Developing Interior Mastery

I've been reading and re-reading a particular article called, "Developing Interior Mastery," that Genjo Marinello Osho work and posted on the Choboji website. The article was sparked when one of Geno Osho's students asked, "How do we do battle with our interior demons of doubt, self-deprecation, anger, fear, boredom, flights of fantasy, future thinking, obsessive thinking, past replaying, etc...?"

I found Genjo Osho's response helpful, because it runs though ten (10) specific steps as a kind of blue print to improving one's personal practice and the things that naturally appear, when we come to the zafu and Zen Buddhism. It's not vague or ambiguous. It gives some very interesting hints from someone extremely experienced on the zafu. I find it akin to someone who talks about the theories of building a building and the person who has the ability and skill set to actually do it. It's two very different dimensions.

For me, going from a largely philosophical base to the practice of actual sitting was very much the shocker. Many unexpected things came up on the meditation cushion that I thought I had dealt with, that as it turned out were there waiting for me and had only been shoved to a corner of my mind. I may have covered over some stuff but it was all still there. That's the moment that I experientially learned that I was my own barrier. In fact there had been some times that I wanted to give up zazen, because the personal confrontation was so difficult at times.

Over the years, I've learned that in making progress in the, "Development of Interior Mastery," it's very much a process and not an event. It does require sincere time, effort and diligence. Even Gotama Buddha himself had to make a very serious effort in his practice. He had some starts and stops, just like any other human being. The fact that everyone struggles and goes through this kind of turbulence is very important to remember and part of "Crossing over."

Within myself, I recognize that I have both so-called, "Charted," and "Un-charted" waters. Navigation without a map can leave us either cast adrift, lost, going in circles, driven into the rocks or if we happen to "luck-out" a kind of dry land. Without a map or process, it's obvious that things tend to be "hit and miss."

I'm honestly grateful that there are teachers such as Genjo Osho, that freely offer and throw us a life-line. That's a big deal, because it points to both hope and opportunity for change that can improve the quality of our individual and collective lives.

If after reading and exploring the Ten Steps to Developing Interior Mastery you notice and realize that they work for you, use them consistently. If they don't, drop 'em like a rock, but do continue to look for a clear process to move you forward. After all, life is NOT a test. It's really happening to us. Let's use this unique opportunity to practice and develop mastery within ourselves.

Namaste'

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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