everyday zazen

time to take a break from blogging.

it’s good to talk. it’s a way of  communicating with others,drawing closer to others. but,no matter how many words flow,there is a gap that cannot be bridged. words do not bring us into oneness with others.

but in silent stillness,we can be one with all beings.

what is right effort ? so often i swing between striving and making no effort. perhaps it is as walking into a stiff wind. leaning in to it allows progress.

i checked my bank account. i didn’t need to. it was simply a kneejerk reaction to anxiety. left alone the feeling would have passed.

in such small ways we continue suffering.

on the mountain,my son explained to a nervous,novice climber that,to make her next move,she had to be willing to let go her handhold.

in life,we cling so tightly to an illusion of security. if we let go in faith,we do not fall.

‘ without suffering,you cannot grow. without suffering,you cannot get the peace and joy you deserve. please don’t run away from your suffering. embrace it and cherish it. ‘ thich nhat hanh

whatever happens is for our own good. if we can but see it.

it can be difficult to make a decision. even more so to act. i seek assurance that my decision and actions are the right ones. but assurance is difficult to find and not to act can be harmful.

but i don’t have to take a mighty leap. small steps,one at a time,can lead me in the right direction. and allow the possibility for change of direction.

an aquaintance who has been suffering for years has finally found alleviation for her pain. ‘the help was there all the time but i didn’t listen’,she said.

it is only in stillness that we can really listen and be open to hearing.

there is that which i need and that which i want. they are not necessarily exclusive. but how can i know when need slips into greed ?

take time and look carefully.

not being active yesterday was an opportunity to simply observe the constant activity of the mind. thoughts follow thoughts. if i follow them they have the appearance of reality. left to themselves they just burst as bubbles do.

why involve myself when i can have the unmediated experience of this moment. this is real.