This writing represents the final “Monday morning” entry for 2020, a year that will be remembered sadly by an untoward amount of death and suffering, much of it caused by a now all too familiar term: Global pandemic, or Covid #19.
As a way of encouraging everyone to remain steadfast and committed to keeping “still body, still breath, still mind” as we enter the new year, below is list of practice guidelines. It is with sincere intent that you will find some of these useful.
“There is nothing but the changing of circumstances. Remain free in flow so that your mind – even while engaged with the myriad things of everyday life, remains quiet and focused on each situation in turn.”
“Become one with each thing. Above all, do not stagnate. Being caught by a circumstance results in opinions and judgments forming and tethering creativity.”
“Awaken to the truth of not holding on to anything. Make use of your situations rather than being used by them. In daily life, do not hurry without needing to. It is a non productive and useless habit.”
“The deluded mind is our mind and the clear mind is also our mind.”They are not separate; only our perspective changes.”
The Buddha said “find a true place of refuge within, chase out all of those ghosts of lingering self consciousness.” Failing to do this, we spend our whole life involved with gossip and meaningless pursuits.
“Concentrate your mind in the hara at all times. Remain undisturbed by circumstances. Doing so, the correct response to the circumstance will more readily present itself.
“Observe a tendency to attach a false sense of urgency to things as you proceed through your day.”
“Mindfulness is wordless prayer.”
“All we are responsible for is this one moment. We only have to give our attention to and do one thing at a time.”
“There is absolutely no need for complicated religious thought. Just keep your not moving center.”
“Tranquility is often demonstrated by being silent and smooth in your motions. No matter what you are doing, be calm, careful, peaceful and quiet.”
Sincerest best wishes to all for the new year.