Small Can Become Big

At home I have a 32 oz cup where I throw my loose change, at the end of the day. I put stuff in there, but don’t usually think about it. About a year or so ago, my daughter asked me, “can I have the money in your change cup?” Thinking there might be 30-40 bucks in there at most, I said sure. I was wasn’t planning on doing anything with it anyway.

Later that day when I saw my daughter and asked how much she got out of the cup at the “Coin Star.” She said, “112.00.” I asked “are you kidding me?” A rather large grin came to her face, she let our a “Woot,” and then said “yep.” Though I hadn’t been paying attention to the change cup, it seems that she sure was. Score another one for the thirteen year old.

Reflecting on this experience, the message to me is, “Little things add up, over time. Everything counts, no matter how small.” And because things on the surface can appear small or happen over a long time span, we can easily miss or not notice the significance of things.

Once when I had dokusan with Genjo Marinello Osho, as is the custom, I did a series of bows. When I sat down in front of him, he said (demonstrating) “bow like this and be sure to keep your hands like so.” I thought, "why does the precise position of my hands matter? I’m here to solve something that’s life and death to me. The bow cannot be that big a-deal."

By the time I got back in the Zendo and sat down on the zafu, I was disappointed in my attitude. I wasn’t being openhearted and Genjo Osho easily allowed me to capture myself in a bear trap. I said to myself in a gentle tone, “Put aside your arrogance and listen carefully. Be mindful and be what you are, a student who MUST be prepared to learn from his teacher. Even learning to bow properly can be Dharma Transmission.”

After that I put aside my attitude and resistance, things came much more easily. That small interaction with Genjo Osho, made a difference everywhere for me. Small can indeed become BIG.

Though on the surface, some may not understand the value of being mindful and not see or feel how small can become BIG, okay. A person has to learn to help themselves at some point. As Eido Tai Shimano Roshi says, “Everything happens in the readiness of time.” My responsibility to be present and make my own best effort, no matter how small.

In Gassho,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Comments

[Anonymous]

Well put!