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“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”

~~~ Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

I‘ve spoken often here in the blog about Peace. If you’re one of the long-time readers, you’ll know that my belief that peace is the answer — and that violence will only lead to more violence — is an unwavering tenet in my life. Here in the United States we’ve been subject to an enormous amount of rhetoric about war — and the words of war — victory — defeat — terrorism — and now with the hearings taking place in our Congress with the lead General and the Ambassador in Iraq, the rhetoric has reached unbelievable proportions. Our country has become divided between those who feel that war and violence is the way to solve problems, and those who want to see and end to this conflict and the loss of lives — ours — and those of the men, women and children of Iraq.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power,
the world will know peace.”

~~~ Jimi Hendrix

I have also said many times that the intent of this blog is not to get into political discussions. My feelings about peace are likely not shared by every one of my readers here. I understand that — and I honor that. I would like to start doing one thing, though, and that is with each blog posting, I would like the picture I include each time to be some sort of symbol of peace. I hope you’ll understand and honor my desire to do so.

Since the picture I’m including with today’s article is of the Dalai Lama, one of the great Buddhist advocates for world peace — and since some of you know that I live a Buddhist lifestyle, I’d like to talk about one of the Buddhist schools, called Zen. Zen is notable for its emphasis on the form of meditation known as zazen — the attainment of awakening. As such, it de-emphasizes the study of religious texts in favor of a more direct individual experience of one’s own true nature. All the Buddhist teachings are similar in that they have a lot to do with the subject of inner peace and how to attain it.

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.”

~~~ John Lennon

Life can change in the blink of an eye. We all know this and we all live with this reality every day. For some, this is a source of stress, but for others, this uncertainty, as well as the strong emotions that come with it, are, as one Zen teacher has said, “merely one drop of water in a babbling brook”.

For those who understand that there is nothing that is permanent, they have adopted Zen into their lives, whether they realize it, or not. Zen, and other Buddhist-type practices, teach people how to concentrate — how to effectively contemplate, or think more deeply — and how to achieve a stillness of mind and soul in order to achieve less stress, ease suffering, and experience inner peace.

Having this aspect of Zen in our lives is something all of us can do. It’s an individualistic aspect of life, yet it does encompass more than just ourselves. Since it involves your thoughts, and the way you think, it also encompasses the universe because thoughts create things. It brings an increase in inner peace, yet it doesn’t allow us to avoid pain, either physical or mental. Zen is a means to re-examine your ideas about yourself and your desires.

Most of us who follow Buddhist teachings, whether Zen or one of tho others, will include silent meditation as a part of our daily lives. The concepts of Zen, however, can be a part of your everyday life, even if you don’t do a sitting meditation every day. The basic concept is that there is no reality outside of what exists moment to moment. Yes, you will continue to experience the highs and lows of life, the whole gamut of emotions that drive us batty, but the Zen mind doesn’t hang onto those for days, weeks, months and years. The Zen mind knows that all of life’s states are impermanent. Just like that “drop of water in the brook” I mentioned above, each moment is carried away with the current.

Once we (and that includes me and all my worrying about the world situation), can learn to free ourselves from the burdens of old hurts (and even old joys), a whole new world can open up for us. Each day will always be different from the day just passed. The difference between being and doing will vanish. We’ll begin to understand that the differences between our own self and others no longer exists, as we are all one.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this rather long article, Zen emphasizes the impermanence of all things. Once we understand this and embrace it, every facet of our life will be affected. We’ll feel differently about what will make us feel fulfilled. We’ll think differently about our careers. We’ll notice a difference in how we relate to others. It will guard us against disappointment and stress. We’ll experience less suffering and the fear of failure will vanish because we’ll know that all moments have worth.

You don’t have to change your religion in order to adopt Zen into your life. Zen is not a religion — it’s a way of thinking. Start by knowing yourself and live more of your life in the moment. Take the time to simply exist. Learn to avoid your attachments to possessions — they, like everything else are impermanent.

The one thing you won’t have to do is make time for Zen. Once you adopt the concepts of Zen into your life, it will always be with you. I guarantee you will enjoy the feelings of inner peace.

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”

~~~ Mahatma Gandhi

And, as I always say in closing — remember these words …

You are the most precious gift you can give yourself. Every day look in the mirror and say, “I’m available to more good than I have experienced, realized or imagined ever before in my life!” Do this every day while you look into your own eyes.

You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.

Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

~~~ DBL-R

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