The intent to ‘Come Out of Hiding’ is central to the theme of a zen practitioner. Interfacing with the Dark Way, is the longing to be FREE to love, serve, and create—a Life Fulfillment to the best of our ability, moment by moment. Zazen practice encourages the stability and courage to stand at the edge where fear and courage meet. Throughout the day: “Come Out Of Hiding!” See clearly that although there is discernment within one’s personal life as natural and functional, ultimately, there is Nothing to Hide. Breathe deep and enter the Cave of the Blue Dragon. The One Bright Jewel awaits. (Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler)
“MANTRA”, in the Buddhist lineages have been linked to “MIND PROTECTION” for sincere practitioners. Hence, with SINCERITY, unify with GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE, BODHI SVAHA”! three times. Then a deep pause with 3 deep breaths. You many want to add this mantra practice to remembrance several times during the day. AND, Experiment with this MEDICINE when your mind is like a run-away horse, creating your suffering, and feels like self-inflicted arrows. Remember: a deep aspect of practice is to step OUT of projections, enter the Cave of the Blue Dragon, and be RESPONSIBLE for the ‘full catastrophe’.
Poet David Whyte suggests that one aspect of our current epidemic of LONELINESS is that we are riveted on human to human contact being the main alleviation of loneliness. “If you are not in contact with another human being, you are often lonely.” Whereas in most all prior cultures, there has been a multiplicity of qualities that bring us into direct Belonging. Like the Blue in the sky, the Red in the sunset, sound of leaves scurrying, feel of the wind on our face, or the touch of the hot tea cup in our hands, etc. Zen practice invites us into the primacy of FELT-SENSE, without commentary. Once our zazen practice is steeped in the NOW experience of embodied presence, we are truly the Realization of BELONGING to the entire World. (Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler)
Remember to RECEIVE the LIVING commitment to sit zazen, as a supreme bid for your life! This is your response to the depth of your Longing for stability of mind and heart, a basis of sanity and relational equanimity (to yourself and to all situations), compassion, and enlightened wisdom. This “cooperation” with the sincerity of Longing is usable energy in order to truly MEET life, to heal ourshadow disparities and suffering—both personally and collectively, and to put forth illuminating Light unto our World. THIS is what we are doing EVERY time we receive the Invitation to sit zazen. (Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler)
Our experience in zazen practice is moving in direct companionship with our INTENT to truly know and actualize WHO WE ARE in the fundamental moment. Most often, we slide to the side of this Intent by choosing to stay in our comfort zone of egoic definition rather than walk within upright dignity that allows for each moment in pure revelation.
To walk the Indescribable WAY is to BE the Open Hand that resides in the Core of Being. To do so, is to release our self in all matters of preference and belief in our internal Dialogue. This is at once our most challenging AND potentiating gateway to Love and Liberation.