Monday, November 23, 2009, 02:41 PM
"If the only prayer you say in your life is 'thank you,' that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart
Reflections on Gratitude for you to consider and to question:
*Humans seem to offer gratitude spontaneously when touched by life; I wonder if we can feel touched by life simply by offering gratitude?
*Is it true that every moment has qualities that invite our thanks when we pause and reflect?
*In “big” moments when something important works out well “thank you” emerges instinctively in our hearts and often on our lips. Notice if something similar arises in subtle ways during smaller moments- when the warmth from the sun graces your face or a door is held for you.
*Is it true that any moment of connectedness -to Self, to life- has gratitude implicitly built into it? I am suggesting that gratitude is not added after, rather that it is already there in the background when touched by living. IF this is so then might it be very valuable to consciously invite this background sense of gratitude forward?
*Like all virtues, gratitude is destroyed when imposed as a “should”, “must” or “have to”.
*Expressing gratitude, even when it is not consciously felt, can have positive effects. For example, when sad, hurt or upset, notice what happens if, in addition to honestly acknowledging that part of your experience, you say “AND I am grateful for……………”
*What happens when you choose to cultivate gratitude as an intentional practice? Try this experiment daily for two weeks. Before bed and at other times, review the previous hours and notice anything for which you feel thanks. Sense that thankfulness in a bodily, inner way not just as a thought.
*As Thanksgiving approaches, I wish you a fulfilling day/year/lifetime of Thanks………
i thank You God most for this amazing day:
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is Yes....
~ ee cummings
Friday, November 13, 2009, 12:15 PM
The disciples were involved in a heated discussion on the cause of human suffering. Some said it came from selfishness. Others, from delusion. Yet others, from the inability to distinguish the real from the unreal.
When the Master was consulted, he said,
"All suffering comes from a person's inability to sit still, be alone and listen".
(based on a story from Anthony de Mello)
What does it mean to sit “still” and to be “alone” and “listen”?
“Still” does not mean without thoughts, sensations or feelings. “Still” means not running away from what appears.
“Alone” does not mean to withdraw into isolation, rather that we stop blaming anyone for anything- we are finally mature enough to be responsible for our life, our mind, our world. In an ironic twist, because we are responsible for All, we are not separate from others and therefore never really alone. This is the esoteric meaning of ALL-ONE.
“To listen” means that we bring interested curiosity to the moment inviting intimacy with what comes. Think of an animal in the wild or a person- you- when giving full attention to something or someone that you love- still, alone and listening.
I was asked recently to give a short description of "Embodied Meditation" as we practice it in our programs. The questioner said, "I know many forms of meditation, tell me what do you emphasize". My answer went something like this:
Although I am a meditation teacher I don't actually like the term 'meditation'. Most people hear this word and think that they need to stop their mind, as if the mind is the enemy. Meditation is approached as an intensive form of mind control. I remember years of Zen training in which my inner life was a war between my thoughts and my desire to be free from thoughts: it was the antithesis of peace and awareness.
Rather than 'meditation' I speak about 'just sitting'. 'Just sitting' emphasizes the physical act of sitting with the sensations of weight, breath and other bodily phenomena including sound. Rather than focusing on control, we emphasize "being with 'what is' from moment to moment". This 'being with' embraces whatever arises with respect , warmth and interest. Note that this embracing does not imply ‘liking’ or enjoying, it is the courageous act of opening one’s interest to the pleasant and unpleasant alike.
So we see two main points: 1) a subtle, gentle intention to notice what appears (thoughts, feelings, sensations, images) and 2) a warm-hearted acceptance of whatever one notices. For many students the most important initial learning is to recognize their unfriendly, often cruel habits of self- judgment. Many people are ashamed of their own minds. When we become kinder to ourselves, the whole world changes. IMAGINE SAYING “HELLO” TO EACH moment WITH A WELCOMING, non-condemning SPIRIT. To be friendly with your mind in this way WILL ABSOLUTELY CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
The job of the sitter is to gently and consistently return to the moment, allowing the bodily sensations “to ground” the mind. Through this dedicated intention one is inviting effortless awareness to dawn. Attention and awareness are not the same- the first can lead to the second. While attention includes an intentional guiding of the mind, awareness is spontaneous and free. Interestingly, as awareness dawns the sense of a "body" drops away and all that remains is awareness itself. Embodied meditation leads us beyond embodiment. This is our direction.
A student of mine recently returned from Africa and commented that all the wild animals had the same bodily quality of effortless, light movement with constant alertness, it reminded him of our Embodied Life study. In our practice we call this "relaxed vitality."
Still, alone and listening. This too is our direction.
Sunday, August 2, 2009, 03:53 PM
Last week I returned from my July teaching tour in Europe. The final stop was in Sweden where the ethereal summer light always invites an uplifting atmosphere, a sense of inner lightness. With so many months of darkness the Scandinavians value the sunlight very deeply, one can feel this appreciation vibrating in the air.
