The Way Of The Bodhisattva
"This fact alone truly determines whether or not one is on the path, rather than having simply joined a periodic meditation practice, ceremonial gathering, or having some set of doctrines to follow. We don’t really need to go out and seek difficulties each day. Usually there are many moments when we’re tested by life."
Sojong Reminder 06/15 from Anam Thubten
Dear Dharma Friends,
This unbelievably alive and vibrant existence is magical as well as ephemeral. Our human life on Earth is a part of this vivid reality.
Our existence is like a rose; it is exquisitely beautiful but sometimes its color can be so intense that it is hard to bear. Its nature is full of uncertainty and one never knows what is going to unfold. Each morning we wake up, none of us human beings knows with absolute certainty what the day is going to bring. Any day can be ordinary, overflowing with blessings, or full of mishaps.
Many of us will go through difficult periods in our lifetime. When circumstances are too challenging, we can sometimes get lost or end up feeling bitter. But now and then, we may pass through hardships and ultimately feel even wiser and freer. This is why ancient masters often said that suffering is a blessing in disguise. That can be a hard concept for most of us to accept. In our ordinary mind, it’s hard to imagine how this can be. Our memory may tell us that things got worse for us when we suffered, rather than the suffering left us stronger. When times are tough, we might even feel isolated from the very people in our lives who can inspire our heart and help us to realize that this can be a living truth.
Now and then, we may come across inspiring stories about great individuals from the past or we meet people who have evolved through their suffering. There are people who deeply awaken by going through illness, loss, or unimaginable tragedy. These individuals don’t possess any special, innate attributes that common people are lacking. Rather, what they tend to have is a willingness to embrace all of the painful conditions in life as a spiritual path. This is the way of the Bodhisattva; one who vows not to run away from the messiness of the world, but instead further engages with it in order to expand her heart.
From the Buddhist point of view, the path is a lifelong practice of taking the whole of our life experience as the ground upon which our hearts can grow. This growth comes from knowing that every situation is an opportunity. This fact alone truly determines whether or not one is on the path, rather than having simply joined a periodic meditation practice, ceremonial gathering, or having some set of doctrines to follow. We don’t really need to go out and seek difficulties each day. Usually there are many moments when we’re tested by life. Each time we can choose not to react from the egoic mind, but rather meet what is being presented with Bodhicitta - the awakened heart.
During this upcoming sojong, let’s hold this idea in our hearts and renew our intention to carry this knowing as the foundation for our lives. Actually, we’re already walking such a path and this reminder is simply to help us recognize who we already are as a dharma practitioner.
With palms joined, Anam Thubten