Life 41 (Oct 21 - Jan 22)

[winston]

Embracing Kindred Believers

We all believe in something: self, nonself, an omnipotent creator, karma, science, reality, emptiness, dragons, elves. . .

When we see that belief gives color to every stratum of our experience of reality, we can embrace others as kindred believers, regardless of the shades we tend to favor.

— Pamela Gayle White, “Real Belief”

[winston]

Find Your Meaning

If we wish to live well in the world, not just amble along through life without any examination of our being, then we must engage in the effort to find meaning in our lives.

— Frances Carney, “The Way of Ryokan”

[winston]

Why should we be extremely diligent in keeping our minds pure?

The deity was once walking along a wide seashore alone, immersed in deep meditation.

He saw a dry little twig on the crest of a wave in the distance; it was being passed on from one wave to another, from trough to crest, from crest to trough, until it was cast on the sands on shore, near where He stood.

He was astounded at the egoism of the Ocean that would not give asylum to even a tiny twig.

Sensing His reaction, the Ocean declared in words that He could understand, "Mine is neither egoism nor anger; it is only the duty of self-preservation. I shouldn’t allow the slightest blot to deface my grandeur. If I allow this twig to mar my splendour, it will be the first step in my downfall."

Then the deity smiled within Himself admiring the vigilance of the mighty Ocean.

He pictured the incident as a great lesson in spiritual endeavour. The slightest twig of desire, if it falls on the mind, has to be immediately lifted out of the pure waters and thrown off!

- Divine Discourse, Jul 26, 1969.

The mind has to be completely emptied of all bad thoughts to achieve real peace.
Every bad thought must be rooted out the moment it arises in the mind.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Befriending Your Faults

There is no need to be afraid of having faults because knowing we have them, can help us to improve.

If you considered yourself perfect, would you still want to meditate and cultivate your practice?

— Master Sheng-Yen, “How to Be Faultless”

[winston]

How can we earn the highest joy?

There was Kanaka, born in a low caste. He was an ardent devotee, yearning in unbearable anguish to see the Divine.

So, he went to Udupi, where there is a famous, established by a great sage.

Being of low birth, he could not enter the temple to see the charming idol. He stood before the outer door but the idol was hidden by the flagpost in front of the shrine.

He went round the outer wall and sought some crevice amidst the stones through which he could earn a faint glimpse.

He saw that a stone was loose: with his fingers, he scooped out the mortar and made a narrow chink, and when he looked eagerly through it, he saw only the back of the idol.
But he was overcome with delight!

He danced in ecstasy, singing the glory of the Divine. Just at that moment, the idol turned towards him and the Divine granted him the full vision of His charm and majesty.

Yearning was rewarded with grace. Yearning leads to surrender, and surrender gives the highest joy.

Leave everything to His Will, accept whatever happens, whether pleasant or painful.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 29, 1969.

Faith in Him being within the heart as well as faith in His constant presence and
constant guidance - these will confer courage, virtue, and illumination.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Wear a Loving Face

Your body reflects your mind.

When you feel love for all beings, it shows on your face.

Seeing your honest, relaxed face, others will gravitate toward you and enjoy being around you.

— Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, “11 Benefits of Loving-Friendliness Meditation”

[winston]

The right way to find the Divine within

Recognise His footprints in every thing of beauty, every act of goodness, every tear of gratitude, every sigh of compassion and discover Him in the bower of your own heart, filled with the fragrance of love and light of virtue.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 03, 1969.

Find the Divine in your heart, and Hold on to Him forever.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Free the Mind of Joy and Sorrow

If we can recognize and accept our pain without pushing it away or clinging to it, we’ll be better able to see that joys and sorrows are truly the same.

Through letting go and touching emptiness, we can then choose a compassionate response.

— Jessica Angima, “The Not-Knowing of Our Time”

[winston]

It appears that the Divine favours some and not all, especially when we need Him the most – is that a true statement?

The Divine is not drawn into desire; He has no wants; He is full, free and ever content.

He has no aversions or attractions. He has no bonds of kith or kin.

The Divine is above all attachments; he has no favourites or foes.

You decide the distance between Him and yourself. Liberation is the stage when attachment attains extinction.

How then can the Divine be Himself abridged by attachment?

He has no will or want. He does not confer or withhold. He is the eternal witness.

To put it in the language that you can understand, He is like the postman, who is not concerned with the contents of the letters that he hands over to the addresses; one letter might communicate victory, another, defeat; you receive what you have worked for.

Do good and have good in return; be bad and accept the bad that comes back to you. That is the law, and there is really no help or hindrance.

- Divine Discourse, Sep 03, 1969.

The Divine is beyond all attributes. Hence His love also is beyond attribute.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Our One True Choice

At our Zen center, we often chant the words: “Just this moment; compassion’s way.”

Just this moment, including perhaps terror but also potentially liberation.

For in truth, “just this moment” is the only moment and being open to it, is the only true choice we ever really have.

— Diane Eshin Rizzetto, “In Brief”