zen

I am, because we are…

~ jaysen ~ Leave a comment

Interdependence is a cornerstone of Buddhism.  The idea that “I” only exist, because of the dependent co-arising of the elements that make “me” exist.  My human body has about 30 trillion human cells in it and about 40 trillion non-human microbes in it.  I am more “not” human, than human!  These cells and microbes aren’t “me.”  However, I wouldn’t be “me” if they didn’t exist and make up this body that I have identified as “me.”

Likewise, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my parents, or their parents, or their parents’ parents, on back.  I wouldn’t have my current employment if it wasn’t for the person who hired me, or if the person that hired them hadn’t hired them.  My food that I generally do not take enough time to appreciate would not sit before me, if it weren’t for the grocery store, the farmers, or the sun and the rain.  So, my health and welfare are in many ways contingent on elements and people outside myself, that I depend on.

Beyond these every day situational examples of interdependence, there are the very foundational elements of who we are – elements!  As Neil deGrasse Tyson has been often quoted as saying, we are related to each other biologically, to the earth chemically, and to the Universe atomically.  We simply share more in common with who we are on a fundamental level, than not.

One doesn’t have to be a Buddhist or a scientist to see this as true.  A Muslim, a Jew, or a Christian can draw the same conclusion based on their belief that all life has come forth from God (or Yahweh, or Allah).  If my life has come forth from God and your life has come forth from God – then are we not basically the same at our core, the source of our lives coming from the Source of all life?

In this perspective it seems insane if not just ridiculous to fabricate more ways to divide us from others.  But the fabrication of division, through manipulation, drawing upon peoples’ fears, anger, and ignorance is what we are currently resisting in the form of bans and walls.

We are resisting such ideology, because it is harmful.  We are also resisting such ideology, because it is simply not true.  It is not authentic to the reality of life.  The reality that all of our lives are interdependent.  The reality that I am, because we are.

~j
02.20.17

 

forward, breath by breath…

~ jaysen ~ 1 Comment

Prior to the Christmas holiday, a dear friend reached out and commissioned some ensos.  These were to be particular ensos incorporating a semicolon, which was brought into focus as a simple of hope and journeying forward through the semicolon movement / Project Semicolon.

Here is a photo of one of the ensos I painted below, with an explanation of each element (the enso, the semicolon, and the phrase placed with it):

 

 

 

In Zen, the enso is a circle that is usually painted in one brushstroke, sometimes two, to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create. It is considered abstract minimalist fine art. The enso is not about creating a “perfect” piece of art, rather the purpose is to authentically express “this” moment. The enso can symbolize our journey, the universe, enlightenment, awakening, life, and what I like to call “perfect imperfection.”

 

The semicolon (as expressed by Project Semicolon), “…is to restore hope and confidence in people who are troubled by addiction, depression, self-harm, and suicide. The semicolon symbolizes that the difficulties they face are not the end but a new beginning. A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life.”

 

The mantra/phrase, “It’s just one breath”, is a phrase I’ve heard the meditation and Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg use often.  I have often incorporated this mantra into my meditation practice from time to time. When life or situations can feel overwhelming, it can be a wonderful salve to bring oneself back to this present moment, one breath at a time, remembering that “it’s just one breath.”  I thought this phrase made for a beneficial pairing with the semicolon and the enso.

 

~j

 

*Please note: Although meditation can be a beneficial and fruitful companion to professional medical or therapeutic help, it is not a substitution for these in the case of severe or clinical depression. It is best to seek professional advice when incorporating a meditation practice.

fall in love with life…

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fall in love with life… 

“Every day, priests minutely examine the Dharma and endlessly change complicated sutras. Before doing that, though, they should learn how to read the love letters sent by the wind and rain, the snow and moon.” ~ Ikkyu
#love #life #nature #ItIsAllHere #dharma #Ikkyu #zen #JMWphotos #JMWart

happy 90th birthday Thay!

~ jaysen ~ Leave a comment


Happiest of birthdays to Thich Nhat Hanh who is 90 today. In many ways I consider Thay my root teacher and certainly my introduction to the Buddhist path. His approach to meditation, his teachings on mindfulness, interconnection, and loving kindness have been a cornerstone to my practice. Favorite selected readings include: Living Buddha Living Christ, Calming The Fearful Mind: A Zen Response To Terrorism, Peace Is Every Step, Answers From The Heart, For A Future To Be Possible, Love Letter To The Earth, and his book of poetry Call Me By My True Names. 

May his teachings and wisdom continue to be of benefit to a world in need for generations to come.
Bows of gratitude, dear Thay!

~j

10.11.16

 

there is always Light…

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sitting with stars 2016

when the narrative is dark and foreboding, when the banner of fear is waved gathering the masses under it, and what is said divides us, denying our interdependence – look to nature to regain your balance. sit with her, resting in her silence, aligning yourself with the Way, and remember there is always Light.

sitting with stars…
when you miss the Sun

look to the Moon
when you miss the Moon

then you shall see
all of the suns

have come out to play
~j

#zen #stars #sun #moon #sky #light #nature #wisdom #balance #sittingwithstars #sittingwithstars2016

peace is every step…

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Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

#PeaceIsEveryStep #ThichNhatHanh #calligraphy
the end does not justify the means. the means create and are their own end. if we plant seeds of harm and suffering, then we will have harm and suffering ~j
#peace #harm #suffering

revolution? awakening?

~ jaysen ~ Leave a comment

any movement that is not self-aware, self-conscious, that does not entertain some level of humility and openness to critical thinking and questioning is in danger of slipping into fundamentalism and extremism no matter how good the intentions motivating it.
revolutions can bring benefit, or bring harm. and very often some of both. there is always a price. one person’s gain, another person’s loss.
a true revolution of the heart and true awakening, however, opens the heart – defeating the real enemies of pride, ego, ignorance, greed, and the notion of “other.”
~j

#WakeUp #RevolutionOfTheHeart #Awakening #Humility #Heart