digitalZENDO

Usually when the word "amends," is used, we take to mean that a person is apologizing for some sort of inappropriate behavior. Amends actually means "a change in behavior." Personally when I think of amends, I thinking about how I can change or improve how I am connected to others.

But when it comes to change the trick is figuring out, what we need to improve upon. To do that, I can't focus on others, I have to squarely look at myself. I ask myself questions as open-heartedly as possible like;

These are my questions, that I find important to me. You may have one's that are personally meaningful to you. What's important is that we ask and answer the one's that need to be asked honestly.

After, I ask these questions, I look for opportunities to take [massive] action and make changes. It's not enough just to think and consider. To be useful, there has to be some sort of action, on my part. I usually don't sit back and wait for others to change. Amends is about the changes that I can make, rather than you. That can be enough.

In closing, I'd say, this process is not about being a so-called perfect person. For me, it's "Right-effort," and nurturing Zen practice. Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "Be the change that you would like to see in the world." I learn from these moments about how I can and am interconnected to those I am with and encounter.

Namaste'

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO