Supporting Each Other

In my travels through my office complex yesterday, I ran into Matt, one of my friends. He's had an interest in Buddhism which go kicked off, innocently enough while in college. Over the last year or so, we've had more than one conversation and actually did zazen together, so that I could instruct him on sitting. Learning how to really sit down can be a funny process.

He was discussing Sogyal Rinpoche's "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying," which is a terrific read if you ever get the chance. As we talked, he said "Buddhism is so simple. Be right here. Be with the breath. Everything comes from That place." I replied, "True, and all that is implied." We both laughed.

As I headed back to my office, I ran into another friend, who's a new mom. She was talking about the basic rhythm or lack thereof in parenthood and sometimes being "sleep deprived." The related stress can and does have the result of making one feel a little discombobulated. I said, "I can related, having two daughters. It doesn't always feel like there's a graceful way through these moments. There will be another side." She said, "Then let it come soon!" We laughed and I continued on to my office.

Later in the day, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with someone that I'm working with on a project. They had some really solid thoughts and ideas, clarifying and helping to define a path that would bring the project one more step closer to completion, at least one part of it anyway. I felt a lot better having support and assistance. The journey felt more doable... lighter... possible...

After zazen this morning, I was seeing and feeling a deep sense of gratitude. I noticed the magnitude of support that we can share, if we don't hold back. I have my family, teacher, shangha, analog friends and digital one's on twitter and facebook and co-workers. We are in certain ways, counting on each other to "do" the so-called "right-thing." It's a kind of social-contract.

We are counting on each other to help and not hurt. We are hoping to been seen, valued, respected in a healthy way and cared for in healthy ways. This is extremely important, given the role that relationships play in our life.

It turns out that to being an effective support, requires a certain openness to our own heart-mind and skillfulness. It's knowing how to hear and not just listen. It's knowing how to see and not just look. It's knowing how to share and not just talk. It's knowing how to be present not just physically but emotionally. Supporting each other is truly Zen... seamless unified mind, in every way.

Unifying heart-mind is as much an art as a skill. It's a kind of garden that needs constant tending to, during every season of life, otherwise we will get overrun by weeds of our circumstances. Please note by the way, I didn't say there would never be weeds. There always are, hence the need for "Supporting each other."

This is our best life ever. I really mean that. May we guide and teach our mind to move consistently towards loving kindness and caring, so that we can genuinely support each other.

Unify Your Heart,

~Seiho

Comments

[Anonymous]

i can only hope to be there for you as much as you have been there for me, in this life

mu.
banzan