promote peace education, mindful mediation and reconciliation, within families, communities, nations and in the world. I am determined not to kill and not to let others kill. I will diligently practice deep looking with my Sangha to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.
13. Generosity~Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I will practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources with those who are in need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.
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