This is a
time of particularly high stress. Our
normal daily life has been turned upside down and the future is uncertain.
This is a
time to ground ourselves among all the noise and confusion and vitriol. This is the time I turn back to the practice
of Buddhism.
To me, Buddhism
(ZEN) is a practice not a religion. It
is a way to view and live life.
I do not
hold with Buddhism as presented by Buddhist literature and institutions. To me Buddhism is personal.
I have
posted this before; but perhaps this is the time to do it again:
BASIC NO BULLSHIT BUDDHISM
Buddhism is
more than meditating.
Here in the
west we hold ideas of how things ought to be and how we ought to live. We are constantly at war with our environment
trying to make everything fit into our desired outcome – and when we fall
short, which we most often do, we carry the stress of failed expectations.
We hold a
fixed idea of who we are and how we want to be perceived. But there is no fixed I or Ego because
everything changes – new causes produce new effects.
“One and the same human being is, at
various ages, under various circumstances, a totally different human being.
Solzhenitsyn: The Gulag Archipelago
The Buddha
realized that most often people were carrying stress, and that this stress
prevented them from appreciating the
refreshing taste of cool water – the beauty of a young girl – or the satisfying
taste of rice (his awakening.) Buddha
also realized that the stress is most often self-inflicted. He addressed this in The Four Noble Truths.
The Four Noble Truths
1. Duhkha*: Life is often like a wheel out of
kilter. We are constantly dissatisfied.
We feel we have to fight for control. We move from one crisis to the next –
reacting – never satisfied with our outcome.
2. Our dissatisfaction originates from our own
expectations and desires. We become
obsessed with our problems and life as we would like it to be.
3. Conditions constantly change. Problems
we have will pass. By focusing on, and living in the present,
instead of fixating on future or the past, we can alleviate much of our
dissatisfaction.
4. The Eight Fold Path is the Buddha’s teaching – a suggested path toward
a fulfilling and contented life.
*(Spelled Duhkha in Buddhism Plain and
Simple; spelled Dukha in The Essence of Zen; spelled Dukkha in Intro
to Buddha – and probably other spellings.
There are four major sects of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana
and Zen; this probably creates confusions in spellings and definitions. It is the concept that is important.)
THE EIGHT FOLD PATH
1. RIGHT VIEW:
accepting the way your world is, even though it is not necessarily the
way you might like it to be. Understanding that nothing is static and
everything is changing.
2. RIGHT INTENTION: address each action in your life
with resolve; but always choosing the noble path – you instinctively know what
is right and what is wrong.
3. RIGHT SPEECH: speak the truth; but
never to injure.
4. RIGHT ACTION: consider each action with
a clear mind, not from preconceptions or prejudices.
5. RIGHT LIVELYHOOD: you should strive to
choose an occupation that benefits others, and one that satisfies your needs;
but you should apply ourselves in whatever endeavor you occupy.
6. RIGHT EFFORT: live in the NOW.
7. RIGHT MINDFULNESS: be conscious of how you are
engaging with the world from moment to moment and how your actions affect
others.
8. RIGHT MEDITATION: practice zazen regularly
Notice that
the Buddha does not give commandments – there is no ‘thou shall not…’ These are the Buddha’s suggestions – his
clarity.
Buddhism
distilled is not a belief system. It is
not about accepting beliefs or following rituals. It is about seeing the world clearly.
It is said
that at his death the Buddha told his followers ‘Look not for refuge to anyone
beside yourself.’
i will
post more of my prior Buddhism post in hope they may help to deal with this
stressful time.
the
Ol’Buzzard
