Zen Wisdom for Your Everyday Life

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We live most of our lives surrounded by Dire Predictions, a snowstorm is on the way, huge winds, dangerous conditiions. And, then, before we know it, the snow has turned to light rain and the sun begins breaking through. Dire predictions come from all directions regarding most aspects of our lives. When we focus upon them, believe them, guard against them all day long, our lives are tangled in fear and pain. When we stay with things as they are, feel them, enjoy them,  become engaged with what the moment brings, gratitude, happiness and also compassion bubbles up. Life brings us what is needed, one moment after the next, including natural insight which allows us to do what is needed,  appropriate, and what is beneficial for all.

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How many of us can really allow ourselves to really live, feel the sun, hear our neighbor, 
be present and available to all that arrives. This is actually a great art, and in order to do it, we must learn the great secret of "Allowing". It is rare that we allow anything to happen, just as it does. Immediately, we want to fix it, judge it, take control of it, whether it is an event or a relationship. The problem is that we are simply reacting out of our conditioning, rather than having a larger perspective on all that's going on. When we can stop a few moments, stop fighting and opposing things, not get pulled in to the dance, that pause is the start of allowing. The more we simply allow life to be life, the more our perspective changes and we become able to respond appropriately. All action taken then will come from a totally different place, and inevitably be benefifical to all.

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We are always waiting for something to happen to make things right. There's usually something missing in what's going on right now. We want it to turnout differenly and won't stop until it does. There's a picture in our mind of how everything is supposed to go. Most of us refuse to feel satisfied until our picture is fulfilled. Then we'll feel as if we've won, worthwhile.  But life has its own ideas about what must happen, and the conflict between our pictures and those that life presents ties us in a knot. It takes our joy away, fills us with trepidatioin and does not allow us to see the incredible beauty and wisdom in  the way of life  Once we stop battling and opposing life, we can pause and see what's really happening,  discover our true role, and become able to move forward with unexpected happiness.

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We are not aware of how much we reject life. A gap takes place before we are willing to notice, engage with and accept what's going on. Often we just block things we don't like out. Or, our initial response is to judge what's taking place, filter it through our past experiences. Take a few steps away. It is rare to simply to be present for whatever the moment brings. And beyond that it is an act of wonder to learn how to actually fall in love with the life we are living now. Not the life we wanted, dreamt of or have been struggling so hard to make happen. What is needed to fall in love with what's going on right now? How can we engage with it fully and be filled with good will, no matter what?

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True communication comes in many forms. So often we present an image of ourselves, play a role or speak to impress, or influence. This type of interaction causes division, not only within ourselves, but in our relationships. All long for true connection, to be seen, known and heard. And how is that possible, when we are not  interacting simply and diretly from the truth of who we are.  Yet, no matter what we say, the truth of who we Are, presents itself naturally. When we align our words, truth and deeds, that is when our true life begins and also beautiful connections with the world.

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We all wish each other a Happy New Year, and mean it. But what does it mean to be truly happy?? Usually we think it includes lots of laughs and smiles, a happy face and demeanor. Certainly, it is a pleasure to feel that way, but how long does a feeling like that last? It comes and goes due to circumstances. When things go our way, the smiles appear, when a sudden thunder storm comes, our smiles disappear. Yet, there is a way to live a Truly Happy Live, a way to greet whatever arises with a feeling of wonder, aliveness and engagement. When we can truly savor the preciousness of our lives, of each moment and encounter, and encounter it fully, this is a life not only of true happiness, but immebaw value and growth.

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Even though everyday is new,  we drag the old along with us wherever we go.  Then, longing for a new start, we look for it everywhere. Some move to  a new neighborhood or relationship, profession, even new haircut.. As we approach the new year, we reflect upon the year gone by and dwell upon how we want things to change. However, one thing we overlook, is that things change every moment. Every breath is fresh, every day is new. It's just us. We're not aware of it, but cling to things gone by.  Change is not difficult. It can come so easily with this one secret: For the New Year To Be New, You Must Be New. Try letting go, and allowing the flow of life to make you New. Become aware of the freshness of each moment. And all the possibilities it holds.

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We're always waiting for things to be fulfilled, for the job to be over,  for good news to arrive, or for our long wait to be over, for our needs to be met. As a  Zen Master saw his driven students, pushing and striving for results,  he always said to them, "Not Yet."  However much they strained and hoped,  he always simply shook his head and said,  "Not yet."  Some took this to mean they were failures, would never make the grade. But that's not it.  There's a wonderful secret to this remark, and once we discover it, so much pressure and futile efforting disappears on its own.  And to our amazement,  when we run into the Zen Master, he won't say Not Yet again.

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Caught in our thoughts we feel that we know what's going on, and respond accordingly. Instead of paying precious attention to what's right in front of us, our attention is caught and trapped by our endless obsessions. What a pity. Our trapped attention hasn't a chance, can't breathe, live or even see the beautiful sun that is just waiting for peek out behind the clouds and warm the entire sky. If we don't see it, how can we receive the light and warmth? When asked what Zen practice truly is, a great teacher said, "Attention." The student answered, "That's all?" The Zen Master replied, "Attention, Attention, Attention." Reclaim your attention, really look and you will see the answer for yourself.

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It's so easy to become upset when things don't work out our way. Many feel like failures, that no matter what they do, but life just proceeds as it wishes. Nothing to feel badly about. We do all we can and certainly can bring benefit, but let's take a moment and dwell upon the most significant koan, question of all. Ultimately,  Who's In Charge?  You are a visitor here and life will continue on in its own way, long after you have departed. What did you come here for? Just focus on that. Where are you headed? Offer what you can and don't dwell upon the outcome. That's not in your hands. 

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