It is not merely enthusiasm that erodes when practice declines. Your body and mind can go out of tune. You are no longer a vessel of insight. The cardinal can sing; the wind can move the ironwood trees delicately; a child can ask a wise question–and where is your center? How can you respond? It is time to put yourself back in tune, to be ready for experiences that make life fulfilling. Take up the advice for beginners. Put your zazen pad somewhere between your bathroom and your kitchen. Sit down there in the morning after you use the bathroom and before you cook breakfast. You are sitting with everyone in the world. If you sit only briefly, you will have at least settled your day.
~ Robert Aitken, Encouraging Words
My Zen Life talks about something I’ve been feeling, which is quantified above. When my practice is not regular, my centre, my calmness, my acceptance is out of balance. The more time out I take, the more time I make for practice of any form, walking meditation, sitting meditation, reflection during the day, listening to dharma talks, even eating consciously, the more I experience reality.
Meditating strengthens my connection to live and experience reality. I find that I don’t even notice I’ve stepped out of reality into ego/self until after it’s too late. The hard sits, the forced sits, are as equally rewarding as the calm sessions. It’s the developing of routine, and the acceptance of any situation. It appears this inner struggle is something many of us battle with. May we all help each other, may we all be happy, may we all be at peace.
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