Not Giving Up

It's easy to say, "Don't give up on yourself or others," but much harder to do. Part of what makes it hard is when I focus more on what's going on around me than within me. All sort of defense mechanisms like externalizing (blaming), rationalizing (excuse making), regression (back sliding after a period of progress), can be used when we want to justify or desire to give up or run away.

Compounding matters can be other factors as well. There can be issues surrounding having experienced a difficult life, the one that we didn't have that we thought we were supposed to. There can be issues of low self-esteem, forcing us to sometimes feeling awkward and out of place. There are many, many, many matters to compound and confound us that we are left, not wanting to live, but just survive the day, hoping that somehow things will be better tomorrow. There are so many things to distract, so few to unify.

The truth is that our life circumstances doesn't get better on it's own. We have to take actions that can bring or restore our mind and our life to a place that helps us weather our personal storms, so that we can live forward and not stay stuck in our personal tar-pits. For me it means building a foundation based on the eternal principles within Zen Buddhism.

The eternal principles that I am taught by my teacher, Genjo Marinello Osho are so simple. Regularly he may say "Pay attention to your life. Sit some more, Combust yourself, Practice Open-heartedly, Practice with your vows, Harmonize with your circumstances - even when You don't feel Your best." His guidance is always, "Just straight ahead." There is no complication in this other than the ones that I might choose to make or give into.

To me so-called "Real" Zen encompasses, Mindfulness, determination with a focus on kindness, compassion and a gentle hearted way with All sentient beings... that includes me. When I am living within those principles, it's much easier to live, not just survive. When I am living within the principles expressed here, there is no giving up on myself or other. There are thousand arms and hands that can help to lift us from suffering and be truly awakened. The key for me it would seem is in giving myself to This Way, and not giving up.

Love All - Serve All - Every Day,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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