Author: Karl Duffy

This is a Mindfulness Practice Blog written in Laois, Ireland, containing reflections on meditation practice, psychological growth, spirituality and wellness which hopefully may encourage and benefit others as they reflect on their lives and seek to develop a more balanced, mindful and conscious approach to it.

Not taken in

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There is  great psychological wisdom in the ancient texts as to how to deal with the strong emotions stirred up by challenges we face every day. Being able to see, without making it a story about ourselves:

You shouldn’t chase after the past, and don’t place expectations on the future.
The past no longer is. The future has not yet come.

Whatever is present in life as it is in the very here and now
you clearly see, right there, right there.
Not taken in.  You dwell in stability and freedom

That’s how you develop the heart.

The Buddha, Bhaddekaratta Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya No.131.

Complete

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We do not have to have everything sorted out in our lives for them to be complete and us to be happy.

A lot of disappointed people have been left

standing on the street corner

waiting for the bus marked Perfection

Donald Kennedy

photo kai hendry

Every day is a good day

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In Zen practice a koan is a phrase, a conversation, or a saying that a mediator reflects on in order to point to a way of being in the world. The phrase in held in mind –  sometimes for months or years at a time –  to unravel an openness in practitioners, allowing them to enter into inner regions beyond knowing.

I like keeping this one in mind, which is presented here in a commentary on a saying of Ummon, an 8th Century Zen Master. It challenges my normal commentary and takes me out of the thoughts I buy into every day. Maybe I already have everything I need right now: 

Ummon introduced the subject by saying:

I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But what about in fifteen days time? Come, say a word about this.

He himself replied for them: Every day is a good day.

Commentary by Suzuki : Today does not become yesterday, and Dōgen states that today does not become tomorrow.

Each day is its own past and future and has its own absolute value.

From  a transcript of a talk by Suzuki-roshi,  Thursday, November 1st, 1962

… and yet not here

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lake-glendalough

But what is it then that sits in my heart,
that breathes so quietly, and without lungs—
that is here, here in this world, and yet not here?

Mary Oliver

You have placed eternity in our hearts

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Here now….

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Advent is a season of waiting and preparation, but mainly in the sense of setting aside distractions and creating space to see what is important. However, what the commercial side of this holiday season often encourages is a state of anticipation and of lack, prompting us to think that something is going to be suddenly different when we get this thing or feeling. There is a danger in this, as we can fall into the trap of linking our happiness to some future moment.  True contentment comes from working with our life as it as –  from surrendering to what is –  and not trying to escape from it.

Peace can only exist in the present moment. It is ridiculous to say “Wait until I finish this, then I’ll be free to live in peace”. What is “this”? A diploma, a job, a house, the payment of debt? If you think that way peace will never come. There is always another “this” that will follow the present one. If you are not living in peace at this moment, you’ll never be able to. If you truly want to be at peace, you must be at peace right now. Otherwise there is only hope for peace “some day.”

Thich Nhat Hahn, The Sun my Heart

photo sunoferat

Simple

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The meaning of life is just to be alive.

It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.

And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic

as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.

Alan Watts.

photo asio otus