Today I began to think about writing a new blog post and so I turned around and looked at the titles of the books behind me and there I saw a wonderful book by Les Kaye, Zen at Work, A Zen Teacher’s 30-Year Journey in Corporate America. The title made me think about my work and the many jobs I’ve had at so many different places and in so many different environments. I’ve worked as a corporate trainer, minister, ropes facilitator, a college professor, an administrator in a medical records department, and more. Did I discover love in any of those places? Did I feel peace and contentment as I walked through the doors or greeted my students as they wandered into the classroom or on to the adventure training course. I wonder did I exude the feelings of peace and love and if not, what was I exuding?
I read this idea the other day–“breathing from your heart” and I still can’t get the phrase out of my head. Probably because I had written it on a sticky note and it sits on my desk just below my screen and every time, I look down I see it. It reminds me to stop and breath and not just do it with my lungs but do it with my heart. When I stop and do that it seems as though my breath is softer and easier and puts me in a different place. Then I thought, how about thinking of something or someone that I love or that may need a prayer, or a helping hand, or a job, or money to pay their bills, or to buy food. How would that work? If I did it, how would I even know if it worked or not? Why should I even want to know?
Mysteries are so much more fun than living in a hard and fast factual world with research, and books, and tests. How about just letting the “language of the heart” do its own thing in its own time and be surprised when you learn that your gesture, or words, or your smile, or your email made a positive difference in someone’s life. Les calls it “the language of the heart.”
Les goes on to write, “We depend on the language of the mind because we are always working on some practical, everyday problem. We are always involved in situations that are difficult or confusing. But because we must continually rely on our intellects, it is easy to forget the language of the heart. (page 109).[1]
Thus, within our daily lives we can create a peaceful place and thus a peaceful world around us. Let’s start with ourselves using the “language of the heart” with everyone we meet. It doesn’t matter if they are complete strangers, friends, coworkers, or family members. Image what could happen if every time you encountered someone, wherever you are, thoughts and words were filled with the “language of your heart” and not your mind. When you thought a good thought for the person in your presence a simple word like peace, or love, or health, or prosperity directed at them would make you feel good and might even make them feel good…you never know!
You might want to create a little mantra or prayer or word or sentence that would be kind and uplifting. I might want to say to myself as they pass, “I wish this person a safe trip home.” Or “I wish this person a happy and healthy day.” Or if they look like they are in need of prosperity I might say, “I see prosperity here for them today!” Not only will they be blessed but just like a boomerang it comes right back to you!
Living the language of the heart is an awesome way to live! Try it…I think you’ll like it! Let me know how it goes!
[1] L. Kaye (1996) Zen at Work a Zen Teacher’s 30-Year Journey in Corporate America. Three River Press: NY
Yueh-lin (thirteenth century) is to have said, “What is true speech? Ninety percent accuracy is not as good as silence (page 104).”
In the introduction chapter of the book Cleary talks about the influence that conventional religions had on Buddhism. “On a deeper level, Zen masters sought to restore and express the living meaning of religion and philosophy; the Zen teaching was to ‘study the living word, not the dead word.’ Not only did Zen reawaken Buddhism in this way, but it also revitalized Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Shamanism bringing out their higher spiritual dimensions (page xiv).”
“If you judge others from your own limited point of view, how can you avoid being mistaken? Furthermore, those who had shortcomings yesterday can act correctly today (page 62).”
Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano begins this section with a question, “What is the special meaning or value of renunciation (page 77)?”
In Jan Chozen Bay’s book Mindfulness on the Go, she has a great little exercise you can use with your classes she calls it “Say Yes.” Find every opportunity to say “yes” to people. She invites us to put stickers up with the word “YES” in spots where you’ll notice them in your home and workplace. She even encourages us to write “YES” on the back of our hand so we can see it frequently. She writes, “This task helps us see how often we take a stance that is negative or oppositional. If we are able to watch our mind when someone is talking to us, particularly if they are asking us to do something, we can see our thoughts forming defenses and counterarguments (page 127).”
together at Lynn to create a world where our religious differences are not simply tolerated but celebrated. This event is precisely that; where religious leaders from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Atheist traditions will come together in celebration of our diverse faith traditions. Come and be amazed!
When was the last time you heard yourself or your children or students or co-workers actually laugh with a loud squeal, saw them roll on the floor, and hold their tummy because it hurt so much from laughing? When was the last time you laughed so hard tears rolled down your face like the picture you see here?