As a guest teacher at a “yoga festival” with about 400 participants, I came away inspired by the goodwill that arises when groups of people work together in sincere ways. “The Embodied Life” seemed to resonate for many of the yogis, enriching their practices. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this work and all the rich meetings that ensued.
The energy of summer offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery. Summer is lighter both in the sense of less dense and less dark. In this spirit I offer five light-filled and light-hearted quotes for reflection. Suggestion- don’t be fooled by the “lightness”. Each of these quotes can be the source for deep illumination. I suggest finding one that resonates for you, printing it out and using it for self-reflection.
1) "Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from himself."
-James Joyce
Isn’t this a concise reminder of our work? When disconnected thinking dominates and we lose contact with our feelings and sensations then we can all say: “I am living a short distance from myself”. Actually, when distant from Self, there is no short or long there is just that awkward, uncomfortable, isolated feeling of “not here”.
2) Question to Sasaki Roshi (101 year old Zen master currently living in the U.S.):
Q: “Do you ever go to the movies”?
A: “No, I do interviews with students.”
Those of us who enjoy the movies know that while each plot is unique the essential causes of drama are very few. Spiritual teachers listen to the same stories over and over with slight variations; the suffering and problems that are presented are simultaneously real and unreal. The moment that the confusions and misperceptions are clearly seen through, there is a deep release and the struggling is eradicated. Without an inner sense of struggling with “what is” the suffering turns into a challenge, the “problem” becomes a “situation” that one needs to address. This is true even when the external circumstances have not changed. It is a miracle!
The whole concept of cinema where we agree to make that which is unreal into the real for a period of time is an excellent metaphor and reminder of our daily lives. When we recognize that the current conditions that we are experiencing are temporary formations emerging from the infinite realm of possibilities, the “realness” of the passing show takes on a different quality.
3) "Most of the worst things in my life never happened"
Mark Twain
Why do we worry? According to evolutionary thinking, our ancestors who did not have “enough” worry in their make-up did not survive; they were too cavalier about potential dangers. It also seems that our nervous systems have different inclinations toward worrying, some of us seem to be natural worriers, some less so. Still, as with all mental states, through growing our awareness in a “whole body way” we can begin to develop approaches to living that are more life giving than habitual worry. We can say that worry that does not lead to effective action is not helpful.
4) Question to John D Rockefeller
(One of the world’s richest people at the time):
Q: "How much money is enough?"
A: "A little bit more".
Is there a more cogent expression of the limitlessness of our desires? There is a part of our mind- a dominant part when we are unaware- that is driven by dissatisfaction. It literally can only experience “enoughness” for very, very brief periods. How tragically absurd and painful that we do not see through this habit of mind!
Buddhists have an image of a hungry ghost. Imagine a Being with a huge belly and needle thin throat- no matter how much it eats there is never satisfaction. How important it is for each of us to study the mind states that are addicted to dissatisfaction in the guise of “a little bit more”. To study in this sense means to know them well as physical, mental, emotional experiences in an atmosphere of curiosity and kindness.
5) "You're perfect as you are and there is always room for improvement". Suzuki Roshi
Well, that just about sums it up.
Wishing you an enjoyable, nourishing and fulfilling summer and I hope to see you at an “Embodied Life” event soon. For those on the U.S. mailing list, if you are visiting Europe, check our website for events over there. All my courses are taught in English.
For those on the European mailing list, if you are visiting the U.S., check our website for events over there.
Many Blessings………Russell
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 10:41 AM
Which is stronger- human selfishness or human generosity? Is violence or peace more “human”? How do these questions relate to evolving consciousness and to people on a path of awakening?
When one listens to the cultural narrative, it seems we are hopelessly ensconced within narcissism, self-centeredness and competition. Without denying the power of these forces within each of us, I am struck by the presence of the opposite impulse. As I travel throughout the world, I am forever surprised by and grateful for the basic goodness of people. If one pays attention to their personal interactions and does not simply believe the fear-based propaganda society, it is obvious that most people enjoy offering help when asked. Even here, while visiting my old hometown of New York City, I find that beneath some bravado and self-protectiveness there are many, many moments in which goodwill is met with kindness.
When I say this, I am looking at the small actions of everyday life. The stranger I met yesterday who stopped and took time when I asked for directions, the man on the plane who accepted a less preferred seat so that an older couple could sit together, a nurse in a hospital taking extra time to be sure that all questions were answered, the people who allowed a frenzied traveler who was about to miss his bus to get ahead in the ticket line, etc. etc. Of course there are exceptions and yet, I often notice that the majority of people I encounter choose cooperation over hostility.
Walking around with a friend from New York who had a different view of human nature was illuminating. His comment was “of course you have positive interactions and run into really generous people you treat people with great kindness and true presence. What would happen if you just acted in the ‘normal’, disinterested, unconscious way in which most people relate?” Makes you wonder doesn’t it?
