Effort That You Are Making

Frequently I see the effort that I am making, as a student of "The Way." I'm doing zazen... Studying... working with my teacher... reading... journaling... interacting with others... blogging... etc... That is important, well and good. At the same time, it's important to be able to turn the tables on the process, notice and appreciate, the effort that you are making in the practice of your life.

Having the ability to appreciate the efforts of others is critical and useful. As I step back, see, hear and learn the lessons and experiences of others, empathy has a opportunity to blossom. The sense of being alone or isolated can be reduced or dissolved. Your inner struggles may be very particular to you and yet at the same time, they can and often are the very same ones that I struggle with myself.

I might say, "I am doing zazen," as though my ego feels it's carrying the freight for the rest of the universe. But in truth, you are doing zazen with your life and are carrying the "freight," for all beings too. It might not be in a way that I am used to thinking or feeling it, but it's indeed there. And if we learn to see and hear with our entire body, dropping our prejudices and biases, we may be so fortunate as to genuinely experience, "you as YOU."

For today, the focus of practice will be to hear, see and notice, "The effort that you are making," seeking to appreciate the moments you may be actualizing Buddha nature. Do I have the mind to see It... hear It... feel It? I don't know, but I'm willing to push myself and find out. How about you?

Your's In Zen,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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