Seeing Buddha Everywhere

This morning for Zazen (sitting in unification), I used a traditional practice talked about by Jack Kornfield in the book, "A Path With Heart," at the end of chapter 6. It's called, "Seeing All Beings As Enlightened." The practice is very simple. I visualized myself walking though my life, encountering various people. As I looked at each person, directly in the eyes, I acknowledged them by saying [Name] Buddha... One with Awakened Mind.

I visualized myself, encountering my family, co-workers, friends, people in the street and people that just came to mind. If I sensed of felt any resistance or misgivings for a particular person, I would say, "How is it that you cannot clearly share in their awakened mind as you would like yours to be?" As soon as I release those feelings and worlds, it was like a wall fell over and I could have just an "Okay," within my being.

Using this practice became something of a tenderizer for my Heart-mind. It softened some of the rough edges... the bruises and scabs that I've been feeling in my mind and being. It helped to narrow gaps and doubts that I've been feeling within myself, as I navigate my relationships with people, giving me a strong sense of appreciation.

The world we experience is partly of our own making, colored and distorted by the past experiences that each person identifies with his personal ego. My relationship with you is not with you as you see yourself, but with you as I see you: A waxworks creation in my mind. As a result, two people can share the same house and literally live in two different worlds. ~Eknath Easwaran | The Dhammapada (Lamp of the Truth)

If we can shift our focus and notice even if just a small sliver of the Buddha nature... the Awakened Mind that we each have, a window of opportunity appears. We can enter and move through that window. We can live differently, more compassionately, not just with others, but ourselves as well.

Every person that we encounter does have the Buddha (Awakened) Nature. I hear my teacher asking me, "Can we see It... feel It... connect with It?" I feel that if I can do that for just 5 or 10 seconds, then that is a moment that I am not being a counterfeit Buddha. It's then that we're authentic and not living a make pretend life, wondering when the end will come. We are fully engaged... active... alert... truly alive... When we are seeing Buddha everywhere, This is definitely our best life ever. Please sit... practice... find this out for yourself...

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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