Our original mind includes everything within itself. It is always rich and sufficient within itself. You should not lose your self-sufficient state of mind. This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind. If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.
- Shunryu Suzuki (1905-1971)
Courtesy of Daily Zen
First I'd like to comment about Daily Zen. This is a wonderful site that always helps set me in the right direction. A nice zen quote and then over to their meditation center; Zendo. Zendo lets you set a silent timer for your meditations that will gong when the time is up. It is the easiest way to make that 15 minute daily meditation a part of your routine.
This quote covers so much on my beliefs that I felt I must share it. I would also like to extrapolate on it more. Many people I meet are beginners with a mind closed. They feel they are trying to be experts in fields they aren't aware of. A closed mind surrounded by illusions is easily comparable to being locked in a cage surrounded by fog. You see nothing, react to nothing, and the world slowly disappears to only include that tiny box.
A child's mind, the sage's mind, is like standing atop the mountain. You gaze across the infinite with only the horizon as your limits. You are free to travel to those horizons and the heavens beyond.
Even if our creativity leads to failure, hurt pride will not kill you. Even if our curiosity frustrates, showing ignorance will not harm you. Even if our wisdom is not heard, having it will not weaken you.
Do not be afraid of being thought foolish;
Do not be afraid of being thought rebellious;
Do not be afraid of being you.
Ask every question, consider every choice, experience the world without fear. Remember that Nothing is perfect, so fill your mind with nothing.
5/6/11
The Death of Self
It was time to let myself die. After weeks and weeks of working myself to near death, a break came and I let it happen.
As I rose again at dawn, I felt one cycle end and a new one begin.
As I struggle to continue a life of peace and mindfulness, I learn more the depth of these teachings. We spend our youth trying to act like adults, faking behaviors we don't fully understand. We spend our adult years still trying to do the same thing, but no longer looking up to our elders, we look to our peers.
The path of Tao has taught me to stop looking outward for definition. To stop looking for definition, period. I am a person, traits may be used to define me, but I am not the sum of another man's words. My clothing, my appearance, my possessions do not define who I am, only how others see me. My words and my actions are taken only to complete my responsibilities in a way in which I can respect myself. As I respect myself, the world around me continues to do what it should... Ignores me.
I am not on this world to flaunt myself before people for their affections. That is a waste of energy and time. I stand strong and work hard to wake each day with a conviction of self. I am proud of who I am and the life I live. All that I have become can be used to help change the world around me. Every strife I have survived, is a new story I can share to ease the suffering of a weary soul.
I choose one word to define who I wish to be, Sage. I wish to be a man that others may respect my wisdom and to be the one to guide the lost back to a path of their own choosing. In my life, if I do nothing else, let me be a force of change, a force to guide others from fear and ignorance and towards a path of self enlightenment, self respect, and peace.
You are the change that is needed in this world, stand tall, take responsibility for you state of being, and be the change that will heal your suffering.
As I rose again at dawn, I felt one cycle end and a new one begin.
As I struggle to continue a life of peace and mindfulness, I learn more the depth of these teachings. We spend our youth trying to act like adults, faking behaviors we don't fully understand. We spend our adult years still trying to do the same thing, but no longer looking up to our elders, we look to our peers.
The path of Tao has taught me to stop looking outward for definition. To stop looking for definition, period. I am a person, traits may be used to define me, but I am not the sum of another man's words. My clothing, my appearance, my possessions do not define who I am, only how others see me. My words and my actions are taken only to complete my responsibilities in a way in which I can respect myself. As I respect myself, the world around me continues to do what it should... Ignores me.
I am not on this world to flaunt myself before people for their affections. That is a waste of energy and time. I stand strong and work hard to wake each day with a conviction of self. I am proud of who I am and the life I live. All that I have become can be used to help change the world around me. Every strife I have survived, is a new story I can share to ease the suffering of a weary soul.
I choose one word to define who I wish to be, Sage. I wish to be a man that others may respect my wisdom and to be the one to guide the lost back to a path of their own choosing. In my life, if I do nothing else, let me be a force of change, a force to guide others from fear and ignorance and towards a path of self enlightenment, self respect, and peace.
You are the change that is needed in this world, stand tall, take responsibility for you state of being, and be the change that will heal your suffering.
5/1/11
Rage for Tomorrow
As I fight each day to take one more step,
As I find each day a struggle to feel the peace of Tao,
As I forgo each day for the sake of the next,
As I forget each day the pleasures of the past,
I rage against the world for pushing me,
I rage against the society that fails me,
I rage against the people that disappoint me,
I rage against the person I am becoming,
With each line I type,
With each line I fell,
With each line I remember,
With each line I return,
I am me at this moment as much as in the last, and more so in the next breath. Accept the cycle and become one with divinity. Forget and Return to innocence.
As I find each day a struggle to feel the peace of Tao,
As I forgo each day for the sake of the next,
As I forget each day the pleasures of the past,
I rage against the world for pushing me,
I rage against the society that fails me,
I rage against the people that disappoint me,
I rage against the person I am becoming,
With each line I type,
With each line I fell,
With each line I remember,
With each line I return,
I am me at this moment as much as in the last, and more so in the next breath. Accept the cycle and become one with divinity. Forget and Return to innocence.
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