Transforming Fears and Old Mental Models
- Insights Into Practices
- A Favorite Quote
- A Poem, by Rainer Maria Rilke
- Half Day Retreat – This Sunday morning
There is a classic Zen “koan” a teaching story. It goes like this:
You who sit on the top of a hundred foot pole,
Although you have entered the Way, it is not genuine.
Take a step from the top of the pole
And the entire universe is in your eye
Do you ever feel like your life is like being perched on top of a hundred foot pole? I do, especially when I think about our upcoming election, our divisive politics, and our sometimes frightening and unpredictable world events. And, closer to home, how about in the issues, problems, and decisions we make about our families, our work, relationships…life? There is no shortage of uncertainty, when we pay attention; no shortage of feeling perched between knowing and not knowing, or confidence and humility.
· The point of this Zen teaching story is to transform fear to fearlessness and to help us wake up to the reality of our lives.
· It aims toward revealing real freedom and a more genuine way of living, knowing that everything is uncertain and precarious.
· And these words suggest letting go of old mental models and seeing yourself and the world through fresh eyes.
In what way does your life feel uncertain and precarious? How can you transform fear into freedom and possibility?
In a talk by Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki, he addresses this teaching story and these questions by saying:
“The secret is just to say “Yes “and jump off from here. There is no problem. It means to be yourself in the present moment, always yourself, without sticking to an old self. You forget all about yourself and are refreshed….
Continue to have generous mind, big mind and soft mind — to be flexible, not sticking to anything….When we are not afraid of anything, we are imperturbable. To be completely concentrated on what you do, that is simplicity. And the beauty of practice is that it can be extended endlessly.”
Practices
- Say yes, to yourself – Instead of doubting or undervaluing ourselves, this is the practice of a full-bodied “yes” to our own wellbeing, health, needs, and aspirations.
- Be yourself without sticking to your old self – This is a shift in our patterns, habits, and mental models; letting go of the inner critic, the “shoulds” and opening our hearts and minds
- Face and transform fear – Easier said than done, but an important practice and aspiration, by not sticking to your old self.
- Practice with a more generous, big and soft mind – Generosity is a core mindfulness practice; being generous with ourselves, our time, and our attention.
- Concentrate on what you do – Less over-thinking, and more warmhearted curiosity.
A Favorite Quote This Week
“I keep thinking that what we need is a new language…a language of the heart….a new kind of poetry that tells us where the honey is…. And I think that in order to create that language you’re going to have to learn out how to go through a looking glass into another kind of perception where you have that sense of being united to all things…. And suddenly you understand everything.”
– My Dinner With Andre
A Poem, by Rainer Maria Rilke
I am too alone in the world, and not alone enough, to make every minute holy.
I want to unfold
I don’t want to stay folded anywhere,
Because where I am folded, there I am a lie.
And I want my grasp of things to be true.
I want to describe myself like a painting that I looked at closely for a long time,
Like a saying that I finally understood, like the pitcher I use every day,
Like the face of my mother, like a ship that took me to safety
Through the wildest storm of all.
Half Day Sitting, In-Person and Online – This Sunday Morning
Sunday, May 26th, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Mill Valley.
I really like half day retreats, where there is time for some extended meditation periods, some walking, and time to process with a small community. Then, time to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.
With warm regards,
Marc