Unblock Your Heart
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten
Dear Dharma friends,
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A long time ago, a friend of mine who is a Buddhist teacher told me that he felt he had lost joy after practicing Buddhism for a long period. He felt that he needed to work on joy and to invite others to bring more joy into their life. What he went through can be a familiar situation, which many Dharma practitioners encounter at sometime in their life. Even Dharma practice can make our heart less joyous if we become too rigid or idealistic about it. This is why Machig Labdron advised us,“Do not be too loose, do not be too tight.” Yet, joy is inherent in us from birth, all the way through our life. Even small things can make us smile here and there at any time.
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Our inherent joy is like a beautiful flower that can be covered by overgrown thickets. Habits like negative thought patterns are like thickets that will continue to overtake our minds unless we shed them. We might like to check the level of our inner joy from time to time, the same way we check the level of gas in the tank of our car while driving. While there is no physical tool that can gauge the level of our inner joy, our awareness can be the tool that shows us whether or not there is enough joy in our heart.
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According to Tibetan Buddhism, our Dharma practice is built upon the essential principles of the three paths of the Shravaka, Bodhisattva, and Vidyadhara. The first path is about disciplining the mind, which is a very useful method to keep our mind from being engrossed by our thoughts. The second path is about having a big heart, holding the world with compassion, and embracing all expressions of life. The third path is about perceiving the world in a way that finds the sacredness in all things. In common language, it’s about allowing ourselves to feel joy by seeing the abundance of magic and beauty in each moment. We’re on this earth not only to learn how to be compassionate and to love but also to enjoy this transient life, like tourists who are here for just a short while.
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As the end of the year approaches, it’s a time for purifying and celebrating. Nature is gently inviting us to cleanse our mind and heart of the old baggage which hinders the joy that is always ready to flow from within. In the cycle of life, this period is a time for us to celebrate by enjoying sounds, colors, fragrances, the breath, and so much more. Our New Year’s resolution could be to let more joy flow through our hearts. This world away can always benefit from more joy.
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During this sojong, let me invite all of you to find a thought pattern or a habit that might be blocking your heart. If you find one, hold the intention to let it go and envision this life with a new kind of freedom.
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With palms joined,
Anam Thubten
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