Let it Be
When letting go is not possible, it can be modified to a softer version of this practice called Let It Be.
Whatever arises, whether it is pain, fear or struggle, instead of letting go, be aware of it, let it come and go, "Let it be."
"Letting be" does not mean getting rid of or avoiding, but simply releasing. Allow what is present to arise and pass like the waves of an ocean.
If crying arises, let there be crying. If grief or anger arises, let there be grief and anger.
This is the Buddha in all forms.
Sun Buddha, Moon Buddha, Happy Buddha, Sad Buddha.
...The spirit of letting it be was expressed beautifully in a poster advertisement for meditation and yoga that I saw years ago: "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."
Artwork: Oda Heart Sutra submitted by Kathleen Dickey
_______________________________________________________________________
Our ZHS on-line schedule
- Mondays: 7-8:30pm - zazen, short service, lecture/discussion
- Tuesdays-Fridays: 5:30-6:10pm - zazen, offering of merit/bows
- M-F: 7-7:30am - zazen
- Saturdays: 8:00-10:15am - zazen, short service, tea, discussion/study
- For more information: www.zenheartsangha.org)
Special bows for today:
- Please offer bows for dharma brother, David Shaw, who suffered a stroke on 9/30/20
- Please offer bows for all those families who have lost their lives or their homes in the recent fires in Oregon, California, and Washington
- Please continue to offer bows of well-being for:
- Charles Kennicott Leech, Nancy's father who is in the hospital
- Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died 9/18/2020
- Takiko Kawakami, Fumiko Arao's mother who died 9/2/2020
- Phyllis Merrill, Misha's mother, who is dying
- Rev. Les Kaye, Misha’s Zen teacher, who is recovering at home undergoing chemotherapy
- Zen Heart Sangha website: resources about COVID-19: www.zenheartsangha.org
- From our dharma brother, Bill: National Geographic article on coronavirus https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/05/graphic-tracking-coronavirus-infections-us/
- From our dharma brother, Jim C.: fascinating look at the Scarlet Medusa jellyfish https://www.nowness.com/series/nowness-asia/scarlet-medusa-immortality-jellyfish
- From our dharma sister, Shannon: There are moments when the confines of normal reality crack and we are opened up to Providence. “Hallelujah” performed in honor of RBG. As big as she was in life, she is even greater in death. You can actually feel her spirit being released to God and sense its largess when listening to this song. Crying cleansing tears.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-INgWwo8TY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2q4LrrWs6POWRJ0vq-ChvyXhT_7ex-f3BU69DmAU7a5Mf82zGAxjEJMmM
- Need something to lift your spirits? https://youtu.be/JNgCM7zp30M
- If you would like to leave a comment on this blog: Here is a quick video on how to--it's from 2017, but should work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T4RflO5Wgg
Many thanks to those of you who are sending me articles to share, links to helpful information, and for making comments…it is a gift beyond measure. Please know that you can either leave a comment on the blog itself, or send something directly to me and I will be happy to paste it in.
No comments:
Post a Comment