The very best teaching my first Zen teacher gave me was: No matter what is happening and, no matter if it’s happening “on the inside” or “on the outside”, first and foremost, be aware of what’s happening and do your best to relax. Fear might be happening, be aware of fear and relax. If joy is happening, know joy and relax. If a flat tire is happening, be aware of that and relax. Another way to say this is: be aware of what’s happening, notice, and let go of any drama. Simply work with what’s happening as calmly as possible.
Right Intention
Be Ready for Anything—Practice Loving-Kindness
The older I get, the more I find my mind spontaneously calling up thoughts of loving-kindness. What do I mean?
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Living Harmlessly Means Speaking the Truth
To state the aim of Buddhist practice is simple. The aim of practice is to bring suffering to an end. Bringing suffering to an end demands clear seeing and truthfulness and continuous practice. If it wasn’t that way everyone would probably practice Buddhism.