The Ripples We Leave Behind

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an
enlightenment-being or,"heroic-minded one for enlightenment"
Another term is "wisdom-being." It is anyone who, motivated by
great compassion, has generated bodhicitta, which is a
spontaneous wish to attain buddhahood for the benefit of all
sentient beings.

"Bosatsu" in Japanese

Yeah, I've spent the last 18 months whole heartedly studying and practicing this Buddhism stuff.

One thing that happens when you meditate, when all the static in
your head settles, is you start to consider things in a different
way. Take my friends for example.
In my life, I've had an eclectic group of people I call my true friends.
Extremely varied, but I was drawn to them.
I often wonder how and why I choose these people as my true
friends,(or why I was chosen to be their friend). One similarity
about them all whichI have realized recently, they were all
either a Bodhisttva, or working to achieve that state. Whether
they knew it or not. Actions speak louder than words or
religious doctrines. They all came into my life for a reason.

How we treat others, and what we do to better the world, show our
true colors.
It's like throwing a stone into the ocean, it creates ripples.
Where does the energy from that ripple stop? It doesn't. Energy
is neither created nor destroyed. Our actions, like the ripple
from the stone, reverberate throughout the universe.

Stony, my dear friend. I am thankful the universe choose to send you as a bodhisattva into my life, to show me the path. You gave me advice when no one else could, food when I was broke and hungry, a job when I needed it. Clothes when I couldn't afford them, relationship advice when no one else knew what was going in. Your influence brought me into my career. You designed my home, a place a peace and tranquility for me. We heard things in songs most people didn't. You had the 3rd eye of a true artist, and taught me to develop and appreciate mine.

Stony is gone from this realm. Today marks 1 year. But the ripples he created in my life continue.

What can I do? Sit around and feel sorry about it? Not an option. No Excuses.
I ask myself, what kind of ripples do I want to send?

Over the last year, I developed a personal creed, by which I try to live. It is:
1. Treat others as I would like to be treated.
2. Leave the world a better place for my being in it.
3. Tread lightly, and learn from all I encounter.
4. Slow down, and appreciate the moment.

It kind of looks a lot like The Bodhisattva Vow:
(in an English translation)

May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
I vow to save innumerable sentient beings.
I vow to eliminate endless afflictions/delusions.
I vow to learn innumerable doctrines.
I vow to accomplish the unsurpassed Buddha Way.

The signs are all around me. Thank you my brother Stony for
preparing me. You were, and always will be my first and
greatest teacher. Our journey has just begun. May our
ripples benefit all...forever.

Gassho.

2010 is gone

2010. Gone.
I lost too many dear friends this year. The year could have turned out several different ways.
For the first time in my life, I decided to take responsibility for my feelings, and do something positive with them.

A student says " I am very discouraged. What should I do?" Master says, "encourage others." ~Zen Proverb

The good news is I gained a friend. Someone who has done more for me then she will ever know. I couldn't have asked for better company Surfing away the old, and bringing in the new. Surfing in Tamarindo last week is something I will always remember.

Balance. It's what it takes to stand on a surf board, and it's also what it takes to stand though turbulent times in our lives.

2010, I lost some wonderful people, but I found myself.

I embrace 2011.

Keisaku in the Deep South

In Zen Buddhism, the keisaku (Japanese: 警策; kyôsaku in the Soto school) is a flat wooden stick or slat used during periods of meditation to remedy sleepiness or lapses of concentration. This is accomplished through a strike or series of strikes, usually administered on the mediator’s back and shoulders in the muscular area between the shoulder blades and the spine. The keisaku itself is thin and somewhat flexible; strikes with it, though they may cause momentary sting if performed vigorously, are not injurious.

So you may ask yourself…why would anyone submit themselves to such? Well, not only do I intentionally subject myself to such, but I drive an hour to the New Orleans Zen temple to do so. ;)

The first time I went there, it was like coming home. I’ve been there before…or it just makes me realize where I am right now-Looking for the Middle way. And believe me…I’ve been on the far sides of the middle. Moderation has never been my strong point.

Trying to sit Zazen alone in rural Mississippi, is, well about as difficult a thing as I have ever attempted. I can read every book on the subject, but the practice is what is important. Only qualified practitioner can show us the way. Kind of like when I went to my first ‘real’ yoga class. Sure, I had some yoga DVD’s so I was pretty cocky in my yogi abilities…only to find out, I really didn’t know jack shit. But Jim is a wonderful teacher. Having someone who knows where you position should be…that is pretty valuable. DVD’s can’t do that. But a Zen Master with a kyôsaku most certainly can.
Anyway,
Over the last 16 years…I’d let myself go. Work, riding a desk, stress, the rat race. I realized I was not living life, not in the sense I wanted to. Have I accomplished a few things…maybe? But at what cost? My back hurt, I was getting headaches, not sleeping, I couldn’t even stand up straight. I was falling apart.

We are all on a journey…it just takes some of us longer to grasp that fact.

Sangha can mean the assembly of all beings possessing some high degree of realization. Only now, as I am about to turn 36, do I realize how much I need this association. And by just stopping and looking around, I realize all the resources are, and have always been, right in front of me.

One of my favorite old Zen Sayings…
Empty-Handed I go, and behold the spade is in my hands:
I walk on foot, and yet on the back of an ox I am riding:
When I pass over the bridge
Lo, the water floweth not, but the bridge doth flow.

Many people don’t get that little Zen Saying…but I do.

And right now, in this moment, that is all that really matters.

And if it takes a whack or two with the kyôsaku, I say bring it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keisaku