Emerson: “A man is what he thinks about all day long (page 24).”[1]
Robert Aitken, The Mind of Clover: “The self that is autonomous and also one with all things is the self that is forgotten… How do you forget the self? In an act—in a task. You don’t forget yourself by trying to forget yourself. When you are absorbed in your reading, the words appear in your mind as your own thoughts (page117).”[2]
Wow, how often have you thought about the self, what makes us who we are, what will happen to our “self” after we die and more. In both Emerson’s writings and the writings and teachings of the Zen masters they remind us that the “self” is represented by our thoughts and how absorbed we become in them.
We are all able to remember a time when we were so absorbed in our thoughts that we actually felt that we were there in that moment encompassed by them, moved by them, one with them. The self and the thought were merged together and ultimately represented “who” we were. So if our thoughts were fear thoughts or anger thoughts our behavior represented them and manifested them in our life. We found ourselves afraid, or mad, or sad, or jealous or even revengeful.
If our thoughts were joyous or selfless or curious or inventive we found ourselves in a totally different place. Thoughts create your reality and the way you see your life, live your life, and experience your life. I am a happy and sometimes funny person just like my dad. There are times when people will say to me, “What are you so happy about don’t you know “X” is happening!” Well, of course I do! But I’m not going to make that leak into my emotions and end up having a bad day! There are a lot of awful things going on in the world so I could be mad, sad, and upset 24-7! I “choose” to live otherwise!
In Unity and New Thought teachings we use affirmations to help us focus on the great “self” and keep ourselves motivated. You might subscribe to a website or blog or newsletter that helps you stay positive. I get some great tips and affirmations from those I follow on Twitter, a blog, or get emails from. My dear friend Harold Wardrop a Divine Science minister sends me an affirmation and prayer every day. Harold’s affirmation for today was “There is nothing that can challenge me that cannot be handled and turned into a blessing that I will hardly be able to contain. So it is.”
Image what your day would be like if your “self” focused on those words from Emerson from Aiken, and from Harold! Remember your thoughts create your reality and thus your “self.” Which “self” do you want to appear—the sad, mad, angry self? Or the happy, prosperous, loving self. It all depends on what you think about all day long!
Let me know how it goes with your “self”!
Shokai
[1]Floris, O. Inspiration & Wisdom from the pen of Ralph Waldo Emerson. www.odeliafloris.com
[2] Aitken, R. (1984) The Mind of Clover Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics New York: North Point Press
The Secret to a More Fulfilling Life: Part 5 Atonement
Posted in attachment, birth, BUddhism, cause and effect, chant, Christianity, death, enlightenment, fears, happiness, hate speech, human race, Kazuaki Tanahashi, love, prayer, religion, self-help, sickness, suffering, Uncategorized, wisdom, Zen, tagged anger, atonement, faith, greed, ignorance, inspiration, karma, learning, Living by Vow A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and Text., Living by Vow A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and texts, relationships, sitting, thoughts, thoughts are things, Truth, Zen Chants Thirty-Five Essential Texts with Commentary on June 19, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Atonement has been defined in many ways such as reparation for a wrong doing or making amends for your actions, words, and/or deeds. Or even read as “at one meant.” In, Buddhism we have a gatha or chant that we recite at the end of our sitting period. It is simple yet powerful.
All harmful karma ever committed by me since of old
On account of my beginingless greed, anger, and ignorance,
Born of my body, mouth, and thought,
Now I atone for it all…
Kaz Tanahashi in his book Zen Chants reminds us that “We are in the midst of changeable and unchangeable karma in each moment. We are bound by cause and effect, but at the same time we are partly free of cause and effect. This is the case during meditation, when we can be completely free from the chain of causation. At this time, we can be anybody and anywhere. We are what we meditate. We are also the source of cause and effect (page 146).[1]
Each time I recite this chant I feel like I’ve been given a new life, and a new opportunity to get something right! To have a “do over” as we might say today. I may not be able to have a “do over” with someone who has passed away or no longer will take my calls, texts, or emails, but atone I must—to forgive myself for my behavior or words or deeds that harmed or hurt another. Regardless of whether the person is someone you know or a total stranger if we have harmed then atonement is the best action to take. If we decide not to take that action it doesn’t mean that we’re done with it anyway!
I once worked with a congregant of mine who had a very bad relationship with his brother. Upon his brother’s untimely death, he went into a great depression for how he had left their relationship. It came to me when we were together one day for him to simply meditate on the love that he had held back from his brother and ask an imaginary angel to deliver him a message of repentance, love, and compassion. Not long after he said that his brother had come to him in a dream and they hugged and forgave each other, and his pain and suffering was relieved. His love for his brother was evident in his countenance he was smiling joyfully.
He was freed from the chain of causation through atonement! How chained are you? What will you do about it? Will you atone and be released from those thoughts and emotions? Or do you choose to live with the pain, anger, and animosity? The choice is yours—which will it be.
[1]Tanahashi, K. (2015) Zen Chants Thirty-Five Essential Texts with Commentary. Shambhala: Boston and London
Read Full Post »