Coronavirus Reminding Me of Some Things That are True

In this precariousness I feel deeply a part of the ancient human family.  And am reminded of some ancient human truths.

The Nature of Things

Each moment & thing is impermanent, not-self, unsatisfactory…. and is free & quiescent.

Impermanent – Each thing, inner and outer, is not just someday gone, but always-going.  The gross impermanence of this body ending, the subtle impermanence of this ungraspable flow.

Not Self – Where can I go that’s protected? Where can I go that’s cut off? One thread woven as a single web.

Unsatisfactory – No thing, inner or outer, will ever finally satisfy me. Stop grasping at things.

Free & Quiescent – Each thing, inner and outer, is in itself just this stillness, just this vastness.  Just this freedom from all ways of seeing it.  The drone note, steady and constant: nirvana.

 

Including Death Is Medicine

Turning towards death is turning towards life.

“I inform you, great king, I announce to you, great king: aging and death are rolling in on you. When aging and death are rolling in on you, great king, what should be done?”

“As aging and death are rolling in on me, lord, what else should be done but Dhamma-conduct, right conduct, skillful deeds, meritorious deeds?”

Like a mountain, the messenger says, coming from the east and west, the north and south, as high as the clouds, crushing all living beings in its path.

“Just do whatever you think should be done,” the messenger says.

What else should be done but to practice the truth?

 

Now Would Be Good

There is no better time, has never been a better time, to practice the great way.

Generosity – Is there a gift to give right now?

Disciplined Care – When washing the hands with water / may we with all beings / have pure clean hands / to receive and hold Buddha’s teaching.

Utter Acceptance – The mountains close in. Now who can say there is any danger in utter acceptance? It’s ok.

Wholehearted Enthusiasm – It’s ok… and there is something to do.  Is this full self-expression? Is interdependence wholeheartedly, unreservedly enacted?

Continuous Concentration – On the narrow path through precipitous cliffs, riding a mountain goat – when the stakes are high we just naturally attend.

Wisdom Beyond Wisdom – Life itself. Utter mystery, utterly open.

 

My feeling

“Zen is, in one word, to share our feeling with people, with trees and with mountains wherever we are. That is Zen practice.”

Suzuki Roshi, March 1970 

These are some of my feelings that I wanted to share with you, about things that are true.  Please know that I am practicing sharing them too with the mountains and trees, the walls and the tiles… and am listening for what they share with me.

What do you feel?