Spirituality and simplicity

Continued from my examiner post . . . http://www.examiner.com/interfaith-spirituality-in-columbus/spirituality-and-simplicity . . .

As we approach the end of a chapter, there is a sense that we know a change is approaching, though there may be a general sense of confusion and/or anxiety. That is a time to examine the situation, setting aside one’s emotion, coupled with relaxing into understanding and compassion.

Thich Nhat Hahn instructs on what the Buddha taught on his ‘Discourse on Mindful Breathing.’ He explains, ‘Breathing in, I recognize my feeling. Breathing out, I calm my feeling.’ He says, ‘Mindfulness helps you be concentrated and look deeply. This is true meditation. The insight will come after some time of practice.’ You are approaching a change. Become friends with yourselfyou’re your situation, before you turn the page. Ask, ‘what are you teaching me, now?’

You can put that book down for a time, returning to it mindlessly, forgetting what came before. You can stay with it, angrily, anxiously turning that page to find out what happens next, in a state of anxiety. You can approach the new chapter with relief. You can skip ahead to try and peek at the ending before realizing you have to pay your dues and live through each chapter first. It is a lesson in mindfulness.

Thich Nhat Hahn tells the story of a woman who meditated on the name of the Buddha for years only to become angry when a neighbor interrupted her. The neighbor suggested how angry the Buddha might be if she had been calling his name repeatedly for so many years. He suggests that when one prays without being present or follows rituals mechanically it does not allow for spaciousness of spirit or openness of one’s heart. In this way one never touches the living essence of the life and teaching of the one whom they follow. It’s like living one’s story without being aware of what is happening.

Lord knows, there is plenty of mindlessness all around. Meditation is helpful in this. Practicing ‘the essence’ allows for a sense of joy and clarity; a deep sense of communication. Oh, that is where I am. It is an awakening. When one turns the page in an awakened state, the next chapter is a totally different thing. The key to approaching any change, in fact, living with where we are, is entering a stage of mental refuge, a place of mindfulness.

Thich Nhat Hahn reminds us that nothing is permanent within the constructs of what we call our ‘self.’ He says, ‘The Buddha taught that a so-called ‘person’ is really just five elements (skandhas) that come together for a limited period of time” our body, feelings, perceptions, mental states, and consciousness. These five elements are, in fact, changing all time. Not a single element remains the same for two consecutive moments.’ P 133 Living Buddha, Living Christ. How beautiful that is. And how meaningful each moving, ever-changing storyline, intersecting with every other.

[photo from painting by Frederic Remington, American Artist. Titled, 'The Belated Traveler']