In one sense I agree with him, in another perhaps not. It is true that in most moments we receive back the energy or quality that we are emanating. Meeting the world with kindness, interest and generosity will usually invite similar energy in return. Yet, even before this kind of exchange, there are the basic gifts that are constantly showered upon us that only require openness and presence to be felt. The beauty of color, hearing sounds, the feeling of a breeze on the skin can fulfill us when we are there for them. An early, important discovery in my meditation practice was that if I could find true satisfaction “just breathing” then any moment could be satisfying. Again, makes you wonder doesn’t it?
For many years the “human story” has been dominated by one side of the evolutionary impulse, the side based in competition- often called “the struggle for survival” and “survival of the fittest”. We can see how this view fills the airwaves, newspapers and cultural mind. Naturally this side is important and is not to be ignored. Still, thanks to many social changes and most importantly our collective growth of consciousness, we can now begin to tell the other half of the story- the impulse toward cooperation and nurturance called “cooperation for survival” and “the struggle to remember our interconnectedness”. Do we have a choice as to which side will dominate?
This is THE question for evolving humanity. To approach living from the ground of interconnectivity with all Beings requires a higher state of consciousness than living in the world of separation. While we wouldn’t want to lose our capacity for self-protection and our alertness to danger, do most situations ask us to meet the world in this way? What happens when you enter each interaction with a generous interest in seeing the other? When lost in our unconsciousness the default attitude will likely be fear based, when one reaches a certain level of awareness a genuine choice arises.
It is really important that we recognize and support this evolving capacity of humanity. Presence and openness is the ground for receiving the gifts of the moment. In addition, our picture of others, the story we carry in our hearts and minds, strongly influences our experience in everyday life. We can radically influence the quality of our lives “simply” by shifting the story we tell ourselves about life and about other people.
If you are reading these words with some interest, you are capable of choosing which seed you would like to water. This is called conscious evolution. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Wishing you a fulfilling life..........Russell Delman
Thursday, April 2, 2009, 12:16 PM
My friend James has cancer, a shortened life is now predicted.
A student named Susan was misdiagnosed, her apparent cancer is gone.
Everyday in small and large ways our life moves from circumstances that disappoint us to those that bring relief and joy.
How can we live with this ever-changing reality?
In my seminars and in my life I enjoy, value and even depend on the simple inner/outer gesture of bowing. The act of bowing is not just a formalized ritual. It is the embodied expression of our intention to place the reality of Life above our hopes, dreams, desires. This does not mean that we do not have these hopes, dreams, desires- they are also part of the fabric of our life. Bowing means that we place the reality of our life above these hopes/dreams/desires when they are not synchronous. Of course by ‘bowing’ I mean both the physical act and more importantly, the inner gesture of saying Yes to “what is” without denying ANY of the reactions that arise in relation to what is. This is called living out the reality of our Life/Self. It is also called humility.
Living out the reality of our Life means that EVERYTHING we encounter is our Self, which is exactly the same as saying everything we encounter is our Life. Normally we separate out our Life and our Self, as if we have this thing called a Self that lives in something called “my body” and that this Self meets what we call our Life.
Actually this is a big error and leads to a lot of trouble. Everything you encounter is your Self/Life. You are inseparable from the reality of your Life as it is arising in your personal circumstances. Yet these personal individual circumstances are an expression of Life itself. This can be called UNIVERSAL SELF through which we are all interconnected and yet we each have our individual experiences of this grand interconnectedness.
Please do not think this is abstract philosophy. I am addressing the actual pain, worry, fear, self-judgments, anger and anxiety that arises in our daily life. Just as the weather changes so do our circumstances. This will be true forever. How do we step back and remember the truth of this Self/Life that both includes and is free from these changing circumstances? How do we enact this larger understanding?
When we bow, our heart is accepting our personal limitations as we simultaneously sense this Universal Self. In the Christian world it is the gesture of saying “Thy will not my will”. In the Dharma world it is acknowledging that right here, right now Buddha Nature (Universal Self) is functioning through me. In both cases, even when there is pain or sorrow, there is no sense that something is fundamentally “wrong”.
My friend James has cancer. It is virulent and many thoughts/feelings arise from this diagnosis. A student named Susan recently heard that that a cancer diagnosis was inaccurate, her tests were confused with those of another person. Clearly, we who love them feel sadness, concern, relief and elation in connection with the differing circumstances. YET, beyond positive/negative and heaven/hell is the overwhelming truth that each is living the reality of Life/Self. We do not need to downplay our feeling responses in order to ALSO place reality above our preferences. . At a fundamental level, Love-Peace-Truth-Joy are alive within all these circumstances. This is the cutting edge of the awakening life! We bow to Life itself!
Heaven or Hell, love or hate
No matter where I turn
I meet myself.
Holding life precious is
Just living with all intensity
Holding life precious.
-Kosho Uchiyama Roshi
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