There’s nowhere to settle and nowhere to unsettle. And yet, the request to practice, to continue comes to us. It is that, the request that comes, that inquiry that we follow as the Way. We ask ourselves what is IT that is worth following? Sages point the Way – we listen, and study and understand but still we must find it with our own two feet…right where we stand.
So, this little example may shed some light on what to do. If nothing else, it may help you see your life right there, where you are, from this light. Today, this light comes from reading a little of Julian of Norwich, knowing the story of Christ and being a seer of Buddhism and many other ways.
Julian of Norwich, as you may know, was a woman who confined herself in a small space built along the side of a church in England in medieval times. In her spiritual practice she requested to taste what she called the ‘passion of Christ.’ I take that to mean she wanted to follow in Christ’s footsteps of suffering. The accusations, the humiliation and the execution of Christ all seemed to be part of Julian’s desire. In other words, she wanted her body and mind to be a sacrifice.
Tough stuff, at first glance, especially if we take her spiritual desire literally. But I don’t think Christ’s Way is to be taken literally. Christ came to show the Way. So from that perspective, he showed the Way of sacrifice. Sacrifice, a favorable act, which is considered whole or holy. In this light of understanding sacrifice as a favorable, whole act we see the trial, sentencing and execution as a favorable act for us to consider right where we are. In other words, in our own shoes; on our own two feet.
Following close behind this request to taste the passion or sacrifice she asks for three wounds. One of which has three aspects as follows: 1. Contrition , 2. Compassion and 3. Yearning to know God. These aspects of this wound are quite similar to the practice in Buddhism which is stated as: 1. Confess, Don’t blame or Shame, and Change.
Yes, I say. Now this is making more sense and making this mystic Julian’s way more understandable.
Christ showed the Way as seeing everything that happened to him as a sacrifice. It is quite a dramatic showing of the Way but it coincides with the Buddhist teaching to slay the ego and the strong encouragement of renunciation of going after the things in the world.
So for us, here in this period of existence, we are pointed to slaying the ego and are encouraged to confess our errors without condemnation but for the purpose of freeing us enough to change; in Julian’s words, to show mercy to ourselves when we confess our errors and to yearn for the highest, which Julian called God.
By whatever name and form you know, may you do the same.
During this time of such upheaval and shifts in daily life, may we take shelter in solitude and silence and stillness where we might know the presence of the mysterious Truth of the Tathagatha. We are never apart from this mysterious Truth.
Consider the insight of From NOW in This Body in the reality of your being human – uncertain as we tend to be – consider slow & careful action in body and mind, rest in devotion with every move you make, every breath you take…with all the work as devotion.
From NOW in this body,
WORK is devotion –
resting on concentration and focus –
a steady hand – a focused eye –
a wise, loving mind –
As one puts together a sand mandala –
slow & careful, not looking to do anything –
not looking to finish anything – not looking to keep anything.
To give this offering in perfection of spirit.
Take the stitches out.
All of this and much of what I write at this time is for contemplation. It means studying it, making attempts at understanding and seeing what is there for you in your spiritual work.
May we with and all beings, realize the emptiness of the three wheels, giver, receiver and gift.
OM
From NOW in this Body is by Rev. Dìqiú aka Old Earth
I was once dubious about working with a teacher,
but after a lifetime of practice, and working with Ming Zhen
I see the need and recommend to you
that you find a teacher.
Author: Reverend Master Yue aka OM
Image credits: Fly, 2020
A Single Thread is not a blog.
If for some reason you need elucidation on the teaching,
please contact editor at: yao.xiang.editor@gmail.com