Practice is about liberation. As one continues to practice, they ‘lose’ themselves both externally and internally into the practice. Having recently been up close and personal to long time (10+ year) practitioners both lay and monastic, I saw a different view.
As I began getting to know these people, what became clear was practice was a tool, not the result. What was happening is each of them applied the tool of practice to their own lives and situations, and each time it freed them to become who they were underneath the baggage of ego.
No one was becoming Buddhist, or Buddhist-like, they weren’t moving towards or becoming any ideas or anything external. Instead, they were all moving closer to their own core of being, their own reality. Each step of practice they were facing what was real for them, accepting, and working with it.
Seeing these long term lay and monastic practitioners, it’s clear to see the results of practice. Practitioners become more comfortable with who they were, being more open and more free. They become more real, and more themselves. It was amazing to be around so many people who were able to be. It was inspiring, knowing that we are walking the path of liberation together. (photo)
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Hi Wade, This post is so inspirational. Thank you for bringing back and sharing the wisdom from your retreat with us. I am going on my very first one-day retreat in two weeks time and I’m so excited. Thanks again for writing your blog, I always learn something valuable here.
Tracy
As someone who understands the basic conceptual nature behind Zen as well as other non-dual traditions, I keep wondering about the concept of “practice.” Does the practice have within it the capacity to detach or to avoid identifying with the practice? Or can an individual become trapped within the practice? in other words, can the “tool” become an obstacle?
Also I notice from the Zen Mt Monastery website various hierarchies starting with Abbot, Sensei, Osho, chief liturgist, senior monastic, etc. As Practitioners or novitiates (bottom rank) could this interfere with the purpose of Zen?
I don’t mean to sound so judgmental with these questions but I have dabbled with various Hindu/Buddhist practices and I found the ritualistic procedures (within the various ashrams or monasteries) to be an impediment to the main idea?
Your thoughts?
Thanks,
Mike
@Tracy, It’s great to see you back round here again, I ‘lost’ Zen Housewife a few weeks ago for some reason, great to reconnect with you again. Thank you for the reflection, that is motivating to me
Enjoy your retreat, I’m sure it’ll be an amazing and powerful time, regardless of how it goes, if that makes sense.
@Mike, thanks for an interesting question, it’s one I’ve had to work with as well. The idea is not to see the forms, or to be caught by the forms but to use them as a gate of practice. What I found with all the rituals I took place in was a lot of questioning.
In the chanting/service/ritual I could feel my consciousness. I could hear and almost see my enlightenment. The words were the illumination of my consciousness. The more I could let go of the words, the more they opened, the more I grew in depth and voice, the more I could see and feel where and what was singing. It’s amazing, when there’s no I singing, and a voice is coming out, that is growing and getting better, what or who is singing? Where was it coming from? I stopped trying to look for answers to that question and just entered into the practices.
In the bowing and prostrations, the question of who was bowing to who. What was bowing, the difference, and the relations between the bower and the receiver kept coming up.
The rituals in all their forms aren’t about be followed as forms but other forms of practice, just like Zazen. The hierarchy is an interesting one, and is based on the formal understanding of the individual. To me the titles didn’t mean as much as the interactions I had personally with them all. It was in the interactions that each person’s ‘work’ could be seen, and their different levels of understanding took the forms of the hierarchy that they have.
Again, thank you for your interesting and challenging question. If I haven’t answered your question, I’d be keen to try again.
May all being be happy. May all being have peace.
Gassho,
Wade
I found this perspective on practice to be very astute. I think practice should be seen in this way. Its interesting to realize that we are not the “ego self” we have pictured in our minds, the more we strip this away the more free we become. Nothing to attain within practice, just becoming more and more honest and comfortable within our skin. I think such a perspective helps lead us away from being coming attached to misconceptions about practice
Great post.
Present moment, wonderful moment, only moment.
@Greg, thanks for the kind words, and sharing of your experience.
@James, No words can reply to that
Peace to all.
Gassho,
Wade