In Our Wake

Having listened to Genjo Marinello Osho's teisho that I talked about yesterday, "Three Disabilities," I've been sitting a lot with something he talked about. To paraphrase, he talked about having the ability to note the quality of our practice, based on the trail or "Wake," that we leave behind us, much like that of a boat as it moves through the water.

When I look back over my shoulder, to see the path that I have worn in my life, I've been noticing not only what it "looks" like, but what it "feels" like too. Yesterday, after each interaction, I would ask myself, "What did I leave in my wake?" Was it that I was genuinely helpful and compassionate or was it disjointed and a cause for frustration? Personally I didn't always like the answer, but as Genjo Osho stated, at least I know there is "room for improvement... always."

Speaking of yesterday, I noticed one particular interaction that I had a lot of dissatisfaction with. Part of what caused what I'd call an "ugly" wake was, there was too much background chatter. Instead of being able to do one thing really well, it was like there was 6 to 7 things going on in the same moment. Because of this, it made it more difficult to demonstrate a particular tool that we are shifting the person too. The result was a transfer of information that was repeatedly interrupted. The person clearly didn't connect with the significance of what was being done and seemed irritated though-out the process. It's a hazard of working in such a busy environment. But despite the "busy-ness," I need to seek a way to smooth out the so-called "wake," that I leave behind. This is not any easy task.

Beyond seeing what is left in our "Wake," Genjo Osho also mentioned that there is a point we can come to in our Zen practice wherein "We leave no trace, no wake." I thought, "Wow. How do we become that, with any regularity?" The answer is simple, and hard as we chose to make it. It comes down to what I call "Ceaseless harmonization with The Way." It's like two very good dancers. There is such synchrony that no division can be distinguished in what is seen or felt. It is perfectly seamless, perfectly intimate and the net result is that there is no trace to be seen or felt.

Getting to that place of leaving no trace, takes energy, effort, dedication, determination, patience, study and time. Many elements or pieces that are working well, together. And while some books can help to guide us, ultimately the hands have to get dirty. It can only be earned and not given.

We have to BE the practice. Instead of reading about someone's experience, we must gain our own knowing of what Genjo Osho and so many other Zen masters before have demonstrated. It's in this knowing that we can then leave a wake of wholeness, kindness and compassion which eventually though the readiness of time becomes "wake-less" and "traceless."

Namaste'

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO

Comments

[Genjo]

Wow Seiho, that last paragraph really shines with understanding.