Resistance is Futile
and we're not talking about the Borg!
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
With palms together
Good Morning Everyone,
Today is Wednesday and I have opened my eyes to a cloudy sky. I planned to ride my bike to Zen Center today, but perhaps not, as I needed to carry some documents in my backpack that would not do well if they became wet. So, change in plan.
Life is like that. Each of us must confront change nearly every moment of the day. We are going along thinking I'll do this, then that, when suddenly something happens to change everything. How we respond to this is very interesting, as well as revealing. Sometimes, if we are highly invested in a particular plan and it has to change, our blood pressure rises, our heart-rate increases, we become flush and irritable or angry: a fight or flight response. Not good. This is an indication of attachment and as a result we suffer tremendously.
On the other hand, we might respond with a certain degree of acceptance that change is part of being alive, that nothing is permanent, and that we are smart enough to find a solution. We become like a rudder in the sea or a palm tree in a storm. This is a much healthier alternative, both physically and spiritually.
This past Monday evening we addressed the section, "The Marrow of Zen" in our study group. The marrow is essentially our willingness to receive change and diligently work it through. Our strength as human beings is our willingness to be flexible and think through our conflicts. Resisting change is a little like being an oak tree in a hurricane: not a good idea.
Now, I admit, most of my life, especially after the war, has been lived as that oak. I and my family have suffered as a result. Even here though, change is inevitable, and through a strong disciplined spiritual practice of Zen, I have been more open, more receptive, less threatened, and less defensive in the world. In my heart I know this is a very good thing.
Be well.
Please consider this:
Worldwide
Sunday, Aug 5: “A Peal for Peace” Bell Project will mark the 62nd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With the media discussing war daily and all of us grappling with continuous violence and destruction, we appeal to houses of worship in the U.S. and around the world to ring their bells for 3 minutes or play their chimes of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” at the moment of the Hiroshima bombing (in the U.S.: 5:15 pm MT) Aug. 5th; in Japan -8:15 am Aug. 6th). We pray that performing this powerful symbolic act will awaken the hearts and minds of the world to a commitment to never again to consider the use of nuclear weapons against any of their brothers and sisters. We pray that all humanity will commit themselves to Universal Peace and Love.
Please join us by ringing your steeple bells and chimes on Universal Peace Day, Sunday, August 5th, and spread the word to your congregation and help bring peace and love to god’s planet Earth. For more info, please visit: Universal Peace Initiative: www.universalpeaceday.com
Good Morning Everyone,
Today is Wednesday and I have opened my eyes to a cloudy sky. I planned to ride my bike to Zen Center today, but perhaps not, as I needed to carry some documents in my backpack that would not do well if they became wet. So, change in plan.
Life is like that. Each of us must confront change nearly every moment of the day. We are going along thinking I'll do this, then that, when suddenly something happens to change everything. How we respond to this is very interesting, as well as revealing. Sometimes, if we are highly invested in a particular plan and it has to change, our blood pressure rises, our heart-rate increases, we become flush and irritable or angry: a fight or flight response. Not good. This is an indication of attachment and as a result we suffer tremendously.
On the other hand, we might respond with a certain degree of acceptance that change is part of being alive, that nothing is permanent, and that we are smart enough to find a solution. We become like a rudder in the sea or a palm tree in a storm. This is a much healthier alternative, both physically and spiritually.
This past Monday evening we addressed the section, "The Marrow of Zen" in our study group. The marrow is essentially our willingness to receive change and diligently work it through. Our strength as human beings is our willingness to be flexible and think through our conflicts. Resisting change is a little like being an oak tree in a hurricane: not a good idea.
Now, I admit, most of my life, especially after the war, has been lived as that oak. I and my family have suffered as a result. Even here though, change is inevitable, and through a strong disciplined spiritual practice of Zen, I have been more open, more receptive, less threatened, and less defensive in the world. In my heart I know this is a very good thing.
Be well.
Please consider this:
Worldwide
Sunday, Aug 5: “A Peal for Peace” Bell Project will mark the 62nd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With the media discussing war daily and all of us grappling with continuous violence and destruction, we appeal to houses of worship in the U.S. and around the world to ring their bells for 3 minutes or play their chimes of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” at the moment of the Hiroshima bombing (in the U.S.: 5:15 pm MT) Aug. 5th; in Japan -8:15 am Aug. 6th). We pray that performing this powerful symbolic act will awaken the hearts and minds of the world to a commitment to never again to consider the use of nuclear weapons against any of their brothers and sisters. We pray that all humanity will commit themselves to Universal Peace and Love.
Please join us by ringing your steeple bells and chimes on Universal Peace Day, Sunday, August 5th, and spread the word to your congregation and help bring peace and love to god’s planet Earth. For more info, please visit: Universal Peace Initiative: www.universalpeaceday.com